At a Glance:
When to Choose an Electric Cooktop
When to Choose an Induction Cooktop
If you are preparing to renovate your kitchen, you have the exciting opportunity to choose between an electric or induction cooktop. Both cooktops meet the needs of different home cooks and allow you to prepare delicious meals for your friends and family. However, it’s important that you don’t confuse these two cooking appliance options. There is a significant difference between induction vs. electric cooktop technology, which affects everything from cooking times to the pans you use. Read this cooktop buying guide to learn about your options and make the best choice for your household.
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Whether you're team gas, electric, or induction, Albert Lee has the largest selection of cooktops in Washington to suit your cooking style.
Shop CooktopsWhat is an Electric Cooktop?
Whereas gas cooktops rely on a live flame for heat, electric cooktops generate heat by means of electronic currents passing through coils either on or below the cooking surface. Coil cooktops are the most traditional both in look and user experience, immediately recognizable for their swirled ceramic coils. Over the years, concerns over safety and aesthetics pushed the debut of ceramic smooth top cooktops, which relocate the ceramic coils beneath a completely flush and featureless surface.
Electric Cooktop Benefits
Consumers often ask, “Are electric cooktops good?” and the answer lies in how you prepare meals. There are several reasons why electric models are the better choice in the battle between induction vs. electric cooktop sales. Here are a few reasons why you might choose an electric model for your home:
✅They are affordable: Homeowners on a budget can save significantly by purchasing an electric cooktop vs. induction cooktop. According to Fixr, electric cooktops average between $300 and $1,000 compared to $1,000 and $2,500 for induction models.
✅ They are readily available: if you need to buy cooking appliances today, there’s a better chance of finding an electric cooktop in stock than an induction model. They are some of the easiest cooktop heat sources to find, which means fewer chances of backorders or wait times.
✅ They are easy to clean: Opting for a ceramic-top stove means being able to quickly wipe away any leftover food. Unlike induction cooktops, the surface does have to cool down before cleaning, but compared to gas grates and burners, users find cleaning a ceramic glass cooktop easier.
✅ They are compatible with all cookware: One of the biggest curveballs users encounter with induction cooktops is that they require special cookware. On the other hand, electric cooktops don’t need specialized pots and pans to operate.
✔—Important Considerations
That said, there are some drawbacks to investing in electric cooktops. Electric stovetops are slower to heat up than induction models and aren’t as precise. They also aren’t the safest cooking method because the heating elements remain hot for several minutes after you turn the stove off.
When to Choose an Electric Cooktop
If you still aren’t sure which is better—electric or induction cooktop models—consider your own cooking habits. Casual cooks will usually prefer electric models because they are easier to use and more affordable. Electric-powered stovetops are simpler and can use any cookware, so there’s no fuss or learning curve—just plug it in and start cooking.
Top Electric Cooktops
There are plenty of electric cooktops in today’s market, but some stand out above the rest. Here are some of the top-rated electric cooktops along with electric cooktop reviews if you have decided that this heat source wins when comparing induction vs. electric cooktop options.
Café™ 36" Black Electric Cooktop
Shop This Cafe Electric Cooktop
This GE Café cooktop includes five heating elements, including a triple-ring burner and two burners that sync together so you can cook over a griddle. The versatile cooking surface means you always have the perfect burner size, no matter what you are cooking. This smart cooktop was made for home cooks ready for the future, equipped with a guided cooking feature, plus Wi-Fi controls that automatically sync with other compatible Café appliances for a seamless user experience.
Bosch® 800 Series 30" Black Electric Cooktop
Shop This Bosch Electric Cooktop
Bosch is known for producing elite appliances, and this cooktop is no exception. It has four heating zones, one of which has two rings to accommodate multiple cookware sizes. When you want to cook for a crowd, use the bridge function and cook with a griddle or roasting pan right on the surface. Engineered with SpeedBoost technology for a surge of power when you need it, plus PreciseSelect cooking controls with 17 power level settings, this Bosch cooktop lets you tackle every recipe with confidence.
⭐Featured Bosch NET8069UC Review:
“Hands down it outperforms our prior cooktop – it heats faster and more efficiently. We should have gotten a Bosch sooner!”
GE Profile™ 30" Black Built-In Electric Cooktop
Shop This GE Profile Electric Cooktop
GE Profile gives you the power to quickly boil water in minutes or master the sear with a 3,100-watt power element. Need inspiration for tonight’s dinner? That’s when the Guided Cooking feature comes in handy with thousands of food ideas at the fingertips. Additional features we love include Precise Temperature Control technology and synchronized elements for a flexible cooking station for all your menus.
What is an Induction Cooktop
Induction cooktops are significantly different from electric models. These appliances use electromagnetic technology to heat pots and pans instead of creating hot cooking surfaces. As a result, your cookware heats up, but the cooking surface stays cool.
When debating between an induction vs. electric cooktop, induction systems often win out because of their efficiency. Heat is hardly wasted with these systems because up to 99% of energy is transferred directly to cookware. That results in food that cooks faster and more evenly on an induction surface, making it a clear winner if you compare an induction cooktop to electric models in terms of efficiency.
Induction Cooktop Benefits
If you are just learning about induction cooktop systems, you might be surprised by all of the benefits of choosing this option. The difference between electric and induction cooktop surfaces completely changes how you prepare meals. Here are some benefits of buying an induction cooktop:
✅ The heat output is nearly identical to gas: Users mention transitioning from gas to induction is a smooth process because the heat levels and precision are nearly identical.
✅ Induction systems have rapid cook times: You can prepare meals faster with more efficient induction systems.
✅ They are easy to clean: Like ceramic glass cooktops, induction systems are easy to maintain, except they come with an added bonus: Since the surface remains relatively cool, messes can be cleaned on the spot.
✅ They are safe: You never have to worry about burning your hand on the induction cooktop since the surface stays cool to the touch.
✔Important Considerations
That said, when considering induction vs electric cooktop pros and cons, there are some induction drawbacks. The main drawback of buying an induction cooktop is its cookware requirements. Because induction cooking systems use magnets to create heat, you are limited in the pots and pans you can use. You must use metal cookware that responds to the magnetic systems, like stainless steel pans and cast iron griddles.
Additionally, induction cooking surfaces top the charts as some of the most expensive models currently on the market, potentially costing buyers up to $1,500 more. You will also need to make sure your cookware works with your induction stove, otherwise, you might need to buy new pots and pans.
When to Choose an Induction Cooktop
Now that we’ve answered, “Are induction cooktops good?” it’s time to decide whether one of these stovetops is right for you. Overall, this new technology wins in the battle between induction vs. electric cooktop models if you have a larger cooking budget and want to invest in the latest technology. Induction is also preferred by home cooks who like gas but don’t have a gas setup and don’t want to pay for one. Induction cooktops are also a good choice if you prioritize safety in your home.
Top Induction Cooktops
More brands are producing induction cooktops than ever to keep up with customer demand. We’ve included our top picks in this induction cooktop guide along with induction cooktop reviews to give you a better idea which model would be perfect for your home.
Samsung 36" Stainless Steel Induction Cooktop
Shop This Samsung Induction Cooktop
This cooktop has five heating elements, including a specially designed rectangular heating zone if you want to cook over a griddle. We also love that this cooktop comes with advanced LED lights and digital controls for a completely modern experience that is also intuitive. Plus, this is a smart induction cooktop. Connect this cooktop to your home’s Wi-Fi and manage it through your smartphone.
KitchenAid® 36" Black Induction Cooktop
Shop This KitchenAid Induction Cooktop
If you value precise controls in your cooktop, consider this model from KitchenAid. It allows you to choose from a variety of preset options to prepare your meals or quickly adjust the power levels as needed. This cooktop also automatically detects your pan size, so energy is never wasted. Not to mention, this cooktop is easy to use and even easier to keep clean.
⭐Featured KitchenAid KCIG556JBL Review:
“I feel safe with this new addition with grandma in the house who loves to leave on appliances. Great heating of my Hexiclad cookware. I’m never going back to gas!”
Thermador® Freedom® 36" Dark Gray Induction Cooktop
Shop This Thermador Induction Cooktop
Plenty of luxury brands produce induction cooktops and Thermador is no exception. Instead of heating elements, this cooktop has 36 inches of fully usable cooking surface. You can place your pots and pans wherever you like for easy meal preparation. The Sapphire Glow® LED lights will let you know whether a pot is heated so you can be careful when moving it. This is truly an elite cooktop.
How you cook has a major impact on the experience, which is why choosing the right cooktop for your needs, style of cooking, and lifestyle is the first step toward happily creating meals. Still need help deciding which team you’re on in the induction vs electric cooktop battle? We’re here to help! Give us a visit online or at one of our appliance stores throughout the Pacific Northwest for expert advice, plus a look at the latest electric and induction cooktops on the market.
Why Trust Albert Lee?
Since 1939, Albert Lee Appliance, a three-generation, family-owned business, continues to grow and serve the greater Pacific Northwest with quality products you can count on and service you can trust. We are proud to have served this community for so long and wouldn’t be here without our loyal customers. There is a reason why we are Washington’s largest independent appliance dealer, and it’s not a secret. Simply put: We have the experience. We have been the original appliance experts for over eight decades (and counting).
Shop Cooktops at Albert Lee
At Albert Lee Appliance, we provide quality name-brand appliances for great prices. Shop cooking appliances online or visit us today at one of our six locations in the Pacific Northwest. In the meantime, browse our website to shop Albert Lee appliance sales and check out Albert Lee appliance reviews online to ensure every purchase is an informed one. More available than ever, our experts at Albert Lee Appliance are always happy to help you learn more about the induction vs electric cooktop debate, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Contact us today!
Learn More: Induction vs Electric Appliances: Pros & Cons