Know-how, what, and where. All the answers to your questions
It is important to us that SCHOTT CERAN® gives you the best quality and a special cooking experience, as well as comprehensive service. This includes useful tips and answers to all the questions you might have: about the product and its properties, operating instructions or manuals and possible error messages, as well as many other topics related to glass-ceramic cooktops and surfaces.
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About CERAN® and glass-ceramic
SCHOTT introduced the first glass-ceramic cooktop panels to the market in 1971 and has since sold them under the registered trademark CERAN®. Only the original glass-ceramic cooktop panels from SCHOTT are allowed to bear the CERAN® brand name.
CERAN® is a registered trademark of SCHOTT AG. It stands for special values: quality and functionality, technological and design innovations, social responsibility, and sustainability.
CERAN® is the brand name for the material developed by SCHOTT in 1971: A material that combines the aesthetics of glass with enormous heat resistance and stability. Quartz sand is the most important raw material in the manufacture of glass-ceramic.
This is a material that can withstand extremely high temperatures thanks to extremely low thermal expansion (close to zero), making it optimally suited as a stove surface. The brand name for the material developed by SCHOTT in 1971 is CERAN®.
SCHOTT CERAN® cooking surfaces consist of patented glass-ceramics – a material that combines the aesthetics of glass with enormous heat resistance and stability. Quartz sand is the most important raw material in the manufacture of glass-ceramic. This is available in almost unlimited quantities. The so-called ceramization process then converts the glass finally into glass-ceramic.
When we invented SCHOTT CERAN®: in 1971.
A cooktop powered by radiant heat, gas, or induction with a glass-ceramic surface. SCHOTT CERAN® guarantees the highest quality.
A cooktop powered by radiant heat, gas, or induction with a glass-ceramic surface. Our CERAN® brand name has becomeestablished in all languages for glass-ceramic cooktops. CERAN® stands for the trademark established and protected by SCHOTT.
CERAN® is the brand name for SCHOTT AG’s glass-ceramic cooking surface. This can be combined with all heating technologies, i.e. radiant heat, gas, and induction.
SCHOTT CERAN® is the world’s first black glass-ceramic to be manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner – i.e. without the use of the toxic heavy metals arsenic and antimony in the production process. This is made possible by a specially developed melting technique. This protects people’s health in the same way as it does nature. SCHOTT CERAN® glass-ceramic is also fully recyclable.
SCHOTT CERAN® is very resilient – the normal thermal and physical stresses in everyday kitchen life have no influence on the stability of the glass-ceramic cooktop panels.
SCHOTT CERAN® is particularly temperature-stable – the material can also withstand abrupt thermal shocks in the range from minus temperatures to plus 700°C.
SCHOTT CERAN® is energy-efficient – the cooking surface, which is only 4 mm thick, is very heat-permeable. The heating energy reaches the cookware with almost no heat loss. Also, relatively little heat escapes at the sides (low heat transmission).
SCHOTT CERAN® is safe – due to the low lateral heat conduction, only the cooking zones become hot while the remaining surface remains relatively cool.
SCHOTT CERAN® is particularly temperature-stable – the material can also withstand abrupt thermal shocks in the range from minus temperatures to plus 700°C.
SCHOTT CERAN® is energy-efficient – the cooking surface, which is only 4 mm thick, is very heat-permeable. The heating energy reaches the cookware with almost no heat loss. Also, relatively little heat escapes at the sides (low heat transmission).
SCHOTT CERAN® is safe – due to the low lateral heat conduction, only the cooking zones become hot while the remaining surface remains relatively cool.
Technology
This depends entirely on your individual wishes. SCHOTT CERAN® is suitable for all heating technologies – from electric radiation to gas and induction. As long as SCHOTT CERAN® is installed in the kitchen appliance, you are ensured the highest quality and durability.
The manufacturer of your cooking appliance.
An autonomous cooktop is detached from the oven, which is often installed underneath cooktops. The self-sufficient cooktop has its own power supply and controls.
The function depends on the selected heating system:
- Radiant heating: The glass-ceramic surface developed by SCHOTT transfers the heat generated by the radiator beneath the cooking surface to the bottom of the cookware. As the material isonly a few millimeters thick, the heat transfer is particularly efficient.
- Induction: A coil with current flowing under the cooking surface generates an electromagnetic field. This causes eddy currents to flow through the glass-ceramic and onto special cookware made of ferromagnetic material, which heat the metal of the pot. The pot transfers then the heat up to the food.
- Gas: A burner above the glass-ceramic panel heats the pot sitting on the pot rests.
The smooth surface of glass-ceramic makes it particularly easy to clean. The operation of the cooktop is also important.
The transparency of the glass-ceramic as well as its electrical properties enable the use of displays and touch switches (touch control) in state-of-the-art cooktops. Perfect for modern kitchens.
Types of heating (electric, gas, or induction)
SCHOTT CERAN® can be combined with all the common heating technologies – whether you choose a stove with radiant, induction, or gas is a matter of preference and budget. If the corresponding connections are available, different heating technologies can be combined in a kitchen without any problems.
Induction cooking produces heat in the base of the magnetic pot or pan. The cooking surface itself remains relatively cool, there are no red-hot cooking zones. The technical principle: A coil with current flowing under the cooking surface generates an electromagnetic field. This causes eddy currents to flow to the bottom of special cookware made of ferromagnetic material, which heat the metal of the pot. The pot transfers the heat up to the food. Nothing happens on the glass-ceramic cooktop panel without a pot. With a pot on top of the cooking zone, temperatures of up to 350°C can be achieved under the pot, depending on the food and cooking process. In the event of improper operation, such as an empty (forgotten) pot, significantly higher temperatures of more than 500°C can be achieved.
In general, induction cooking is switched on and off quite quickly. The boiling time is particularly short, the reaction time is extremely fast, and the heat input can be dosed very precisely, since the heat enters the pot directly. If you remove the pot from the cooking surface, the heat supply immediately stops – this is not only safe but saves a lot of energy, too. You can also conveniently clean an induction cooktop featuring a SCHOTT CERAN® cooking surface. Food residues are less inclined to become burnt on, thanks to the moderately heated glass-ceramic surface.
Cooking with CERAN®
This depends on the cooking technology. SCHOTT CERAN® effortlessly withstands the temperature differences in the kitchen. Temperatures of up to 700°C are no problem.
No. Only the areas above the heating elements, the cooking zones, are heated. The surrounding area, as well as work surfaces and furniture, remain relatively cool. However, there are also many variables: The specific temperatures depend on which stove you are using, how long you have been cooking, how high you have set the temperature, and also on the cookware used. You should ensure that your pots and pans correspond as precisely as possible to the diameter of the respective cooking zone. And that you also place them in the middle of the cooking zone.
With an induction cooktop, the heat is generated exclusively in the base of the pot. If the pot or pan is removed, heat production is immediately paused. The cooktop underneath remains relatively cool. However, temperatures of up to 350°C can be reached under the pot, depending on the food and cooking process. In the event of improper
operation, such as an empty boiling (forgotten) pot, significantly higher temperatures of more than 500°C can be reached.
With an induction cooktop, the heat is generated exclusively in the base of the pot. If the pot or pan is removed, heat production is immediately paused. The cooktop underneath remains relatively cool. However, temperatures of up to 350°C can be reached under the pot, depending on the food and cooking process. In the event of improper
operation, such as an empty boiling (forgotten) pot, significantly higher temperatures of more than 500°C can be reached.
The residual heat indicator indicates hot cooking zones. This prevents burns on the one hand and helps save energy on the other, because the residual heat in radiant cooking zones can be used perfectly to continue cooking at low temperatures.
Provided you have suitable cookware, this cannot really happen. A temperature limiter automatically switches off the heating elements as soon as a certain temperature is exceeded. The final temperature setting, however, is performed by the manufacturer of the stove.
As the heat is generated directly and quickly in the base of the pot, food can also burn quickly. Only magnetizable pot bases (magnets remain attached to them) can be used. If the pot is removed from the cooking zone, the risk of burning is significantly reduced by the low temperature of the glass-ceramic, but nevertheless present. Heat production is immediately interrupted as soon as the cookware has been removed from the cooktop.
Cooking times are generally shorter for glass-ceramic cooktop panels than for conventional cooktops (mass cooktops) that are not made of glass-ceramic. And it depends heavily on the heating technology used. However, the boiling time is also determined by the nature of the cookware. Our recommendation: Trust
in steel enamel or stainless-steel pots with the right thickness. In the case of radiant heaters, special care must be taken to ensure that the base of the pot lies flat when hot.
in steel enamel or stainless-steel pots with the right thickness. In the case of radiant heaters, special care must be taken to ensure that the base of the pot lies flat when hot.
The residual heat indicator integrated in most cooktops lights up until the cooking surface has cooled down to lukewarm. Please note: With gas stoves, the pot attachments/rests can become very hot depending on the cooking time.
We strongly advise against using such universal protective cloths, as covering the glass-ceramic also covers the temperature sensor and thus “insulates” it. The temperature sensor can then no longer determine the load temperatures correctly and there is a risk of the cooktop overheating.
In the event of damage
Although extremely rare, if this happens you should immediately contact your manufacturer’s customer service department or a specialist dealer. As a component manufacturer, we are only responsible for the manufacture and delivery of the glass-ceramic cooktop panel. Once the cooking surface has been installed in the stove, the manufacturer is responsible. Caution: Never try to use the cooktop until it has been repaired!
Cleaning and care
Heavy soiling and food burned on the cooktop panel should be removed with a suitable metal cleaning scraper. Afterward, rub a few drops of a suitable cleaning agent on the cold cooking surface using a clean cloth. Afterward, wipe it down with a wet cloth and rub it dry. You can also find more tips under Tips and Care.
You should not attempt to polish scratches away. In the worst-case scenario, these become even more visible. It is better to avoid scratches in the first place.
There are two main causes. On the one hand, grains of salt or sand can trickle onto the glass-ceramic surface when cleaning lettuce, for example, and cause scratches as soon as a pot is moved over them. On the other hand, abrasive sponges that are incorrectly used for cleaning can leave scratches.
With an induction cooktop, the cooking surface itself remains relatively cool so that food that has boiled over won’t burn onto it as much. A kitchen towel is often enough to simply wipe away the mess.
No. All decorative colors are specially developed for SCHOTT CERAN® cooking surfaces and tested for heat resistance and adhesion. When used and cared for properly, they will look like new for years to come.
A SCHOTT CERAN® glass-ceramic cooktop should ideally be cleaned quickly after every cooking process. The following procedure is recommended:
- Remove coarse soiling with a suitable metal cleaning scraper.
- Rub a few drops of a suitable cleaning agent onto the cold cooktop with a clean cloth.
- Wipe the SCHOTT CERAN® glass-ceramic cooktop with a damp cloth and then rub dry.
Never use abrasive sponges, scouring agents or aggressive cleaning agents, such as oven sprays or stain removers.
A list of suitable cleaning agents can be found at the end of our cleaning brochure.
SCHOTT tests various special cleaning agents for their suitability for glass-ceramic cooktop panels under real-life conditions and labels those that meet all the test criteria with our SCHOTT CERAN® seal.
Avoid residues
If milk boils over, you should first set the pot aside quickly on the flat glass-ceramic surface. The burnt residue can then be removed directly from the still hot cooking zone using a suitable cleaning scraper. Once the cooking surface has cooled down, it can be cleaned with a suitable cleaning agent, wet-wiped and dried. You can also find more tips under Tips and Care.
If plastic or aluminum objects accidentally melt on the hot SCHOTT CERAN® cooking surface, you should immediately push them off the hot cooking zone using a suitable cleaning scraper. If the melted objects cool down on the surface, they are difficult or impossible to remove and, in the worst-case scenario, can damage the glass-ceramic in the form of small surface defects, so-called chippings.
Sugar should be removed from the glass-ceramic cooking surface immediately using a suitable metal cleaning scraper. The reason is: Hot sugar caramelizes and – once it has cooled down – can leave behind small surface defects, so-called chippings, when removed.
Visual abnormalities
If the glass-ceramic cooking surface is cleaned with unsuitable cleaning agents, shimmering rainbow colors may appear on the cooking surface. You should remove these as soon as possible using a care product suitable for SCHOTT CERAN®. You can also find more tips under Tips and Care.
The material of some pot bases will leave shimmering metallic stains after cooking. You should remove these immediately using a cleaning agent suitable for SCHOTT CERAN®. You can also find more tips under Tips and Care.
Always place only dry pots on the glass-ceramic cooking surface. Should limescale stains nevertheless occur, they can usually be removed with a suitable cleaning agent. You can also find more tips under Tips and Care.
Cookware
No. All pots and pans are tilt-proof thanks to the flat surface. However, the diameter of the pot should correspond to that of the cooking zone. This saves energy. Pot attachments/holders around the gas burners prevent the pot from tipping over on gas stoves.
A clean, dry pot base guarantees that no adhesive residues burn onto the cooking surface – possible scratches and deposits such as limescale marks are prevented. But the cooking surface itself should also be clean before placing a pot on it. For example, fine sand grains can get onto the cooking surface when cleaning lettuce and cause unsightly scratches. Also, lift the pots when cooking and do not pull them over the cooktop.
SCHOTT CERAN Miradur®
At the end of the day, a cooking surface is always there to be used – but signs of use do not have to be inevitable. That’s why we developed SCHOTT CERAN Miradur®, a glass-ceramic with significantly lower scratch sensitivity. This way you can concentrate on the cooking experience – and enjoy a cooking surface for many years that looks the same as it did on the first day.y a cooking surface for many years that looks the same as it did on the first day.
Miradur® should be recognized directly as what it is: A new, proprietary product that significantly expands and optimizes the SCHOTT CERAN® world. The new logo emphasizes the innovative character of our glass-ceramic. The name is registered as a brand name in many countries worldwide.
There is no better or worse. Miradur® is the logical addition to the SCHOTT CERAN® world – as a product for everyone who values a unique and, at the same time, unforgettable look.
With Miradur®, everything is conceivable in terms of design and geometry – as long as it complies with the design guidelines. Ultimately, the home appliance manufacturer decides which models they want to sell in their stores. The beauty of the new cooking surface is best exemplified by halogen and LED lighting in your kitchen.
In short: For any. Whether induction, radiant, or gas.
You can clean glass-ceramic cooktop panels with Miradur® using the cleaning agents and methods recommended on this page.
No. This coating, which is also applied to the glass-ceramic cooking surface, is a significant improvement in and optimization of the surface’s susceptibility to scratching. Nothing should happen under normal circumstances. However, it is possible that a very sharp sand grain under a very heavy pot, for example, could cause scratches.
Damage and warranty
Normally, any glass-ceramic cooktop panel can be replaced. However, you should know that SCHOTT CERAN® products are manufactured solely as components for the domestic appliance industry and are only delivered to such manufacturers. End users cannot purchase SCHOTT CERAN® cooktops directly. Therefore, there is no customer service to replace defective cooktop panels. The respective home appliance manufacturer is responsible for complaints or replacement. The contact details can be found in the purchasing documents, the instructions for use, or the manual.
In this case, too, you must contact the customer service department of the household appliance manufacturer. Heating elements and frames are not components produced by SCHOTT – which is why we cannot offer a warranty on them.
Since SCHOTT supplies CERAN® glass-ceramic cooking surfaces as a component to manufacturers of household appliances, the company does not assume any guarantees toward end consumers. In this case, the handling is carried out by the customer service department of the respective household appliance manufacturer.
Scratches, marks, and maintenance
SCHOTT CERAN® is an extremely resistant material. The stability is not affected by scratches on the surface of the glass-ceramic.
Scratches are never nice. But unfortunately, they occur sometimes. It is important that they do not affect the stability of the glass-ceramic cooktop panel. Instead of being annoyed afterwards, it is better to do everything beforehand to avoid scratches:
- Only use care products and utensils that bear the SCHOTT seal of approval.
- Always make sure that the blade is intact when using the scraper.
Important: Mineral particles such as sand should not come into contact with the glass-ceramic cooking surface – e.g. due to dirty vegetables or bags placed on the cooktop.
Cleaning scrapers and suitable replacement blades can be purchased from retailers. Most supermarkets and drugstores have these in their range. When purchasing, make sure that the cleaning scraper is made of metal, since plastic parts could easily melt onto the hot cooking surface by mistake.
“Marks” are often signs of wear caused by unsuitable, aggressive cleaning agents. These include scouring cream, oven spray, or hard sponges. Therefore, pay attention to suitable care and cleaning utensils, as these “stains” cannot be removed.
Especially aluminum or copper pot bases can leave shimmering metallic stains. These should be removed immediately using suitable care products. Once they burn on, they can rarely be removed.
About cookware
For optimal cooking results, use stainless-steel cookware with a sandwich base of 4–6 mm thickness or crockery made of steel enamel with a 2–3 mm base thickness. Cookware with a smooth base is also important.
The base of the cookware should be clean, dry, and free of rough edges. It is also advisable not to move pots over the cooking surface, but to lift them.
A special case: Induction cooking only works with magnetizable cookware. Whether the cookware is suitable can be quickly tested: Simply hold a magnet to the bottom and see if it sticks.
We particularly advise against pots with a copper or aluminum base. These can leave marks that are difficult to remove. Glass-ceramic cookware is also not recommended. It conducts the heat too poorly.
In these rare cases
Although unlikely, your CERAN® glass-ceramic cooktop may not function as intended. Your first point of contact, in this case, should be the manufacturer of your stove or cooking appliance, because they are the ones who installed this vital component in the appliance. You can also obtain practical information on your cooktop from the manufacturer, such as the operating instructions/manual, and receive competent support in the event of device-related error messages. If you have any questions about our products or suggestions of a general nature, we are, of course, always happy to assist you with advice, action, or information.
Customer service
Further questions or suggestions?
We look forward to receiving them. On these pages, you will find everything you need to know about SCHOTT CERAN® glass-ceramic – and thus lots of answers to your questions. In the FAQs area, you can also search for specific information. If you have any questions or concerns, we look forward to receiving your message and will respond to it as soon as possible.
Replacement