5 different types of cooktops & stovetops
Cooktops are standalone appliances featuring a cooking surface with burners or elements, but no oven. Cooktops provide kitchen layout flexibility since they install directly into countertops, can be placed on an island, and are available in gas, electric, induction and downdraft models in a wide range of sizes.
Whether you’re building, remodeling or replacing, use this guide to learn why you might want a cooktop vs. a range and what the best type of cooktop might be for your family.
What is a cooktop?
A cooktop is a standalone cooking appliance that utilizes multiple burners or heating elements to heat the cooking surface so that you are able to cook your food. Cooktops can be installed into countertops or they can stand alone on flat surfaces, such as kitchen islands.
Whirlpool® Cooktops offer flexible cooking capabilities and easy cleaning so you can get your family’s dinner on the table with ease.
Cooktop vs. range: Which is right for my kitchen?
Choosing a cooktop vs. a range separates stovetop and oven tasks while creating a streamlined, built-in look. Great for larger kitchens, this configuration spreads out mealtime action in a way that could help you manage the mess and keep meals moving without a lot of bending or squatting.
Cooktops can also be a good option for kitchens with limited counter space, since they’re often available in narrower sizes than ranges. For example, Whirlpool brand offers a 15-inch Electric Cooktop for compact kitchens.
1. Gas cooktops
This type of cooktop uses an open flame to heat cookware. Gas cooktops offer responsive control over heat adjustments, making them ideal when making quick adjustments for delicate dishes as well as everyday meals. The flame can be adjusted instantly, so you don’t need to wait for an electric element to heat up or cool down.
Gas heat is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Unit), with some burners offering higher heat, and often a larger flame than others for different cooking tasks. This Whirlpool® Gas Cooktop with a SpeedHeat™ Burner can quickly generate high heat to help you get dinner on the table fast.
Gas cooktops usually feature removable grates, with some models offering a hinged design like the EZ-2-Lift™ Hinged Cast-Iron Grates by Whirlpool brand, which are also dishwasher-safe.
Benefits of gas cooktops
Quickly adjust heat levels
Burners cool quickly
Flames can get large enough to heat the sides of pots and pans
Shop gas cooktops from Whirlpool brand
Take advantage of the responsive heat of a Whirlpool® Gas Cooktop, which can help you handle every dish on the menu. Make sure everyone gets their favorite with an extra, Fifth Burner on select cooktops that gives you more room to choose the right one for your dish. Plus, you can easily maintain low, even heat to simmer your sauces, warm up leftovers or melt chocolate with the 5K BTU Simmer Burner, also on select models.
2. Electric cooktops
Electric cooktops heat cookware using metal coils or heating elements that may be exposed or sometimes hidden under a flat ceramic-glass surface that makes wiping up spills simple. Many models offer elements whose size can be adjusted to smaller or larger cookware for added flexibility like the FlexHeat™ Dual Radiant Element by Whirlpool brand.
Accommodate extra-large dishes with “bridge” elements that heat the space between the front and back elements and can be found on select electric cooktops.
Benefits of electric cooktops
Direct heat transfer to pots and pans
Flexible element sizes to fit a wide variety of cookware
Easy to clean smooth surfaces
Shop electric cooktops from Whirlpool brand
Get the convenience you need to cook and clean it all with Whirlpool® Electric Cooktops. The FlexHeat™ Dual Radiant Element on some models has two elements in one with a 6" inner ring that's great for smaller pots and pans and a 10" expandable outer ring that makes room for larger cookware. And, the Easy-Wipe Ceramic Glass Cooktop on select models makes wiping up spills simple.
3. Induction cooktops
An induction cooktop is a type of electric cooktop that uses electromagnetism to turn cookware into its own heat source. Induction technology transfers energy directly into magnetic cookware for fast cooking. The system allows for a rapid rise or drop in temperature and, because the cooking surface stays relatively cool, spills are less likely to bake onto it.
Keep in mind that you can’t use aluminum or copper cookware on an induction cooktop unless it features a magnetic core. Learn more about induction cooking, induction cooktops vs. electric cooktops, or check out this guide on finding the best induction cooktops for you.
Benefits of induction cooktops
Fast cooking with compatible cookware
Instantly adjust heat strength with responsive controls
Easy to clean surface
- Little heat loss between the cooktop surface and food
Shop induction cooktops from Whirlpool brand
Streamline meal prep with a Whirlpool® Induction Cooktop that helps eliminate the guesswork. Smart Presets on select models simplify mealtime and automatically set the right temp to saute, simmer, sear and more. Plus, Pan Detection on some cooktops makes sure you only heat the space you need by sensing when a pan is placed on an active burner and automatically directing heat to it.
4. Downdraft Cooktops
A downdraft cooktop integrates the ventilation system directly into the cooking surface, eliminating the need for an overhead vent. They’re a good option if you’re installing your cooktop on a kitchen island where there isn’t room for a hood, or if you just like an open feel to your kitchen. Keep in mind that you’ll need under-counter cabinet space to house the ventilation system.
Downdraft cooktops can come in gas, electric or induction styles.
Benefits of downdraft cooktops
Combines ventilation with cooking in one appliance
Can be installed in kitchens with open floor plans or kitchens without range hood capacity
5. Commercial-style cooktops
A commercial-style cooktop is an upscale option for those looking to upgrade their kitchen with a restaurant-style look. These cooktops come in various sizes, ranging from the extra-wide 60-inch size, all the way down to more standard sizes.
Some models come equipped with features like high-BTU gas burners and grill or griddle inserts, great for cooking up a wide variety of meals.
Commercial-style cooktops typically come in stainless steel or colorful finishes to align with any other commercial-style appliances in your kitchen.
Benefits of commercial-style cooktops
High-BTU gas burners for powerful cooking performance on select models
Larger size options, with some models as wide as 60 inches
Sleek design that adds style and sophistication to any space
What to consider when choosing a cooktop
There are a few factors to consider when choosing a new cooktop for your kitchen. Explore the following shopping tips below to help you get started on your shopping journey.
1. Ventilation needs
Don't forget that you'll need some type of vent near your cooktop. A ventilation system is essential to help clear kitchen air of smoke, odor and grease while you cook.
If you're placing the cooktop on a kitchen island, look at island-canopy hoods.
- If you're installing in-line with cabinets, a wall-mounted canopy hood or over-the-range microwave hood combination might be right for you.
Learn more in this guide to choosing the right ventilation for your kitchen.
2. Installation needs
Each type of cooktop comes with its own unique installation needs that you should take into account when choosing a new model for your kitchen. For example, gas cooktops require access to a gas line, while electric cooktops do not.
You should also consider the surface you're planning to install the cooktop on. If you're installing a cooktop on a kitchen island, you may want to pair your cooktop with a retractable downdraft hood like these Whirlpool brand models instead of an over-the-range hood.
3. Size and number of burners
Choose a cooktop with the right number of burners to accommodate your cooking habits. Make sure there’s enough space between them to move comfortably with your cookware, and look for a range of burner sizes so you have the flexibility to handle a variety of pan dimensions.
Most cooktops are 30 to 36 inches wide and include four burners, which work well for everyday cooking. If you’re short on space, a compact two-burner model may be the right fit. For larger households or avid home chefs, cooktops with larger dimensions and five or more burners offer the flexibility to juggle more dishes at once.
4. Maintenance and cleaning
Gas, electric and induction cooktops all have different cooking surfaces that require varying maintenance and cleaning methods. To clean gas cooktops, you need to remove and clean the grates in addition to the cooking surface. Induction cooktops–and many electric cooktops–have smooth glass surfaces that help make it easy to clean once mealtime is over.
Induction and glass electric stovetops are typically the easiest to wipe clean as there are generally no removable parts that need additional attention during the cleaning process. All you’ll usually need to clean these kinds of cooktops is a cook surface cleaning solution, nonabrasive cleaning pads and a soft dry cloth to wipe away spills and food debris.
For instance, you can skip scraping and intense scrubbing of baked-on foods with the WipeClean™ Coating on select Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops, the easiest-to-clean induction cooktop coating.1 Or, select Whirlpool® Gas Cooktops also feature EZ-2-Lift™ Hinged Cast-Iron Grates that give you quick access to cooktop spills and can be easily added to the dishwasher when it’s time to clean.
5. Cooktop features
When shopping for a new cooktop, look for features that best fit your cooking needs. Some cooktops offer specialized zones for unique pan sizes, settings that help maintain consistent temperatures or features designed to help you get dinner on the table fast.
For example, some Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops feature a Griddle Zone that combines two individual heating elements into one larger one, making it easy to cook up all that delights, all at once. Select Whirlpool® Gas Cooktops offer features like the SpeedHeat™ Burner that helps you sear and boil quickly by generating high heat and Edge-to-Edge Cast-Iron Grates that give you the flexibility to move pots and pans anywhere.
Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops
Get responsive temperature control
Induction Cooktops from Whirlpool brand offer fast cooking and responsive temperatures, paired with a sleek, easy-to-clean surface
Shop all Whirlpool® Cooktops
Whether you choose gas, electric, induction or downdraft, Whirlpool brand offers cooktops to fit nearly any kitchen. Whirlpool® Cooktops are easy to use and designed with thoughtful innovations to help streamline meal prep, so you can rely on your stovetop to help you create your family’s favorite meals, night after night.
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1. When compared with cooktops with same heating technology with similar wattages.
