Best Cookware for Glass Top Stove

If you don’t have time to read the entire article, my top pick is the T-fal C836SD Ultimate Stainless Steel with Copper Bottom Cookware Set. Beautiful design and great value make this cookware set my personal favorite.

Glass top stoves have always been a popular choice for home kitchens. A sleek, modern design, good performance, and easy clean-up make the choice a no-brainer for many homeowners. But having the right cookware for glass top stove units can make a difference in your cooking experience and prevent damaging your stovetop.

While it can be overwhelming to choose the best cookware for glass top stove units, there are some specific features you should look for. Here’s everything you need to know when it comes to finding the right set for your needs.

Although induction cooktops also have a glass surface they use a different technology than traditional glass stovetops using electric coils, which is what I’m focusing on in this article. If you’re looking for cookware for your induction stove, please read my article, Best Induction Cookware.

Here are the products I’ll be reviewing:

• Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set
• Calphalon Simply Pots and Pans 10 Piece Set
• Circulon Momentum Stainless Steel Set
• T-fal C836SD Ultimate Stainless Steel with Copper Bottom Cookware Set
• Rachael Ray Brights Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Cookware Set

Why is Having the Best Cookware for Glass Top Stoves Important? 

The unique construction of a glass top stove can make it more delicate than a typical electric or gas stovetop. Because of this, it’s important that you use the right type of cookware. Having the right cookware will allow you to do the following: 

• Protect your glass top stove from scratches or discoloration.
• Cook more evenly
• Clean up the glass top surface easily after cooking.

What to Look For in Cookware for Glass Top Stoves

In my earlier years of cooking, I made the unfortunate mistake of scratching my glass top stove while cooking with a cast-iron skillet. 

While I love the flavor of cooking with cast iron cookware, I learned the hard way that some materials are better than others when it comes to glass top stoves. Here is a quick guide of what to look for and what to avoid when shopping for your new cookware.

Rough materials like cast iron or stoneware can be harsh on the surface of a glass top stove. When you slide the cookware across the stovetop surface, you are more prone to scratching the delicate ceramic-glass. Glass and ceramic cookware can also contribute to scratched surfaces.

In addition to possibly scratching the stovetop, cast iron also retains heat while cooking. While this can be an advantage for keeping food warm when taken off the stove, this excess heat can transfer back onto the stovetop, causing it to overheat. In some units, this may cause the stovetop to shut off automatically as a safety measure. 

Aluminum and copper cookware are known to leave behind a residue on your glass top stove. If not cleaned properly, this can lead to the ugly discoloration of your stovetop. Because both materials are superb at heat conduction, a remedy is investing in aluminum and copper cookware that has a stainless steel base or simply remove any residue immediately after cooking.

Stainless steel is smooth, lightweight, and durable, making it the best cookware for glass stovetops. You can cook without worrying about scratching the glass top. Plus, stainless steel has an even heat distribution which cooks your food evenly and thoroughly. 

Select materials, including carbon steel and porcelain-coated cast iron, are examples of different cookware materials that can also be used with glass top stoves.

Cookware with a smooth, stable, and flat base allows maximum contact between the cookware and the glass top for better conduction of heat.

Several of the sets discussed in this article have non-stick coatings. While many of the manufacturers like to claim their pots and pans are scratch-resistant, can handle metal utensils, and are dishwasher safe, please take these claims with a grain of salt. My personal experience, along with reading hundreds of online reviews tell a different story. If you want to keep your pans performing well they need to be babied. Silicone or wood utensils only, and hand wash with a soft brush or sponge. 

Related: Our Cookware Buying Guide. How To Find Your Perfect Set.

Our Favorite Cookware for Glass Top Stoves

Now that you know what to look for, let’s check out some of my favorite cookware sets on the market and see if we can find one that’s perfect for you.

1. Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set

This Cuisinart 12 piece Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel Set is excellent for any home cook. This is because of the variety of cookware pieces it offers. It includes 2 covered saucepans (1 ½ and 3 qt.), 2 skillets (8 and 10 inch), covered saute pan (3 ½ qt.), covered stockpot (8 qt.), and steamer insert with lid. Thanks to its impressive 500°F oven rating, you can place them in the oven or even under the broiler. The stainless steel exterior matched with an aluminum core provides even heating with no hotspots.

Pros:

• The cooking surface is polished and will not scratch the surface of your glass top stove. 
• Cool Grip handles stay cool on the stovetop
• Rims of the cookware are tapered, allowing you to have drip-free pouring. 
• There is an even distribution of heat, and the material ensures optimal heat retention. 
• Dishwasher safe

Cons: 

• The set does not come with a smaller sized saute pan. 
• If used and maintained improperly, the pans may warp on the bottom. 
• The polish can scratch off over time if cleaned with harsh products. 

2. Calphalon Simply Pots and Pans 10 Piece Set

The Calphalon Simply Pots and Pans 10 Piece Set is one of my favorite non-stick sets because of its beautiful construction. The aesthetics and performance make it one of the best cookware sets for glass top stoves. The set comes with 2 frying pans (8 and 10 inch), 2 saucepans with lid (1 and 2 qt.), saute pan with lid (3 qt.), and stockpot with lid (6 qt.).

Pros: 

• Constructed with hard-anodized aluminum that is resistant to warping and corrosion. 
• Tempered glass lids lock in moisture while cooking. 
• Double-layered nonstick interior (PFOA free) makes for easy cooking and cleaning.
• Each piece features a heat resistant silicone coated handle for safety when cooking. 
• Cookware is oven safe up to 400°F. 

Cons: 

• The nonstick layer is prone to damage and scratching if you use improper cooking utensils. 
• Hand wash only
• Not safe for broiler use

3. Circulon Momentum Stainless Steel Set

Another great collection is the Circulon Momentum Stainless Steel 11-Piece Set. 

This set is beautiful with its mirror-polished stainless steel construction. You can never go wrong with stainless steel’s performance and dependability, and with Circulon’s TOTAL Nonstick System you’ll enjoy the nonstick performance for up to 15 times longer than other brands . Plus each piece has a stainless steel base which eliminates any chance of discoloring your glass cooktop, a problem normally encountered with aluminum cookware, and is induction cooktop compatible.

This collection includes 1 qt saucepan, 2 qt saucepan with lid, 3 qt saute pan with lid, 6 qt stockpot with lid, and 3 frying pans (8 and 11.5 in, 10 in with lid).

Pros: 

• TOTAL Nonstick System features raised circles that protect against sticking and scratching. 
• PFOA free
• The handles feature double-riveted stainless steel for a strong grip. 
• Lids are shatter-resistant and offer a tight seal. 
• The stainless steel base allows even conduction of heat. 
• Silicone coated handles stay cool

Cons: 

• Oven safe up to only 400°F. 
• Metal utensils not recommended

4. T-fal C836SD Ultimate Stainless Steel with Copper Bottom Cookware Set

The T-fal C836SD Ultimate Stainless Steel Pots and Pans Set is another great cookware set because it combines the power of stainless steel and copper. The layered copper bottom base helps to distribute the heat evenly with the intensity building in the middle and then radiating outwards. 

If you are not a fan of stainless steel, but like the copper bottom base, the set does come in a hard-anodized nonstick version. 

I really like this particular cookware set because you can choose the quantity of your set according to your budget or need. The T-fal C836SD comes in a 12, 13, 14, and 17 piece option. This 13 piece collection includes 2 frying pans (8 and 10 ½ inch), 12-inch frying pan with lid, 3 saucepans with lids (1, 2, and 3 qt.), dutch oven with lid (5 qt.), and stainless steel steamer.

Pros: 

• The set is beautifully constructed. 
• The multi-layered copper base is sturdy and provides an even distribution of heat. 
• Both the stainless steel and hard anodized titanium nonstick materials are durable with quality craftsmanship. 
• Lids are constructed of tempered glass and include a vent hole. 
• Pots and pans are oven rated up to 500°F. 
• Dishwasher safe

Cons: 

• Food will stick to the pan, but coating the pan with oil before cooking can reduce this. 
• The handles are not silicone-coated, so they may be prone to heating, requiring mitts. 

5. Rachael Ray Brights Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Cookware Set

Rachael Ray’s popularity on the screen matches the popularity of her Brights Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set. The set comes in a 12, 10, and 14 piece option and is available with handles in 4 different colors. The versatility, easy maintenance, and nonstick capability are what make this set one of the most popular cookware sets. 

The 10 piece collection includes 2 frying pans (8 ½  and 10 inch), 2 saucepans with lids (1 and 2 qt.), stockpot with lid (6 qt.), and saute pan with lid (3 qt.).

The pots and pans are constructed from hard-anodized aluminum that heats up quickly. I like the construction because the nonstick coating makes cooking and cleanup easier than stainless steel sets. But the major downside with the non-stick coating is that if you cook with metal utensils, the coating can easily scratch and even chip off. If you use the right utensils (silicone or wood), though, you can get the maximum lifespan out of the set. 

Pros: 

• The hard-anodized aluminum heats up quickly and cooks food evenly
• Less expensive than other sets
• Dishwasher safe
• The comfortable grip handles won’t heat up on the stove, but you will need oven mitts when removing them from the oven. 

Cons: 

• The nonstick coating will chip away if metal or harsh utensils are used. 
• The pan and pot lids do not have vent holes. 
• Pots and pans are oven safe only up to 350°F

Final Thoughts on the Best Cookware for Glass Top Stove Units

While there’s something great about each of these cookware sets, my personal favorite is the T-fal C836SD Ultimate Stainless Steel Pots and Pans Set. You get the durability of stainless steel, 13 pieces that will handle most of your cooking needs, all from a well-respected brand at a great price. What’s not to love!

Check out the T-Fal set here.