The greatest benefit of such cookware is that it won’t slip, slide, or scratch your stovetop.
The most suitable cookware for glass top stoves is generally constructed from materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium, featuring smooth and flat bottoms. Modern kitchens are quite beautiful with a sleek and clean glass stove. However, looks aren’t the only benefits.
In comparison with gas and electric stoves, these are more straightforward to clean because they do not have crevices where food particles can collect. Glass top stoves, whether electric or induction, are smooth and effective, courtesy of the covering of tempered ceramic glass that covers the heating surface. But, to ensure that they remain scratch free and functioning properly, it’s a good idea to use the correct cookware.
Flat, smooth bottom pots and pans would be the best, as the ridges or logos can scratch the bottom of the surface and break the heat exchange. It’s important to avoid cookware with rough or warped bottoms and very heavy pots, as they can damage the stove. Even when using lightweight cookware, it is crucial to refrain from dragging it across the glass surface to prevent any potential damage.
Ceramic glass exhibits remarkable durability, but it may shatter at very high temperatures. To prevent this, don’t put cold pans in the fridge or freezer directly on a hot burner, allow them to cool to room temperature before use. Glass top stoves are more fragile than gas-powered stoves, but they’re simpler to clean with no grates or pieces involved. Just remember that the clarity of the surface depends a lot on the cookware used.
Luckily, we’ve tested dozens of the highest quality cookware sets and compared them on the grounds of performance, heat distribution, maneuverability, design and price. Below is a list of the best glass top stoves that we’ve narrowed down. All sets have been carefully tested on performance and ease of use and many have been in our consumer tester homes over years and have proven their durability.
Jump to reviews of the best cookware for glass top stoves
1
Best Overall Cookware for Glass Top Stove
Hestan Nanobond 10-Piece Essential Set
PROS
- Easy to clean
- High-quality materials keep food from sticking
- Heats up quickly and evenly
CONS
- Expensive
Testers highly recommend Hestan’s Nanobond cookware because it heats evenly and can be used on any type of cookware, including glass top stoves. The stainless steel infused with titanium particles aids in preventing food from sticking, is simple to clean, and doesn’t leave any marks on the stovetop.
The aluminum core is used to ensure even distribution of heat and, therefore, there will be no warping with time. These pots and pans are not only usable on the cook top, but also on the oven and can withstand the highest temperature of 1050°F.
The cookware not only heated evenly but also browned steak perfectly due to its broad surface and slightly flared edges, which make it an outstanding induction cookware. The long handles are very comfortable and the pieces sit on the stovetop, which is another necessity in glass top stoves.
The whole set might appear expensive but it is comparable to other premium cookware and a fantastic investment. If you plan to buy just one item from the set, the 11-inch skillet is a great choice, or you can start with the five-piece set.
Cookware material: Stainless steel with an aluminum core | Oven-Safe Temperature: Up to 1050°F | Induction-compatible: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes
RELATED: Best Cookware Sets, According to Our Tests
2
Best Value Cookware for Glass Top Stove
Tramontina 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set
PROS
- Heats up quickly
- Strong, durable handles
- Handles and lid remain cool to the touch
CONS
- Riveted handles are more challenging to clean
The price of Tramontina’s 10-piece cookware set is much lower than the price of the Hestan set. The pots and pans are made with triple-layer construction, featuring stainless steel on the outside and an aluminum core for even heating and compatibility with induction cooktops.
The Tramontina stockpot allowed bringing water to a boil in a short period, and it was ideal when preparing fast pasta dinners. The fry pan was wonderful at browning steak but the heat distribution was somewhat uneven. Tramontina set is dishwasher safe, though you should be ready to wash off some of the stains manually should you wish to leave the cookware spotless.
Cookware material: Stainless steel with aluminum core | Oven-Safe Temperature: Up to 500°F | Induction-compatible: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes
3
Best Nonstick Cookware for Glass Top Stove
GreenPan 16 Piece Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set
PROS
- Lightweight yet durable
- Comes with a variety of pots and pans
- Stain-resistant interior features
CONS
- A bit expensive
GreenPan’s Valencia set has a ceramic nonstick coating and flat, smooth bottoms that are safe to use on glass top stoves. It’s also non-heavy and is suitable on glass cooktops and its scratch resistant under-surface keeps your stove like new.
The durable pans are crafted with user comfort as a priority, showcasing distinctive contoured handles that naturally conform to your grip. The light-colored interior not only looks good but is also stain-resistant, while the dark-colored exterior effectively covers any stains. When we tested it, we liked how the light interior covered scratches along the rim but a frequent problem with coated cookware.
The pans performed very well in the kitchen: the eggs easily slid out onto the bottom with little help of a spatula and in our scorch test the sauce did not stick to the bottom at all, so it was easy to clean up. The 5-quart casserole pot is large enough to store soups and pasta but light enough to carry around.
Also, the vast majority of pieces fit into one another and the pot protectors provided avoid scratches during the interim. The set works incredibly well, but it is priced high, particularly when it comes to ceramic nonstick cookware, which isn’t made in such a way that it would last forever.
Cookware material: Ceramic with a hard-anodized aluminum base | Oven-Safe Temperature: Up to 425°F | Induction-compatible: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes
RELATED: Best Nonstick Cookware Sets
4
Best Stainless Steel Cookware for Glass Top Stove
Made In Cookware-10 Piece Stainless Steel Pot and Pan Set
PROS
- Extremely well-balanced and durable cookware
- Professional quality delivery at a high level of even heat
- Works well when cooking at high temperatures
CONS
- No nonstick pan
Made In has a reputation of producing professional quality cookware with serious cookers in mind. This 10 piece set of four lids and six 5-ply stainless steel pieces provides you with all you need to get started in the kitchen. The rims of each pan are rolled to help prevent spills and the handles are firmly riveted and stay cool when in use.
We appreciate the way this cookware grilled scallops and steak, giving them a beautiful color and crust. The design was particularly helpful since the larger frying pan could be loaded with plenty of food on the bottom, it never seemed like the pan was overloaded. These pans have always seemed to be in perfect balance when cooking, and the cookware is expected to last an extremely long time, as it came through our durability tests with flying colors.
It has 8-inch and 10-inch frying pans, 2-quart and 4-quart lidded saucepans, 3-quart lidded saucier, and 8-quart lidded stockpot. All the pieces are dishwasher safe and come with a lifetime warranty. If you’re still learning how to master stainless steel so it works like a nonstick, consider picking up Made In’s nonstick pan for easy weekend breakfasts.
Cookware material: Stainless steel | Oven-Safe Temperature: Up to 800°F | Induction-compatible: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes
RELATED: Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets
5
Best Splurge Cookware for Glass Top Stove
All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded Cookware Set
PROS
- High-quality set with a solid and thick
- Consistent heating and excellent heat distribution
- The finish is smooth, which makes it easy to clean
CONS
- The pans are quite heavy
The reputation of All-Clad as a producer of high-quality cookware is justified, and this professional series is no exception. The pans are made using different layers of stainless steel and aluminum and therefore heat up quickly and distribute the heat evenly.
The brushed stainless steel is fingerprint and water stain resistant and will make the cooking surface smooth so it won’t stick. When you are using the cookware, its weight holds it in place. These pans in our tests had a consistent even spread of heat with a little sticking and did a great job of producing a perfect sear.
The special starburst pattern on the cooking surface helps prevent food from sticking, and the flared rims make it easy to pour liquids like sauce or soup. Some people found the contoured handles comfortable and easy to hold, though others thought they were less ergonomic. Storage may also be a bit complicated due to the long handles.
The set comes with all the crucial pieces and more: an 8-inch fry pan, a 10-inch fry pan, a 1.5-quart saucepan with lid, a 3-quart saucepan with lid, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with lid. The sides are flared, which means they can be easily poured, and the pans can be used in the oven at 600°F. In case you can afford a cookware set, this is a great option.
Cookware material: Stainless steel | Oven-Safe Temperature: Up to 600°F | Induction-compatible: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes
6
Best Large Cookware for Glass Top Stove
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 12 Piece Stainless Cookware Set
PROS
- Excellent heat distribution and holding capacity
- Very good selection with steamer basket
- Tapered rim for messy pouring
CONS
- The side handles can get hot in the stove
The outstanding feature of this Cuisinart stainless steel cookware set is its ability to distribute and retain heat making it simple to attain even cooking outcomes. The exterior of the pieces is brushed, but not the steamer or the lids, which are mirror finished, meaning they will look great in any kitchen. The collection also has a sensible number of sizes, therefore you will always have the correct pan to use, whether you are preparing a single meal or a pot of stew to share with the family, and they’re simple to clean.
It has the added benefit of being suitable for glass stoves as well as being compatible with induction stoves. During our testing, the pans performed impressively—scallops browned perfectly, and we made a beautiful frittata with very little sticking. Handles remained relatively cool during operation (except side handles), and survived our warping tests with flying colors.
We liked the tapered rims as it was easy to pour out of the cookware and not create a big mess. These pans also brown food very well, and we were impressed with this, no heat spots were visible, although the pan was not necessarily centred over the burner. Very easy to clean too, just a scrubbing sponge and dish soap (even dishwasher safe).
The set comes with 8.5-inch and 10-inch frying pans, a 1.5-quart saucepan with a lid, a 3-quart saucepan with a lid, a 3.5-quart sauté pan with a lid, an 8-quart stockpot with a lid, and a steamer insert with a lid. This set would have been nice with a bigger skillet size, but we don’t feel it is an enormous downside.
Cookware material: Stainless steel | Oven-Safe Temperature: Up to 500°F | Induction-compatible: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes
7
Best Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Staub Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Cocotte
PROS
- Dark interior helps hide stains
- Good for making a richly flavored broth
- Self-sealing lid retains moisture
CONS
- Difficult to check the fond when browning
A good quality Dutch oven is a very versatile item that you can add to your cookware set. You can bake sourdough bread or use it in soups and stews or even in simple one-pot meals. Though most brands have similar performance, Staub is distinguished by a flatter, smoother enamel base, and this feature is particularly effective with glass top stoves. It’s compatible with all types of stovetops; gas, electric, glass, ceramic and induction.
In our experiment, the small spikes on the underside of the self-basting lid reduced broths, which was helpful to make a more rich and tasty soup. On the downside, Staub’s black matte interior did make it harder to keep track of the fond when browning meat for stews.
Cookware material: Enameled cast iron | Oven-Safe Temperature: up to 900°F ( without lid), Lids up to 500°F | Induction-compatible: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes, but hand-wash recommended
8
Best Carbon Steel Pan
Merten & Storck Carbon Steel 12” Frying Pan
PROS
- Lightweight pan offers a large cooking space
- Safe to cook on grills and open-flame
- It comes already preseasoned
CONS
- Add a little oil when cooking eggs
Carbon steel is a natural non-sticky material that is ultra responsive and heats fast on all types of stoves, even glass top stoves. The carbon steel frying pan of Merten and Storck performed well in our testing and can be used in the oven to a temperature of 600˚F.
Our specialists like that it is already preseasoned, simply wash off the protective glaze before you initially cook, so it is ready to use immediately when it comes out of the gate. The pan is not heavy, but it’s comfortable for most people and safe on glass top stoves.
Its gently inclined sides provide a good cooking space, roasting mushrooms well in our experiments and making an attractive pan sauce. It had some trouble with eggs initially but got better throughout the test. When we test, we don’t use oil, but with a little fat in the pan your eggs will slide right out of it. The usefulness of this pan does not end at the stove either.
Cookware material: Carbon steel | Oven-Safe Temperature: up to 600˚F | Induction-compatible: Yes | Dishwasher safe: No
RELATED: Best Carbon Steel Pans
What to look for when buying Cookware for Glass Top Stove
In selecting the cookware in a glass top stove, one does not want to consider only the looks. The following are what you need to remember:
✔ Flat, smooth bottoms: Cookware that has a flat, smooth bottom offers you equal heat distribution, which is a requirement to prevent scratches or damage to your glass stovetop. Cookware with uneven or rough bottoms can harm the surface.
✔ Weight: Glass top stoves are also capable of working with heavy cookware, but it is best to select a balanced one. A heavy one can easily damage the surface, and a light one can cause uneven cooking.
✔ Material: Glass top stoves can be used with cookware made of stainless steel, nonstick, ceramic nonstick, cast iron, enameled cast iron, carbon steel, and copper, etc. Cast iron or stoneware that is uncoated should be avoided because they can scratch the surface.
✔ Heat conductivity: A good or good heat conductivity is that which causes even distribution of the cooking process. Aluminum and copper cores offer much better heat distribution, so there are no hot spots to heat up your glass stovetop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of cookware set do you want to buy?
Begin with selecting a material of cookware that best suits you and how you cook. Cookware material options include stainless steel, non-stick, ceramic nonstick, cast iron, enameled cast iron, carbon steel, copper, and more. Each type has its own benefits, and not all cookware is compatible with induction cooktops.
- Stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron tend to be more expensive and might require some extra care, so they’re often a better fit for those who are comfortable in the kitchen.
- Non-stick cookware- classic teflon or ceramic coated cookware is a great option for those starting out, or those on a budget, or those who want easy cleanup. Then you should consider what pots and pans you will really use.
If you’re starting from scratch and want a complete set, look for an 8 or 10-piece set (remember, the total includes lids). If you just need the basics, a 10-inch frying pan, a small saucepan, and a larger saucepan will cover most needs. Stockpots and braisers are luxuries (supposing you prepare such foodstuffs), and not necessities.
What is the best way to clean a glass stovetop?
Make sure your stovetop is completely turned off and has cooled down before you start cleaning. You can use a glass cooktop cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner that has a degreasing agent. Just apply the cleaner, let it sit for a minute, and then gently scrub the surface using a non-abrasive sponge. If you find any stubborn, stuck-on food or residue, use a non-abrasive scrubber to gently remove it. It’s best to wipe down your cooktop after each use to make major cleanings less frequent.
Is it okay to use cast iron on a glass stovetop?
Yes, but you should take some precautions. Always make sure the outside of your cast iron pan is clean, since any oil or leftover residue can leave stains on your glass stovetop when it gets hot. Because cast iron is pretty heavy, set it down gently and avoid sliding it across the surface. Sliding or dropping it can scratch or even break the glass.
How can scratches on a glass stovetop be removed?
It’s possible, yes, to clean scratches off a glass stovetop, depending on the depth of the scratches and their location. In case of small scratches, baking soda and water (two teaspoons and one teaspoon respectively) make a paste. Apply the paste lightly on the scratch using a soft cloth or sponge and buff it lightly. Even commercial products are useful. But when you have a crack or deep scratch around the heating element, it would be best to have it examined by a professional.
