When planning a kitchen renovation or a new home build, shopping for your new kitchen appliances is both an exciting and confusing stage! With so many different cooktop options available to choose from, it can be tricky to decide on which option will be the most suitable fit for your home, budget and cooking style. Cooktops are available in a variety of options including gas, electric or ceramic. Each of these options provides an excellent solution however, they each cater best to different styles of cooking as well as different budgets. Our guide runs through the key points and differences of each cooktop option to help you make a well informed decision when choosing your new cooktop.
The Different Types of Cooktops
Gas Cooktops
Gas Cooktops have been the most popular cooking solution for many years in both residential and commercial settings. A traditional gas cooktop will either use natural or mains gas however, it is important to note that new home builds in Australia will not include a gas connection as of January 1st 2024. You are still able to install a new gas cooktop in an existing home where there is a pre-existing gas connection however.
A gas cooktop will offer you more temperature control in your cooking and unlike induction cooktops, you are able to use any sort of stove-safe cookware. The head produced from the flames of a gas cooktop will radiate around your cookware, creating a swift cooking experience which is especially ideal for wok cooking. It is important to note that as heat is disbursed around the cookware, the heat can also affect nearby materials and finishes in your kitchen. According to the BCA, a clearance of 200mm between a gas burner and the nearest combustible vertical surface (such as a cabinetry end panel or splashback for example) must be adhered to in order to ensure fire safety in the home. If this clearance cannot be met in your home then you have two options: You may use a non-combustible surface finish (such as a porcelain tile splashback for example) or you may instead swap out your cooktop for an induction model instead.
Induction Cooktop Options
Induction Cooktops are often the priciest option when it comes to shopping for a new cooktop. These types of cooktops will feature a sleek, black glass with the heating elements situated beneath. An induction cooktop offers a simple and modern look in the kitchen with a smooth glass finish that provides a simple to clean solution. These types of cooktops work using magnetic field based heating; the heat elements will only activate when in contact with a metal pot, making them a safe option in the home while also offering a speedy cooking experience that allows you to easily and precisely control the temperature. It is important to note that your cookware will need to have a high ferrous metal content in order to be used with an induction cooktop.
If you are upgrading to an induction cooktop in an older home, it is important to check with your Electrician that this upgrade can be accommodated; in some cases, you may need to also upgrade your home’s electrical supply in order to accommodate an induction cooktop. This isn’t the case with new builds however, it is always a good idea to check!
Due to the magnetic field produced by an induction cooktop, people with pacemakers are often advised to avoid using them as they may interfere with your medical equipment.
Electric & Ceramic Cooktops
Electric or ceramic cooktops are often more cost effective to operate than other options. These types of models are also often priced lower than their gas or induction counterparts, making them an ideal solution for a budget kitchen design. The terms ‘electric cooktop’ and ‘ceramic cooktop’ are often used interchangeably to refer to models that feature their cooking elements beneath a black glass surface as traditional coiled electric cooktops become less popular for the home.
An electric cooktop will usually include heat coils in distinct, circular zones. These heat coils heat up to your desired temperature and heat up the base of your cookware. Ceramic cooktops operate in a similar fashion however, these cooktops will feature a sleek black glass surface finish with the heat elements beneath, offering a simple to clean finish for the kitchen. These types of cooktops are considered quite safe for the home as similar to an induction model, they do not feature an open flame. Some heat can still radiate outwards to adjacent surfaces however; when selecting an electric or ceramic cooktop, it is important to check the manufacturer’s installation requirements to ensure safety.
When choosing your new cooktop, you will notice that there are many different options to choose from including ceramic, electric, gas and induction. Each of these options offers its own range of strengths and weaknesses, catering to different budgets and cooking styles. Our team at Perini Design Consultancy will assist and guide you through your options during the process of designing your new kitchen to ensure the very best kitchen appliance solutions to meet your needs – Reach out to us here to see how we can assist you in your next project!