Choosing Countertop
Burners for Your Home

Countertop Burners have become more popular than the conventional range these days, and it’s easy to see why. Many households opt to get them because of practical and aesthetic reasons. For one, a cooktop stove can free up a lot of cabinet space so you have another area where you can store your pots, pans and other utensils. You can install the additional cabinet on a kitchen island or peninsula, thus improving your kitchen’s utility and design.

Ergonomics and Aesthetics

With this mini range, you can have a separate built-in wall oven at the right height so that it is easier on your back. You don’t have to stoop down low when reaching inside the oven for your pot roast. When you have two people working in the kitchen at the same time, they can have easier access to the two separate appliances – something you can’t do with a range oven. Finally, they are better because they are far less visible than the typical ranges. Also, they often look better. They are definitely the choice for kitchens that open to adjacent rooms.

Heat Output

When shopping for a good cooktop, heat output is also a consideration. For a lot of chefs, there’s no such thing as too much heat. After all, you can easily turn a high-power cooktop’s heat down but there’s nothing much you can do with a low-power model. If you’re going to opt for an electric unit, you want to go for the ones with a maximum of 2,500 watts. For a gas unit, consider a maximum of 15,000 BTU's.

If you’re going to use a cooktop on your kitchen island but don’t want an unsightly exhaust hood overhead, you can just run a duct under your floor for downdraft ventilation. Opt for cooktops that come with vents built into the surface.

Gas vs. Electric

When choosing a countertop burner, you need to consider such factors as color, cost, material and the safety features. This varies from brand to brand, so you should do your comparative research if you want to get the most of your money. When it comes to gas versus electric, it’s all a matter of choice. Both varieties have established their respective fan base among households, so you can’t really go wrong with either. Traditional homeowners usually choose the gas burner because you can easily see the flame and adjust it accordingly. You’re also bound to get immediate responses for your heat adjustments. Electric burners, on the other hand, will take some time to heat up, although a lot of models these days are already fine-tuned for a faster response to heat adjustments.

---

Small Appliance Reviews

---