Cooktops are small stoves that have one or more burners above them. Also called "hotplates", they have burners that do not include ovens and grills compared to regular and traditional stoves. They are convenient for small homes since you can place them on countertops and connect them to a power socket or an underwater gas tank. Furthermore, you can take them for outdoor trips and camping since they are portable.
Power
Cooktops can work with LPG or with electricity.
Gas: powered by LPG and has easier temperature controls for faster response. They are also ideal for outdoor use since they don't require AC power.
Electric: powered by electricity for heat generation, they are usually more expensive since they require constant electrical flow.
1. Solid: has flat burners heating up from the center outwards. They are slightly slower, less efficient, and require more maintenance, yet they heat better.
2. Radiant coil: makes use of heating coils for delivering heat from the burner to the pan. They have high power efficiency and respond fast.
3. Ceramic: has ceramic plate burners covered with flat glass panels that are easier to clean since it does not absorb stains and dirt.
4. Induction: makes use of heated inductor coils to create magnetic fields when the pan is settled on it. They have fast response and temperature controls.
Pick your cooktop
Cooktops should be judged by their type of burner and their efficiency. Choose one with various burner sizes to accommodate several pans but make sure they are easy to clean and they do not stain or rust easily. Make sure they are also large enough for large cookware. Finally, they should be 65% efficient or better.
