For many, the cooktop can be the heart of the kitchen and source of many delectable creations. A cooktop can come in a variety of sizes, styles, designs, and fuel types, detailed with groundbreaking features to make cooking more convenient and entertaining. If you are ready to replace your old cooktop with a new one, we have put together this informative guide to help you find and purchase your cooktop, including how to measure cooktop size, so that you can narrow down your search.
At A Glance:
How to Measure Your New Cooktop
Cooktop Dimensions Vs Cooktop Cutout Dimensions
Features to Look for Before Purchasing a New Cooktop
What Types of Cooktops are There?
How to Measure Your New Cooktop
Before you buy your new cooktop — whether it’s a replacement or an upgrade, it’s essential to know the dimensions of your current one to avoid future installation problems. Below, we have listed the steps for getting all the vital measurements you need before installing your new cooktop.
How to Measure for Replacement Cooktop:
- First, hold the tape measure against your cooktop, and then measure from the far-left edge to the right edge for the left-to-right dimension of the appliance.
- Next, measure from the front to the back of your cooktop’s border for the front-to-back dimension.
- Once you have taken down the measurements of your cooktop, remove it from its cutout to take the dimensions of the cutout width and depth.
- To get the size of the cutout width, hold the tape measure tightly and measure from the left to the right side of the opening.
- Then measure from the back to the front of the opening for the cutout depth dimension. (Though your cooktop may be a bit deeper than the cutout.)
- Lastly, to check countertop thickness, make sure your countertop is dense enough to hold your new cooktop in place. Because if it’s too thin, it may collapse under the weight of the heavy cookware.
Cooktop Dimensions Vs Cooktop Cutout Dimensions
If you aren’t sure what the difference is between these dimensions, we are here to help! Cooktop and cooktop cutout dimensions are two separate measurements that are needed when replacing your cooktop. Cooktop measurements are the border dimensions of the cooktop’s exterior itself. In contrast, the cutout dimensions are the measurements of the countertop’s cooktop opening.
Features to Look for Before Purchasing a New Cooktop
As you shop for a new cooktop, before contemplating the brand you want, it’s all about the features first. Our experts have done the research and named just a few features for you to consider before taking home a new cooking appliance!
Size
After you have decided on the type of cooktop you need, it’s important to consider counter space and the size of the appliance. The availability of kitchen space will determine the size of your cooktop, so it is essential that the right size for your cooktop is chosen so there won’t be any unnecessary inconveniences during installation. Our cooktops come in various sizes that fit most countertops, ranging from 12–46 inches, with standard sizes being 24”, 30”, and 36”.
Fuel
When picking the fuel type of your new cooktop, it should be a type that is most compatible with your cooking style. The three main types of cooktops are electric, gas, and induction, and each varies in cooking methods using an open flame, electricity, or electromagnetism. But if you prefer a traditional gas cooktop with precise temperature and heat control, try this GE 30” steel gas cooktop.
Burners
Some of the cooktops are equipped with a single burner or cooking zone, while models have as many as six burners for cooking a variety of dishes simultaneously on one cooktop. So, depending on how often you cook and the number of family members or guests, who you cook for is an excellent way to decide the number of heating elements your cooktop needs. If you are a culinary enthusiast that regularly cooks for family or friends, this KitchenAid 36” electric downdraft cooktop can keep up with your cooking, no problem.
Features
After figuring out the basics for your new cooktop, what else do you look for when cooking? What finish do you want for your cooking appliance? Do you want a smart appliance? Do you need cooking modes? If you aren’t too sure, take a look at this Thermador Masterpiece Pedestal Star 30” gas cooktop for an example of excellent additional features you might want for your future cooktop.
What Types of Cooktops are There?
As we mentioned before, cooktops have different fuel types that each use distinct cooking methods, and below, we will go into more detail about each.
Electric
Electric cooktops are the most affordable of models. These types of cooktops use electricity that runs through heating elements to warm up pots and pans.
Pros
✓ Easy to clean
✓ Cooking surface cools down faster
✓ Simple installation
✓ Flatter surface is more stable for cookware
Cons
✗ Longer cook time
✗ Newer models with advanced features are more expensive
✗ No longer functions during a power outage
✗ Can be easy to burn yourself
Gas
Gas cooktops are the most common model using natural gas or liquid propane to produce open flames, heating your cookware to cook, grill, and sauté food.
Pros
✓ Accurate cooking temperature
✓ No power loss during blackouts or power outages
✓ More versatile for grilling, searing, and simmering
✓ Compatible with most cookware types
Cons
✗ Pilot light can burn out
✗ Burner flame can be weak
✗ Ventilation problems
✗ Can be challenging to turn on burners
Induction
Induction cooktops are similar to electric ones, having a smooth glass surface but using a different heating method. These cooktops use unique elements to create a magnetic field that directly heats pots and pans rather than the entire cooking surface.
Pros
✓ Best precise temperature control
✓ Most energy efficient
✓ Cooking surface remains cool
✓ Safest cooktop
Cons
✗ More expensive
✗ Needs specific size and types of cookware: magnetic stainless steel, enameled steel, and cast iron are all good.
✗ Unusable during power loss or interruptions
✗ Vulnerable to scratches
Shop Gas and Electric Dryers at Don’s Appliance
Don’s Appliances has supported our customers and Pennsylvania communities for 50 years with our appliances and housewares expertise and competitive prices! Discover some of the best cooktops we have to offer by browsing our online catalog. Or, if you have any questions about how to measure cooktop size, visit us in person at one of our soon-to-be eleven appliance showrooms throughout Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, Canonsburg, North Huntingdon, and Morgantown, West Virginia.