skip to main content

Bought Frigidaire range... now what cookware?

stinky-gardener

13 years ago

Hi! I bought a Frigidaire Gallery range with a glass (ceramic?) smooth cooktop & it was delivered yesterday. The instruction manual has scared me to death. It says not to use virtually every sort of cookware on earth, but doesn't say WHAT TO use! Yes, it hints that stainless steel won't harm the surface, but also mentions that SS is a poor conductor of heat, which produces poor results.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

The manual also says not to use pans with dirty bottoms, as they may scar or scratch the surface. Yes, I wash my pans, but my old ones are probably not a good idea anyway if this is the case. Pans with colors are a no-no, as they may melt onto the surface.

I *think* hard anondized aluminum would be fine to use...I'm just not sure. The manual does say never let aluminum foil touch the cooktop under ANY circumstances!

Most of you I'm sure cook with gas, but I hope someone out there knows what to do in this scenario anyway.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Btw, I did call Frigidaire customer service...No help whatsoever!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

herring_maven
13 years ago
stinky-gardner, You never will go wrong with Kuhn-Rikon Duromatic, which is exceptionally well-built, with thick aluminum disk bottoms and heavy gauge stainless bodies. With the included pressure lids, Duromatic pots can be used as pressure cookers, but you can use conventional lids and they are excellent as conventional pots and pans as well.

You might also look into the Chantal Copper Fusion line of cookware, which has many pluses going for it: copper core for excellent heat distribution, a superior easy to clean enamel cooking surface, and (for the future) induction-compatible.
warmfridge
13 years ago
Dear Stinky Gardener,

You can use any cookware that's not abrasive enough on the bottom to scratch your ceramic top, e.g. unenameled cast iron. Colors are fine as long as you don't overheat the pot for a prolonged period...I've used LeCreuset for years.

Pick what you like. You will get best results with heavy cookware and not flimsy stuff with this type of heat. Tri-ply stainless is fine...Tramontina is reasonably priced. The manufacturer is basically covering their butt so you can't complain you didn't know a sandpaper-covered pot could scratch your stove.
Related Discussions
I like my Frigidaire induction range! Thank you.
Q
Comments (15)
I watched the "hybrid" video and am not sure what to make of the noise level. It seemed very pronounced when PB (power boost) was dialed in. It seemed to almost disappear when the presented dialed the setting down below 7.5. I found the humming-buzz really annoying. But, as a professional videographer, I also had to wonder how much of the noise level was an artifact of holding an inexpensive consumer video camera close to the pots with no way to disable the audio auto gain controls (AGC). What puzzles me is that the buzzing seemed to be partially drowned out by the sound of the water boiling. The sound of the water boiling seemed seemed much louder to me than the sound of boiling water that I hear in my own kitchen. Audio AGC ramps up the recording volume when things are really quiet and dials it down as the noise level goes up. It can seriously exaggerate relative sound levels. The presenter did mention that he heard the noise and said (as others have in commenting on the KA induction units) that you don't hear it when the range fan is on. That suggests to me that the induction modules on that Frigidaire cooktop are indeed noisy though perhaps not a noisy as it might have seemed from the video. I've got a portable countertop induction unit (Max Burton 6200) which produces a bit of a ringing-humm when set to high with smaller pans. It is at a frequency that I personally find annoying, but it goes away as the pan heats up and it is nowhere near as loud as the level seemed in that video. I'll be interested to hear what angiebangie reports.
...See More
Microwave over range subbing for Frigidaire
Q
Comments (3)
Thanks for your help - I did end up buying the Whirlpool and so far so good, we're close to the 3 month mark using it and I'm so happy I didn't buy the Frigidaire. Other than a blue LED light vs. the green/yellow one on the Frigidaire range (which I also love), they look very nice together.
...See More
New Electrolux Induction range - problems with cookware
Q
Comments (3)
how strong was the pull when you put a magnet on it? I've had some that you could almost shake the magnet off the bottom of the pan, and others you had to get a good grip to get the magnet off the bottom of the pan. Those with minimal "stick" didn't work. I have also encountered some, due to the layering, the magnet stuck way better on the side of the pan than the bottom, but it's the bottom that counts. It's getting easier to find affordable induction pans. I bought a set of T-fal (not coated though) for about $100 and they are working fine. I had about three pans that would work so had to get something quickly -figured I could replace them later if I wanted. All the copper design has now worn off the bottom - thought it looked stupid in the first place.
...See More
Frigidaire Electric Range
Q
Comments (65)
I have the GE Model JS645SL4SS, purchased in 2019 at Lowes. I love it. I did not think I would, because I had always had the old style coil ranges. I too clean, when cool with a diluted mix of Dawn and water. When needed I use the cleaner that came with the range, Wellman glass stove top cleaner. and a paper towel.
...See More
stinky-gardener
Original Author
13 years ago
Herring-maven, thanks for the specific brands. I've never heard of Kuhn, but will check those out.

I'll see what Chantal I can find (at TJMaxx, etc.!)

Thanks!

Warmfridge, I think you have a good point, lol! A lot of the manual's warnings most likely are CTB! Will check out Tramontina. I think the expensive enameled pans like yours (LeCreuset) are probably fine to use. The enamel is really baked on isn't it? Was drooling over the ones I saw at William Sonoma. Such pretty colors! Think they'd *probably* be fine, but the red, orange, blue Paula Deen cookware, & others like it maybe not so fine?

Anyhoo, I think your're right on...as long as I don't use something outrageously scratchy or crazy, it will probably be okay. Thanks!

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Your Cookware So It Lasts

By Laura Gaskill

Avoid damage during everyday cleaning and stain scrubbing, with these tips for pots and pans made of popular materials

DECORATING GUIDES How to Love Your Kitchen More, Right Now

By Laura Gaskill

Make small changes to increase the joy in your kitchen while you cook and bake, without shelling out lots of dough

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Find the Right Range for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

Range style is mostly a matter of personal taste. This full course of possibilities can help you find the right appliance to match yours

KITCHEN WORKBOOK New Ways to Plan Your Kitchen’s Work Zones

By LWK London Kitchens

The classic work triangle of range, fridge and sink is the best layout for kitchens, right? Not necessarily

KITCHEN DESIGN White Appliances Find the Limelight

By Becky Harris

White is becoming a clear star across a broad range of kitchen styles and with all manner of appliances

HOUSEKEEPING Three More Magic Words to Help the Housekeeping Get Done

By Alison Hodgson

As a follow-up to "How about now?" these three words can help you check more chores off your list

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Sinks: Antibacterial Copper Gives Kitchens a Gleam

By Rachel Grace

If you want a classic sink material that rejects bacteria, babies your dishes and develops a patina, copper is for you

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: A Smart-Home Jewel in Vancouver

By Heather Merenda

Fully automated, wise about energy use and with ecofriendly features, this Canadian home has become a highlight of the neighborhood

INSIDE HOUZZ Houzz Prizewinners Take Their Kitchen From ‘Atrocious’ to ‘Wow’

By Mitchell Parker

A North Carolina family gets the kitchen they always wanted — and not a minute too soon — courtesy of the Houzz sweepstakes

KITCHEN DESIGN Trick Out Your Kitchen Backsplash for Storage and More

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Free up countertop space and keep often-used items handy by making your backsplash more resourceful

Sponsored

More Discussions

Combi Steam Oven usable dimensions - Thermador, Wolf, Miele

3

Stove exhaust vent moving and closing an old one

15

Appliance Recommendations

8

2 bathroom exhaust fans vented together, mold problem

14

Kitchen Island design conundrum

5