The cooktop-and-wall oven combo has a sleek, modern look and conveniences not possible with a range. Install a cabinet under the cooktop and you have a handy spot to store lots of cookware. Place the wall oven at a height that makes it easier to use. This winning combination is usually more expensive than a range, so here's what to consider before you shop.
Price Range
$350 to $5,000
At the low end are cooktops with two burners, which Consumer Reports does not test. Electric induction and gas pro-style are the more expensive options.
Size
Widths range from 12 to 48 inches. Most cooktops are 30 or 36 inches wide, so that's what Consumer Reports buys and tests. Measure the cutout in your countertop before you shop if you're replacing a cooktop. Solid-surface countertops may require a somewhat different installation, so check the manual.
Gas or Electric
Electric includes radiant smoothtops, induction smoothtops, and coil tops. Coil top are the least popular so we do not test them. If the choice between electric and gas is yours, know that both delivered impressive performance in our tests. That said, the best electric cooktops outperformed the top gas models, typically because the high-powered electric burners delivered faster heat. Beyond performance, cooking with gas has its fans.
Knobs or Touch Controls
Some controls are front and center, others are off to the side. Gas cooktops such as the $900 Whirlpool WCG97US0DS have knobs. When shopping try out the knobs. Do they feel sturdy or flimsy? Electric smoothtops under $1,000 have knobs. Above that, touch controls are the norm, such as the $1,200 Bosch NETP066SUC radiant smoothtop.
Design
Gas cooktops can have a porcelain enamel surface, but most we've tested have a stainless surface for a polished look—it may take some work to keep it looking good. Electric radiant and induction smoothtops usually feature black ceramic glass. Some are trimmed with stainless on two sides. Even the $700 Maytag MEC7403WS has this. The Thermador CIT36XKB induction cooktop is framed in stainless, but at $5,000, why not?
Features
Typically there are four burners on 30-inch electric cooktops, five on gas. The 36-inch gas and electric cooktops usually have five burners. All cooktops in our tests have at least one high-power burner. It delivers heat faster and is good for searing, stir-frying, and heating large quantities.
Most radiant smoothtops have an expandable burner that lets you choose the size burner—six or nine inch, for example—that best matches the pot you're using. An elongated bridge element spans two burners to accommodate a griddle. A hot-surface warning light lets you know that the surface is still hot, long after the burner has been turned off.
On gas cooktops heavy porcelain-coated cast iron grates should stand up to abuse. The $900 Whirlpool WCG97US0DS's grates are hinged at the back so you can lift the entire grate for cleaning.
Brand Reliability
Every year we ask thousands of subscribers about their experiences with cooktops and repairs. Based on our latest survey of nearly 6,000 people about nine brands, we estimate that by the time the cooktops are three years old, only four percent of electric cooktops and six percent of gas cooktops will need repair or have serious problems. The differences among brands were not big enough to call out most and least reliable. See our Brand Reliability tab in our cooktop Ratings for more details.
Shopping for a Cooktop?
See our cooktop Ratings first. Use the filter to narrow your choice by size, brand, and price. Check the Features & Specs tab to compare models, and the Brand Reliability tab to help you decide.
And be sure to look for sales and rebates online. It's holiday season, and we're seeing some good deals.
Questions? Send me an email at kjaneway@consumer.org.
