Cooktops
Drop-in cooktops are becoming more popular, especially for new construction or kitchen renovation projects. Although separate cooktops and wall ovens are more expensive than a single range, the independent units allow for an almost unlimited configuration of kitchen appliances. Getting a separate cooktop also allows you to get a vertical double wall oven, which can come in handy if you entertain often.
Recommendations
There are three kinds of cooktops: gas, electric and induction. ConsumerSearch recommends the following models. (Prices are approximate.)
Gas Cooktops
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- Pros:
- Fine control of temperature and flame levels, which is much easier to see than on a smooth top electric range.
- Can be shut off immediately with little heat retention, reducing the risk of burning yourself or others.
- Can be used even during power outages (with a match -- use caution).
- Cons:
- Not as efficient as electric or induction.
- Need a gas line hookup and electricity.
- Look For:
- Functionally, most gas ranges are very similar; the differences are in the features.
- Easy-cleaning features, such as removable grill and sealed burners.
- Heavy, porcelain grates. Or as an alternative, continuous grates that span the whole cooktop (they can be harder to clean though).
- Ceramic surfaces.
- Multiple burner sizes for different sizes of pots and pans.
- Easy-to-use knobs.
- "X-Lo" Feature: Burner will automatically turn on and off at set intervals to keep your sauce warm but not boiling. Also called a simmer burner on some models.
- Sealed burners and removable burner pans.
- Electric ignition -- easier and more reliable than a pilot light.
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Electric Cooktops
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- Pros:
- More efficient than gas stoves.
- Doesn't need a separate gas line since it just plugs in.
- Flat-top electric ranges are very easy to clean, fast to heat up, aesthetically pleasing, and offer more versatility with expanding elements (for a small sauce pan or a large frying pan on one burner space).
- Coil electrics are cheaper than smooth-top ranges, but it is relatively easy to replace the coil elements if they break.
- Cons:
- Older-style coil ranges take a while to cool so you can burn yourself easily.
- Control is not as fine as a gas range, especially with coil models.
- Gas is considered more precise and is preferred by professional cooks.
- Look For:
- Functionally, most electric ranges within a given category (coil or flat) are functionally very similar; the differences are in the features.
- Easy cleaning surfaces.
- Safety switches that prevent toddlers from turning on the stove.
- Porcelain drip pans are easy to clean and retain their luster.
- Easy-to-use controls.
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Induction Cooktops
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- Pros:
- Surface never gets warm, but pots and pans heat up quickly. (See picture for a demo!)
- Reduces risk of fire, burnt-on spills and accidentally injuring children.
- Easy to clean, smooth surface.
- Heats pans faster than other kinds of ranges.
- Extremely energy efficient -- almost all the heat generated is in the pan itself, keeping your kitchen cooler and your energy bills lower.
- Cons:
- Very new technology; not fully tested.
- Need pans and pots made of a magnetizable material -- copper and aluminum will not work.
- Expensive (at least $2000), although prices may come down in the near future.
- Look For:
- There are only two or three full-sized cooktop models currently on the market.
- All performed well in tests, but the Kenmore Elite 480
 is the least expensive.
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