Question about Jena FLame Proof Kettle

My guess is that ceramic cooktops constitute a trivet of sorts in the first place.

I think the little wire dingus for putting between electric coils and glass cookware is intended to prevent the very small points of direct contact between the irregular glass surface and the irregular coil surface from becoming far hotter than neighboring points that are relying on radiated rather than conducted heat. The irregular heat expansion could theoretically cause breakage. fwiw, the thermal advantage of Pyrex over most glasses is it's lower rate of heat expansion.

In as much as the ceramic glass plate on that style of cooktop serves as a decoupling point between the heating element and the cookware, I think it'd work just fine. There are still going to be points that are getting direct conduction from the cooktop, but it's not going to be as intense as sitting right on the coil.

I say 'think' because I've never tried. Can't stand those glass top jobs. They stay quite hot for a long time after they look like they've cooled off, and are ultimately harder to keep clean. They stain, and can't be abrasively scrubbed.

That and I have a (probably irrational) fear that i could shatter the cooktop with my beloved Griswold #9 cast iron skillet.

If i bought a house that had a glass cooktop I'd figure the cost of ripping it out and replacing it with gas into the move-in budget.

Talk about timely! I am in the process of buying a house that has a ceramic cooktop stove. Having only ever had gas stoves, other than a one year rental years ago that had electric, I'm less than thrilled, but even less thrilled with the side-by-side refrigerator, which I always think of as having little usable space. I guess I should figure that both will be replaced sooner, rather than later, and maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. Thanks for this, Eric!

Resa

Putting glass on a ceramic cooktop is specifically dis-recommended by all the manuals I've read. Glass and ceramic may fuse together, with chipping or shattering on separation/cooling. Even high-temperature glasses (like Pyrex/borosilicate) and ceramics may bond by diffusion or reaction. Metal in between is safer.

-DM

That's what I understand when I read the fine print of the product manual for my ceramic top. I was hoping someone would have a JENA where it specifically said safe for ceramics. If it doesn't it ain't. I was curious about their claim of flame proof. Any high temperature glass with a trivet will work. I have my share.

Jim

Dog Ma 1 (reply w/o spam) wrote:

I have used a Jena on an open gas range for a good while and never had any problem with it, but then the glass temperature is limited by the water within it. If you put one on the stove dry, it would most probably be damaged.

I don't use the Jena much, though, because it leaks too many leaves. Fine with large-leaf teas, but with BOP, a huge amount of stuff winds up in the cup. The Chatsworth plastic mesh is much more effective in that regard.

I know, leaves in the cup are just part of the charm.

--scott

I just went through a kitchen remodel where I had the opportunity to pipe in gas. That cost is nothing compared to everything else. I lost the argument with you know who. She figured wiping up spills is easier on a unitop. Now you can tell which burner I use for the pot. However we didn't replace the side-by-side because it is the old model without the ice chest. They all come with chilled water which takes up half the space. It's the only appliance I'll get repaired. I visited someone in the South where they fill their ice maker with bagged iced because it couldn't keep up.

Jim

Serendip wrote:

Thanks, Jim. This is all SO helpful. I'm going to wait until I'm in the house, but now realize that the stove probably won't be lasting long. Since I have a deep freezer, I can get by longer with the side-by-side, though I really don't think I want to - between teh ice bin and the water chiller (it has both in the door) there's barely room for anything. Time to re-work the budget!

Resa

All I can say is complete any remodeling before moving in. I see why people buy new houses just to avoid the fuss and bother even if money isn't an issue. However if you have the space you can buy restaurant grade standalone refrigerator and freezer which function as side-by-side. The cost isn't that unreasonable. There are humongous household grade refrigerators with crispers near 35f and the freezer located elsewhere. There are times where a glass kettle would be more desirable for cleaning and determining water temperature. I have forgotten a boiling stainless steel kettle on the ceramic for a couple of hours with no damage. It essentially bakes lose any mineral buildup on the inside of the pot. Not a recommended way of cleaning the kettle.

Jim

snipped-for-privacy@adelphia.net.nospam wrote: