BUYING A NEW COOKTOP
12 tips for buying a new cooktop
Home chefs usually want the very best modern appliances to enhance their success in the kitchen. From electric, induction and gas cooktops to a gas and electric ranges or steam ovens it’s important to do your research.
1. What is a cooktop?
Terminology can vary, but in Canada, we tend to use the words stove and range interchangeably and we refer to cooktops, warming drawers and grills separately.
To be clear, a cooktop is an appliance that is built into an island or countertop. It faces upwards and is can be powered by induction, electric burners or gas.
An oven or range, on the other hand, has a built in cooktop and an enclosed area where food can be baked, grilled, warmed up or defrosted. An oven can be installed either underneath a cooktop, next to it or as part of the cabinetry in a tower.
2. What is an induction cooktop?
Introduced to the market 15 years ago by AEG, one of the world’s leading appliance manufacturers, an induction cooktop uses electromagnetic energy to produce currents that can only react with metal. There are no open flames, however, a single burner can boil a litre of water in less than two minutes. Special pots and pans are recommended when using induction cooktops.
There are also portable induction cooktops on the market that work in the same manner. The only difference is that the portable induction cooktop is mobile and the AEG induction cooktops are installed, flush to the countertop with attractive, smooth stainless steel edges around each side and corner.
The flat surface allows pots and pans to easily slide on and off the cooktop. AEG’s induction cooktop comes in three sizes: 24 inches, 30 inches, as well as, 36 inches. Each cooktop comes with DirekTouch™ controls for easy and precise use. This feature is unique to AEG and allows for single finger control of the temperature of each burner. Home cooks are also able to adjust the timer, to press the stop and go button or the very important, child safety lock feature.
AEG induction cooktops have 14 power levels including Power Boost, which allows all of the force to be moved to a single burner. Users can also use Power Boost to send power to two opposing burners.

3. Here’s how an induction cooktop works
To shine more light on induction cooktops and how they work, lets look at the different types of cooktops on the market. The first AEG ovens and cooktops launched in the Canadian market and at the same time we were introduced to electric and gas cooktops.
4. Understanding AEG’s Electric Cooktops
AEG’s electric cooktop are made up of high-quality ceramic material. It can be installed within a space created by your or your kitchen designer in the countertop. AEG’s electric cooktop has a comparable look to the induction cooktop with flush sides and a tasteful stainless steel trim. Today’s modern cooktops are easy to clean, come equipped with unique DirekTouch™ slide design touch controls and have 15 power levels.

5. How electric cooktops work and the benefits of choosing an electric cooktop.
The electric cooktop uses electric currents to warm up the coils underneath the ceramic top. Once the burners are adjusted to the desired temperature, electric currents heat up the coils, which then heat up the pot or frying pans. To adjust the temperature, a home chef can simply turn the dial to the right or left.
Simply put, electric cooktops are easy to install, easy to clean and are a practical and efficient for home chefs. Pair them with an AEG oven or an AEG steam oven in a space efficient appliance tower and you’ll be ready to prepare fabulous meals for your friends and family like never before.
6. What is an AEG Gas Cooktop and how does it work?
With cast-iron grates, rotary steel-capped knobs, up to five burners and a flame failure safety feature, the AEG gas cooktop is German engineered to provide an easy to use and clean cooking solution.
Gas cooktops are connected with a fixed gas valve that, when ignited, produces a flame. Consistent heat is distributed rapidly and evenly around the burner. Unlike electric cooktops, when the knob is turned off, there is no need to worry about continuous heat being distributed, as the burner is no longer being heated.
7. The benefits of choosing a gas cooktop?
Gas cooktops tend to be a favoured option for many professional and home chefs. Because of the ease in changing the intensity of the flame, many chefs find that it is more practical to change the temperature than an electric or induction cooktop.
The energy efficiency of a gas cooktop is also 40% versus an electric cooktop which is 75% or an induction cooktop which is 85%.
With an exposed flame and a variety of different size burners, cooking possibilities are user-friendly and flexible with a gas cooktop. With a wok burner, stir-fry cooking and rapid boiling are great ways of making tasty, quick meals with a gas cooktop.
Gas cooktops are perfect for extra-large pans and round bottom woks as they heat up more quickly than a large electric burner. This is a nice feature when you have a hungry family waiting for a home-cooked meal. With a large burner, it’s easy to fry or boil potatoes and pasta. When simmering casseroles or soups and cooking rice, a medium burner is best as temperatures need to fluctuate. Lastly, on simmer or low heat, chocolate and butter can be melted and it’s easy to create a quick sauces and or great gravy.


8. All you need to know about AEG’s Induction Cooktops
All you need to know about AEG’s Induction Cooktops
As mentioned earlier, AEG’s induction cooktops have smooth stainless steel trim. They come in different sizes but are all equipped with proprietary DirekTouch™ slide design touch controls and Power Boost capabilities. Specialty pots and pans that are made with magnetic stainless steel or cast iron are required for induction cooking because the induction cooktop uses electromagnetic energy to produce currents. These currents can only react with metal. From a safety perspective, there are no open flames, which is a feature that some families with young children prefer. From soups and stews to breakfast eggs, induction cooktops offer a clean, energy efficient way to cook.
9. Why choose an induction cooktop?
Induction cooktop’s claim to fame was because of their efficiency and ease of use. A single induction burner can boil a liter of water in less than two minutes. They’re also the safest cooktop around children. Not only is the area around pots and pans cool to the touch, there is a safety mode where the control panel can be locked and none of the burners can be adjusted. Since water boils the fastest on an induction cooktop, it’s the best for melting chocolate, certainly an appealing feature when making a chocolate fondue, special icing or glazes.
10. Comparison chart
Gas Cooktop

PROS
- Heats up quickly, cooks quickly
- Less expensive to purchase
- More difficult to clean
- Not reliant on electric power
- Cooking is still possible when power goes out
CONS
- Not all heat is captured
- Requires gas line for installation
- More difficult to clean
- Open flame requires monitoring
Gas, electric and induction cooktops at a glance:

PROS
- No open flame
- Easier to install
CONS
- Cycles on and off
- Affected in power outage
- The glass can shatter /mark
- Energy usage could be higher based on electric vs gas rates
Induction Cooktop

PROS
- Instant heat
- Energy efficient
- Inexpensive energy bills
- Easiest to clean
- Easy to install
- Safest around children
CONS
- Costliest initial purchase
- Needs specialty cookware with magnetic stainless steel or cast iron
- No cooking without power
- The glass can shatter
- Minimal residual heat after turned off
11. Warranties and long-term reliability of European cooktops
Regardless of your cook-top choice, it’s important to consider durability, reliability and of course, all-inclusive, extended warranties offered by luxury appliance manufacturers. European made AEG appliances offer best in the industry warranties and tend to have the longest life. They are also designed with classic long-term design appeal so that your kitchen will not look dated.
12. Cooking made easier with expert advice
Ask a qualified expert at your premium appliance retailer to help you or your kitchen designer explore options and find the best solution to meet your needs. Rather than a casual sales representative at a big box store, our premium appliance retailers are product specialists and have received manufacturer’s training to help you make the best choice.
And, please feel free to contact Euro-line Appliances at:
Telephone: 905.829.3980
Fax: 905.829.3985
Toll-free: 1.800.421.6332
Monday to Friday – 8am to 5pm – EST
A member of our national sales team would be happy to provide your or your kitchen designer with more detailed information.
Here’s to finding the best solution to meet your needs!