Choosing the Best Cooktops to Build Your Dream Home
Cooktops have a few distinct advantages over ranges. An obvious one is flexibility, which allows you to freely plan your kitchen layout, especially when you have an island. You can also mix and match cooktops from different brands, securing the best performance across appliances. Factors you need to consider when deciding which cooktop to buy are as follows.
Factors You Need to Consider Before Buying
Fuel Type
Fuel type is the primary factor you need to consider when purchasing cooktops. Gas cooktops use liquid propane (LP) or natural gas fuel or both to ignite open flames which the pot and the food in it can immediately experience. If you care most about heat accuracy and response time, gas cooktops suit you best.
While electric cooktops tend to heat faster and maintain low heat better than gas cooktops, and they are more attractive to young consumers for the minimalist visual profile offered. If you are bothered with cleaning, electric cooktops will save you trouble because they are easy to clean.
Induction cooktops use an electromagnetic field to send heat directly into the pot or pan, offering quick response and control. Since they are not hot to touch when heating, cooking safety is improved, which makes them more suitable for families with kids or pets.
Brand
Some people may prefer certain brands over others. We have categorized cooktops based on their brands and you can go to pick your favorite one. Well-known cooktop brands include Bosch, GE, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, LG, ZLINE, Wolf, Miele, Thermador, Viking, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Samsung, etc.
Price
We reviewed cooktops with prices ranging from $100 up to $1000. Based on your budget, you can choose cooktops from our lists of best cooktops under $200, $300, and $500.
Installation
You should choose the installation type based on your kitchen layout. If your counter has a hole, you should select drop-in cooktops. Remember to take measurements of the hole before purchasing. If your counter does not have a hole, then you should buy a countertop cooktop that can be placed directly on the counter.
Surface & Finish
Some cooktops have special surface designs such as coil, which satisfy different needs of people. Coil cooktops outperform smooth tops in heat efficiency, which allows you to heat things quickly. However, coil burners often take longer to cool down. This may lead to a burn hazard if there are young children or pets around the kitchen, so be careful.
Most cooktops have glossy finishes, which are easy to clean. However, there are also matte cooktops that are more durable and robust.
Material
Common materials of cooktops are cast iron, stainless steel, glass, and ceramic. These four materials have differences in appearance, hardness, scrub resistance, durability, and ease of cleaning. Generally speaking, durability: cast iron > stainless steel > glass = ceramic; ease of cleaning: glass > ceramic > stainless steel > cast iron.
Color
Most cooktops are either black or silver. If you especially want white cooktops to go with your interior design of the kitchen, we also have recommendations for you.
Item Width
To make sure your kitchen accommodates the cooktop you select, you should measure your kitchen space first. Every cooktop has "cut-out" measurements, which indicate the size of the hole. The cut-out length, width, and depth are slightly less than the full size of the appliance. The common widths of cooktops are 30 in and 36 in. However, there are also larger and smaller cooktops. Choose the width of cooktops based on the space of your kitchen counter, and take the depth of your counter as well.
Control Design
Two common control designs are knob control and touch control. Knob control cooktops are more classic and easy to use. Because of the smooth and even surface that touch control offers, touch control cooktops are easier to clean. However, if you have children or pets at home, make sure that they do not turn on the cooktops by accident.
Number of Burners
The number of burners determines how many meals can be cooked at the same time. If there are several meals to be made together, for example, steaming, stewing, and stir-frying, then the number of burners should be as large as possible. Generally, single burner cooktops are more suitable for people who live alone. 2 burner cooktops are the mainstream products on the market, which are chosen by most families. 3 or more burner cooktops are suitable for large families or people who are interested in cooking.
Other Factors
Cooktops can be used in different areas, including cafes, kitchens, and outdoors. There are special cooktops typically designed for these areas and we have picked the best ones for you. For instance, portable cooktops can be used outdoors because of their flexibility.
Some newer cooktops come with various additional features. For example, some are digital and smart. Some have built-in timers to help you manage cooking time easily. Cooktops with heat indicators allow you to precisely control heat and thus improve heat accuracy. Also, some cooktops have grill ridges where you can grill food at the same time.
Conclusion
It is hard to tell you exactly which cooktop suits you best, given that there are so many factors listed above you need to consider to satisfy your unique needs. However, if you are tired of comparing all kinds of cooktops and just want a pick that can perform well in any home, our list is there for you to choose from. All the cooktops on the list are compared and selected from various aspects and therefore, offer a combination of cooking performance, style, and reliability.