Best Gas Cooktops

How does a gas cooktop work?

A gas cooktop (also known as a built-in gas hob) typically uses electronic ignition or a gas pilot light to create a spark. You’ll hear a clicking noise when you first turn the control knob or press a button - this is normal and means the igniter is lighting the burner.

This action signals that it’s okay for the gas valve attached to the burner assembly to accept the flow of oxygen and gas coming from the mains gas line. The gas is then released through the burner holes.

Types of gas cooktops

Natural gas

Out of the two gas options available, natural gas is the one more commonly used. Not all local areas have a gas mains line in their local area, so first make sure this is an available option for your home.

If you’re looking to have a natural gas cooktop but you don’t have a natural gas connection in your home, you’ll have to hire a professional gas fitter to set one up.

Installing a natural gas connection in your home can be expensive, with costs ranging from $800-$5,000. This depends on the amount of copper piping needed to install gas service lines, and also includes labour costs and a call-out fee.

While this does seem like a hefty initial expense, appliances that use natural gas are cheaper to run than those that use electricity or LPG. This means installing a natural gas connection in your home could save you money in the long-run.

LPG

If you don’t have a natural gas connection in your area but are set on installing that new gas cooktop, LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) can be a worthy alternative.

This is also known as propane, portable gas, or bottled gas, as it comes stored in a bottle. The bottle connects to your cooktop via a pipe, and must be professionally installed.

Should I get a gas cooktop?

What should I look for when buying a gas cooktop?

Size

Since you’re naturally limited to the amount of available space you have on your kitchen countertop, it’s important to factor into account the size of any prospective cooktop and check that it fits properly.

Before hitting the shops or browsing sites, it’s a good idea to measure the amount of counter space in your kitchen that you have to spare. Measurements need to accommodate not just the cooktop dimensions, but also the correct amount of ventilation space required by Australian safety regulations.

These dictate that there needs to be 600mm of vertical clearance up to a combustible surface (the cooktop) and 200mm of horizontal distance.

Gas cooktops are commonly measured in width, and advertised as such. Common widths you'll often see are: 30cm, 60cm, and 90cm. Though less common, you can also find cooktops with widths of 70-80cm and 120cm. The width of a cooktop is influenced mainly by the number of burners it has.

Number of Burners

The burners refer to the parts of the cooktop that house the heating element - the flame. Having more burners means you can have more pots on the stove at once, which saves time and allows you to work on different stages of a recipe simultaneously.

• 2 burners: These are less common to find, and probably suited to households with 1-2 people, people who rarely cook, or kitchens where there’s limited space for a cooktop. 2 burner gas cooktops are usually 30cm width.
• 3-4 burners: This is the most common number of burners you’ll find in a cooktop. They’re suitable for most households with 4-5 people. These come in a width around 60cm.
• 5-6 burners: If you’ve constantly got some dish or other bubbling away on the stove, or you have a large household of over 5 people, 5 or 6 burners may be the right fit. These tend to be 90 cm gas cooktops when it comes to width.

Safety

Make sure you choose a gas cooktop with a flame failure function. This automatically turns off the gas when the flame goes out, so gas won’t dangerously leak out into a space undetected.

Some gas cooktops also have child locks. This is especially useful when the control panel is positioned in front of the burners, as this is within easier reach of children who can reach up and play with the controls.

Price

The price tag on various gas cooktops can vary significantly, from $300 on the cheaper end, to $4,000. This depends on a number of factors, such as the size, number of burners, the finish you choose, and whether there are any extra features, such as a wok burner or a teppanyaki plate.

Ease of Use

Burner size

Look for burners that come in a range of sizes, such as small, medium and large. This allows you to cook different types of dishes.

For example, a small burner, or simmer burner, allows you to cook foods on a low, gentle heat setting, such as simmering pasta sauce. A large burner, on the other hand, allows you to place a stock pot on it, to cook large food quantities at high temperatures, such as boiling pasta. Having both of these sizes on the one cooktop allows you to prepare that meal of spag bol much faster than if you were limited to one size.

Burner layout

Even if a cooktop has four burners on it, that won’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to fit four pots and pans on it at the same time.

A good burner layout means you can have a wide saucepan on the stove along with a stockpot. There should be enough space between your pots so they’re not bumping against each other, as this can cause a dangerous spill of hot ingredients.

It can be helpful to go into a store and take a few of your favourite pieces of cookware that you frequently use to cook with. This allows you to test out the practicality of the burner layout - instead of having to buy it first and learn the hard way that the way the cooktop is set up is inconvenient or frustrating.

Control panel labels

These indicate the heat levels, such as low, medium and high, or increasing numbers to indicate a gradually increasing temperature setting.

These markings should be clearly labelled and easy to understand. They can often be printed onto the control panel, which means that it's possible for them to rub off or wear away over time. It can be helpful to read reviews on a prospective cooktop to ensure this isn’t an issue you’ll have to deal.

What is the easiest gas cooktop to clean?

Cleaning the baseplate

The baseplate refers to the flat cooktop surface upon which the burners and trivets are placed.

Enamel

This is the easiest cooktop material to clean. However, it looks stronger than it is, so don’t apply too much force when cleaning. Try and source an enamel cooktop that doesn’t have spots that trap grime and dirt.

Glass cooktops

It goes without saying that glass is a delicate material. Though it looks ultra sleek (especially black glass), it’ll need a little extra care and attention for it to remain scratch-free.

While it’s easy to clean because it’s so smooth, you should use a soft cloth to do so - like a microfibre cloth. Dip the cloth in some warm soapy water and wipe the cooktop surface down gently. Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals, especially when the baseplate is still hot, as these can damage the glass. Also avoid rough sponges, steel wool, glass cleaners and scrubbing too hard as abrasion can result in scratches.

Glass ceramic

Thanks to the addition of a ceramic cooktop, this is a combination of two potentially fragile materials. As a result, follow the same cleaning guidelines as for ‘Glass cooktops’ above.

Stainless steel

This can smudge easily, so choose a cooktop with a fingerprint-resistant coating. Using a cleaning product specially purposed to clean stainless steel may be the safest way to avoid scratches when cleaning the cooktop.

Cleaning the trivets

Ideally, these should be cleaned after every cooking session, after the cooktop has cooled down. This immediate cleaning removes fresh spills before they become stains or caked-on grime from food residue.

However, most of us live busy lives and this isn’t always possible. Sometimes you’d rather relax on the couch with your freshly cooked bowl of pasta, rather than wipe away the bolognaise splatters now decorating the cooktop.

To help you out, source a gas cooktop with removable trivets (most have this option). This way you can take the trivets off periodically and soak them in warm water with dishwashing liquid, for a more thorough clean. You can remove any solidified food lightly with a brush. While some manufacturers state that their trivets are dishwasher safe, this should be approached with caution. For example, cast iron has a non-stick surface, and dishwasher detergents will wear this off.

Cleaning the burners

The burners should also be cleaned periodically. The burner holes that make space for the flame can become clogged with bits of food, which can affect cooking performance. Wipe them down with some warm water, dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge. Then rinse and dry to make sure the burner holes are clean and clear.

Can I install a gas cooktop myself?

No, in Australia it’s illegal to install or work on gas appliances yourself. Installation must be carried out by a licensed gas fitter. Working with gas is potentially dangerous, and a professional will be able to work with gas pipelines safely and prevent gas leaks.

This is the case for installing both natural gas cooktops and LPG cooktops.

While installing a LPG gas bottle to power your gas cooktop may seem simple enough, there are a number of installation regulations that must be followed. For this reason, hire a licensed and experienced gas fitter who will be well-versed in all these legal and safety requirements.

Installation costs vary from anywhere between $300-$650. The price depends on location, labour cost per hour, and perhaps most significantly, factors unique to the job. For example if a new vent needs to be installed, this will push the price up significantly.

Wrapping up

Overall, gas cooktops have a number of advantages that make them easy to cook with. If you don't have a natural gas connection in your home, the initial costs can be high. However, after this, using natural gas to cook with will have you smiling at a low electricity bill every quarter.

Make sure to also measure your space to buy a cooktop that fits, choose the right number of burners for your household size or cooking frequency, and also source a cooktop that will be easy to use and clean on an ongoing basis.