Best Reviewed
Cooktops
- Best electric cooktop LG LCE3081ST *Est. $1050
- Budget electric cooktop Kenmore 42732 *Est. $650
- Best induction cooktop GE Profile PHP900DMBB *Est. $1200
- Best gas cooktop Thermador SGSX365FS *Est. $1900
- Budget gas cooktop Whirlpool GLS3064R *Est. $850
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Best electric cooktop
- Excellent melting and simmering
- Five burners, two expandable
- Child control lock
- Easy to clean
- Touch controls can be confusing
The LG LCE3081ST is a 30-inch smooth electric cooktop that gets good ratings from both professionals and users for its cooking performance. It has five burners, ranging in power from 100 watts (for warming) to a sizzling 3,000 watts, and two of the burners can adjust to accommodate pans of different sizes. It also includes a control touchpad with a child control lock and a hot-surface indicator. In professional tests, this cooktop gets excellent marks for its low-heat performance and very good, though not outstanding, ratings for its speed at boiling water. Most users consider the high heat performance adequate, and they also like the cooktop's look and its easy cleanup. Most find it easy to use, with the exception of the touchpad controls, which a few users reported being "confusing." This cooktop comes in black with stainless-steel trim and has a one-year warranty. If the LG LCE3081ST's four-figure price tag is a bit steep for your budget, consider the Kenmore 42732 (*Est. $650) . It also performs very well in professional tests, though reviews from users are more mixed.
The best review of the LG LCE3081ST comes from ConsumerReports.org, which includes this cooktop in its latest tests of gas, electric and induction cooktops. We also found about 10 user reviews at HomeDepot.com, a handful of non-overlapping reviews on the Google Shopping site and a few on the LG manufacturer site. The 2011 Home Appliance Study by J.D. Power and Associates provides useful information about the reliability and performance of LG cooking appliances in general, though not about this particular model.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org has ratings on its site for 17 gas and 27 electric cooktops, including the LG LCE3081ST. Each cooktop has been tested on its speed at boiling water, its ability to melt and hold chocolate without scorching and its ability to hold tomato sauce at a steady simmer. A handful of user reviews are also available.
Review: Cooktops and Wall Ovens, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Updated July 2011
About 10 owners have reviewed the LG LCE3081ST at this retail site, awarding it an overall rating of approximately 4.8 stars out of 5. Owners praise the cooktop's even heating, good looks and easy cleanup. One says it is a bit slow at heating water, and another finds the controls a bit confusing.
Review: LG Electronics 30-Inch Radiant Electric Cooktop in Stainless Steel, Contributors to HomeDepot.com
3. Google Shopping
We found about 20 reviews for the LG LCE3081ST on Google's shopping site, pulled from a variety of sources (including The Home Depot, listed above). Users generally appreciate this cooktop's quick heating, easy cleanup and high-powered burners. The only negative review comes from a user whose cooktop had a defective burner.
Review: LG LCE3081ST Stainless Steel 30-Inch Electric Radiant Cooktop with Smooth, Contributors to Google Shopping
4. LG.com
The handful of user reviews on the manufacturer's website give the LG LCE3081ST an overall rating of approximately 4.8 stars out of 5, and at the time of this report, 100 percent of owners recommend the cooktop. Its features, performance and ease of use are all singled out for praise.
Review: LG LCE3081ST, Contributors to LG.com
In this survey, more than 4,300 consumers rate different brands (but not specific models) of ranges, cooktops and ovens. LG earns above-average ratings for overall satisfaction and also performs well in the areas of style, features and warranty. It also shares a Customer Satisfaction award with Wolf.
Review: 2011 Home Appliance Study: Range/Cooktop/Oven, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, August 2011
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