Need Help! Carmelizing Sugar!

[TinkerKat]

Hi all! It's that time of year... desserts galore. Here is my dilemma.
I have an electric stove.

I have always carmelized sugar over a gas stove. I am at a loss for how to do it with the electric stove, is it the same & just takes forever and a day?!
I will be making Flan . Last year out of desperation, I microwaved the sugar! Got some serious burns and cracked dishes

Don't want a repeat. Any advice will be most appreciated! Maybe I'm too impatient? Gas stove melted it in no time!

Thanks & Happy baking!
Kathy

 

[denisem]

Too funny - I can bake but had never carmelized sugar. Of course, my 1st time was on a glass stovetop. I went through EVERY pot and pan I owned (I was determined to get it right, but what a clean-up mess afterwards).

Anyhow, DH came home and got it on the first try (his grandmother was from Spain & he grew up watching her make flan.) If I recall correctly, he started out on medium-high heat and was successful by moving the pan on and off the burner while stirring to get the proper consistancy.

 

[TinkerKat]

Denise, thanks. Mine too is a glass top!
Could you tell me what type of pot your husband used?
I have 'em all! Cast Iron Paella to modern day Circulon. Thanks again for any tips!
Kathy

 

[Honu]

I use cast iron over medium heat. Just have something to pour it into, should the pan get too hot and start overcooking it.

 

[denisem]

Could you tell me what type of pot your husband used?
I have 'em all! Cast Iron Paella to modern day Circulon. Thanks again for any tips!
Kathy

He just used a run-of-the-mill non-stick T-Fal. From what I've read (meaning: I read the instructions, but didn't manage to pull it off ) copper or cast iron work the best. I guess if you'd carmelized sugar before on a gas stove, you'll have a better feel for what to expect. Whereas, I was clueless and either gave up early when the sugar went nowhere, or turned it into rock-candy cement stuck to the pan...

Good luck!

 

[TinkerKat]

Made a flan tonite... The Med high heat setting defiantely did the trick!
Thanks so much!

A Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Kathy