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multipleparadox

Induction Cooktop Spacers - PTFE?

6 years ago

Hi,


I currently have a rather cheap Frigidaire Gallery induction range, that's about 4 years old, and developed quite a good amount of scratches and abrasion over time. Most were probably caused by that damned Lagostina Cast Iron skillet (hated it, got rid of it), but definitely not the only culprit.


I'm now buying a new house and splurging on a 36" Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop. At the price this thing is, I would hate to see it develop this kind of wear, so I've been considering adding some kind of spacers on my pans. But again, maybe the glass on the Thermador is (hopefully) of much better quality and will be much more resistant, but I'm not sure I want to capitalize on that.


I've seen lots of people using silicon pads, but I was wondering if there would be alternatives allowing to slide pots and pans around without scratching the surface, such as PTFE/Teflon pads of some sorts. On regular induction cooktop, silicon would be a decent solution, but with the Freedom cooktop where there are not defined "burner" locations, it would kind of defeat the purpose to use those.


Anyone have any ideas/recommendations to make?



Comments (17)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I’m so excited for you! This is a truly beautiful, really clever piece of equipment! I’ve been eyeing it and the Gaggenau for a while now. Not to go low tech on you, but paper towels and even cloth towels would give you enough slip, I think, for you to be able to move your cookware freely.

    My sister has a Fasar induction cooktop (below, under my carrot cake) that has ceramic tiles as it’s surface instead of glass. I totally love that surface and wonder whether manufacturers will ever go back to it.


  • 6 years ago

    eam44 - lol - so did I, skipped over to Houzz to see what folk are saying! Looks ingenious.


  • 6 years ago

    Overthink? Enameled cast iron negates the problem. Put some parchment under where you want to move your pan a whole lot.

  • 6 years ago

    As to the glass ceramic cooktop there are two main manufacturers EuroKera being the maker of my electrolux, identified by a small letter k in one corner. They can all be scratched by cookware, or spilled salt or sugar crystals, none are scratch proof. I use small silicon pads cut from a solid baking sheet, not a glass fibre reinforced Silpat, but if i had zone less i would just get creative and arrange the pads/shapes in a pleasing pattern and leave sliding pans for those with gas grates. Maybe try a Teflon oven liner on your current top to see if pushing the pan will also move the liner but given the possibility of Teflon off gassing i would not bother.

    Multiple Paradox thanked venmar
  • 6 years ago

    Thanks for the reply so far!


    @eam44 Yeah I saw the invisacook and was aiming for something similar (Sapienstone/TBS partnership) but we could not have it here. And when I saw the Thermador I thought this would be way more useful on the long run.


    @venmar

    I'll look into that about PTFE off-gassing.

    I found some PTFE tape resisting to ~550F, will probably give it a try and see if this is even remotely-close to a good idea.

  • 6 years ago

    Newspaper is cheaper and disposable.

  • 6 years ago

    Yeah, the idea was to stick the tape to the pan/pots so I don't have to go and reach out for something else, place it on the cooktop and then the pan/pot


    But if the tape doesn't work out, I'll settle with some paper I guess


    Thanks all

  • 6 years ago

    the PTFE tape only sticks to things because it has been etched and an adhesive applied. While the PTFE might withstand all but a forgotten empty pan on high, the adhesive might not be so robust.

    I suggest just laying down three silicone pads where the pan will be set and cut new ones whenever an 'accident' leads to deterioration. Sliding around on soft glass intended to withstand thermal and mechanical shock is asking for scratches.

  • 6 years ago

    For those interested:

    Actually tried this tape on my current range: https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/gp/product/B07XYTQSQS/

    It's rated for ~500F


    I tried it on a Wrought Iron pan (not quite Cast Iron - closer to Carbon Steel), and an aluminium (Induction compatible)/ceramic pan.


    I tried the WI pan first, and accidentally let it heat up a bit too much 😅.

    The adhesive indeed melt a bit outside the bound of the tape, and "gunked" the top and the bottom of the pan, although very slightly and was an easy cleanup.

    The tape held perfectly well though. Left it there and tried a second time after the pan had cooled: no more adhesive leakage.


    I didn't heat the aluminium pan too much but enough to cook bacon to a nice crisp. No adhesive leakage. Tape held good.


    As far as sliding the pan on the surface, it feels quite smoother than otherwise. Not perfectly so but I think it should help reducing the risk to scratch the surface.


    I did only two tests with this so far, and it seems good, but don't take this "conclusion" for granted if you're thinking of trying this for yourself. Your mile may vary

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks for testing and demonstrating that the teflon adhesive is capable of high temperatures. So long as the teflon tape can reach the temperature of, say, vaporizing grape seed oil, it should be good enough. Just be sure your counter is level so the pans don't slide off. :)

  • 6 years ago

    We have had two Electrolux induction cooks tops with zero scratching issues

    Just commented the other day to the wife how indestructible they seem to be

  • 6 years ago

    @kaseki

    "Just be sure your counter is level so the pans don't slide off. :)"

    😆 I certainly hope they'll build this level, it's a new house; Or they'll hear from me real quick :P


  • 6 years ago

    @Multiple Paradox - I am doing a kitchen remodel and was also interested in the sapienstone/TBS cooktop. Why did you not go that direction? Thanks!

  • 6 years ago

    I visited a showroom yesterday and the Freedom silver titanium was very scratched. Enough so that I am rethinking the purchase. Tape on pans or parchment on the gorgeous cooktop is not appealing to me. The Liberty mirrored glass had a little texture and no scratches but that look is too modern for me. Salesperson steered me towards Wolf. Some texture and no scratches on demo unit. I’m going to look at Elux after reading this thread. Willing to use bridges if needed and give up freely moving pots.

  • 6 years ago

    Checked out the SapienStone TPB. Love it! But only 4 burners and I worry about installation and service techs with it being so new

  • 5 years ago

    What did people end up doing? VERY interested in the Invisacook/TPB concept.

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