Gas, electric induction and electric ceramic cooktops all offer different benefits when it comes to price, performance, cooking style and cleaning. Kleenmaid offers all three options, so let’s look at the differences and answer some of the most common cooktop questions.
Gas, Induction or Ceramic?
Induction cooktops offer virtually instant heat, precise temperature control, timed cooking with auto stop, great energy efficiency and an incredibly easy to clean glass surface. They generally sit at the higher end of the cooktop price range and require induction compatible cookware, which is most cookware nowadays.
Gas cooktops offer instant heat through an open flame, with visible flame control and excellent versatility. They’re particularly popular for high heat and wok cooking and are available across a range of price points. It should be noted there are states in Australia which are banning the new installation of gas cooktops.
Ceramic cooktops use electric heating elements beneath a smooth glass ceramic surface. They offer a streamlined look and are generally more affordable than induction, without requiring induction compatible cookware. They are however very slow to heat which can be frustrating. They also generate a lot of heat in the kitchen as the elements heat the glass.
So, which cooktop is best? It comes down to your budget, kitchen and the way you like to cook.
If you’re building or renovating in Victoria, changing regulations are also worth considering when choosing your cooktop.
From 1 January 2027, all new homes in Victoria will be required to be built all electric, meaning gas cooking appliances will not be installed in these new homes. Most new commercial buildings will also be required to be all electric.
However, this does not mean existing Victorian homes have to remove their gas cooktops. Existing homeowners can continue using gas for stovetop cooking, and there is no requirement to replace an existing gas cooktop with an electric one.
For anyone planning a new home in Victoria, these changes make electric induction and ceramic cooktops particularly relevant options to consider.
The biggest difference is how they create heat.
Induction uses electromagnetic technology to heat compatible cookware directly. Gas uses an open flame, while ceramic cooktops use electric heating elements which heat the glass surface.
This means induction can deliver virtually instant heat and respond quickly to temperature changes, gas gives you direct control over a visible flame, while ceramic cooktops take longer to heat up and cool down.
You need induction compatible cookware, but you may already have it.
Many stainless steel and cast iron pots and pans are induction compatible. A simple test is to place a magnet on the base. If it sticks firmly, the cookware will generally work with induction.
Induction cooktops are the easiest to clean. Their smooth glass surface can simply be wiped down and, because induction heats the cookware directly rather than an element beneath the glass, spills are far less likely to burn or bake onto the cooktop.
Ceramic cooktops are also relatively easy to clean, but their surfaces become much hotter during cooking, so spills can burn onto the glass.
Gas cooktops require the most cleaning, with burners, trivets and recessed areas that need to be cleaned separately. However, at Kleenmaid there is a choice between your gas cooktop being made of traditional stainless steel or gas on black glass which makes cleaning much easier.
Think about both your available benchtop space and how you like to cook.
A 60cm cooktop suits many households, while larger 90cm cooktops provide more room for families, entertainers and anyone who regularly uses multiple pots, pans or a wok.
Kleenmaid also offers slimline and single element cooktops, ideal when benchtop space is limited or you’re looking for a more compact cooking solution.
The best cooktop is the one that suits your cooking style, budget and kitchen.
Whether you prefer the speed and precision of induction, the traditional control of gas, or the simplicity of a ceramic cooktop, Kleenmaid offers a wide range of cooktops with different sizes, configurations and features to choose from.
And with every Kleenmaid appliance backed by a 5 year warranty, you can choose with added peace of mind.
Explore the Kleenmaid cooktop range here
