By Brittany Rowland

Sleek, sturdy continuous grates run across this large cooktop, priced at $1,199, to provide the most space and flexibility when it comes to cooking with multiple pans. The dual-flame burner is powerful enough at 18,000 BTUs to bring water to a quick boil and also gentle at its 450-BTU setting to simmer delicate sauces. Convenient additions include a griddle, a wok ring, and a simmer plate to hold small dishes at a warm temperature. Cleaning up is a simple matter of wiping it down after use, although you may spot some fingerprint smudges on the stainless steel surface.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

The solid, rugged continuous grates on this Frigidaire gas cooktop are easy to pull up for cleaning and have an appealing pattern. At 30 inches, it’s a compact model with only four burners, but they heat quickly and provide satisfactory boiling and simmering capabilities. Setting the temperatures is also an effortless task with the basic knob controls. At $369, this Frigidaire cooktop has a great value and won’t disappoint with its heating performance and sleek design.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A sturdy, top-performing gas cooktop from LG, this model has five sealed burners wide enough to hold skillets, griddles, and woks. Its most powerful burner, located in the center, has the heating power of 19,000 BTUs. Other burners are low-powered and suited for gentle, even simmering. The blue LED backlights for the knobs that are turned on are a handy feature and nice looking, too. You won’t be disappointed with the sturdy cast-iron continuous grates and this cooktop’s overall performance. At $799, it’s fairly priced, too.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

Maytag’s 30-inch electric cooktop has a glossy, wide surface to accommodate pots and pans of all sizes with ease. The 10-inch element is suited for extra-large pans, and the Speed Heat element reaches high temperatures quickly with an impressive 3,200 watts. As is the case with most electric cooktops, it takes some heavy scrubbing with a cleaning solution to clear away grease and smudges, but when it’s well-maintained, this model will add to the attractiveness of the kitchen. At $629.10, this is a very reasonably priced cooktop with superb performance.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A wide, generous space to hold a variety of pots and pans, this Whirlpool gas cooktop heats up quickly with its power burner reaching 15,000 BTUs. As with most gas burners, we found them to distribute the flames evenly and allow the most control over the temperature. With a recessed cooktop and removable control knobs, cleaning up is not difficult, either, although it may require some elbow grease. The stainless steel surface and durable cast-iron grates make for a well-designed cooktop available for just $928.28.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A sturdy, attractive gas cooktop from Whirlpool, the Whirlpool W5CG3024XS has continuous cast-iron grates that make it easy to slide pots and pans from one burner to another. The burners are quite powerful, too. We were impressed with the selection: two power burners (12,500 BTU), one quickly boiling burner (5,000 BTU), and one all-purpose burner (9,200 BTU). Cleaning up is fairly easy, although you’ll want to use a cleaner specifically for stainless steel to prevent it from getting scratched. Overall, the Whirlpool W5CG3024XS is a valuable purchase at $377.99.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

We were impressed with the heating power of this 36-inch induction cooktop from GE. Its burners can bring water to a boil in as little as 90 seconds. The GE PHP960DMBB also has a smooth, uncluttered surface that is a breeze to wipe down. Its electronic touch controls are located conveniently in the front, and they include a control lock that will give you peace of mind if kids are around. Another handy feature is its pan detection sensors, which automatically shut off the burners if it senses that no pan is present. At $1899, this is a pricey cooktop, but one that delivers superior heating performance.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

With a glossy ceramic surface you’ll want to maintain to keep shiny and streak-free, this GE electric cooktop features a downdraft exhaust that keeps the kitchen clear of smoke and steam. A convenient bridge element gives you even more space to heat up large pots by combining three of the elements. The heating elements provide a strong, even distribution of heat, up to 3,000 watts for the greatest boiling capability. While this model requires some elbow grease and a special cleaner to keep the surface shiny, it’s worth the effort to have a sleek, effective cooktop at $1,128.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A smooth glassy black surface makes this GE induction cooktop stand out in the kitchen. With electronic touch controls instead of knobs, wiping it down after use is easier, too. A maximum power of 3,700 watts brings water to a boil quickly, and the elements possess the technology to detect the area of the pan and only heat that section. For peace of mind, the cooktop turns off automatically after a certain length of time, and you have the option of locking the controls. For $1,222.45, you get a classy, elegant cooktop with superior heating performance and advanced controls.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A 30-inch gas cooktop with five powerful burners (up to 15,000 BTU), the KitchenAid KFGS306VSS is a stylish, functional option for any kitchen. The grates are made of sturdy cast-iron and make it easy to slide pots and pans from one burner to another without lifting. Cleaning up is easy, too, with a recessed surface that contains drips and spills. Setting the controls is a simple task with the five stainless steel knobs. At $1341.45, this is a pricey cooktop, but you won’t be disappointed by the powerful cooking capabilities and the strong, attractive look.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

To determine the 10 best cooktops, we looked at a number of factors, including:
1. Number of burners or elements
2. Space to hold large pans
3. Straightforward controls
4. Ease of cleaning
5. Style and appearance
6 Sturdiness of design
7. Heating power and variability
Whether you choose a gas or an electric cooktop, there are models that offer superior boiling and simmering capabilities, precise temperature control, and durable, attractive construction. See the cooktop comparison and ratings below with a link to the full review of each.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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