When it comes to choosing a cooktop, the first question is: what type - quickly followed by what size? Don't forget to check out our tips on installation also - as many cooktops must be installed by licenced professionals.

Gas Cooktops

The top cooktop choice for chefs, gas cooktops give you more control over the temperature and cook food fast, as the flames not only heat the bottom of your cookware, but also the sides. The faster cooking time means gas cooktops are more energy efficient.

“Gas cooktops can run on two types of gas – natural or mains gas, which is the most common in Australia, or LPG or bottles gas, which is the same type of gas generally used for a BBQ,” says Tania Grillinzoni Cooking, Dishwashers and Kitchenware Buyer at The Good Guys. Check whether your kitchen is connected to the mains before you invest in a gas cooker.

Induction Cooktops

The most expensive type of cooktop, induction cooktops are gaining in popularity not only for their safety benefits – if there’s no pan, there’s no heat – but also for their slick design. Despite the lack of open flame, induction cooktops have the fastest cooking times due to their magnetic field-based heating, and are the most energy efficient. Your cookware can be set anywhere across the entire surface, but must have a high ferrous metal content at the base. That means you need cast iron, black metal or iron pans, or stainless-steel pans with a magnetic grade.

Electric Cooktops

Unlike gas cooktops, the temperature is slower to change on electric cooktops. Cheaper to run, electric cooktops are also considered safer than gas as there are no open flames or risk of gas leaks. And if hygiene is a factor for you, an electric cooktop with a ceramic surface might be the right choice, as it’s easy to clean.

Cooktop Size - How Many Burners
Do I Need?

Choosing the number of burners on your cooktop comes down to two things – space and how much cooking you do. Most kitchens feature four burners, giving the option to have multiple burners on the go at once, especially if cooking sauces or soups that require longer cooking times. If you have ample space in your kitchen and regularly cook for larger groups, then having five or six burners speeds up meal preparation.

Cooktop Controls and Trivets

Controls

All induction and electric cooktops, and some ceramic cooktops, feature touch controls that not only enable you to start cooking and adjust heat through the simple touch of a button, but also make cleaning easy, with no need to dodge knobs. Gas cooktops feature simple start knob controls for ignition.

Trivets

Flat, cast-iron trivets have been designed to ensure your cookware remains stable and keeps them secure during cooking to avoid dangerous spillage. Removable trivets make life much easier when it comes to cleaning.
If you love cooking dishes such as stir-fries, some cooktops also come with a special wok burner that is designed specifically for cooking these dishes.

Smart and Safety Features of Cooktops

Smart Features

Some common smart features on modern cooktops include:

• Bridge element, which creates one large cooking area, so you can use bigger cookware or make larger dishes.
• Downdraft exhaust, which draws smoke and odours out through a vent.
• Digital and touch controls for simple cooking at the touch of a button.
• Pan sensors that automatically switch the cooktop off when it’s not in use.
• Pan size sensor, which automatically adjusts heating to the size of your cookware.
• Wok burner, a specialised burner built especially for woks and the cooking of dishes such as stir-fries.
• Valve flame control, which enables you to go from boiling to simmer in an instant.

Safety Features

Gas: Modern gas cooktops feature an in-built flame failure safety device that automatically shuts down the gas supply should a pot boil over and extinguish the flame.

Electric: Heating lamp indicators make it clear which burner is in operation or has residual heat from recent use.

Induction: It’s impossible to leave an induction cooktop on – the stove simply does not respond if there is no pan. Induction cooktops also feature a pause function that reduces all cooking zones to a low heat, which allows you to step away for a second with peace of mind. Other safety features include, automatic switch off, hot surface and residual heat indicators, automatic cookware sensor, electronic timer, child safety lock, overheating protection, system lock and safety switch off, if a cooking zone has been operating at the same heat for a long period.
“If you’ve got young children and safety is your number-one priority when buying a new cooktop, then you can’t go past induction. With no open flames and a number of safety features, you can be sure your family will be kept safe,” says Tania Grillinzoni.