Some of the most frequently asked questions about cookware.
| Q. |
What foods can be cooked in plastic ovenware? |
| A. | Plastic ovenware has been developed for a multitude of foods such as baked goods, meats, vegetables, snacks, desserts, etc. Foods that develop a very high temperature during cooking (containing high fat or sugar content such as bacon and candy) may call for a special cooking utensil. The manufacturer’s Use and Care Guide should provide suggestions for using your plastic ovenware most effectively for these special foods. Foods that normally stain any cookware are also likely to stain plastic ovenware. Sticking and staining can be minimized by cooking food for the recommended time. |
| Q. |
Can plastic ovenware be used for all types of ovens? |
| A. | How you use plastic ovenware is determined by the maximum temperature that it can withstand. Some plastic ovenware for example, can be used in the conventional or convection oven. The cookware labels and the Use and Care Guide should inform you of the maximum temperature limit for the ovenware. You should be able to find this information on the ovenware or on the product label. |
| Q. |
Can glass-ceramic cookware be used on top of the range? |
| A. | Glass-ceramic cookware (white or transparent) can be used on top of the range. As a safety precaution, manufacturers suggest that only those utensils with handles be used on top of the range. Utensils without handles are not recommended because potholders needed to handle them might come into contact with burner elements or gas flames. |
| Q. |
Can glass or ceramic utensils be used on top of the range? |
| A. | While some heat-resistant glass and thermal shock-resistant ceramic ovenware and bakeware can go from refrigerator or freezer to a hot oven, they are not to be used on rangetop elements or under the broiler. Nor should a hot heat-resistant glass or ceramic object be placed on a damp or wet countertop or be immersed in water without first reaching room temperature. |
| Q. |
How should ceramic, glass-ceramic or glass cookware be cleaned? |
| A. | Glass-ceramic cookware should be cleaned with non-abrasive, self-polishing cleansers or with specially formulated mildly abrasive cleansers recommended by the cookware manufacturer. Plastic or nylon scouring pads can be used, but metal-scouring pads should be avoided, particularly if the cookware has a nonstick finish. Ceramic, glass-ceramic and glass cookware is non-porous, so soaking is very effective in loosening burned-on foods. |
| Q. |
Can metal utensils be used on glass-ceramic “smooth top” ranges? |
| A. | In general, flat-bottomed cookware that will remain flat (won’t warp) throughout cooking regardless of material, will perform well on glass-ceramic cooktops. |
| Q. |
Can glass, ceramic and glass-ceramic cookware withstand sharp temperature changes? |
| A. | Glass-ceramic and some ceramic cookware are impervious to thermal shock and will not break due to sudden temperature changes. Glass-ceramic ovenware and bakeware can go from refrigerator to hot oven, but hot glass bakeware or ovenware should not go directly from oven to refrigerator nor should it come in contact with water until the dish has reached room temperature. |
| Q. |
Can cookware with non-metallic handles be placed in an oven? |
| A. | Some cookware handles are made of thermoplastic materials (which include phenolic and bakelite materials), that conduct heat poorly and therefore stay cool on top of the range. Depending on the type of material, the handle may be oven safe. Check manufacturer’s literature to see what is a safe temperature for your handles inside the oven. Remember, the handles will be hot when they come out of the oven! |
| Q. |
What is heat tint? |
| A. | Heat tint is a mottle rainbow-like discoloration on stainless steel that is caused by excessive heat. |
| Q. |
What causes aluminum to discolor? Can discoloration be removed? |
| A. | In some localities, water contains minerals and alkalis that may be deposited on the inside surface of aluminum pans, causing some discoloration. This does not affect the use of the utensil nor the food prepared in it. Stains or discolorations that may appear on aluminum utensils can be removed by boiling a solution of two to three tablespoons of cream of tartar, lemon juice or vinegar to each quart of water in the utensil for five to ten minutes. Then scour lightly with a soap-filled scouring pad. Cooking acid foods also will help remove discoloration without affecting the food. |
| Q. |
Can extreme temperature variations cause metal utensils to warp? |
| A. | Yes. Don’t place chilled utensils over high heat or soak hot utensils in cold water. Do not begin cooking frozen foods in a hot pan. Extreme temperature changes may warp the pan because of uneven expansions and contraction of the metal. Long periods of high heat also cause metal utensils to warp. |
| Q. |
What is minimum moisture or “waterless” cookery? |
| A. | Minimum moisture or waterless cookery simply means that only a small quantity of liquid is used to cook food. The liquid can be in the food itself or added by the cook. Cooking is started on a medium heat setting, which is reduced to a low setting as soon as steam forms and the pan cover is hot to the touch. This method permits the food to cook by constant formation of steam rather than by boiling. Minimum moisture or waterless cooking is more efficient in cookware of heavier thicknesses with close-fitting covers or covers which form a seal within the body of the utensil. |
| Q. |
How is a “cup” of coffee determined? |
| A. | For the purpose of uniformity, the industry uses 5 fluid ounces as the standard for a cup of brewed coffee. While the coffee cups consumers use may be found in many sizes, the 5-ounce measure is the standard applied to manufacturer” capacity statements. Example: a 10 cup coffee maker at full capacity should deliver 50 fluid ounces of brewed coffee. |
| Q. |
Can top-of-range cookware also be used in the oven? |
| A. | Cookware with phenolic (heat-resistant plastic) handles and knobs and/or with nonstick interior coatings may generally be used in a preheated oven up to 350 |
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