Cooktop Shopping – Which One is Right for You?

Cooktop Shopping – Which One is Right for You?

Getting caught in the middle of the gas vs. ceramic cooktop battle is tough because there’s no clear “winner”.  Since, ultimately, choosing a cooktop comes down to your own personal preferences, there’s no “right” answer.

Here’s what you need to know to make the best choice for your needs:

  • The average ceramic cooktop is cheaper than its gas counterpart.  So, if you’re designing a kitchen on a tight budget, ceramic might be the best choice.
  • A gas cooktop reacts faster to temperature changes, so it offers more precise cooking.  If you love foods that have to be cooked to certain doneness — like steaks — you might enjoy a gas cooktop a whole lot more.  In fact, lots of people who get used to the sensitivity of gas never want to switch to anything else!
  • A ceramic cooktop is easier to clean.  Since it’s completely flat, all you have to do is wipe it off.  With the average gas cooktop, you have to worry about food spilling in between the grates and onto the burners.  
  • Some manufacturers have started coming out with flat gas cooktops.  In fact, some of the new cooktops have a flat cooking surface that sits on top of traditional gas burners.  These cooktops look like their ceramic counterparts, but they offer all the benefits of gas cooking.
  • Ceramic cooktops can get damaged more easily.  Their flat tops leave them more vulnerable to scratches and dents.

Also, read an article on pros and cons of ceramic cooktops here.

Just in case the gas vs. ceramic cooktop battle wasn’t “heated” enough, there’s a new kid on the block that has dived right into the debate: the induction cooktop.

Instead of using gas or electricity, an induction cooktop uses an electromagnetic field to create heat.  These cooktops can get hot very quickly, which means they’ll wind up using less energy than their gas and electric counterparts.

Fisher & Paykel was one of the first manufacturers to introduce an induction cooktop line.  Theirs are even made out of eco-friendly glass that transmits heat better than traditional ceramic tops.

Now that you have all the cards in hand, it’s up to you to make the good choice for your perfect kitchen. Happy shopping!