Glass-ceramic smoothtop cooktops on Frigidaire electric ranges and cooktops are easy to clean and heat quickly. They also generate a steady stream of questions, largely because radiant elements behave differently from old coil burners.
Usually Normal
- Glowing on and off at medium settings: radiant elements cycle to hold a heat level. At lower settings they spend more time off.
- A hot-surface light that stays on after cooking: it warns that the glass is still hot and can remain lit for a while after the element is off.
- A faint odor the first few uses of a new cooktop as manufacturing residues burn off.
Not Normal
- An element that stays on high regardless of the setting, or will not turn off.
- An element that does not heat at all while the others work.
- Sparking, buzzing or a burning plastic smell.
If an element will not shut off, turn off power to the cooktop at the circuit breaker and do not use it until it is repaired. That symptom often points to a failed control switch or relay.
Cracked or Chipped Glass
Stop using the cooktop and switch off power at the breaker. A crack can expose electrical components beneath the glass to spills and moisture. Do not tape over it or keep cooking around it. Replacing a glass top is a technician job.
Protecting the Glass
- Use flat-bottomed cookware and lift pans rather than sliding them.
- Clean with a cooktop cleaner and a razor scraper held at a low angle for cooked-on residue, as your manual describes.
- Wipe sugary spills promptly once it is safe to do so, since melted sugar can pit the surface.
- Do not use the cooktop as a counter for heavy or hot items.
For elements that will not heat or will not shut off, book a Frigidaire cooktop repair visit.