Canning on a smooth top range?

ninjapoodles

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I haven't started canning yet, but I use cast iron and Le Creuset cookware almost exclusively with no problems on my smooth-surface stove. I also make very heavy, large batches of soap on it.

For a while when I first got it, I was having trouble with it taking FOREVER to heat water to a boil, and then finally realized that I had the "Sure-Simmer" feature engaged. I think it's supposed to keep things from boiling over. Anyway, as soon as I turned that off, it was fine. I do like that feature for actual simmering, though.

Here's what I HATE about mine, though it is a really nice range: You cannot, ever, even once, allow ANYTHING to spill on a hot burner. The stovetop will never look the same. It cleans up beautifully all over the surface unless a burner is on. This even includes plain water boiling over. One little splash, and you have a permanent stain. Drives me NUTS. The instructions clearly state to always keep the hot burners dry, but they don't tell you that you'll permanently mar the surface if you don't. For example, if you fill a pot of water in your sink, then you have to get a towel and wipe down the outside, or thoroughly check it to make sure not ONE DROP of water is on the bottom or side (that could drip down) of that pot when the burner heats up. Or if you are cooking something in a covered pot, you must use extreme caution when lifting the lid, because if you drip condensed steam from the lid onto the burner....it's marked forever. Grrrrr. There is no cleaner that restores it, not even the special stuff that comes with the stove. :mad:

Every time I hear the tiniest little sizzle that means a drop of liquid touched a hot element, I cringe inside. I've always had electric ranges, and like them, but I don't know if I'll buy another smooth-top. At least with the old coil burners, you could CLEAN them.
 

me&thegals

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I can on my glasstop, even when I used the huge, heavy water bath canners. Now I use steam canners, which use about 1/10th the water and are much light. Anyway, I've had no problems with either.
 

Nubsmum

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What is a steam canner? I started using my old fashioned water bath canner on my new smooth top. I very carefully lift it on so there is no scraping on the glass. Has done very well. I would not use a pressure canner though.
 

nccountrygirl

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My hubby just bought me a new Presto 16 qt pressure caner made for smooth top ranges. So far it's works wonderful.
 

Nubsmum

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Nccountrygirl-what exact model is the smooth top canner. Have been searching online and cannot find one.

Thanks
 

nccountrygirl

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Nubsmum said:
Nccountrygirl-what exact model is the smooth top canner. Have been searching online and cannot find one.

Thanks
So simple really I got mine from WalMart for 60.00.
 

me&thegals

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Nubsmum said:
What is a steam canner? I started using my old fashioned water bath canner on my new smooth top. I very carefully lift it on so there is no scraping on the glass. Has done very well. I would not use a pressure canner though.
Your best bet is to Google it. It has a short base, a little rack that you stack the jars on and then a huge, tall top. You put in about 6 cups of water in the bottom, load up the rack, put the lid on and once it's boiling it steams the whole batch. With steam being even hotter than boiling water, it does the job but with much less water and electricity :)
 

Gram49

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I started this thread months ago and did not realize the comments it would generate. I am still confused so yesterday I called Maytag with my model no. and serial no. The operator said they do not recommend canning, BUT if you did there is a canner made by Kitchenaid that is tapered towards the bottom for the prupose of being used on smooth tops. The reason is that no pan should be more than two inches larger around than the burner it is sitting on. In my case the largest burners are 9 inches so any pot should not exceed 11 inches in diameter. I did go the website Cassandra mentioned and read the specifications. The operator did not mention the weight of a pan only the dimentions and the heat it generates outside the burner area. I am going to keep my eyes open for a pressure canner that would fit my burners. I have never had one, but am willing to give it a try. Good luck to anyone trying to figure this out too.
Gram
 

nccountrygirl

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My Presto has a part of the pot that only covers the burner of my smooth top. The rest of the caner sits up off the stove. It works great.
 
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