Gas Cooktops

Gas cooktops have been beloved for their style, power, and flame. Popular for varying controlled degrees of high heat and the visuals of a flame, gas cooktops have a heavy-duty construction. If you have been looking for the best gas cooktop, you'll quickly realize there are many options out there. From high-end brands listed for thousands of dollars to budget-friendly options that are light on features. For superior heat and cooking power, you should consider a gas cooktop.

Gas cooktops are the preferred design for serious home chefs, as they offer the high temperatures and easily adjustable controls required for fast and efficient cooking. These units use an open flame as a heat source and as a result are able to reach high heat fast. While gas cooktop designs vary, many units feature a power burner designed to reach maximum temperatures quickly as well as a simmer burner for more delicate, controlled heat. Moreover, many of the best premium gas cooktops feature commercial-grade components, allowing you to cook restaurant quality meals from the comfort of your own home.

A gas cooktop is a great addition to almost any kitchen, though these appliances do come with a few minor disadvantages. First, due to their knob controls, it can be difficult to achieve the same exact cooking temperature every time the appliance is used. It’s also vital to note that gas cooktops require a proper gas connection for power. If your kitchen does not have a suitable gas line, you may need to consider another model.

How To Choose Gas Cooktops: Things You Must Consider

Number of Burners: Some cooktops are equipped with just a single burner or heating zone while other models are furnished with two to five burners for cooking various dishes in one cooktop. So, depending on your family’s needs and requirements, decide on how many burners you want your cooktop to have.

Burner’s Type

Wok burners have an intense rapid flow and are suited for stir-fry cooking and fast boiling as they heat up more quickly than a large burner. They're best for stockpots, extra-large frypans, and round bottom woks.
Large burners are suitable for most uses such as frying, boiling pasta, and potatoes. They're best for larger non-stick frypans or saucepans. Avoid high temperatures when cooking with non-stick cookware.
Medium burners are suitable for foods that require a quick response to temperature change such as rice or simmering casseroles and soups as the ingredients need to be brought to a high temperature initially and then reduced to a very low simmer.
Simmer burners are suitable for delicate ingredients such as making sauces, melting butter, and chocolate. They're best for smaller frypans and saucepans.

Layout of burners: You need to consider the position and layout of the burners and their size about the pots and pans you use. Burners that are spaced out so you can use multiple pots at once and don't have to reach over one element to get to another a range of simmer, medium, and large-sized burners. Simmer burners are positioned at the front so you don't have to lean over other burners to stir a sauce. Medium burners positioned at the back – these are best for simmering foods for a long period that don't require frequent stirring. A wok burner – this is best positioned at the side on its own or in the center for accessible and continuous stirring an oblong-shaped burner if you'd like to use a grill or hotplate for barbecuing.

Cooking Power & Range: It should go without saying that a cook top's ability to, well, a cook should be the top priority when making your selection. Cooking power is measured in BTUs, a unit that determines just how much heat output a burner can manage. The most powerful residential burners can reach as high as 20,000 BTU. But strength isn't everything—your cook top's burners should be able to handle delicately small output levels, too. How else are you going to get that perfect simmer or carefully melt chocolate without burning it beyond recognition? The best cooktops feature a range of burner power, from the fastest boiling burner to the daintiest simmer burner. Some cooktops split up their burners into dedicated tasks, while others feature burners that can do it all from high- to low heat.

Trivets: Trivets or pan supports should be flat and stable on the cooktop. Those with rubber feet are less likely to move and won't scratch the surface. Trivets without large gaps allow you to slide pans around the cooktop without lifting them. Most cook tops come with bulky, heavy cast iron trivets, but if you can find enamel ones they're much easier to clean. Stainless steel trivets can stain easily so avoid these. Some cooktops have a trivet for each burner – you won't be able to slide pots around these cooktops but they're much lighter to lift and will fit into your kitchen sink with ease.

Labels&Controls: Any labels should be etched as opposed to bonding. Bonded labels sit on the surface and can fade if you use harsh cleaners, whereas etched are on the surface – you can feel the difference. Control knobs should be a good size – ideally with a crossbar, so they're easy to grip, and have a clear pointer. Controls shouldn't be positioned too close to the trivets or burners.

Child Lock Function: For the safety of your child in the kitchen, this feature is excellent. It will also give you peace of mind while preparing dishes. You just need to press the child lock button and it will automatically get locked