Electric Stoves question

I have always had gas heat/stoves but our new house has electric and the stove is pretty old and it will be one of the first things to replace.

I was looking around in Home Depot and I love the look of the flat topped electric ovens. But my question is, do those smooth topped surfaces scratch easily? If I am lets say making stir fry, and I am moving the pan back and forth, do you have to be extra careful?

Thanks.

Re: Electric Stoves question

No, they don't scratch so easily when cooking, but you have to be sure to use the right stuff when you clean them - I use windex and a paper towel unless it gets very dirty, in which case you wait for it to cool, then use a special glass top surface cleaner.

Personally.....I wish I had my gas stove. I can regulate the temp. so much better with a gas stove. I find the glass-top to be less sensitive, does that make sense??

ETA - and be sure to use pots and pans that can use a glass stove - no cast iron.

Message edited 9/20/2005 10:18:18 AM.

Re: Electric Stoves question

You have to use certain cookware. I have a flat top electric stove and use my stainless cookware and don't have any problems. I think you can use calphalon type stuff also. I think that is classified as "non stick". Not really sure. The owners manual had a section about cookware and scratching. HTH!

Re: Electric Stoves question

Our apartment has a flat top and as far as electric stoves go, I love it. We've had it for just over a year now...no scratches.

I agree - you have to be sure to clean it up right away or it could stain...ours came with a special cleaner and scraper.

I would also go for a dark grey or black top...would disguise any stains you couldn't clean up.

ETA - we use stainless steel cookware...

Message edited 9/20/2005 10:53:35 AM.

Re: Electric Stoves question

My mom has one and my sister burned her glass top when something actually spilled over, now there is a black mark on it.

I love electric, right now I have an old propane gas stove and I want to replace it, but not until the spring when my kitchen gets redone.

Re: Electric Stoves question

So a soapy sponge just doesnt cut it when cleaning up?
Would you suggest the electric stoves with the coils instead?

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my aunt has one, and it came with it's own cleaner. she's also very careful about the type of pots she uses when cooking. (not sure which ones though). it's about 3 years old, but still looks brand new.

Re: Electric Stoves question

We had one in our condo and it looked brand new when we left. You have to be careful what you put on it and how you clean it. I'm sure a salesperson would be able to give you these details.

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2 of my friends have flat top and HATE them! They are both brand new too - they hate them and want their old stoves back.

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I had an electric coil top one and I HATED it with a passion. I would secretly pray it would implode so we could get a new one.

We did end up getting a new flat top convection oven and I love it so much. I've had no problems with scratches or anything and cleaning it has been rather simple.

Re: Electric Stoves question

Thanks everyone!

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We have one in this house and I am still not use to cooking on it yet (we moved here last October). However, I love the way it looks when cleaned, it looks brand new and shines nicely. Whatever you don't get coils I heard they're really hard to clean. Also, we haven't used any 'special" pots, just our regular AllClad's (sp?)

Re: Electric Stoves question

sounds like alot of mixed reviews about the stove, what does your mother think?
they usually know the best, i do beleive.