Kitchen Cooktop Information

There are several unique options to choose from when it comes to a cooktop. The cooktop you select will depend on how much you are willing to spend, the design you desire, and the level of control you have over temperatures. Your options include gas burners, electric coils, glass ceramic surfaces, and modular burners.

Gas burners ($300-$1,000)

Gas burners use British thermal units to measure the heating power of the cooktop. In case you don't already know, Btu is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. If you are interested in a gas burner that can get extremely hot, then you should look for a higher Btu capacity. Gas burners designed for household use can hit as high as 15,000 Btu. However, everyday cooking only requires about 9,000 Btu.

When considering a gas burner, it is also important to think about how low the Btu can get. For those of you interested in simmering your food without burning it you will want to invest in a gas burner that can hit around 5,000 Btu and cycle on and off.

Overall, gas burners are wonderful in that they allow you to instantly turn the heat on or off, have precise control over the temperature, and they come with unique pilotless ignition features to reduce the percent of gas you use. Unfortunately, they can also release gaseous fumes that require proper ventilation, and they require special gas hook-ups.

Electric coils ($200)

Electric coils consist of metallic tubes covered with insulation. These tubes are used to create heat through electrical resistance. Through the process of conduction and radiation, the heat is transferred from the coils to the pot or pan being used for cooking.

Electric coils are great in that they don't cause indoor air pollution, they are easy to clean and repair, and they allow you to boil water very quickly. However, they don't give you precise control over temperatures and they may end up being costly overtime. Also, they don't offer much in the design department.

Glass ceramic surfaces ($500-$700)

Glass ceramic surfaces are available in three different types; radiant, halogen, and magnetic-induction. All three types use electricity to heat up the glass ceramic surface. A touchpad or knobs are used for heating controls and designs are made on the flat surface to indicate where pots and pans should be placed.

Radiant: (Ribbon) Uses coiled metal elements to heat up saucepans. Coils can be difficult to clean.
Halogen: Uses the energy of light to transfer heat to the saucepan. It offers precise temperatures for fast and efficient cooking.

Magnetic-induction: Electromagnetically heats the metal of a saucepan. Most expensive model, but also offers great precision with temperatures. Keep in mind; you can only use steel and cast iron pots and pans with magnetic induction. Other materials will not work.

Overall, glass ceramic surfaces offer beautiful smooth surfaces that are easy to clean and they also create extra countertop space when they aren't being used. However, you do have to be careful not to burn yourself by accidentally hitting the touchpad controls or knobs. It's often hard to tell if the burners are hot.

Modular burners ($450)

Last but not least, modular burners can either use electric or gas as a heating source. They also allow you to switch around the placement of the burners and add grills or griddles to the cooktop surface. Modular burners are often used on islands because they come with downdraft vents. Many people enjoy the variety of cooking that can be done with this type of cooktop, however, it is often a hassle having to switch and clean the modules.

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