Cooktop Review

Gas, electric and induction cooktops

Unlike a range, which combines the cooktop and oven into one unit, a cooktop-wall oven combo allows cooks to have their oven and cooktop in separate locations. The cooktop can be located conveniently close to the food preparation area, while the hot oven sits some distance away. The oven can also be placed at a convenient height so that no bending is required to use it. The downside is that cooktop/wall-oven combinations are generally more expensive than ranges. For instance, you can likely find a good range for less than $1,000, but you can easily spend several thousand on a cooktop and wall oven combined. In most cases, you'll pay at least $1,000 for the cooktop alone, although we did identify some solid budget models. (For more information, see our separate reports on ranges and wall ovens.)

Like ranges, cooktops come in both gas and electric varieties. For most people, the availability of a gas hookup will determine whether they go with a gas or electric cooktop. If you have an available hookup, you can then consider design and performance factors. Making the choice between a gas cooktop or an electric cooktop really hinges on personal preference. In general, reviews say electric cooktops are more consistent performers than their gas counterparts because they heat up faster and tend to cook better on low heat. However, many cooks prefer the precision of a gas cooktop, which allows them to physically see and adjust the flame.

Gas cooktops typically have four or five burners. Most models have burners of varying strengths with at least one high-powered burner (for such tasks such as boiling water) and one smaller burner (for simmering or keeping food warm). The heat output of each individual burner is measured in British thermal units (Btu). Most gas cooktops have sealed (one-piece) burners, which keep crumbs and other debris from falling beneath the cooktop. Another feature reviewers praise is continuous grates over the burners. Although these grates are separate pieces, they fit together so you can easily slide pots and pans between burners. 

Electric cooktops come in several styles. Old-fashioned coil cooktops still exist, though only at the low end of the price spectrum. These are harder to clean than the more common smoothtop models, but they are more durable and easier to repair if they do break. Smoothtop cooktops, which account for the vast majority of new electric cooktops, have radiant burners under a layer of ceramic glass. They are easy to clean, although some manufacturers recommend a special cleaner to avoid damaging the cooktop's delicate surface. While most electric cooktops measure 30 inches wide, it is possible to find 36-inch models as well. Four or five burners are most common, and most electric smoothtops have burners of various sizes to accommodate different pots and pans. Some cooktops can detect pan size and will automatically adjust the burner to fit the pan. The power of each burner is expressed in watts.

Induction models are the newest type of electric cooktop. These cooktops also have smooth glass surfaces, but they use electromagnetic technology to heat the pan directly rather than transferring heat from a radiant burner. The benefits of induction cooking include quicker, more efficient heating and a safer, stay-cool cooking surface. Induction cooktops excel in testing, bringing water quickly to a boil and flawlessly holding a precise simmer. The big downside is cost; induction cooktops start at about $1,000. Users of these appliances will also need to use magnetic cookware made from stainless steel or cast iron. One quick test to see if your cookware will work: If a magnet sticks to its bottom, it should work with an induction cooktop.

In terms of efficiency, there isn't a huge difference between gas and electric cooktops, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. In general, gas is more energy-efficient when it comes to appliances. However, cooktops don't use a lot of energy to begin with, so overall, experts say the difference is negligible. Gas and electric cooktops also have similar rates of repair, according to one owner survey. Nearly all cooktops come with a standard one-year warranty, although some manufacturers cover the heating elements or surfaces for longer periods.

Cooktop reviews

Overall, we found ConsumerReports.org to be the best source for cooktop reviews. On their website, editors report test results for more than 40 electric and gas cooktops, including 11 induction models. Cooktops are tested on their ability to boil water quickly, simmer tomato sauce and melt chocolate without scorching. ConsumerGuide.com, a product-review site, also recommends several cooktops, but its recommendations are generally based on features and price rather than hands-on testing. Unfortunately, there are very few owner-written reviews available for cooktops, but we found a smattering of opinions at online retailers such as AJMadison.com, HomeDepot.com and Epinions.com. Sites that aggregate user reviews, such as Buzzillions and Google Shopping, proved handy for pulling together user reviews from several different sources to give a broad overview of owner opinions.

To gain an overall picture of each brand's performance and reliability, we consulted the 2010  J.D. Power and Associates survey on kitchen appliances. More than 5,000 owners rated their large kitchen appliances -- including cooktops, wall ovens and ranges -- on factors such as performance, styling and price. Individual cooktops aren't rated, but the information is useful for gauging overall brand satisfaction for these appliances. ConsumerReports.org also offers an owner survey focused on cooktop reliability, but it's only available to subscribers.