How to choose a Gas Cooktop?
Gas cooktops are loved for their style, power, and flame. They are popular because they give precise, controllable heat settings and they also have a heavy-duty construction.
Cooktop Size
Generally, a standard cooktop measures at 30-inch wide and includes 4 burners. However, cooktop size can range from 15 to 36-inch wide to accommodate both smaller spaces and larger kitchens. In fact, commercial-style cooktops can extend to 48-inch wide, and sometimes more.
Therefore, before buying a gas cooktop, measure the space of the kitchen and the size of the reserved position of the stove, and then buy it according to your needs.
Functions
Different stove designs are suitable for different usage scenarios.
Such as
- Wok burners have an intense rapid flow and are suited for stir-fry cooking and fast boiling as they heat up more quickly than a large burner. They're best for stock pots, extra-large frypans and round bottom woks.
- Large burners are suitable for most uses such as frying, boiling pasta and potatoes. They're best for larger non-stick frypans or saucepans. Avoid high temperatures when cooking with non-stick cookware.
- Medium burners are suitable for foods that require quick response to temperature change such as rice or simmering casseroles and soups as the ingredients need to be brought to a high temperature initially and then reduced to a very low simmer.
- Simmer burners are suitable for delicate ingredients such as making sauces, melting butter and chocolate. They're best for smaller frypans and saucepans.
You need to consider the position and layout of the burners and their size in relation to the pots and pans you use.
Look for:
- Burners that are spaced out so you can use multiple pots at once and don't have to reach over one element to get to another
- A range of simmer, medium and large sized burners
- Simmer burners positioned at the front so you don't have to lean over other burners to stir a sauce
- Medium burners positioned at the back – these are best for simmering foods for a long period that don't require frequent stirring
- A wok burner – this is best positioned at the side on its own or in the centre for accessible and continuous stirring
- An oblong-shaped burner if you'd like to use a grill or hotplate for barbecuing.
Safety Features
The importance of flame failure
- While gas cooktops are impressive for their instant heat control, some fall short in terms of safety. We don't test or recommend any gas cooktop that doesn't have a flame failure safety feature.
What is a flame failure device?
- It's a device which means the gas will automatically cut out or reignite if the flame goes out. This feature should be standard equipment, but unfortunately not all models are fitted with this. If the flame goes out, gas can escape silently and invisibly, building up in the room, which is why gas cooktops now require a flame failure device by law.
Clean
One rule for cleaning a gas cooktop is to clean up any spills immediately because clogged burnings can led to poor gas flow, and uneven heating. Baked on residue is difficult to clean.
Cleaning a gas cooktop can be difficult because of all the parts. A lot of people use cast iron trivets, which can be heavy and awkward to clean in a sink. The surface may also show smudges or scratches.
However, this is becoming less of a problem with minimalist designs making it easier to wipe down your cooktop.
Installation Difficulty
Gas cooktop install is difficult to many people. You'll need to get a licensed plumber to install and connect your new cooktop. Meanwhile you should ask them to adjust the Flame height which will brind you a good experience while cooking.
