Monday, January 17, 2011

I need to buy a new stove... coils or glass top-your opinions please!

Hi everyone! Last weekend the coil of my electric stove kinda split and caught on fire with a white hot light-not a good way to start the day! It's 14 years old and I need to replace the stove, not just the coil. My options are another coil stove or a glass top one... Gas is not an option, boy would I love it!
Talk to me! 
Which do you like and why? What would I need to know if I get a glass top stove?
The glass top model I looked at would let me use both a regular oven or convection oven with the push of a button, do you like that? Have you used convection?

I do like to cook and bake, so I do use the stove every day.
I'd appreciate any input, opinions or advice-thanks so much!

Of course there is one positive to the stove not working...
Maybe I can cut down on exercising!!!
Ok, okay... like I ever started in the first place:@)
Have a happy day!
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41 comments:

  1. acorn hollowJanuary 17, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    here is my opinion for what it's worth. My daughter has a glass top. the least little smudge makes it look dirty. I use cast Iron frying pans and they are not recomended for the glass top. so for me a coil works better.
    Cathy

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  2. UnknownJanuary 17, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Glass tops are hard to clean and I myself personally would not get another one, as I love to cook. acorns right about the smudge comment. Coils were always ok but I havent used one in a long time. Over the two I woud pick the coil. Gas you didnt say gas but Ill say that we bought a gas one and the pretty shiny emamel on the grids will pop off with use. So you have to go with the grid that is the rough type. hope this helped.

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  3. UnknownJanuary 17, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Not an electric range fan but for now it is what I have. I know lots of people love the glass tops but they are not for me...they are not recommended for either canning or cast iron -- deal breaker for me, lol. For now, I have coil burners.

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  4. KathleenJanuary 17, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    I have a gas range and I love it. I had electric coils in our previous home.

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  5. The Quintessential MagpieJanuary 17, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Lynn, I don't like my glass top stove. It is so hard to keep clean, and if you put a pot down, invaribly it will have something on the bottom (and this is after it goes through the dishwasher) that leaves a smudge on the eye. Then you have to struggle to get it off. Mine is white. If you had a black one, it might not be so bad. But be prepared to keep something on hand to clean it all the time if you get white. My husband just hates it. Never again!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  6. Denise@alloverrosesJanuary 17, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    I have a glass top stove and I LOVE it! All you need to clean it is Cerama Bryte polish and if you have anything stubborn a razor blade scraper. I clean my stove with the Cerama Bryte polish almost every time I use it so it is never a big chore. I would never go back to coils or gas again. My stove is black with little white specks so it doesn't show smudges at all.

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  7. The Charm of HomeJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    I always wish I had a glass top stove, but I do use cast iron sometimes and I have chipped the enamel top with it so, I probably would have broken the glass!LOL
    Sherry

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  8. DonnieJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    I have a gas range so can't help ya.

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  9. CindyJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    If you are a canner or use cast iron..coils are for you..glass tops will crack..I know I have cracked 2..I am saving money for a coil!!

    Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

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  10. SarahJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Lynn, we have a gas range top. Our oven offers both options. We use the convection all the time. It's great. Good luck with your decisions. ~ Sarah

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  11. TeriJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    I have a glass top and love it. Won't go back to coils. yes, it's a bit harder to keep shiny... but most coil stoves always seem to have less than stellar drip pans...

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  12. Donna@Conghaile CottageJanuary 17, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    I have "all of the above"... In the basement I have a kitchen with a glasstop... It is a PAIN to clean, and takes LONGER to heat anything, I personally hate it... My kitchen stove is an Elmira which is gas on top with convection OR regular oven...You won't EVER use the regular again...You can FILL up that oven, I bake all my pies at once and the little fan works it's magic...You MUST GET THAT option... It is wonderful... "DO" let us know what you do, AND we'll want pictures!!!
    Hugs to you,
    Donna

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  13. Sherri B.January 18, 2011 at 12:24 AM

    I have glass tops in both houses and love them. My stoves get heavy use and I have never had a problem with cast iron, as a matter of fact I don't recall the book saying I couldn't use it..I wouldn't own something that had that restriction...Also I am a messy cook and my cooktop cleans up great. I use a special razor when things get stubborn and I make a paste with Bon Ami to clean it occasionally, other wise I spray vinegar on after dinner and paper towel off, no smears...As for convection, I will get it with our next purchase as all the reports I have heard are like Donna's above...Good luck with your decision.

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  14. RettabugJanuary 18, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    I'm so glad you asked this question, Lynn! I have a black glass top & I HATE it, because it is so hard to keep clean. I will try the aforementioned Cerama Bryte as well as the vinegar spray. I remember the installer telling me NOT to use Windex on it, per the manufacturers recommendations. I do find that Greased Lightening does a nice job but its still hard to keep clean & I cook every single frickin' day of the week around here!!!!!!

    I use my cast iron pan on it. I hope it DOES crack the glass so I can get a new stove without feeling guilty.

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  15. Johanna GehrleinJanuary 18, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    Hello Lynn,
    I am amazed about the wide range of the opinions. I think that will cause more confusion than help for your decision. When I changed my coil stove into a glass one, everybudy predicted it will break sometimes. It did not yet and I have it several years. I love that it is a plain surface and for me it is not difficult to clean. Maybe the German (black) glass stoves are somehow different to yours. The only thing, which damage the glass is burnt sugar. So if something sugary cookes over, just clean the overcooked mass immediately while it is hot. Everything else (crusts) will be removed easily with a scaler when cold and then (fat etc.) with normal cleaning powder. The glass is very hard. I wouldn't change mine again.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  16. Flavia GalassoJanuary 18, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    Coils...I have coils and I wouldn't chenge!!
    Some friends of mine have glass one, but thgey are not happy about results!!!

    Have a nice day, hugs, Flavia

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  17. DebbieJanuary 18, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    I'm like you and would love a gas range. Since it's out of our budget question, too, we have glass top.

    I'm such a Messy Bessy in the kitchen, and a glass top is easier for me to clean.

    I just have to keep that Brawny Man I married from scratching the surface with his scotch brite sponge. Other than that, we're good.

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  18. DoanLegacyJanuary 18, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    We recently replaced the coil one with glass top, and I have a love-hate relationship with it..It's easier for me to clean, but like everyone said, it shows everything!

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  19. CarolJanuary 18, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    I love my ceran top! Cleans easily, if something spills on it, you scrape it with the razor and use the cleaner to clean and plosih. I use Cerama Brite. And in between I use windex if it gets a smusge. Much easier to clean than the coil or the hobs, had both previously. Gas wasn't an option. I've never cooked with convection so no comment there, but I do love my glass top! And I use raw cast iron on it, as well as Le Creuset. Just don't drop or drag. looks as new as when I got it over 12 years ago.

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  20. TheaMinPAJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    I have a black/speckled ceramic top - I love it, but you do have to keep it clean - altho not a difficult task, it does need to be done regularly - but you have to clean the rest of the countertop, too, right? at least if something boils over I don't have to take the whole stovetop apart to get to the spill 8-)
    What I don't like is how long it takes the oven to preheat (10 minutes!) and how long it takes for the stovetop to cool down. I don't use the burners at full heat much for that reason.

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  21. Splendid Little StarsJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    don't know the answer, but would like to know because I will have to replace mine soon. love the idea of cutting down on exercise! LOL!

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  22. HeatherJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Hi Lynn, I have a black ceramic and do not like it:( It rarely looks clean, especially if the stove light is on... it really does show every little smudge. And more importantly I cannot do any canning on it or use cast iron. I hate not being able to can on it! Luckily we have an electric coil in the basement so I am able to can there.

    My humble opinion= electric coil:)

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  23. shannon i olsonJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    I have glass top and hate it, It always looks dirty...heavy things are a pain to worry about on top, it has a crack on the edge from who knows what and I do a lot of canning, not recommended for glass top stoves. I do it anyway but I takes longer.

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  24. ShelJanuary 18, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    To me, gas is the way to go!

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  25. LaJanuary 18, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    Where did you get that picture of me?! We seriously have one of those old belt-vibrator contraptions. It always reminds me of an I Love Lucy episode.

    I have a glass top and I love it. Not only can I cook on it, but I can use it as additional counter space when I use my crock pot of electric roaster.

    I would love to have a convection oven. When I worked in food service we had convection ovens and they are just so much more efficient.

    A glass top with a conventional/convection oven sounds ideal!

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  26. SavoringTime in the KitchenJanuary 18, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Since we don't have a gas line into the kitchen I've had both coil and glass tops - my current stove top being the glass top. I find the glass top so much easier to clean than the coils where the food would fall under the coils and the drip pans would get greasy and messy. My glass top (Kenmore Elite) has been wonderful and I love it! I use cast iron and have never had a problem. Soap and water are usually all I need to clean off messes but I do occasionally use a razor to scrap off burned food. I use a 'Simple Human' brand stainless steel cleaning mitt from BBBY to wipe off smudges. If you have any more question about the glass top just email me!

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  27. xinexJanuary 18, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    I can't advice you on the stove but the convection oven is really nice. Good luck on your choice, Lynn....Christine

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  28. Ms. Bake-itJanuary 18, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Although I prefer gas, it is not an option at my current house. I liked the appearance of the glass top I had when I first moved into my house but the regular use of my cast iron pans pretty much destroyed the appearance and since I cook 2 - 3 meals per day every day, I had a very hard time keeping it spotless. I now use coils and have not had a problem using my cast iron pans with them or keeping it clean.

    ~ Tracy

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  29. bjJanuary 18, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    Both daughter and daughter in law have glass tops and LOVE THEM...
    I have coils and HATE them...:)))
    Good luck

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  30. JacquelineJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    I don't know where you get all of those great pig pics! That has to be one of the best ones. I remember when my high school Spanish teacher actually used one of those things (she was thin to begin with though!)

    Of course gas is amazing but since you can't have that, the black glass isn't bad and with a razor blade and ceram bryte it is easy to keep clean and there are absolutely no crevices for crumbs and no where for things to seep into.

    The convection oven is amazing and does such a nice job on baking.

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  31. Anita DiazJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    I have the glasstop and I also think it's hard to keep clean, but I like that there are no nooks and crannies. The only thing is if you do any home canning, you cannot use a pressure canner on a glasstop, I have heard. I have never used convection. Good luck getting one!!

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  32. SueJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:51 PM

    I have a Jenn Aire radiant heat glass cook top in black. I have always cleaned a cook top each and every time I cooked, so shining this smooth top after every time I cook is nothing out of the ordinary for me. Who would ever want to cook on a greasy, messy stove- glass or otherwise?
    I have always used a razor to scrape away any burned on particles and I scrub it with a paste of Bon Ami/water or use the commercial cleansers made for smooth tops. I always spray it with glass cleaner to make it shine. I have no issues with heat control. I agree that the only issue is when cooking with hot sugar. It will mess up the glass if it boils over. But how often do I cook with hot sugar? - rarely.
    My cooktop sits in an island and my ovens are built into the wall. I do have a convection oven and use it often. It provides better air circulation and faster cook times.
    If we remodel the kitchen, I would like an Electrolux induction glass top. But I need to see if they come with an exhaust fan like my Jenn Aire. If not, I'll go with another Jenn Aire.
    Hope you can make an informed decision. What brands are you contemplating? ~ Sue

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  33. Red Couch RecipesJanuary 19, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Lynne -- I have had both, but would prefer gas! Love your pig exercising! Joni

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  34. An Oasis in the DesertJanuary 19, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    I have a Kenmore Ultra Bake, stainless, with a black glass cooktop and love, love, love it! I have used cast iron without any problems. I usually use 409 or windex to polish it up; or if something gets burned on, I scrape off what I can and then use some special Glass Top Cleaner to scrub off the rest. It has worked every time.
    CAS

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  35. Confessions of a Plate AddictJanuary 19, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    My sister has glass top and seems to love it, but it does seem a little hard to keep clean. I'm afraid I'm not much help here...I'm cooking with gas! lol I hope you are having a great week!...hugs...Debbie

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  36. JessaJanuary 19, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Oh you are too funny! We have an old oven with an upper and lower oven that we have not replaced because I LOVE IT. Good luck in your hunt.

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  37. Pam KesslerJanuary 19, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    Had to put in my two cents. If I had my druthers I would have gas, but there are no gas lines to the house. As for electric, I have used both and I love my black glasstop. I just wipe it down with a wet paper towel after each use (after it has cooled down). About once a week I use a glass cooktop cleaner on it to shine it up. I thought it was much harder to keep my coil stove clean (the metal or whatever it was underneath the coils was always dirty). And i have the convection, which my husband loves. It does cut down on cooking time for my Stouffer's Lasagna and frozen tv dinners.

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  38. Savannah GrannyJanuary 20, 2011 at 2:24 AM

    WOW! These opinions are all over the place. I also have a Jenn Air cook top with black glass. The actual cooktop is 24yrs old. I replaced the original "european cast iron burners with the glass cartridges about 8 or 9 years ago. I LOVE, LOVE it. It has developed a few small scratches, hard to see, but it's been 8 or nine years. I use cast iron all the time. It is not the cast iron that is a problem. It is the ridge abound the bottom of some cast iron pots that lifts the pot off the surfice. Since the bottom does not sit on the glass it doesn't heat up properly. I don't find it difficult to clean and I cook daily. I can only offer this observation. Since the drips are more noticeable on the glass than they are down in the drip pan one thinks it gets dirtier. In my humble opinion, that is because we feel compelled to clean it more often. Does everyone take out the drip trays everyday and clean them. I didn't. I waited until I was forced. No grease mind you but burnt on, yes. The glass is quicker and easier to clean. You just tend to do it more often.
    Convection cooking. Fantastic! Love, Love, Love. Absolutely get convection option.
    Hugs, Ginger

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  39. Savannah GrannyJanuary 20, 2011 at 2:26 AM

    PS: If this cooktop EVER wears out I will get gas. But I am betting this top outlasts me. Hugs

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  40. BethJanuary 20, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Hi Lynn, I have my second glass top (black) and I love it. I've had the coils too. I've never used a gas stove. I think in part it's what you become accustomed to. Good luck!
    Blessings, Beth

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  41. Kaye Swain - SandwichINK for Grandparents and CaregiversJanuary 22, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Hi, I popped over from Pink Saturday and enjoyed this as well. If you are still pondering - I prefer the glasstop. It's easier to keep clean. I would also recommend, whichever you get, to get the ones that have the red buttons that show if the top is still hot AND get the controls up. I went that route for the sake of both my grandchildren AND my senior mom, in case she ever has to deal with forgetfulness. And would you believe it, they're even a good reminder for this baby boomer! :) Enjoy your nice new stove, whatever you get. :)

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