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Buying Guides
Cooktop Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home
Upgrading your kitchen or replacing an ageing cooktop is a great opportunity to rethink how you cook. With various types of cooktops available today, it can be tricky to know where to start. Many modern households are making the move to induction, drawn by its efficiency, safety, and precision. To help you navigate your options, we’ve put together this cooktop buying guide with practical advice on choosing a cooktop that suits your kitchen, your cooking style, and your home.
What are the Different Types of Cooktops Available?
When shopping for a new cooktop, you’ll generally come across three main types of cooktops: gas, electric, and induction. All three heat your cookware; they just go about it in different ways. If you’re curious about the specifics, our induction cooktop range is a good place to explore how modern induction technology compares.
Gas, Electric, and Induction Cooktops
Gas cooktops use an open flame for direct, responsive heat, familiar to those accustomed to traditional cooking. Electric cooktops rely on radiant heating elements underneath the surface, which warm up gradually and can be slower to adjust. Induction cooktops work differently altogether: they use electromagnetic technology to heat the cookware directly rather than the surface beneath it.
This key difference gives induction a few notable advantages:
- Generally faster heat-up compared to electric.
- Offers precise temperature control for simmering, boiling, and everything in between.
- A comparatively cooler cooktop surface, since heat is generated in the pan directly, rather than the burner, which can improve safety in the kitchen.
- A flat, smooth surface that wipes down easily.
For a deeper look at how these options stack up, keep an eye out for our article on induction vs gas vs electric cooktops.
What to Look for in a Cooktop Before You Buy
Understanding what to look for in a cooktop before you commit can save a lot of uncertainty later. Here are the main factors worth thinking through:
· Cooktop type: Whether gas, electric, or induction, each comes with different cooking experiences and installation needs.
· Size and number of cooking zones: Consider how many pots and pans you typically use at once.
· Power and performance: Look for features like boost functions that bring water to the boil quickly.
· Controls: Induction cooktops often feature touch or slider controls for clean, responsive adjustment.
· Safety features: Child locks, auto shut-off, and residual heat indicators are worth considering, especially in households with young children.
· Energy efficiency: Induction is generally regarded as a more efficient option, as heat is directed into the cookware rather than the surrounding air.
· Installation requirements: Induction cooktops require compatible electrical connections, so it's worth checking these before you buy.
How to Choose a Cooktop that Matches Your Cooking Style
Thinking about how to choose a cooktop that suits the way you cook can make a real difference. Induction cooktops can be well-suited to busy households; they are designed to heat up quickly, allow precise temperature adjustments, and can handle everything from a gentle simmer to a rapid boil. If you frequently manage multiple dishes at once, flexible zone options mean you can adapt zone sizes to different cookware.
Some home cooks prefer gas cooktops for high-heat or wok-style cooking, while electric cooktops can be a straightforward option for simpler, everyday cooking. That said, induction can offer a combination of speed, control, and easy cleaning in a way that suits a wide range of modern cooking needs. Consider how you cook most often; that’s usually the clearest guideline when deciding which cooktop will work for you.
Cooktop Sizes Explained: Finding the Right Fit for your Kitchen
Once you’ve settled on a cooktop type, cooktop sizes become the next key consideration. Size determines not just how your cooktop fits into the kitchen bench space, but also how many cooking zones you’ll have at your disposal. For induction, common induction cooktop sizes in Australian kitchens are 60 cm and 80 cm models, both of which offer practical, space-efficient footprints
LG Induction Cooktops: Choosing Between 60 cm and 80 cm
LG’s induction cooktop range focuses on thoughtful design and function flexibility. When it comes to how to choose a good induction cooktop, size is often one of the first things to consider alongside your household’s cooking habits.
The 60 cm models are a practical option for households with moderate bench space or those who cook for smaller groups. Available with three or four cooking zones and up to two flexi zones, they include:
· 60cm Induction Cooktop, 3 Cook Zones, 1 Flexi
· 60cm Induction Cooktop, 4 Cook Zones, 1 Flexi
· 60cm Induction Cooktop, 4 Cook Zones, 2 Flexi
If you regularly cook for a larger household or like having more room to work across multiple dishes simultaneously, the 80 cm model offers additional flexibility:
| Model | Size | Cook Zones | Flexi Zones | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCI607T3BG | 60cm | 3 | 1 | Smaller households, compact kitchens |
| BCI607T4BG | 60cm | 4 | 1 | Medium households, everyday cooking |
| BCI607B4BG | 60cm | 4 | 2 | Flexible cooking, varied cookware sizes |
| BCI807T4BG | 80cm | 4 | 1 | Larger households, more simultaneous cooking |
Gas, Electric and Induction Cooktops: A Feature-by-Feature Comparison
If you're still weighing up your options, a side-by-side look at the three main types of cooktops can help clarify the differences. Rather than a definitive ranking, the goal here is to help you understand what to look for in a cooktop based on what matters most to your household.
Cooking Speed and Precision: Induction vs Gas vs Electric Cooktop
Many induction cooktops are designed to heat cookware quickly and may bring water to the boil faster than some conventional gas or electric cooktops and temperature changes are typically visible more quickly than with conventional electric cooktops. Gas offers a degree of visual control through flame size, though temperature precision can vary. Electric cooktops typically take longer to heat up and cool down, which can make precise cooking adjustments more difficult.
| Cooktop Type | Speed | Temperature Control |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | Fast | Responsive, visual flame feedback |
| Electric | Slow | Less precise, slower to adjust |
| Induction | Very fast | Highly precise, near-instant adjustment |
Induction brings together speed and control in a way that works well for a range of cooking tasks, from delicate sauces to a rapid boil.
Full Feature Comparison: Gas vs Electric vs Induction Cooktops
| Feature | Gas | Electric | Induction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Source | Open flame | Radiant element | Electromagnetic field |
| Heating Speed | Fast | Slower | Very fast |
| Temperature Control | Responsive | Less precise | Highly precise |
| Energy Efficiency | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Safety | Open flame present | Hot surface | Cooler surface, no flame |
| Ease of Cleaning | Moderate | Moderate | Easy, flat surface |
Energy Efficiency and Running Costs Across All Three Cooktop Types
Induction is generally considered the more efficient cooktop option. Because heat is generated directly in the cookware through electromagnetic technology, less energy is lost to the surrounding air. Gas cooktops, by contrast, release heat outward during cooking, which can result in some energy loss. Electric cooktops also lose heat through the element surface before it reaches the pan.
Running costs will depend on your usage patterns and current energy pricing in your area, so it's worth thinking about how these factors apply to your household specifically.
Which Is Better, Induction or Gas Cooktop, for Everyday Home Cooking?
The answer often depends on individual preferences and kitchen setups. Many households choose induction cooktops because of their safety features, easier surface cleaning and energy efficiency. Gas has its place, particularly for those who prefer cooking with a visible flame. For most modern kitchens, though, induction is increasingly seen as a versatile, practical option that suits a broad range of everyday cooking needs.
Conclusion: How to Choose a Cooktop That Works for Your Home
Choosing the right cooktop comes down to a few key factors: the type that suits your cooking style, the size that fits your kitchen, and the features that support your daily routines. Whether you're comparing types of cooktops for the first time or narrowing down your shortlist, this cooktop buying guide is designed to make the decision a little clearer.
If you're ready to explore your options, browse through LG's range of cooktops to see which type suits your home.
