9 Popular Stovetop Options — Plus Tips for Choosing the Right One
Pick a stovetop that fits your lifestyle and your kitchen style with this mini guide that covers all the basics
Choosing appliances is about more than just looks and function — the way they fit into the space is key. Over the years I've learned that aside from precise room measurements, technical specification sheets for appliances are the most necessary information for designing a kitchen.
This is especially true of the stove area, since it's the focal point of most kitchens. But which model will be right for you — gas, electric, standard, retro, commercial, cooktop, range top or full stove? How do you choose a countertop or layout that works best with it? The following summary will assist you with your selection for the heart of your kitchen.
This is especially true of the stove area, since it's the focal point of most kitchens. But which model will be right for you — gas, electric, standard, retro, commercial, cooktop, range top or full stove? How do you choose a countertop or layout that works best with it? The following summary will assist you with your selection for the heart of your kitchen.
Induction cooktop. The induction cooktop is a level up both in quality and cost from the electric cooktop. Its function is based on a magnetic field similar to that of a microwave, and you will have to purchase magnetic cookware.
The great news is that there is no tangible heat on its surface, which is helpful for the fingers of wee family members. Induction offers very even heat distribution, and a pot of water will boil within a minute, which makes this a very energy-efficient appliance.
This particular model has been installed flush with the countertop. Your stone or quartz countertop producer will cut a recessed line into the cutout for the cooktop, and the glass top will be installed with a silicone strip as an allowance for heat expansion. Set into a dark counter, this type of installation would make the cooktop disappear completely, for a very clean and contemporary look.
The great news is that there is no tangible heat on its surface, which is helpful for the fingers of wee family members. Induction offers very even heat distribution, and a pot of water will boil within a minute, which makes this a very energy-efficient appliance.
This particular model has been installed flush with the countertop. Your stone or quartz countertop producer will cut a recessed line into the cutout for the cooktop, and the glass top will be installed with a silicone strip as an allowance for heat expansion. Set into a dark counter, this type of installation would make the cooktop disappear completely, for a very clean and contemporary look.
Gas cooktop. During installation, this gas cooktop was dropped into a cutout in the countertop, with its controls sitting on the same plane.
When selecting a gas appliance, ask a knowledgeable appliance salesperson about models with sealed burners versus conventional ones. Sealed burners are much easier to clean, but the surface can get very hot, so you will need more distance away from combustible surfaces — this will affect your upper cabinetry.
An experienced designer will make sure to check technical specifications and take these issues into consideration when designing your dream kitchen.
When selecting a gas appliance, ask a knowledgeable appliance salesperson about models with sealed burners versus conventional ones. Sealed burners are much easier to clean, but the surface can get very hot, so you will need more distance away from combustible surfaces — this will affect your upper cabinetry.
An experienced designer will make sure to check technical specifications and take these issues into consideration when designing your dream kitchen.
Cooktop with individual components. Individual components can be selected to complement your cooking preferences. These components are usually 15 inches wide, and you have the choice of steam units, gas, induction, a built-in wok and others.
The kitchen here shows another great potential cooktop design. If it works for your lifestyle, eliminating cabinetry underneath results in a sleek, airy and contemporary look.
The kitchen here shows another great potential cooktop design. If it works for your lifestyle, eliminating cabinetry underneath results in a sleek, airy and contemporary look.
Range cooktop. Range tops are typically gas units. They have a front that is about 10 inches high, and the knobs face out from the cabinetry. A cooktop stays neatly contained within a typical 24 1/2-inch deep base cabinet; the range tops (including their signature heavy-looking knobs) require more depth and tend to stick out from the front edge of the neighboring countertops.
Cooktops with back guards. A typical feature of retro models and more economical stoves is the back guard, which often houses the controls or a clock/timer.
A back guard can visually interfere with a design feature in a tile backsplash, so you may want to stick with a more simple tile pattern.
A back guard can visually interfere with a design feature in a tile backsplash, so you may want to stick with a more simple tile pattern.
Slide-in stoves. Slide-in stove models, like this one, come in both gas and electric options.
A stove like this is usually a very economical choice and allows for a very clean installation. The controls are either on the front face or on the stovetop itself, and the stove slides about 3/16 inch over the edges of the countertop cutout, which results in a tight seam with little chance of crumb accumulation.
If the model sports a convection oven with a self-cleaning option, which maintains high heat over a lengthy period of time, you have to allow for air space between the body of the stove and the neighboring cabinetry. The technical specification sheet will give you the necessary information on the requirements.
If you find that your model will require additional air space, this can be achieved either by using fillers or posts on either side of the stove, or by using a face-frame construction technique for the actual cabinet carcass.
A stove like this is usually a very economical choice and allows for a very clean installation. The controls are either on the front face or on the stovetop itself, and the stove slides about 3/16 inch over the edges of the countertop cutout, which results in a tight seam with little chance of crumb accumulation.
If the model sports a convection oven with a self-cleaning option, which maintains high heat over a lengthy period of time, you have to allow for air space between the body of the stove and the neighboring cabinetry. The technical specification sheet will give you the necessary information on the requirements.
If you find that your model will require additional air space, this can be achieved either by using fillers or posts on either side of the stove, or by using a face-frame construction technique for the actual cabinet carcass.
Freestanding range. This kitchen sports a freestanding restaurant-style stainless steel gas range. Note the high stainless steel splash guard and warming shelf. If you choose such an appliance feature, make sure to install warming lights above the shelf. You can do that in form of pendants hanging down over it, as is often seen in restaurants, or by purchasing a matching hood fan that has integrated warming lights.
Both freestanding stoves and range top installations will result in small gaps on either side, between the appliance and the countertops and cabinets. If you know that you would have a hard time accepting the accumulation and difficult removal of crumbs in those gaps, do yourself a favor and opt for a different kind of model!
Both freestanding stoves and range top installations will result in small gaps on either side, between the appliance and the countertops and cabinets. If you know that you would have a hard time accepting the accumulation and difficult removal of crumbs in those gaps, do yourself a favor and opt for a different kind of model!
Freestanding stoves do not have to look industrial. If you are looking for an alternative to stainless steel, check out brands like The Chateau or Bertazzoni, which offer a wide range of color options and very distinctive designs.
I’m bringing this ideabook to an end with a picture of a real Aga stove. This is a love-it-or-hate-it appliance — or actually, it’s a furnace.
Developed in England and made for cooking and for heating stone houses, these models are constantly creating heat and have no controls. You will need to know when to push your pots to the right parts of the heated surface, and which of the three or more ovens do what.
The units are fired by propane, gas or oil, and the black chimney is the signature exhaust pipe.
Essentially you’d have to learn brand-new techniques to cook on this stove, and it requires special cookware. In my experience this is only a worthy investment for a very dedicated cook. You have to keep in mind that there will be constant heat emanating from the appliance, which might make it unpleasant to be around it in hotter climates or simply throughout the summer months. I have heard of people who purchase an additional regular stove for the summer, so they can turn off the Aga. Needless to say, this would require not only an appropriately sized kitchen space, but also the necessary funds.
Also, due to its enormous weight, the stove requires a concrete platform to sit on, and it can be serviced only by trained technicians.
Developed in England and made for cooking and for heating stone houses, these models are constantly creating heat and have no controls. You will need to know when to push your pots to the right parts of the heated surface, and which of the three or more ovens do what.
The units are fired by propane, gas or oil, and the black chimney is the signature exhaust pipe.
Essentially you’d have to learn brand-new techniques to cook on this stove, and it requires special cookware. In my experience this is only a worthy investment for a very dedicated cook. You have to keep in mind that there will be constant heat emanating from the appliance, which might make it unpleasant to be around it in hotter climates or simply throughout the summer months. I have heard of people who purchase an additional regular stove for the summer, so they can turn off the Aga. Needless to say, this would require not only an appropriately sized kitchen space, but also the necessary funds.
Also, due to its enormous weight, the stove requires a concrete platform to sit on, and it can be serviced only by trained technicians.
Keep in mind that glass cooktops are scratchable, and they require specific creamy cleansers and immediate cleanup after spills. You will also want to invest in flat-bottomed cookware and avoid dragging your pots across the top.