1. Outline cooktop categories so you can understand your electric options;
   
2. Walk through each appliance category so you can select the best one for your requirements and preferences.

Not clear on your requirements and preferences? That's an essential first step! Head to our article, 'How can I get an all-electric kitchen?'

A brief overview of cooktop technologies

Wired-in induction cooktops

1. Fastest cooking method and highly controllable.
   
2. Can manage very low temperatures (for melting butter or chocolate) and very high temperatures (for boiling water or searing food).
   
3. Continuous cooking surface with few to no residue traps.
   
4. Very quick to heat up and respond instantly to temperature changes.
   
5. Comes with many safety features like safety sensors that monitor temperature, automatic switch-off that turns the element off if the cookware is overheating, safety cut-out for protection against overspills, child locks and pan detection.
   
6. Food is cooked via the heat of the cookware, not from the cook top itself, so the cook top doesn't get hot.
   
7. Some models come with "power boost" for boiling water, stir-frying or searing meat. It heats up the cookware even faster, saving around one third of the normal heat-up time.
   
8. Many come with zone connection so you can enlarge the cooking zone for larger pots.
   
9. Many come with cooking timers that can be used for programming zones to switch off automatically.
   
10. They're easier to clean than other cooktops. 

1. Generally more expensive than ceramic cooktops.
   
2. Only compatible with certain types of cookware.
   
3. Size of the base of the cookware needs to match the cooking zone closely: if it's too small it won't respond, and if it's too large it won't be energy-efficient.
   
4. They usually need a dedicated circuit, typically 20A or greater, which will need to be installed by an electrician.
   
5. You might notice some noises – a buzz or hum is common and could occur if the cookware doesn't have a strong magnetic hold. The cooling fan for the electronics can also generate some noise. 
   
6. Cost of installation can increase significantly if your preferred cooktop is a different size to your current benchtop cut-out, especially if you have a stone benchtop. This will be less of a problem if your chosen cooktop is smaller than your current one.
   
7. A dedicated isolator safety switch must be installed within reaching distance of the unit due to the high current requirements. This may increase the cost of installation.

Wired-in ceramic cooktops

1. Continuous surface with few to no dirt traps, so they're easy to clean.
   
2. Useful for cooking foods that require very low temperatures, like melting chocolate.

1. Slower to respond to changes in the temperature setting.
   
2. Spills can bake on, so you need to wipe them up quickly.
   
3. There is often no lip around the edge of the cooktop to contain spills.
   
4. The ceramic glass holds heat, so you need to take care with delicate foods.
   
5. They hold heat even after being switched off, which is a safety concern. Some models come with residual-heat warning lights that stay on until the surface reaches a safe temperature.
   
6. Cost of installation can increase significantly if your preferred cooktop is a different size to your current benchtop cut-out, especially if you have a stone benchtop. This will be less of a problem if your chosen cooktop is smaller than your current one.

Portable induction cooktops

1. Relatively lightweight; less than 3kg.
   
2. Can be hung or stored out of the way to clear bench space.
   
3. Run on your existing home power point, no additional wiring required.
   
4. Extremely affordable, with some models costing as little as $59.
   
5. Safe cooking; features can include a child lock and a residual heat indicator.
   
6. If you have a matching pan size for the cooking zone, the unit is very efficient and running costs will be low.

1. Some units have pre-set functions that may not match your cooking requirements.
   
2. Units use less power, which means they are also not as effective as wired-in units.
   
3. Each unit only comes with a single cooking zone (but if you need more you can purchase multiple units).
   
4. One size of cooking zone limits the options for compatible pan sizes for efficient cooking.

Which is the best option for your requirements?

Other considerations

Larger or smaller replacement cooktops  

In general, we'd recommend sticking to your existing cooktop size to minimise the complexity of the retrofit.

Induction-compatible pans

Are you a wok aficionado? There are electric cooktop models that have a specially indented area for wok cooking. However, these models can be quite pricey, and you'd want to use your wok a lot to justify the dedicated cooking area. Alternatively, you can buy a flat-bottomed electric cooktop compatible wok.

What's next?

References