Cooktop Buying Guide

A cooktop is an extremely convenient appliance to own. A quality cooktop can handle cooking everything from the most complex meals to simply heating up a pot of tea. However, with a variety of cooktops that all operate differently from one another, it can be hard to know where to start when shopping for one. Read on to learn more about cooktops and how to decide which one is right for you.

What is a Cooktop?

A cooktop is a kitchen appliance that is meant to be installed directly into your kitchen counter. There are two main types of cooktops: drop-in countertop cooktops and slide-in cooktops. Countertop cooktops seamlessly blend with your kitchen counter to create a smooth surface for your pots and pans, while drop in cooktops - or rangetops - are installed in a special cut-out spot for them in your counter. Both types are able to serve as standalone stovetops that come with varying amounts of burners to help you fry or sauté your favorite meals.

What is the Difference Between a Range and A Cooktop?

Though ranges and cooktops can accomplish similar things in the kitchen, these two appliances are very different from one another. The main difference between a cooktop and a range is that cooktops are built directly into your counter, while ranges are large units that come with ovens. Ranges are meant to be multi-faceted kitchen appliances that can help you cook a variety of meals. Cooktops tend to take up much less space than a range and can be built to be discreet, blending into your kitchen's décor more effectively.

These models require a gas hookup and are known for providing a user with a controlled cooking environment. With the ability to have their flames adjusted on the fly, a cook will have much more control over the temperature their cooking at on a gas cooktop, making them the preferred appliance for many chefs. You can also find gas cooktops in a variety of sizes. 30 inch gas cooktops and 36 inch gas cooktops tend to be popular options for those looking for a medium sized cooktop. If you want something a little smaller, 24 inch gas cooktops do exist; if you want something bigger, you may prefer to shop 48 inch gas cooktops for your ideal unit.

These models tend to bring water to a boil faster than gas cooktops, and they are known to generally heat up faster. Electric cooktops also typically come with smooth surfaces, making them easier to keep clean, and they only require an electrical hookup to use. You can mainly find electric cooktops in three different sizes. 24 inch electric cooktops are the least intrusive, but also come with the least space, while 30 inch electric cooktops are a little larger and provide more cooking space. 36 inch electric cooktops come with more cooking zones, so you can cook with more pots and pans at once.

These models also run on electricity, but they heat up in a unique way. Induction cooktops turn your cookware into the heat source instead of the cooking surface, through the power of magnetic induction. Induction cooktops send a magnetic current through your cookware, causing it to heat up very quickly, while the cooktop's surface remains cool. These innovative cooktops can bring water to boil in as soon as 90 seconds and are much safer when compared to other models, though you'll have to check your cookware to ensure it's compatible. You can usually find induction cooktops in two main sizes. 30 inch induction cooktops typically come with four induction zones, while 36 inch induction cooktops will usually come with five. You can learn more about induction cooktops in our “What is Induction Cooking?” blog.

No cooktop is necessarily better than another. As far as fuel goes, each has pros and cons. If you need precise temperature adjustments when you cook, you might like gas more; if you prefer to get your cooktop up to temperature faster, you may prefer an electric model. The induction cooktop is newer and it comes with faster cook times, but you'll have to make sure your cookware has a magnetized bottom in order for use. If you're trying to figure out if you would benefit more from a countertop cooktop or a slide-in cooktop, that'll depend on the layout of your kitchen. Slide-in cooktops require a special spot to be made for them in your counter where they can properly fit, and are usually larger, providing a more substantial space to cook on. They also tend to have their controls on the front, like you would find a range. Countertop models are typically smaller in scale but can integrate more easily into more kitchens and often have their controls on top of your countertop. Ultimately, deciding which cooktop is right for you is going to depend on your specific needs when cooking.

To understand what size cooktop you need, you need to first figure out where you want it. Cooktops are meant to be installed directly onto or into your countertop, meaning you have a lot of freedom to decide how much of your counter space you want to take up. If you're only looking to have a few burners, you don't need a very large cooktop, but if you're looking to cook elaborate meals you'll want a larger model. There's also the question of whether it will be able to access its fuel. You need to choose a location at which the cooktop will be able to hook up to gas or electricity. Once you establish where you want it, and the limitations imposed on it due to the spot, you can then get a rough idea of how large it can be.

Select cooktops come with dual burners, which are able to heat a wider range of pots and pans. Some cooktops also come with smart features. Smart cooktops come can connect to WiFi which allows them to do a variety of tasks depending on the model. These cooktops can usually be controlled remotely through an app that you download on your smartphone. This might mean you can do something like checking its status, monitoring it for service alerts, or even turn it on from afar.

There are many brands that produce amazing cooktops. Wolf cooktops are well known in the industry. They can come in any fuel type, so it should be easy to find a model that suits you. Most models come with simmer and power burners, so you can keep a soup warm or bring a pot of water to boil with ease. GE cooktops are also amazing. You can find both electric and gas models from GE, and each of them is built to heat your meals efficiently. JennAir cooktops can also be great options. With models in any fuel type and special burners on most models, these cooktops can handle any meal.

Getting a cooktop can be great for a home that is either limited on kitchen space, or one that already has a wall oven and has no need for a full range. With so many options to choose from, and tons of cooktops on sale on the market, it shouldn't be hard to find a model that suits you. We wish you luck with finding the right cooktop for your kitchen.