Are you a bright young individual looking to get into cooking? But the literal word “cooktop” sounds alien, and leaves you feeling overwhelmed? Not to worry! We know the market is full of different kinds of cooktops which come in different variants ranging from induction cooktops to electric cooktops.!!!!!
Wanna pick where to start? Well, we’re here to help! Here you will find more information on the different types of cooktops available in the market.
What Are The Different Types Of Cooktops?
There are different types of cooktops for home cooks which include electric cooktops, gas cooktops, and induction cooktops. All these have their own advantages and disadvantages. They vary according to the needs of their users. Some chefs might be interested in purchasing a gas cooktop while others might like to have an induction cooktop.
What Are Cooktops?
Cooktops are, simply put, the surface on which you have your burners. They’re usually found in two kinds of material.
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But, as you’ll soon find out, there are a lot of options to roll with. Different types have different functions, be it aesthetic pleasure or functionality. With that said, let’s start off with some of the best options available.
Different Types Of Cooktops: Surface Materials
Manufacturers are using different kinds of material to design cooktops which include stainless steel surfaces, ceramic, a combination of glass-ceramic, and more. Let’s check out some popular options.
Stainless Steel Surface Cooktop
Stainless steel gives a sleek and modern look to your kitchen. It’s a trendy cooktop and a hot favorite of chefs all over the world. However, stainless steel is used for gas burners. And most modern homes no longer have gas burners.
Cleaning the stainless-steel surface cooktop is not an easy job, as spillovers need to be wiped off immediately. For that, you wanna use warm water and a soft cloth. White vinegar can also be used to remove the stains. And you’d best be careful! It is steel after all, and that stuff gets very hot very fast.
Ceramic Surface Cooktop
A ceramic surface cooktop is, if we’re being honest, the darling of both professionals and home chefs. Home chefs prefer this type over the others because of the aesthetically pleasing outlook. Plus a ceramic cooktop is pretty easy to wipe and clean. The ceramic surface can be used as a counter too if the surrounding area around is congested and small.
However, a ceramic cooktop is prone to get scratched so it is advised to use it carefully. Heavy utensils are advised to be handled with care on this cooktop so that there’s no potential damage.
Glass Ceramic Surface Cooktops
A glass-ceramic surface cooktop is a combination of both ceramic and glass as it says in the name. It looks opaque or transparent depending on the color (we hear black’s very trendy). It is very easy to clean using a wipe and some water but since it’s a combination of two materials that are prone to scratch, this type of cooktop is scratchable.
You’ll often see glass-ceramic cooktops pop up in a certain YouTuber chef’s videos (hint: his name rhymes with “crabbish”).
Porcelain Surface Cooktop
Porcelain material is very easy to clean, wipe and maintain. Whether it is a food spill or an oil spill, it can be cleaned easily. Porcelain cooktops are more stain-resistant, heat resistant and they are hard to scratch.
A porcelain surface cooktop tends to get damaged if any hard object is dropped on it. Then again, it’s a good starting point for beginner chefs. I hardly imagine you attempting to make the stew from Ratatouille, to begin with! All jokes aside, please don’t.
Enamel Surface Cooktop
An enamel surface cooktop is easy to clean when compared with others but it breaks if not handled with care. The outer surface looks strong and hard but a little force can damage the surface easily.
What it lacks in core integrity, it more than makes up for in affordability and easy cleaning! Honestly, one good sweep with a napkin across this one and you’re good. Just don’t apply too much pressure, alright?
Glass Surface Cooktop
A glass surface cooktop looks fashionable, modern, and sleek. It’s almost kinda futuristic, seeing it glow red. However, fragility is a big issue with it, so no dropping of stuff on it. It can also get scratched easily much like a glass-ceramic combination. Or it can break if handled roughly.
Glass cooktops are used for both electric cooking and induction cooking.
Cleaning takes a bit of effort too. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with a combination of hot soapy water and baking soda. So, does it look cool? Definitely, yes! Is it perhaps the most practical for a novice? Well, you might want to start with something a bit more solid. After all, we’re no Gordon Ramsay yet.
Final Words
To summarize: we addressed the questions “what are the different types of cooktops in the market” and “what are cooktops made of”. We discussed the pros and cons of the different material surface cooktops, letting you make an informed decision.
No matter what cooktop you end up with, be it glass, porcelain, ceramic, or a combination, mistakes aren’t a bad thing. Just happy little accidents, as Bob Ross used to say!
Taking a step into the realm of cooking is an intimidating one for most, no two ways about it. But start slow, have faith in yourself, and ultimately, gain some self-appreciation… This is your first step towards an important life skill!
