Cooktops: How Do They Work?

A cooktop is a cooking appliance that runs on gas or electricity. Both types of cooktops have variations in appearance and method of operation. Gas cooktops consist of burners, while electric cooktops consist of electric heating elements.

Gas Cooktops

A gas cooktop is connected to a gas supply, which can be natural gas from a gas connection in your home, or propane gas from a tank or cylinder. When the cooktop is turned on, the gas valves are opened, leading to the free flow of gas to the cooktop burners. When you light a flame, the flowing gas is ignited. Most gas cooktops nowadays use electric ignition to light the gas, in place of the older gas pilot. This requires a basic electric connection, in addition to the gas supply.

When the electric ignition system is turned on, the heating element in it becomes very hot. This heat, in turn lights up the gas, providing the flame for cooking. Modern gas cooktops are available in many styles, including sealed gas surfaces and “gas on glass” surfaces. Such designs make the cooktop very easy to clean, and provide a visual appeal similar to that of smoothtop electric cooktops. Because the heat is passed from an open flame to the cookware on top, there is some energy lost, leading to a lower energy rating for gas cooktops.

Electric Cooktops

An electric cooktop uses electric elements to provide the heat required for cooking. The standard versions consist of an electric coil that is heated when an electric current passes through it. The cooking utensils placed on top of the coils are heated because of this, thereby cooking the food. Smoothtop electric cooktops consist of radiant elements or halogen bulbs underneath a smooth glass-ceramic surface. The supply of electricity causes the elements to generate heat and warm up the cooktop surface. electric cooktops are more energy efficient as compared to gas cooktops, because of the absence of an open flame.

Induction Cooktops

Induction cooktops are the most versatile and expensive option among cooktops. These cooktops consist of powerful electromagnets underneath a smooth cooking surface. Induction cooktops also function on electricity. When an electric current is supplied, the electromagnets generate a magnetic field. When you place ferromagnetic cookware (that has high iron content) on top of the cooktop, the magnetic field induces an electric current in the cookware. Iron is a bad conductor of electricity, and thereby resists the flow of current in it. This resistance results in the creation of thermal energy, and heats up the cookware. Thereby, the cookware provides the cooking surface for the food.

Induction cooktops are the most energy efficient option, because no heat is transferred from the cooktop to the cookware during the cooking process. Only a minimal amount of heat may be lost when the cookware warms the top of the cooktops. Electric cooktops also generally offer more advanced features as compared to gas cooktops. Because of the use of magnets, induction cooktops can detect the absence of cookware, spills, and burns, and automatically turn off the appliance as needed.