Find out which type of cooktop will best suit your needs, the features to look for, and compare test results for all 3 types. Join us now for instant access Join more than 100,000 members today and you'll get: Thousands of test results and research you can trust Everything in one easy place Expert support a phone call away if things go wrong Which type of cooktop will best suit your needs? Turn the heat off a radiant-ceramic element that's been on full for a few minutes and it takes some time for the element to cool. Turn off a gas flame and the heat's gone. Professional chefs overwhelmingly use gas for stovetop cooking because it gives them better and more responsive control over the heat. If you're at all adventurous with your cooking, gas is likely to suit you better. Induction cooktops may offer the best of both worlds: the sleek good looks of ceramic cooktops with the speed and instant control of gas cooking. They heat up incredibly quickly, transferring energy to the cookware faster than any other method of cooking.

Induction cooktops are also excellent from a safety perspective: since the element itself does not get hot, it’s safe to touch unless you’ve had a hot pan on it for a while. With any cooktop, you need to consider installation issues – adequate ventilation and connection to power and fuel supplies. With induction cooktops you also need to invest in new cookware – the cookware used on induction cooktops must be made of ferrous (iron) materials. Pots and pans also need to be within, or close to, the diameter of the elements. Cookware that overhangs won’t heat properly around the edges, and pans that are too small won’t be recognised. L-R: Radiant-ceramic, induction, gas. We’ve covered what you need to know before you buy. If you’re installing a new cooktop, we recommend getting a quote for installation before buying one – especially if you’re moving from a radiant-ceramic cooktop to an induction or gas cooktop. The same test method was used for all 3 types of cooktop.

In addition, ceramic cooktops were tested for chocolate-melting. First we make white sauce on the simmer-burner or element with the lowest setting. vax power 6 base cylinder bagless vacuum cleaner vcp6b2000This tests the cooktop’s ability to perform at a low temperature for a long time.electrolux vacuum cleaner ergospin Next we cook rice on the medium-sized burner or element. hyla gst vacuum cleaner reviewsThis tests the "turn down" capacity of the hob and whether the cooktop can maintain a suitable heat at the lowest temperature setting. We then use a beef and vegetable stir-fry to see whether the cooktop can deliver continuous high heat. We also assessed the ease of use and cleaning of each cooktop.

We received information on 1954 cooktops in our 2016 appliance reliability survey. To see which brands are trustiest, become a paying Consumer member or log in. The Top Brand award recognises brands that perform consistently well across product testing, reliability and customer satisfaction. To view our Top Brand for cooktops, you need to become a paying Consumer member or log in. Many cooks prefer gas because it gives instant heat control and the flame shows how hot the burner will be. It's also great for wok cooking. But parts of the country don't have a piped-in natural gas supply. Even where gas is an option, getting connected can be very expensive. The alternative is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which can be supplied in twin 45kg bottles attached to the outside of the house and reticulated inside. If you use gas only for your cooktop, the most cost effective option is to hook it up to a small 9kg cylinder, installed either outside the house, which is preferable, or in a cupboard next to the cooktop.

When the gas runs out, you can get it refilled at a service station. If the cylinder is installed inside it's very important that the cupboard is adequately vented to the outside and that there are no electrical sockets or switches inside the cupboard. The hose and fittings must be LPG-approved. Brush a solution of water and dishwashing liquid on the connections each time you reconnect the cylinder after refilling. If bubbles appear, LPG is leaking. If you're likely to want to change fuels, say from natural gas to LPG, check whether the model you're interested in can be converted after purchase. A licensed gasfitter must perform the conversion for you. Best of both worlds? Fisher & Paykel's Izona CookSurface claims to combine the performance of a gas cooktop with the easy-to-clean convenience of a ceramic top. So what do you get for almost $4000? Become a paying Consumer member or log in to find out. Are you getting the best price? Consumer Powerswitch lets you check if you could be saving money on electricity and gas.

Just put some information into the calculator and decide if you want to switch. Check out more of our tests, articles, news and surveys in our Appliances section. Thanks for requesting to reset your password. We've sent you an email with instructions on what you need to do. If you haven't received the email within the next five minutes please call us on 0800 266 786. Sorry, the information you are trying to access is available to paying members only. Your membership helps us deliver our services and advocate for a fair deal for all New Zealand consumers. Not a member yet? Avoid expensive mistakes and join more than 80,000 other savvy consumers making smart decisions. Up to date expert test reports and research on a wide range of products. Expert advisors to assist with any consumer-related issues. Deals from Consumer Trusted Businesses to help you save. New Zealand's most trusted source of consumer advice. An independent, non-profit supporting kiwi's for over 50 years.