What are SCHOTT CERAN® cooktop panels made of?

SCHOTT CERAN^® cooktop panels are made of a patented glass-ceramic – a material that combines the aesthetics of glass with enormous heat resistance and stability. Quartz sand is the most important raw material in manufacturing glass, and it is available in virtually unlimited quantities. The ceramization process is then what turns glass into a glass-ceramic.

Is SCHOTT CERAN® environmentally friendly?

SCHOTT CERAN^® is the world’s only black glass-ceramic that is manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner – in other words, without using the heavy metal additives arsenic and antimony in the production process. This is made possible by a melting technique that we developed on our own that protects nature as well as people’s health. Furthermore, SCHOTT CERAN^® glass-ceramic is completely recyclable.

What properties make SCHOTT CERAN® so unique?

SCHOTT CERAN^® is extremely durable – the normal thermal and physical stresses typical of everyday kitchen life do not have any effect on the stability of our glass-ceramic cooktop panels.

SCHOTT CERAN^® is extremely temperature stable – this material withstands even sudden temperature shocks in the range of up to 750 °C (1,380 °F).

SCHOTT CERAN^® is energy efficient – the cooktop panel that is only 4 mm thick conducts heat extremely well. The heat energy thus reaches the cooking vessel virtually without any heat losses. Additionally, hardly any heat escapes along the sides.

SCHOTT CERAN^® is safe – Due to how little heat is conducted on the sides, only the heating zones get hot. The rest of the surface remains relatively cool.

How many different designs does it come in?

Home appliance manufacturers can choose their favorites from more than 1,000 different decors and then install them in their appliances. Thanks to the combination of more than 30 specially developed decor colors, there are also a number of multi-colored decors on black glass-ceramic. SCHOTT CERAN^® is generally available as a black, white and transparent glass-ceramic. Which of the different varieties you are offered will depend on the respective home appliance manufacturer’s range of products.

What was SCHOTT CERAN® certified by TÜV Rheinland for?

As a neutral testing service, TÜV Rheinland certified that our glass-ceramic was tested for harmful ingredients, is suited for use with food and has been subjected to testing on a regular basis.

What happens if a pot slips out of my hand and drops on the cooktop panel?

A SCHOTT CERAN^® glass-ceramic cooktop panel easily withstands normal mechanical stresses during cooking without losing any of its stability (according to EN 60335). Nevertheless, we do not recommend to drop pots or any other kitchen accessories on the cooktop panel.

What happens if cold water is poured onto a hot cooktop panel?

Regardless of whether it’s ice cubes or cold water – our glass-ceramic cooktop panels meet all of the quality standards and even stand up to sudden temperature shocks of up to 750 °C (1,380 °F).

What is the best heating system for a range with a SCHOTT CERAN® cooktop panel?

SCHOTT CERAN® can be combined with all conventional heating technologies – whether you decide in favor of a range with electric radiation, induction technology or gas will depend solely on your preference and budget. Additionally, in the event that the appropriate connections are available, you can even make combined use of the different heating technologies in your kitchen.

More about heating technologies

How does a SCHOTT CERAN® cooktop panel with induction technology function?

When cooking with induction, the heat is generated at the bottom of the pot. The cooktop panel itself remains relatively cool. There are no red hot heating zones. The technological principle: a coil located beneath the cooktop panel that is full of electric current generates an electromagnetic field. In special cookware made of ferromagnetic material, this induces eddy currents that heat up the metal of the pot. The pot then transfers the heat over to the food. Nothing happens at all on a glass-ceramic cooktop panel unless a pot has been placed on it. The cooking zone remains cold. However, this still doesn’t mean that you’ll be eating cold food: temperatures inside the pot can reach up to 500 °C (932 °F).

What advantages does induction technology offer?

Induction ranges are turned on and off very quickly. The pre-cooking time is extremely short, the reaction time incredibly quick and the heat can be supplied in exact doses due to the fact that the heat output arrives directly in the pot. And if you remove the pot from the cooktop panel, the heat supply will be interrupted immediately. This is not only safe, but also saves a lot of energy. In addition, you’ll find an induction range with a SCHOTT CERAN^® cooktop panel very easy to clean – anything that boils over burns to a lesser extent due to the fact that the glass-ceramic surface isn’t very hot.

Does the entire glass-ceramic cooktop panel get hot during cooking?

No. Only the areas above the heating elements, the cooking zones, will be heated up. The unheated surface will remain relatively cool. The same can be said for the surrounding working areas and kitchen furniture. With an induction range, the heat is only generated in the bottom of the pot. If the pot or pan is removed, the heat generation process will be interrupted immediately. The cooking field beneath it will remain relatively cool because it itself doesn’t heat up. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll be eating cold food. Temperatures can exceed 500 °C (932 °F) with high-performance systems or if an empty pot is left cooking.

What purpose does the residual heat display serve?

The residual heat display shows cooking zones that are still hot. It thus prevents people from burning themselves and also works to help conserve energy. After all, the residual heat in the cooking zones is just perfect for finishing cooking at a lower temperature.

Can a SCHOTT CERAN® cooktop panel overheat?

No. A temperature limitation device automatically turns off the heating zones as soon as a certain temperature is exceeded. The manufacturer of the range is responsible for setting the final temperature.

What needs to be kept in mind when cooking with induction technology?

If the pot is removed from the cooking zone, this reduces the risk of burning yourself quite significantly due to the lower temperature of the glass-ceramic. Nevertheless, there is still a risk. Heat generation will be interrupted immediately after the cookware is removed from the range. There is no residual heat with radiation cooktops.

What pre-cooking times are achieved with a SCHOTT CERAN® cooktop panel?

The pre-cooking times with glass-ceramic cooktop panels are always shorter than with conventional cooktop panels that are not made of glass-ceramic. This is mainly a result of the excellent heat conductivity of the material. However, the pre-cooking time will also depend on what the cookware is made of. We recommend that you use enameled steel or stainless steel pots with the proper thickness, and make sure that the bottoms of the pots lie flat in a hot condition.

How can you tell whether a cooking zone has cooled down or not?

The integrated residual heat display that can be found in most of the cooktops will remain red until the panel has cooled down to lukewarm. Please remember that the pan supports in gas ranges can get very hot, depending on the cooking time.

Are so-called commercial "fire-resistant" covers suitable for my induction cooktop?

No, it is not suitable. The cover insulates the temperature limitation device. The temperature limitation device therefore cannot detect the temperature correctly and  the cooktop is at risk to overheat. Furthermore, the heat resistance of these covers is usually below 300°C according to the manufacturers. However, cooking with induction can sometimes cause temperatures of more than 500°C, depending on the respective induction system.
 

What should I do if my glass-ceramic cooktop panel breaks?

If you ever experience this extremely rare occurrence, you should contact your appliance manufacturer’s customer service department or a specialized dealer. And be careful: don’t use the cooktop! As the component manufacturer, we are only responsible for manufacturing and delivering the glass-ceramic cooktop panel. The manufacturer takes over once the cooktop panel has been installed in a range.

Further to the list of manufacturers

How do I take proper care of my SCHOTT CERAN® cooktop panel?

You should always try to clean a SCHOTT CERAN^® glass-ceramic cooktop panel immediately after you have cooked on it. We recommend that you take the following steps:

1. Remove the hardened residue using the right type of metal scraper.
2. Rub several drops of the proper type of cleaning product onto the cold cooktop panel with a clean cloth.
3. Wipe off the SCHOTT CERAN^® glass-ceramic cooktop panel with a damp cloth and dry it.

What cleaning utensils should not be used?

Please do not use scratchy sponges, abrasive cleaners or aggressive cleaning agents such as baking oven sprays or spot removers.

What cleaning products are particularly well-suited?

You’ll recognize particularly well-suited cleaning agents when you see the SCHOTT seal on the packaging. We tested these cleaning products ourselves to well-suit our glass-ceramic cooktop panels and have put together a list of all appropriate cleaning products and protective substances for you.

To the list of appropriate cleaning products and protective substances

What happens when milk boils over?

If milk ever boils over, you should immediately move the pot over to another area of the flat glass-ceramic surface. Then you can remove the burned-in residues from the hot cooking zone with a cleaning scraper. Once the cooktop panel has cooled down, you can clean it with an appropriate care product, wipe it off with a damp cloth and dry it.

Why is an induction range so easy to keep clean?

With an induction range, the cooktop panel itself remains relatively cool, therefore even if food boils over, it will hardly burn at all. A paper towel is usually all you will need to clean it.

What should I do when the decor looks stained?

This type of wear takes place when the glass-ceramic cooktop panel has been cleaned with substances that are too aggressive such as abrasive cleaners, baking oven sprays or sponges that are too hard. The decor will look “stained.” Unfortunately, these stains are permanent.

Why does the surface shimmer metallically?

The material that the bottoms of some pots are made of leaves behind metallic, shimmering spots after cooking. You should remove these immediately by using a cleaning agent that is suited for use with SCHOTT CERAN^®.

What should I do if a shimmering rainbow appears on my glass-ceramic cooktop panel?

If the glass-ceramic cooktop panel has been cleaned with the wrong type of cleaning agents, shimmering rainbow colors can appear on the cooktop panel. You should remove them as quickly as possible by using a cleaning agent that is suited for use with SCHOTT CERAN^®.

How can I avoid lime stains?

Make sure that you only place dry pots on a glass-ceramic cooktop panel. If lime stains happen to occur, remove them by using an appropriate cleaning agent.

What happens if sugar lands on a SCHOTT CERAN® cooktop panel?

You should remove sugar immediately from the glass-ceramic cooktop panel by using an appropriate metal cleaning scraper. The reason for this urgency is that hot sugar caramelizes and can then cause surface defects, so-called conchoidal fractures, when it is removed.

Can these "conchoidal fractures" impair its ability to function properly?

These are essentially only small blemishes that will not have any effect on the cooktop panel’s stability or ability to function properly. The damaged positions are irreparable, however.

What should I do if something melts on a cooktop panel?

If objects made of plastic or aluminum ever melt on a hot SCHOTT CERAN^® cooktop panel by accident, you should immediately scrape them off of the hot cooking zone. Once the melted objects have cooled down, it will be extremely difficult or even impossible to remove them again.

Can the decor colors be damaged during daily use and cleaning?

No. All decor colors are developed especially for SCHOTT CERAN^® cooktop panels and tested for temperature stability and adhesion. If they are used and cleaned properly, they will look like new for many years to come.