If you wish to have a great household, it's important to keep in mind that the kitchen is not only the room we cook food in, but a place where friends gather, and family gets together, and this room seems to be the centerpiece of every home. And as we all need our food to taste good, various appliances play a certain role in it, but a cooktop is among the essentials. A great cooking surface is what we need to master our cooking skills and make dishes that will make people happier.
However, choosing a perfect cooktop may be a hassle nowadays as there are numerous options available. We thought listing down different stovetop types and their features might be helpful in this situation.
Electric
Electric cooktops provide great consistency in temperature control, and as their power source is electricity, it makes them very easy to install in comparison to a gas cooktops. These cooktops come with either electric coil burners, or with a flat, glass, or ceramic smoothtop cooking surface which seems to be very popular in the past decade. Besides consistency, an electric cooktop stove usually provides a very precise temperature during their its usage.
Now, as every appliance comes with both pros and cons, we might say that, if there's a downside of an electric cooktops, it would be their its slightly slower heating response when compared to both a gas stove or and an induction cooktops. So if you're a patient cook, electric stoves are a good choice.
Induction
Additional safety, extreme cooking power, and perfect heating control are the ultimate conveniences of an induction stove. These cooktops perform based on the usage of electromagnetism when the cooktop creates a magnetic field on the surface that reacts to the cookware. The heat is produced from a vibration created by the magnetic field. Note that only certain materials are able to activate this field, such as steel or iron. As this technology is so unique, but still, good for many of us, very available, benefits are almost limitless to those who own an induction cooktop. What's better than electric cooktops, is the fact that these cooktops provide instant heating, which won't test your patience, and also helps you control the temperature much better. Not to mention that the risk of fire hazards in the kitchen, both during induction cooking and not, is minimal. These cooktops provide heating only when the cookware is on the surface and as soon as you remove the cookware, the magnetic field turns off automatically, even if you didn't turn off your cooktop.
If there are any cons to owning an induction cooktop, it's the fact that they are still considered products of advanced technology, and therefore, may be a bit more expensive than the other cooktops. So if you want to have great temperature control, instant heating, and greater safety, you'll need to be ready to pay a slightly larger sum.
Gas
More experienced chefs with higher demands for their cooking appliances almost always turn to a gas cooktop. As with charcoal grills, there's something in nature's most basic and old-school ways that gives the most precise results. In this case - it's the open flame. The great thing about gas burners on the cooktops is that they will provide much quicker heating than electric ones. Also, gas stoves always contain both power burners for cooking food with maximum temperatures, as well as burners for delicate cooking with controlled heating of simmer burners.
There are just a few smaller disadvantages to gas stovetops to keep in mind during a decision-making process. These appliances don't come with digital controls, but the turning knobs don't always provide the exact temperature. Also, you need to make sure that your household has a proper gas line to ensure your cooktop works properly. If this is not the case in your home, you might want to consider other options.
Rangetops
Most of the cooktop units, whether gas, electric, or induction are of a drop-in installation configuration. Rangetops are the alternative to this design. The main difference between a range top and the other standard cooktops is that range tops are planned to slide into the countertop and occupy the entire surface from the rear to the front of the counter. Also, in terms of design, the knobs of a range top are placed on the front to achieve a certain look and functionality, while the controls on the standard cooktops are mostly on the top. These cooktops come in both gas and electric options while electric ones are slightly rarer. Keep in mind that these appliances may cost a bit more than standard cooktops as they're considered premium appliances.
Choosing the Ideal Stovetop for Your Kitchen
To choose the stovetop or cooktop that best suits the recipes you make and your kitchen’s layout, you will need to determine the stovetop size, fuel type, placement, and any other features you would like to have.
Start by choosing between a gas or electric-based burner on the hookups you already have, keeping in mind that you can always have a dedicated gas line installed. Then, reevaluate your kitchen’s layout and the available space.
Consider your cooking style and needs when choosing a size. If you entertain often or cook large meals on a regular basis, you may want to choose a stovetop with multiple burners. If you have a small kitchen or cook mostly for yourself or two, a smaller electric burner or gas burner may be sufficient.
Think about how you want to use your stovetop. If you prefer to cook in the center of the kitchen, you may want to choose a stovetop that can be installed on an island. If you have limited counter space, you may want to choose a unit that can be installed below a wall oven.
Finally, consider any additional features that are important to you. Some units come with features such as built-in griddles, an overhead hood, simmer burners, and even stainless steel downdraft cooktop vents. Choose one with features that will make your cooking experience more enjoyable and efficient. Once you have narrowed down your choices, read reviews from other homeowners to get their feedback on different models and brands.
With a little planning and research, you can choose the best cooktop for your kitchen and cooking style.
Purchasing a new cooktop is deciding on the future eating quality for you, your family, friends, and everyone you intend to welcome with a lovely dish. Therefore, most importantly spend some time to think about your cooking habits and preferences. When you're sure of what type of cooktop will suit best to your kitchen and cooking style best, feel free to reach out to our professional staff for help if you wish to be extra sure about the right model, as we offer a great variety of cooktops from the world's most famous brands, only at Town Appliance.
