How to Choose the Right Kitchen Cooktop

Cooking in the kitchen ain’t what it used to be. From cooking over the fireplace to cooking on a stove and in an oven, we’ve come a long way in food preparation.

Although all-in-one stove ovens are still very much a thing, most new homeowners are personalizing their cooking appliances. Today, we take a look at how to choose the right cooktop for your kitchen.

Today’s cooktop options offer more flexibility than the traditional electric and gas options. Don’t get us wrong--professional and home cooks alike still choose gas as their top option. But we have a few alternatives you may find just as appealing.

The Traditional Choices: Gas and Electric

You can’t go wrong with tradition. As you know, electric stovetops are heated by, well, electricity! They are also slower to heat and harder to control temperatures than gas options.

We’re not saying don’t go electric--it may be the best choice for you! But if you’re a professional chef or consider yourself a home cooking pro, you may prefer gas. Gas remains the most popular type of cooktop because the visible flame allows the cook to control heat more precisely. Unlike electric cooking, heat power for gas stoves is measured in BTUs (British thermal units). The higher the BTUs, the more power your stove has.

Gas cooktops are no longer limited to the four-burner option. You don’t even have to have four burners if you don’t want them. Instead, you could choose to have two burners and a grill or griddle!

Drop-in cooktops sit on top of the counter with controls usually on top. Drop-in cooktops have sealed burners, and they aren’t as powerful as their range top alternatives. They are also burner-only, which means no indoor grill.

A range top looks like it belongs on top of the oven. Its control knobs are found on the front apron, and range tops offer more BTUs. Larger models offer integrated grills or griddles. You can even find models with a simmer burner!

For the truly versatile cook, or for homeowners with small kitchens, the modular gas cooktop may be your best choice. They are great for small kitchens, and they offer more flexibility in larger kitchens. Modular cooktops come in 12, 15, and 24-inch sizes and a variety of burner options. You can personalize your cooking experience with gas burners, wok cookers, grills, and induction burners and steamers that you can combine or separate and place throughout the kitchen at your preference.

Induction and Radiant Heat Cooktops

We mentioned more than the traditional gas and electric choices, and here they are. Induction and radiant heating cooktops may be newer than their alternatives. They come in a variety of sizes from 30 inches to 48 inches, and they are designed with sleek, ceramic surfaces instead of the traditional coil.

The main difference between induction and radiant heating cooktops is how the cooktops are heated. In Induction cooktops, an electromagnetic field heats the cooking vessel. Home cooks prefer the induction cooktop for its safety, and its ability to heat instantly as well as its precise temperature control. However, you will need specialized cookware to get the most out of an induction cooktop.

Radiant heat cooktops are appealing because, like induction tops, they are safer for families with children. These cooktops heat and cool gradually, and you don’t need specialized cookware.

As we said, cooking ain’t what it used to be! Nowadays, you’re no longer confined to one section of the kitchen. You can choose more ways to cook and even more options in where you place your cooktop.

Personalizing how you cook is just one of the many ways we help you design a custom, high-quality kitchen. Find out more about our design process when you contact us for your free project quote. Click here to get started!