Cooktops

Whether you choose electric or gas, induction or ceramic, a cooktop is an appliance that lets you heat, simmer, and steam an array of culinary creations. The type of cooktop you choose can affect how easily and effortlessly you cook in your kitchen.

What are cooktops?

Just like a stove, a cooktop is an appliance that cooks your food. The main difference between a range or stove and a cooktop is the cooktop is built into a countertop while a range is a stand-alone appliance. Cooktops are generally paired with a separate wall oven, while a range has an oven as part of the appliance.

There are many varieties of cooktops including gas cooktops, electric cooktops, or induction cooktops.

Electric cooktops

Electric cooktops are available with exposed coils and in smooth top ceramic cooktop designs, and they offer consistent, even heating and high temperatures that make them ideal for searing, stir frying, and cooking in large quantities.

Classic coil cooktops

Classic coil cooktops have exposed elements that use electricity to heat up quickly, consistently, and evenly. These rugged coil elements are made to be long-lasting as well as easy to replace, so they're the most cost-effective option for anyone prone to spills and pots boiling over.

Cermaic cooktops

Ceramic cooktops keep their coils under glass in order to offer a sleek and smooth look, and that makes it easy to deal with any spills. Many feature expandable elements that let you adjust the size of the heated area to suit whatever pot or pan you're using.

Gas cooktops

Gas powered cooktops use gas to cook your food. They offer fast heating and quick cool down, and they are a favourite among home chefs who like precise heat when cooking a variety of dishes.

Induction cooktops

Induction cooktops combine a gas cooktop's instant heating abilities with the precision of electric, making them both time and energy-efficient. Induction technology uses electromagnetic fields from copper coils resting below the cooktop surface to transfer energy upwards to heat cookware and the food within them.

You’ll need a special type of cookware to use an induction cooktop. Because induction cooktops only heat up when they contact cookware, messes are less likely to become baked on.

Cleaning and care of cooktops

Just as each cooktop type presents a different cooking experience, they also have their own standards for cleaning and care. Electric coil stovetops are more rugged than ceramic, but they require a bit more cleaning time. Coils and reflector bowls are removable and you can use any mild cleanser with hot water to clear them of debris and stains.

You’ll want to wipe spills from a ceramic cooktop or induction cooktop as soon as they happen so they don't harden, and you can clean the cooktop surface with a sponge dampened by specialty cleaners.