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Best Gas Cooktops
If you’re designing a new kitchen or renovating, deciding what type of cooktop to install is probably on your to-do list. Gas cooktops are a fan favourite of both beginners and pro chefs, due to their ability to cook food quickly and at even temperatures throughout. Continue Reading...
Designed with 4 burners of various sizes, and including a dual wok burner, the Ariston PK640RGH is a convenient gas cooktop that caters to diverse cooking needs.
Price (RRP) $999.00
- Build Quality3.5 (2)
- Value for Money5.0 (1)
- Ease of Use3.5 (2)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.0 (2)
- Control TypeControl Knobs
- Control LocationFront
- Dimensions 39 x 650 x 510 mm
- Colour / FinishStainless Steel
- Trivet MaterialCast Iron
- Gas TypeLPG and Natural Gas
The 5-burner Baumatic BSGH95 Gas Cooktop is a 90-cm cooktop for larger kitchens, in a stunning black glass finish that adds chic to decor.
Price (RRP) $1,395.00
- Build Quality5.0 (1)
- Value for Money5.0 (1)
- Ease of Use5.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.0 (1)
- Control TypeControl Knobs
- Control LocationFront
- Dimensions 55 x 870 x 510 mm
- Colour / FinishBlack Glass
- Trivet MaterialCast Iron
- Gas TypeLPG and Natural Gas
Bosch PCR9A5B90A / PCT9A5B90A
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: Layout ✅Very convenient - plenty of room Build Quality ✅The gas taps feel solid and the control by steps positive and very convenient ❓ I wonder what their longevity will prove to be and how diffi
Price (RRP) $1,699.00
Price $1,799 Bing Lee
- Build Quality4.5 (2)
- Value for Money4.5 (2)
- Ease of Use5.0 (2)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.5 (2)
Electrolux EHG755SA / EHG955SA
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: A great cooktop with loads of space. No longer do I have pots and pans fighting each other to stay on the cooktop. The wok burner on the far left is awesome - it has a double gas ring for fine gas
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DeLonghi DEGH70W / DEGH70WF / DEGH90W / DEGH90WF / DEGH90BG
· includes 5 listingsLatest review: The product was installed in my new house over 2 years ago and two of the burners are already not working. Parts are hardly available. Ordered a thermocouple for the bigger burner, it is more than
Ilve H-Series
· includes 15 listingsLatest review: Agree with one of the reviews about the quality of looks with this stove top. The safety flame does take getting used to, but we knew this when we bought it (must put in a good word for Winning
Latest review: I quite like the unique burner layout - less square looking. It is also very easy to clean. I love the flame control for gas (9 settings). Very good for cooking especially on low heat as I find many
Price (RRP) $1,199.00
Price $1,199 Bing Lee
Westinghouse WHG642SA / WHG644SA / WHG646SA
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: I purchased this cooktop in June 2020, was installed less than 4 weeks when noticed cook took marks very easily, even when you clean using a clean cloth. Marks are now permanent and unable to
Fisher & Paykel 90cm Gas on Glass Cooktop
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: Even though this is an older model which we've had for 5 years or so, surely the whole glass top shouldn't shatter for no apparent reason? F&P were reasonably helpful on the customer services call
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SMEV 2 Burner Stove Cook Top
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: This stove came with our 2005 Pioneer Argyle camper trailer that we bought 2nd hand in 2012. It has worked well over the years and only now am I replacing the screws that hold the black enamel lid on
Electrolux EHG643SA / EHG643BA
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: Got this in a brand new house last year, we were using it and touched the edge with a pan and it completely smashed. Glass all over the place, the whole cooktop was destroyed. I have had to buy a
Blanco CGG905WTFFC / CGG905WFFC
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: Glass exploded when boiling water under normal use. Clearly an issue with the late 2013 models from all these other reviews. Blanco has advised its past the 2 year
Electrolux EHG953SA / EHG953BA
· includes 2 listingsPrice (RRP) $1,799.00
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?
Pros
Cons
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.