*Sigh* Canning, cooking and ceramic stovetops question

[Jim S.]

I am sure there has been a thread or two on this here before.

We are looking at a very nice KitchenAid ceramic top range as part of our "no longer living in the early '70s" kitchen appliance remodel.

Of course, DW got online and now she is freaked because she read doom and gloom that canning won't work with them because they are too cool to boil large amounts of water, and that canning will crack the glass, melt the elements, melt the glass and etc. I then jumped on and found folks who posted over at GardenWeb who say they've canned 15 years on one with no trouble.

We know we must use flat-bottom canning equipment, and that's fine. The rest is a question mark. I called Kitchenaid, and they say can all you want, as long as the vessel does not overlap the eye spot more than 1/2" on each side, and as long as you rotate eyes if you are doing multiple batches, to allow each eye to cool down a bit. The range has a 1-year parts and labor and 5-year parts-only warranty on the top, and Kitchenaid is a well-respected brand.

I told DW never fear, the folks over at HT will answer this question and you can take their replies to the bank! So, what's your experience with canning on a flat top range?

The other question involves using her beloved cast iron skillet and cookware. We are aware of potential scratching problems ("Pick it up, don't drag it!"), but how does it cook with castware otherwise?

Thanks for the help. I really want a flat top range, but if it really won't fit how we cook, then we need to look at eye ranges.

[Bonnie L]

I'm on your wife's side - I wouldn't get one. I did can on one a couple of times, at another person's house, & it worked, but I couldn't get over worrying about it. After years of electric stoves, I like my propane stove best.

[BlackWillowFarm]

Just bought a canner last summer to use on my flat top range. I ended up with a Presto. I have the 23 qt model. They're the only company that states you can use their canner on a ceramic top range. There is a raised part on the bottom that fits my burner exactly. The rest of it overhangs, but doesn't touch the stove. Never filled it to capacity, but I did use several times with no troubles. I even used it as a waterbath canner. That's when it was the heaviest.

Can't help about the cast iron since I don't have any. I've decided to pick up some pieces when I can. I don't really like my flat top stove though. It seems like it takes too long to get really hot. Stuff takes forever to boil! My stainless steel cookware is practically useless because the bottoms are warped. I've been switching over to aluminum and they seem to work fine.

I want to try a gas stove next time.

It's gonna be awhile before I get a new stove though, so I'm content with it for now.

[DAVID In Wisconsin]

I had to give up my cast iron cookware to get a smooth top stove according to the manufacturer. I do like the ease of cleaning but really miss my cast iron.

[Common Tator]

I just hate to depend on electric for all my cooking needs. I have propane at the ranch and was careful to get a model I could light with a match if the power went out. Then I'm still cooking like always, even in an extended power outage.

[Lucy]

I totally agree, if you can get a gas stove, do so. They are so wonderful to cook on. Instant heat, plus any adjustment you make is immediate. I cook when there is no power, too. I would never go back to an electric stove unless I had no other choice.
The gas cooktop is easy to clean, too. No drip pans to wash.

[shellmar]

I currently have a frigidaire flat top stove. I like it for everyday cooking, but not for canning. It takes forever for a canner full of water to come to a boil, and I can't use my pressure canner on it. I don't have cast iron, because I didn't want to scratch the stove. I have had to have the element replaced for the burner where I do my canning. I think having it on for extended periods of time and the weight of the canner may have caused this to have to be replaced. I am replacing the flat top with a gas stove, I just have to wait for a good sale.

[Pink_Carnation]

Canning is possible...just not as easy. It is much slower to heat up the water. I use cast iron on my smooth top and figure that if it does scratch it isn't the end of the usefullness.

I wouldn't get one again though because it isn't that much easier to clean. You have to be careful about what you use for cleaning and things with high sugar content can stain it fairly quickly.

[artificer]

Ok, here's a different point of view/question: How often do you can? If you really like the ceramic stove, and you only can occasionally, how about a turkey fryer on the porch? Propane heat, and that thing cranks out the heat.

Now that we have untold dozens of chickens in the freezer, I'm going to start to learn stir frying. Turkey boiler with a 20lb tank on the porch, and I should be a happy camper. Same idea could be used for small amounts of canning.

If you can a lot, I'd get a propane stove, but I love propane for the stove, electric for the oven.

Michael

[bergere]

OK,, I must be the odd one out. DH bought me a flat top Electric stove/oven. Looked at "comsumer reports" and bought the recommended one.
I love it! It is soo easy to clean and use.
I have had it about a year now and we use the cast iron to cook with and I put up Veggies. No scratches so far.
This stove has a power boil on it and it really boils up water fast. I blanch my Veggies to store them in the Freezer and I can have water boiling away all day, and this goes on as I harvest from the garden. So far no issues.
So I really guess it depends on what model.

[highlands]

We have a ceramic topped electric stove. Love it. Very easy to keep clean. We can on it all the time. Works great.

[countrysunshine]

I have a glass cook top and it heats very quickly. When I can I use the old electric one in my basement but I frequently heat water upstairs. It heats in half the time.

I also use cast iron all the time. THe only place I scratched the stove is the plastic trim piece across the front that is slightly higher than the cooktop.

If KA says you can can on it I would get one if that is what you want. They aren't what they were thirty years ago. They are a lot more durable now. I have never seen a gas stove that heated as fast or as hot as my stove. They do require totatlly flat bottom pans.

I love cooking on mine but I hate cleaning. Yuck!

[sammyd]

We canned on one for years. It worked quite well and we were happy with it.
We finally retired it because the glass on the oven door broke and we found another stove cheaper than the replacement glass.

[Callieslamb]

They have changed the newer glass top ranges over the older ones to accomodate heavier pieces of cook ware. So while the information is correct for older models, the new models are usually just fine. Check with the manufacturer of your range before you buy to be sure.

[Tracy]

We replaced our flat top electric stove when we remodeled our kitchen. We dont have gas so our options were electric or propane but I really didnt want a propane stove.
This is what we got http://www.jennair.com/catalog/produ...t=69&prod=1464 We wanted a down draft sytem for ventalation and they offer coils that can be purchased seperate for canning. They plug right in. You remove the glass top and plug in the coiled element whch were made just for canning. Also has other attachments such as a grill and griddle.
Pricey, yes but I found a dealer that was offering 18 months same as cash so we bought it and paid it off in the 18 month grace period. Love this stove. Also has convection oven and a bunch of other features.

[dixienc]

When we moved into this house it came with a brand new flat top electric stove. I don't care for it because I like gas stoves where I can control the flame. BUT I have canned on it and used cast iron pans. It does take a while to heat the water up and goes faster if you use a lid. I have used my pressure canner and BWB canner on it. I will always prefer gas stoves to electric. It's a personal choice. Just seemed like canning was faster on the gas one.

[Cindy in PA]

I have had my flat top for a year and love it. It cooks like an electric, but cleans like a dream. Mine is a light color and so far NO problem getting it clean. I debated also about canning even though presently I freeze, but decided to get a separate heavy duty portable burner if I decide to get into canning full time. I looked a electric burners, but don't they sell portable gas burners also?? Good luck.

[catdance62]

I love my flat top too. We've had it for about 6 years and I have cooked, canned, just about everything. The only scars it has is where my DH dropped a frozen leg of mutton on it and chipped a piece off the corner!

[Delrio]

I use cast iron, pressure canners and waterbath canners on mine. No problems. And I love the way it cleans.
Funny, I was talking with a friend last night and he was complaining about cleaning his and how long it takes him. Maybe the brand makes a difference. Mine was $450 and his was $1200.

[wwubben]

When we got our flat top stove we moved the old electric stove to the basement and can down there.I would not get another flat top stove though.