Gas Cooktops

When it comes to cooking with power and precision, a gas cooktop is the home cook’s top choice, delivering higher heat output than either electric cooktops or induction cooktops. Additionally, gas stove tops are safe to use with all cookware, and because they run on gas, power outages won’t interfere with dinner (if you’re okay with eating in the dark).

Though the terms are often used interchangeably, gas cooktops and gas range tops. It’s a blurry concept, but luckily, the difference is easy to note. Whereas range tops are built into cabinetry with controls in the front, cooktops are designed to fit right into your kitchen countertop—knobs and all!

Those are the basics! Now, here are the fine details.

Layout

When purchasing any appliances, starting with the right measurements saves you time and a headache. With gas cooktops ranging from just 11 inches up to 46 inches, opting for the biggest cooktop surface might sound tempting, but knowing how much counter clearance is needed will save your cabinetry from possible damage from the nearby flame source.

• Typically, a standard 36-inch gas cooktop requires 6 inches of space on the sides and 2 1/4 inches from the rear to the wall. For help with not-so-standard measurements, give us a call! We’ll be glad to guide you through the process!

You’ll also need to ensure you have the right gas line for your stove and that all pipes are corrosion-free.

Gas Cooktop Design

From a single burner to six burners, you’ll want to consider how much cooking you expect to do on your gas cooktop. Whether you’re looking for a single burner for a wok, or several burners to tackle weeknight suppers, sealed burners are easier to clean and prohibit food pieces from getting into small openings, making cleanup a breeze.

Lifting heavy pots from burner to burner can be dangerous. For ease of use, look for seamless grates (also known as continuous grates), which allow you to easily slide cookware from one flame to the next.

Performance

Gas cooktops boast the excitement of cooking over a flame, but not all flames are created equally. Keep an eye on BTUs—the unit of thermal energy used to measure how much heat is needed to heat or cool 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit—when shopping for your gas cooktop. Anything between 18,000-20,000 BTUs will make quick work of cooking, but it’s important to consider smaller BTU output for simmering sauces, soups, and broths under gentle heat.

Also note that while a cooktop may advertise its highest BTU burner, this is often for a single burner. That means you may have to dedicate certain cooking zones for foods you want to cook at higher heat and quicker rates.

Now you’re ready to start browsing! For additional questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us. We have a team of experts ready to help answer any lingering questions you may have about purchasing your new gas-fuel cooktop.