The time has come to change your old hob. You have two possibilities ahead of you. The first, the classic one, so to speak, is changing yes but remaining anchored to tradition with the downdraft cooktop.
The second choice leads to the most modern induction models, which, however, run on electricity, and therefore the bill could be affected.
It is not always easy to choose when there are many variables to consider, those who compare prices will have noticed that the variations also depend on the materials used.
Right here we had selected some of the best downdraft cooktops that are listed below.
- EFFICIENT POWER – This double burner is equipped with a 7.25” and 6.10”cast-iron plate and powered by 1700 watts (120V). It...
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL – Turn the control knob from low, medium or high setting depending on your need. Features an...
- SAFE & HEAVY-DUTY – Made with durable stainless steel housing that is resistant to high temperatures and fire for your safety....
- SPACE SAVER – This burner is just the right size for a studio apartment, college dorm, RV and homes with small space. Storage...
- EASY TO CLEAN – You do not need to scrub off food drippings and oil splatters from the unit. Simply wipe the non-electrical...
- Easy to Clean: 6.5-inch and 5-inch Cast Iron flat cooking plates are nonstick and easy to clean with a damp cloth or non abrasive...
- Adjustable Temperature: Quickly reach and sustain the desired LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH heat settings with the variable temperature knob...
- Built in Safety: Dual power indicator lights on the front of the burner remind users when the item is powered ON; non skid feet...
- Compact and portable: the compact size of the burner makes it an easily accessible item to take on the go wherever an extra...
- Efficient Power - With a combined wattage of 1500W, dual hot plates and individual temperature controls, delicious meals can be...
- Duxtop Induction Cooktop uses 120V 15 amp electrical outlet - standard in all North American homes; lightweight and compact for...
- Digital control panel. Built-in count-down digital timer with 1 minute increments up to 170 minutes; 10 temperature range from 140...
- With no open flame or heating element, food does not burn-on the glass cooktop so this induction burner is easy to clean—just...
- The auto-pan detection will shut the unit automatically after 60 seconds if no cookware is detected; equipped with diagnostic...
- Note: In order to use this and any other induction stove, you need to use cookware with a magnetic bottom, whose diameter is at...
- HASSLE-FREE COOKING EXPERIENCE – Powered by 1000 wattage (120V). This cooktop uses infrared technology, an advanced system for...
- COMPATIBLE WITH ALL COOKWARE – Unlike an induction cooktops, this kitchen countertop burner works well with virtually all types...
- TEMPERATURE CONTROL – Turn the adjustable control knob to the appropriate temperature setting for your food. The indicator light...
- CLASSY AND PORTABLE – The stainless steel housing and sleek crystallite ceramic glass top make this burner look great on any...
- EASY TO CLEAN – Cleaning the crystallite glass and the stainless steel housing is fast and simple, it won't take you more than a...
- 【220V- 240V Electric Stove Top 4 Burner】Karinear 24" drop-in electric cooktop come with 4 high power burners of 1800W, 1800W,...
- 【Modern Appliance Glass Cooktop】Built-in design electric cooktop only take up little space, perfect for any kitchen counter;...
- 【Drop-in Electric Stovetop with 9 Power Levels】The electric cooktop 4 burner have 9 power stage setting, instant change by...
- 【Absolutely Safe and Harmless Ceramic Electric Stove】The 24" electric cooktop has a variety of protection functions to ensure...
- 【Compatible with Any Flat-bottomed Kitchenware】Karinear built in ceramic hob is very convenient that is suitable for all types...
- 🍝【Electric Cooktop with Knob Control】No complicated buttons, easy to operate and use. It is very suitable for the elderly,...
- 🍝【Efficient Heating】The electric cooktop 4 burners reaches high power output of 6700W---Top Left: 1200W/Top Right: 1800W...
- 🍝【Widely Used】The 30 inch electric ceramic stove with 4 burners, suitable for most pots, such as stainless steel, enamel,...
- 🍝【Modern & Minimalist Design】The electric stove top with black ceramic glass resists high temperature and is durable for...
- 🍝【Specifications & Notice】 Cooktop Dimensions W x D x H: 30.31” x 20.47” x 2.17”,Cut Out Size: W 29.13” x D...
- 【110-120v Plug in Electric Cooktop 】This portable electric stove top is suitable for use at 110~120v, comes with a plug, plug...
- 【Knob Control, Easy to Use】This 120 volt cooktop is operated by knob, it hasn't any complicated function buttons, knob control...
- 【Built-in & Countertop Electric Cooktop】This 110v stove can be placed in two ways. If you don't want to be so troublesome, you...
- 【Safe and Reliable Electric Ceramic Cooktop】This electric hob is safer to use because it is an electric ceramic stove, not an...
- 【Compatible with Any Cooker】Another advantage of this glass cooktop is that it can use any material cooker, iron, stainless...
- STRESS-FREE COOKING – Equipped with a 6-inch and 5.75-inch hot plate and a durable stainless steel heating tube. This burner...
- EFFICIENT POWER – Powered with 1700 watts that provides fast, consistent and even heating. Its metal housing is resistant to...
- MAINTAINS DESIRED TEMPERATURE – Simply turn the adjustable control knob to the appropriate temperature setting for your food....
- COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT – Add extra space to your kitchen counter for holiday or parties. Perfect for wherever an extra cooking...
- EASY TO CLEAN – The premium stainless steel base allows you to clean food drippings and splatters easily with a non-abrasive...
- Induction technology for fast heat-up and consistent heat throughout cooking. Must use with induction-ready cookware
- Dual heat settings: 8 settings on the left burner, 5 settings on the right burner. Dimensions: LWH: 14.25" x 23.5" x 2.5"
- Individual 150-minute timers and ON/OFF switches for each burner
- Heat turns off 30 seconds after pot or pan is removed.UC Cubic Feet: 1.38
- [All Types of Cookware]--CUSIMAX Ceramic Double Hot Plate is suitable for All Type of cooker. Pots and pans ranging to...
- [Convenient]--Great for every day use or as an extra cooking appliance in a busy kitchen. No stovetop required. Whether it's your...
- [2 Burners and Convenient]--Convenient Cooking in Smaller Spaces, cook food including warm sauces, decoct steak, grilled cheese,...
- [Safety, Easy to Clean, Durable]--Automatic safety shutoff function,temperature is regulated by a thermostat. Easy to clean...
- [Customer Service]--CUSIMAX offer a outstanding 30-day hassle-free return policy. All CUSIMAX products are covered by Product...
Things to Consider Before Buying Downdraft Cooktops
Size Matters
If there usually are four burners, larger models with five or six burners can be found on the market. This allows you to have more game to cook multiple courses at a time.
Usually, the central stove is the one capable of heating the pan quickly because it is equipped with a double halo of fires, ideal for rapidly boiling water in huge pots or for using the wok at a maximum temperature as this tool should be used.
The dimensions are always standard so that they can be easily recessed on the work surface, these are shelves of a minimum of 30 cm, with two burners, while the most common are those of 60 cm, and you can reach the hobs 75 or 90 cm.
Compatible with Any Pan
There are no limitations regarding the type of pot or pan, all are fine, from grandmother’s cauldron to modern double-bottomed banks.
The only precaution to follow to avoid maximizing the dispersion of the heat of the flame in the air is to choose the stove of the same diameter, or just lower than the pan to be used.
This serves to concentrate the heat just below the pan and, in this way, to limit the waste of money and time, even if the price of gas usually is lower than that of the consumption of electric cookers.
Steel, stainless steel or enamel, is the most prevalent material, the second offers the advantage of being easier to wash and less prone to scratches or to remain streaked after cleaning, you can also choose between different colors, which is not sorry.
Another solution present in the ranking of the best materials used is the tempered crystal, elegant and refined, has the advantage of not overheating while the fires are at work.
Safety Regulations
Every self-respecting review must put the safety aspect in the right light. While many advise against the use of gas because of the risks involved in carelessness, the technology has made available various control systems to prevent accidents.
Long gone are the times when the ignition of the flame took place with the match, today the electronic ignition is by button, which requires two hands, one that rotates the knob and one that triggers the spark, or directly under the knob, then with one hand can light the stove.
The best brand is the one that also pays attention to details. Still, the thermocouple is now widespread in the vast majority of models for domestic use, and it is a system that automatically stops the emission of gas in the absence of a flame.
Our guide ends by taking a look at what you imagine will be the future for gas hobs, namely the spread of direct flame burners.
Unlike traditional radiant models, these direct the flame that comes out of the micro-holes exactly vertically under the pot, reducing cooking times by 20% and thus limiting heat dispersion as much as possible.
Number of Fires
Regardless of whether your choice falls on a gas or induction hob, you must evaluate the size and, in particular, the number of fires.
The most widespread floors have four fires, but there are also five fires, with the central one usually much larger than the others. Some models also have an electric hotplate, useful to use if you suddenly run out of gas.
The Distance Between the Fires
But the numbers of foci aside, the distance between one and the other is also important. The speech is as follows: having so many fires available does not necessarily allow you to place more pots.
If, for example, the pans are large, there may not be enough space. Remember, also, that for good cooking, it is essential that the fire is in the center of the pot so that the heat spreads evenly.
The Pots to Use
As for the pots to use, one of the advantages of the gas stove is that there are no limitations: any model is fine, regardless of the material; therefore, the green light to stainless steel, copper, terracotta, aluminum, good quality pans, poor quality pans. There is room for everyone.
Attention to The Flame
Cooking with a gas hob requires some attention. The flame must be adequate for the food being prepared. Using it to the maximum, maybe the bigger one does not mean cooking faster, but, on the contrary, you risk burning the food, perhaps with the mockery that the inside remains raw.
For example, imagine a large piece of meat: in this case, the flame must be moderate, you must allow time to cook well, even inside, without the steak drying out. Also, it is a good safety rule to close the gas cylinder or the methane key when going to sleep.
The Induction Alternative
But the hobs can also be induction, as mentioned a little further on. It’s a whole other world, starting with the pots that must be specially made for this type of product.
You have to pay attention to the temperature, which is quickly reached; this is why the most “sensitive” products to high heat must be carefully monitored because they could burn in no time.
For this reason, we prefer those models with the function that allows you to set a certain temperature and keep it constant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Installs the Cooktop?
Generally, the hob is installed by the vendor by hiring specialized personnel for the operation. The seller may or may not ask for a supplement for the service.
Who Repairs the Cooktop?
There are specialized assistance and maintenance centers to contact. Generally, but not always, they repair all types of household appliances. Also, in most cases in these shops, they can repair not only the classic gas hob but also induction or electric hobs.
What Does the Induction Cooktop Mean?
A hob that, instead of gas, uses electromagnetic induction to heat the pots that must be specifically indicated for this cooking method. Such a hob does not produce flames or gas. It also guarantees uniform cooking because the heat is distributed evenly.
Why Does the Hob Spark Continuously?
This is one of the most common problems: the electric ignition activates itself continuously. The main cause is the water, which is probably poured where it should not.
For this reason, when cleaning the hob, you should use a sponge or cloth, damp, not soaked. The solution is simple: just unplug it for 24 hours and wait for the humidity to dry.
How to Clean the Various Types of Cooktop?
To clean common gas hobs, just use one of the many products available on the market. If the hob is particularly greasy, it is better to use a degreaser to be sprayed and leave to act for a few minutes, then clean with a damp cloth.
In the case of the induction hob, one must be more careful in choosing the products. If the top is in glass-ceramic, aggressive products are not recommended. Better to use dish soap with a non-abrasive sponge. Alternatively, you can use paper towels.