Buyers Guide - Gas cooktops
Despite numerous cooktops in the market today, many still swear by gas cooktops or gas stoves. If you’re one such person, making the right purchase is very important. Find out how to shop for the best product so you can show off your culinary skills!
Gas cooktops feature different numbers of burners to suit individual needs. Determine which can cater to your requirements.
1 burner cooktops are small and while they aren’t quite sufficient for small families, they’re ideal for single individuals. They’re also good space-savers for small kitchens.
2 burner cooktops are the standard for many families. They’re a great choice if you don’t cook too many items or if you already have another cooktop.
A 3 burner gas cooktop has three burners, usually one large, one medium and one small. It makes clever use of space and is ideal for medium size households that rely more heavily on gas cooktops than electric models.
Gas cooktops with 4 burners can cut down cooking time even more. However, the additional burner means the unit can be quite large, which may not be too convenient for smaller kitchens. If you do have the space and could do with an extra burner, this is the answer.
Large families that need stoves to simultaneously cook should go for 5 burner gas cooktops. While they do take up counter space, they greatly cut down on cooking time.
Some cooktops combine two different technologies for a whole new cooking experience. They feature gas burners and an induction cooktop rolled into one unit.
Gas cooktops distribute heat evenly, which makes cooking easier and minimises burning of food. In fact, many restaurants still use gas cooktops over electric models because they’re dependable.
Gas cooktops produce instant heat at the level you want it. There’s no waiting. This saves time and is convenient.
The adjustable burners on gas cooktops offer good control of heat when cooking. Certain dishes need just the right temperature to be prepared, which is where gas cooktops trump.
Some gas cooktops feature specialised burners to work with certain cookware. For instance, wok burners can help with stir-fried dishes while rectangular burners can work with grills.
Being able to see how high or low the flame is is reassuring and you immediately know if you need to intervene if something goes wrong.
Gas cooktops emit lower heat which leads to lower ambient temperature. When working in the kitchen for hours, this can make a significant difference to comfort.
Power outages are a hassle that every electric cooktop user has to deal with. However, gas cooktops are not power-reliant so electricity failure has no impact.
Modern gas cooktops come with several features to make usage convenient. These are the key attributes you want to look for:
Whether you get a 2 burner model or one with 5 burners, it should have a high heat and simmer function. This allows you to accurately control temperature, save gas and make sure food is cooked precisely as you want it.
Each burner should be accompanied by grates so pots and pans can rest on even, secure surfaces. Try to look for cast iron grates coated with porcelain enamel for durability and easy cleaning.
you’re going for a gas cooktop with a glass surface, make sure it’s toughened glass that can withstand knocks and bumps easily.
Gas cooktops with wide bodies allow for larger cookware to be placed. This is important if you’re purchasing cooktops with more than 2 burners.
Gas cooktops are very simple to use. However, a few important tips can make the experience more worthwhile.