On the Surface

• Glass stove tops are actually glass and ceramic that have been processed and tempered to form a plate that will conduct heat from the element up through the stove top into the pot. The glass stove top, unlike traditional metal tops, only puts heat out directly at the site of the element. Surrounding areas remain cool to the touch because of very low heat conduction coefficients. This ceramic-glass material can withstand rapid fluctuation in temperatures; however, the surface can be broken or damaged if heavy objects are dropped or banged into it.
  
  

Turn Up the Heat

• Glass stove tops utilize one of three sources of heat: radiant ribbon, quartz halogen or magnetic induction. The radiant ribbon resembles the standard coil technology seen in non-glass stove tops. It can be used as the sole source of heat or combined with the quartz halogen or the magnetic induction elements. Quartz halogen is the quickest to heat up but the longest to cool off. Magnetic induction is the most energy-efficient heat source. This technology uses high frequencies to heat up the cookware material and not the surface of the glass.
  
  

Throw It in a Pan

• The glass stove top works most efficiently when the cookware used is the same size as the burner being used. Radiant ribbon and quartz halogen heating elements do not require a specific type of cookware. However, the magnetic induction element must be used with iron or steel magnetic cookware. With any glass stove top, it is important to use cookware that is perfectly flat on the bottom and free of dings or dents.