Jane's top tips for selecting the perfect cooktop

Casey asks: “We’re planning a kitchen makeover. What type of oven and cooktop should I get – electricity, gas or induction?”

When considering what type of cooking appliances to purchase, take into account your personal cooking preference, cost, usability, efficiency, safety and style.

Most Australian homes have access to mains or bottled gas, and it’s a favourite of many experienced cooks. Gas heat is immediate and easy to control. Having a flame can be handy – from charring the skins off capsicums to toasting marshmallows. You can use ordinary cookware over gas burners, but you should have a ventilation hood over the cooking area. If you’re on bottled gas, make sure you have two cylinders, so you can switch over to a full one when necessary.

Generally speaking, electrical cookware is a little safer than gas, due mainly to the fact that it doesn’t involve a naked flame and flammable fuel. Electricity offers a slower heat, with adjustments being less immediate and therefore less controllable.

Gas cooking is often seen as a favourite for its versatility and ease of control. Photo: John Woudstra

Flat-top ceramic electric cooktops are aesthetically pleasing, featuring a sleek polished surface rather than the old metal coils. The surface makes cleaning very easy, though you do need to use a special cleaning cloth and sealer. In addition, the surface is easily scratched and you should avoid cookware of cast iron, aluminium, copper and enamel. A little extra care is needed when using ceramic cooktops. After use, when the power is turned off, the red of the elements fades, leaving no visual indication that the surface is still hot.

Generally, electric cooking appliances are slightly cheaper to purchase and a little more expensive to run. Check out the cost of electricity and gas in your area.

The other option available is the induction cooktop. These use electromagnetism to heat your food. You are limited to cookware that is made from magnetisable metal, including cast iron or stainless steel with a magnetic base. Induction cooktops heat the bottom of the pan, not the actual cooktop, resulting in a much safer appliance. They also produce a faster, more even heat that is very controllable, even at low temperatures. These appliances are more expensive, but create less wasted heat.

So work out the space available, the budget you’re working to, and what type of appliance you favour. The oven and cook top can play a major role in your domestic life, and you want it to be an enjoyable experience!