Chances are, if you’re in the market for a new range or cooktop, you already know where your allegiances lie when it comes to gas versus electric.
An antique Wedgewood stove in a blogger’s Montana kitchen; see Kitchen of the Week: Rustic Chic on a Budget for more.
Many cooks prefer gas for its speedy response and the fact that you can actually see the flame.
1. Gas Cooktops
An cooktop with electric coils in A Chic Fixer-Upper on Fire Island, Budget Edition.
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2. Electric Coil Cooktops
This old-school electric cooktop is still seen in many kitchens; the heating elements are round metal coils.
A tiny two-burner solid-disk cooktop is efficient in a super-tiny kitchenette; see Small-Space Living: An Airy Studio Apartment in a Garage for more.
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These are much the same as the cooktops with electric coils, except that its burners are solid metal disks (also called “hotplate” burners).
3. Solid Disk Cooktops
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A streamlined cooktop in the Paris kitchen of Ochre designer Solenne de la Fouchardière.
4. Smoothtop Cooktops
These have a top that’s, yes, smooth, and usually made of ceramic glass, with electric heating elements below.
An induction cooktop (common in France) in Kitchen of the Week: An All-Stainless Design in a Paris Loft.
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These cooktops are visually appealing, with their sleek modern style. (Yes, it does sound like magic.)
5. Induction Cooktops
6. Modular Cooktops
A number of manufacturers, including Jenn-Air, Miele, and Wolf, let you build a custom cooktop. Downdraft ventilation is another possible add-on.
Parting Advice
When deciding on which cooktop is right for you, research consumer reviews to determine the most durable brands, and look for easy-to-read controls on whatever model you choose.