Cast Iron Grill/griddle on Smooth Top Stove?

My mom still uses her cast iron on her glass top. She has the same griddle pan you are talking about and it has worked fine. I remember as a kid using it. I think you need to be extremely careful not to slide the cast iron on the stove or it will scratch. Pampered Chef used to sell one in a style I believe was safe on smooth top. I am not going to say my mom hasn't scratched hers but I think that is actually my dad and I don't think it can be blamed on the pans.

The cast iron will work on the stove top if it sits directly on the burner but as you said, you will have the cooler in the middle problem inbetween the burners. Also you have to be very careful because the cast iron is very heavy and can scratch your glass top. Unless you are wanting the cast iron for camping as well, I would recommend getting an electric griddle that you can put on a counter top. I think they might even be cheaper then the cast iron ones and they really don't take up that much more room. We actually have both, electric for inside and cast iron for outside.

I don't have an answer to your question, but noticed that you had mentioned that you were having problems in your marriage. I just saw a movie called Fireproof that will be out Sept 26. It's about a couple who are about to divorce and how one works towards saving the marriage. I don't know if it will help, but it might be encouraging for you. I just thought I'd mention it. I'm praying for you.

L....the others who have written are correct...no cast iron on a glass smooth top stove. Not only no cast iron, no copper bottoms and no glass. The glass will scratch the glass top.

Sad, but true. Do read your manual before purchasing cooking pots or pans.

Best of luck!

I can't say much about the cast iron vs glass tops, but...A good quality pan will transfer heat throughout the entire pan, regardless of where the burners are. I have been a Pampered Chef consultant for almost 7 years, so I've learned quite a bit about cookware. Try to find out what "guage" your griddle is. The lower the number, the better heat conductivity it has (our nonstick cookware is 4 & 6). Cast iron has to be good in my opinion, because I think of how hot the handle gets when I use my cast iron skillet.

Read your Owners manual...I was always told no iron skillets on a glass cooktop. I would assume the same goes for a cast iron griddle.

There are griddle pans out there that aren't cast iron that would be fine for your smooth top. Also one of the freestanding griddle/panini press/grill that you use on your countertop are pretty cool. I have a one that I use all the time because I have a smooth top

BEfore you purchase!!!!!!!!!!!!..............My brother and his girlfriend always used a cast iron for thier cooking, they had a gas stove, then when their oven stopped working, the new unit they got was a smooth-top, because I had one and she loved it. When they were having it installed, one of the installers saw the cast iron pan hanging up, and asked if she used it regularly. He told her because the pan can get so hot, it should not be used on the smooth-top for it can damage it. So just check around before you make your desicion

Hi L.,
I just wanted to let you know that I also have a smooth top electric stove and the book that came with the stove says that you should never use cast iron on it. I didn't want you to spend money needlessly in case your stove also has the same recommendation.
I also note that you say that you are having some problems.
I just want to encourage you to hang in there and God bless you!

D.