What to consider when buying a gas cooktop for your kitchen
, by Pei Wen Tan, 5 min reading time
What to consider when buying a gas cooktop for your kitchen
Are you undergoing a kitchen renovation? It’s a hefty task, and there are many things to consider when redoing your kitchen area. From tiles, splashbacks, and appliances, there are many purchase decisions you will have to undergo.
One key element of your kitchen is cooktops. With the rise of induction and electric cooktops, gas cooktops have become less prevalent in Australian kitchens. However, there are still some key elements to gas cooktops that make them preferable to their alternatives.
Unlike with induction and electric, there is no wait time when using gas cooktops. Once you switch it on, it is ready to use, making it a convenient option for those who are impatient or short of time. You can also easily change the heating levels as the flames are controlled by a knob so you can quickly lower or increase them.
Gas cooktops work through an electronic ignition system that creates a spark (which is characterised by that ‘clicking’ sound you hear as you turn the knob), which then creates the blue flame. The more you turn, the more gas is released, increasing the flame.
Unlike electric and induction, gas cooktops allow for more versatility when it comes to the type of cookware you can use. If you have cookware that is not completely flat on the bottom, such as woks, gas cooktops are much better equipped for them.
Gas cooktops are a great option as they are relatively cheap but still offer you a good cooking experience. In fact, most professional chefs prefer to use gas cooktops over electric or induction. Once you’ve chosen to go with a gas cooktop, there are some things you should consider to ensure you purchase the right product for your kitchen.
Size
What size do you want your gas cooktop to be? This can depend on a number of factors, namely how much space there is in your kitchen. If you are short on counter space, it might be a good idea to opt for a more compact option.
As important as your gas cooktop is for the cooking process, so is preparation, which you’ll need an ample amount of counter space for. When designing your kitchen, make sure you allocate enough space so that you can cook and clean easily.
You use your kitchen everyday, so it’s important that you consider how you will utilise it. Maybe you won’t actually use your gas cooktop a lot, in which case you might want to choose a smaller option to allow for more counter space for food prep or making your coffee in the morning.
Do you have a gas connection?
Installing a gas cooktop is a lot easier if you have a gas connection in your home. If you have mains gas, you can easily connect your gas cooktop and start cooking.
However, if you don’t, it will be easier to opt for the alternatives such as induction and electric. It is still possible to install a gas cooktop by using LPG (liquified petroleum gas, available in gas) as you would with a barbecue, but this option is a bit more costly as compared with your traditional gas cooktop.
How easy is it to clean?
People tend to spring for induction or electric as they are easier to clean and maintain, due to their flat surfaces and the absence of grates.
While gas cooktops do require a bit more maintenance and effort, you can look for features that make it easier, such as a one piece press base or dishwasher safe grates.
Budget
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, gas cooktops are definitely a great choice. You can get one from as little as $300 – in fact, at Zure, our 4-burner gas cooktops start at $279. In comparison to electric and induction, they are definitely cheaper without compromising on performance and quality.
The price will vary depending on how many burners there are and the size of the gas cooktop itself. Overall though, this is an inexpensive option which allows you to spend more of your budget on other parts of your kitchen.
Number of burners
Another key consideration when choosing your gas cooktop is the number of burners you have. People typically spring for a 4-burner gas cooktop as this allows you to prepare multiple dishes at once without too much crowding.
If you have a large family and know that you will be preparing multiple dishes, going for a larger option with five burners might be a good idea. On the contrary, if you are a single person household, maybe you don’t even need a 4-burner and might opt for a 2-burner instead.
It all depends on the needs of your household and your habits.
Configuration of burners
When choosing your gas cooktop, the consideration of the configuration of burners is important to ensure a good cooking experience.
It is recommended that you opt for a gas cooktop with a mix of simmer, medium, and large sized burners. Simmer burners, which are mostly used for sauces or tasks such as melting butter, are best positioned at the front so that you can easily stir them.
Medium burners are typically used for dishes that require a high heat at first and then reduced to a low simmer, and these can be positioned at the back and they don’t require frequent stirring.
Look for spaced out burners so that you can easily access each burner even when there are multiple pots on the gas cooktop.
Does it have a flame failure device?
Flame failure devices were made mandatory in July 2017 when Australian and New Zealand standards for gas cooktops came into effect.
A flame failure device essentially ensures that the gas will automatically cut out or reignite if the flame goes out, ensuring that the gas does not escape invisibly and silently, building up in the room without detection.
This flame failure safety device is important and it is recommended that you purchase a gas cooktop which has this feature. Check the specifications to ensure that you don’t purchase one without this safety device.
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