The Best Cooktops: Top 5 Best Electric Cooktops 2023
Buying Guide for Best Electric Cooktops
Cooking Area
After determining where an electric cooktop can be securely installed, assess the available space to determine the maximum size cooktop that will suit. Also, think about how many burners would be most effective for you. When deciding between full-size and half-size cooktops, keep dimensions and burner specifications in mind.
Full-size electric cooktops
Full-size electric cooktops usually have four or five burners on the cooking surface. The majority of full-size electric cooktops are 30 or 36 inches in length, but there are some 24-inch and 45-inch versions available.
- Half-size electric cooktops
Half-size electric cooktops have only one or two burners and are usually around 12 inches long. These are best suited to small kitchens, people who rarely use more than one or two burners at a time, or home cooks who want to supplement their range with an extra cooking surface.
- Heat Transfer
Heat is produced and transferred to cookware placed on the burners by an electric cooktop, but different types heat up differently. To increase or decrease the heat, models may have dials or a digital touch screen. Controls for built-in ventilation, warming components, and setting a double burner to single or double size may also be available.
Radiant-coil electric cooktops
An electric wire runs through each metal coil of a radiant-coil electric cooktop, transmitting electrical energy and producing heat. The heat radiates from the metal coil, heating any cookware put directly on top. This method of heat generation takes longer than induction smooth tops, but it is faster than radiant smooth tops.
- Radiant smooth-top electric cooktops
Radiant smooth-top electric cooktops have a tempered glass and ceramic pane on top of the heating element, similar to radiant coil cooktops. Because of this barrier, these cooktops are the slowest to produce and transfer heat.
- Induction smooth-top electric cooktops
The electromagnetic force is used by induction smooth-top electric cooktops to increase the vibration of molecules in conductive cookware, which heats the cookware and its contents. Induction cooktops heat up and cool off quicker than traditional radiant cooktops.
Energy Efficiency
Electric cooktops are a great option for saving energy because they use less energy overall than a complete oven and stove combination. However, the most energy-efficient choice is an induction smooth-top model that heats up instantly. Radiant-coil cooktops are less effective than radiant smooth-top cooktops because they take longer to warm up. However, they transmit heat faster.
Aesthetics
Consider the look of an electric cooktop when installing one so that it blends in with the rest of the kitchen.
Maintenance and Cleaning
It’s important to keep crumbs, sauces, oils, and other spills off the cooktop. If these common cooking mishaps are left unattended, they can easily accumulate, emitting foul odours and becoming more difficult to remove over time. If these substances are allowed to remain, they can cause damage to the elements of the cooktop. As soon as an electric cooktop is cool enough to handle comfortably, clean up any spills.
Safety
Few electric cooktops have built-in safety features, while others are more straightforward.
- Child locks-
This feature prevents children from using the device.
- Hot-surface indicators
Burners that are already hot are shown by the hot surface indicator glow. It will prevent you from touching/allowing your bod toy to come into contact with the surface by mistake.
- On/off indicators
Lights or visual displays that activate when an element is switched on and deactivate when the element is turned off are known as on/off indications. This handy function can serve as a reminder to switch off an active burner, but it can also indicate that one is heating up.
- Timer
Cooktop timers may be used to configure a burner or all burners to switch off at a certain time. This is useful when preparing several meals on a cooktop of up to four parts.
- Keep Warm
The keep-warm option helps you to keep food warm on a certain burner as long as that burner is switched on.
- Automatic Pan Size Recognition
Electric cooktops with this feature, like induction cooktops, have burners that automatically adapt to the size of the pan mounted on the burners. On all cooktops, this is not a common option. The majority, even high-end ones, lack it.
Number of Burners
A five-burner cooktop would be ideal for you if you cook for a large group or just enjoy preparing a large quantity of delicious food. If you don’t need a lot of pans, four burners might easily suffice – and for a lot less cost. Double- or triple-burner electric cooktops are common in good-quality electric cooktops, meaning rings-within-rings of elements that heat up as desired.
Melt Settings
Melt settings enable the consumer to melt delicate foods like cheese without burning or scorching them. This is a useful function for those who make cheese sauces, as controlling the heat of the melt can be difficult otherwise.
Price
We looked at cooktops with prices ranging from under $700 to over $1,400. While many buyers seek cooktops under $300, these less expensive models lack the same number of burners, settings, and features as our favourite models. Expect to pay up to $3,500 for a cooktop at the top end of the market.
Size
The majority of models on the market are either 30′′ or 36′′ in size. Before you buy a new machine to replace an obsolete one, make a note of the cutout dimensions on your countertop. You will save the stress of trying to refund the item if it does not work.
Advantages of Electric Cooktops
- Efficient- You can lower the cooking temperature on electric cooktops more than you can on gas cooktops. Electric cooktops retain low steady heat better than gas cooktops, making them more effective for simmering foods.
- Easy to Operate- They are simple to use and they do not need an ignitor to light the burner. Simply turn the knob after plugging the cooktop into a power socket, and the element will begin to heat up automatically.
- Easy to Clean- Electric cooktops take less time to clean, particularly those with smooth tops. This is because wiping the smooth glass surface of an electric smooth top cooktop is all it takes to clean it. There are no grooves or trivets to deal with when it comes to sweeping.
- More Control- Electric cooktops have a wider temperature control spectrum and allow for more precise temperature control.
- Cheaper- Electric cooktops are usually less expensive than other types of cooktops, and this is particularly true for electric coil cooktops.
Types of Electric Cooktops
Coil Version
Exposed coil heating elements rest on the cooktop surface or in a recessed cavity inside the cooktop in these. Find the best electric cooktop 2023 here.
FAQs
What are the best available sizes of electric cooktops in 2023?
Electric cooktops in the half-size range are usually 12 inches in diameter.
How to clean my electric cooktops?
- Using a paper towel or rag, wipe away any stray food from the floor.
- To clean stuck-on food from smooth-top electric cooktops, use a soft scrub brush and a combination of hot water and soap.
- Replace the coils after rinsing and drying with a paper towel or rag.
The right time to replace electric cooktops?
An electric cooktop has a 10- to 12-year estimated lifetime.
