Cooktops

Cooktops can be a great way to upgrade any kitchen. Cooktops offer a high-quality cooking surface for preparing meals without having an oven directly beneath it. Common cooktops and stovetops include gas and electric options. Some cooktops feature a modular design that can accommodate optional accessories such as grills, griddles, woks and more.

If you're stirring up family-sized meals or a dish just for one, get cooking with a new cooktop from The Home Depot. With its style and space-saving design, cooktops are a win-win when replacing an old stove or remodeling your kitchen. Shop our wide selection of cooktops and stovetops with the latest options and features in all the top brands.

Choosing Cooktops

Like a range, cooktops are central to any busy kitchen. Since there's no oven below cooktops, you save space. And who couldn't use more space for storage? The absence of the oven below cooktops may also mean less heat for you to deal with, while you're standing and preparing those meals.

Whether you’re looking for a 30 inch gas cooktop with downdraft, a 36 inch gas cooktop with downdraft or specific cookware or cooktop parts, we have the cooktops you need to whip up any meal or snack. Cooktops are commonly 30 inches or 36 inches wide, though smaller and larger cooktops are also available. Most 30 inch cooktops usually have four heating elements. Larger types of cooktops generally have more burners. This lets you cook with multiple pans and reduces crowding when using large pots.

Cooktops also offer flexibility. Cooktops can be installed in a kitchen island or on top of a countertop, leaving room below to store pots and pans. If you have a built-in wall oven or simply don't use your oven very often, cooktops are a great option. Cooktops can be powered by natural gas, liquid propane (LP) or electricity. Electric cooktops are the most common type of cooktop. Yet both gas and electric cooktops are both capable of delivering a great cooking experience. Some electric cooktops can have raised, heated coils for a pot to sit. Most types of electric stoves today have the heating elements beneath a smooth glass surface.

Induction cooktops use electricity and also have a smooth surface. However, these types of cooktops use electromagnetism instead of electricity to create energy for cooking. Induction cooktops heat food differently than other cooktops. In traditional cooktops, electricity or gas heats the element and, in turn, the element heats the pot. With induction cooktops, only the cookware is heated. Induction cooktops use magnetic coils. When turned on, the coils on these cooktops create a magnetic current. This current attaches to an induction-compatible pot and heats it.

-- The surface of induction cooktops remain cool to the touch during the cooking process. -- Induction cooktops heat cookware and therefore food more quickly. -- Induction cooktops are more energy-efficient than gas or electric cooktops. -- Induction cooktops are easier to clean than traditional burners.

Features & Options of Cooktops

As you begin your search for the best cooktops for your home, consider the many options and features available. The first choice you'll likely make is whether to go with a gas cooktop or an electric cooktop. Your kitchen's current setup will usually determine that. Gas stovetops are the favorite of many culinary pros because of their precise heating and ability to heat up quickly. Electric stovetops are affordable and easy to use. An added benefit of many electric stovetops, glass stovetops and flat-top stoves is their smooth surface. It makes cleanup quick and easy.

Looking to bring the latest technology to your kitchen? Consider purchasing an induction cooktop. These cooktops heat up even faster than gas cooktops and heat the pan directly, while leaving the remaining surface cool to the touch. The safest and most energy-efficient option, you'll pay more for an induction stovetop, but it's money well spent if you have small children in the house. We also carry a variety of hot plates.

When looking for cooktops, choose the number of burners and design that fits your lifestyle. Four burner and five burner cooktops are the most popular, but you can choose as few as two burners or as many as six-burners for cooktops. Make Saturday morning pancakes with the family on a gas cooktop with a griddle. Get the perfect grill marks on a steak you made right in your own kitchen, on a gas cooktop with a grill. Other features to look for include high-heat burners, electronic controls and bridge elements that create a bigger burner to accommodate extra-large pots and pans.

Ventilation for Cooktops

No matter what type of cooktops you choose, you'll need proper ventilation to vent any smoke, steam or odors that may be present while cooking. Range hoods will do the job. Some cooktops have built-in downdraft ventilation. This is an integrated ventilation system that doesn't require a separate hood.

With downdraft venting, cooktops that include a built-in downdraft vent eliminate the need for a range hood. These downdraft cooktops draw smoke, steam and cooking odors down and away from your kitchen. These cooktops leave you with fresh, clean air.

Tips for Cleaning Cooktops

Spills and foods that boil over can create a mess on cooktops. Once the spills are burnt on, they’re especially hard to remove from cooktops. When you’re shopping for the best cleaner for cooktops, look for one designed for your cooktops, whether it’s ceramic, glass or some other material. You can also mix baking soda with a little water on cooktops to use as a cleaner.

Before cleaning electric cooktops, make sure your stove is turned off and cool. Use a cloth or sponge on cooktops to wipe the top with warm, soapy water. Some coil burners on cooktops are self-cleaning, but foods can still build up. If yours are dirty, lightly wipe them, too. Finish cleaning cooktops by wiping everything with clean water.

Like electric cooktops, before cleaning gas cooktops, make sure the burners are cold and the gas to the stove is turned off. Cleaning gas cooktops are easier if you first remove the grates and reflector drip pans from the stove top and soak them in hot, soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes. Take the grates from the cooktops out of the water and gently scrub off any remaining gunk with a mesh pad that won’t scratch them. Finish by wiping cooktops and their parts with a cloth dipped in clean water. Use a fresh cloth for drying and reassemble everything.

For best results, cooktops should be wiped daily with warm water and a little dishwashing soap. How often you deep clean cooktops will depend on how much you use it.

Researching & Purchasing Cooktops

A good rule of thumb before making any appliance purchase like cooktops: measure first, buy second. We recommend scheduling a professional pre-measure before buying any cooktops. After the pre-measure and purchase, contact your local store to schedule your installation.

At The Home Depot, you'll find the convenient and space-saving cooktops to fit your space and budget needs. From electric and gas cooktops for the home to commercial induction cooktops for your business, we have the cooktops you need to get cooking. And we deliver. Just say when, where and how.