Glass Top Vs Ceramic Top Stove: Which Is Best?
Is a ceramic cooktop the same as a glass cooktop? Looking for the most up to date information on the glass top vs ceramic top stove debate?
While you might be tempted to try and compare the differences between a glass top vs ceramic top stove, in actuality, most smooth cooktops are made of a blend of the two.
In turn, you get a stronger surface that’s less susceptible to breaking and reacts more slowly to temperature changes.
Because of this, rather than comparing just the differences between glass vs ceramic cooktop, it’s probably more useful to consider the different types of stoves and cooktops available so that you don’t end up living a kitchen nightmare.
Glass Top vs Ceramic Top Stove
The main difference between glass vs ceramic stove top is how they create heat.
Glass-ceramic cooktops carefully take the best elements of glass and ceramic to create a surface that’s smooth to the touch and resistant to the high heat levels it needs to heat up food and liquids effectively.
Formed originally in the same way as glass, a heat application is used during the creation of glass-ceramic that causes the glass molecules to partly crystalize and form regimented lines that won’t splinter or crack, without worrying about the porous nature of a ceramic surface.
Although glass-ceramic stovetops are strong, they can still break if you drop something hard and heavy on it, and they are susceptible to scratches if you use the wrong cookware.
Cast iron is a good example of this, as it’s a big heavy pot that’s liable to scratch your glass cooktop if dragged or dropped on it; it can also leave a residue that’s difficult to remove.
That said, glass-ceramics are often favored as an easy-to-clean solution to cooktops as their flat, smooth surface makes wiping down simple, particularly if you’re able to wipe down the mess before it cooks onto the surface.
They also don’t offer any nooks or crannies for spills to hide in.
Along the same lines, lots of people love glass-ceramic cooktops thanks to their sleek, modern look.
They’re also the ideal cooktop for an induction stove, as the glass-ceramic is immune to the magnetic field that this type of stove uses to heat pots and pans placed on top, so the surface won’t get hot to the touch.
This is a significant benefit, particularly when considering a common complaint of using a glass-ceramic blend as a cooktop for an electric stove is that once the red-eye telling you the heat is on has disappeared, the cooktop can still be hot to touch for a while, a hazard particularly if you have young children who like to be in the kitchen.
Although induction stoves tend to be more expensive, their higher efficiency can save you money in the long run, and they both benefit from the beautiful modern look a glass-ceramic cooktop offers.
Gas Range Stoves
An alternative to the glass-ceramic electric or induction stove goes back a bit in ingenuity but is still a style of cooking favored by many chefs for controlling temperature.
By simply turning the flame up or down, you can easily and instantly adjust the temperature, and the burners on a gas stove are usually really efficient when it comes to ensuring even heat distribution.
In addition to this, gas stoves have the benefit of not being reliant on electricity to work, so even if your power goes out, you’ll still be able to enjoy home-cooked food.
You could even use your gas stove to warm up water for bathing or simply as a heat source if it gets chilly.
The downsides to a gas stove include cleaning up after use.
Because this type of stovetop uses grates and stands, you’ll need to dismantle your stovetop from time to time to give it a thorough cleaning and keep an eye out for stray spills underneath the components.
As the burners can get very hot and spills are common in this area, you’ll also need to be quick to wipe away any mess to avoid having them burn on and become difficult to clean.
You also need to be wary of gas leaks if going for a gas stove and ensure you use a respectable expert to install this type of stove every time.
In addition, you’ll need a range hood with a decent fan to vent away fumes emitted from the stove.
Electric Coil Stoves
Electric coil stoves are probably the most common type of stovetop available, and the design hasn’t changed much over the years.
The main benefit of using an electric coil stove is the temperature control allowing you to maintain consistent heat, perfect if you need to leave something at a simmer.
They’re also much less likely to suffer from burnt-on spills, so cleaning up isn’t so bad as compared to a gas stove.
The coils and entire cooktop are also usually pretty easy to pop out for more thorough cleaning sessions.
They’re also a good idea if you’re in a household with small children, as the coils will remain glowing the entire time that they’re warm, so you can easily see when an electric coil stove is safe (or not) to touch.
Further to this, because electric coil stoves have been available for so long, they’re relatively cheap to install and repair, so you don’t need to worry about remortgaging any time you want to replace or fix them—not that they need fixing very often!
The downsides to electric coils are usually to do with the coils themselves either heating up unevenly or taking too long to warm up or cool down.
This makes it great for simmering but not so great for detailed temperature control.
They can also be a little fiddly to put back together once you’ve taken the coils off for cleaning.
There is a knack to this, but if you’re yet to get the hang of it, this can definitely be frustrating.
Which One Is Best?
The debate regarding glass vs ceramic cooktop is extensive. There’s no hard and fast rule to tell you which type of stovetop is right for you and your kitchen, as it all depends on personal preferences and priorities.
Although the sleek style of a glass-ceramic cooktop might appeal to many people, some might find the more classic look of a coil stove fits in better with their décor.
For example, induction glass top vs ceramic top stoves are by far the fastest at boiling water (three minutes faster than an electric stove and four minutes faster than gas).
However, gas is often the preferred choice for professional chefs.
This goes to show that there are many considerations to take into account when choosing the stove and cooktop that’s just right for you.
That said, no matter what type of stove you’re looking at getting, there are some general things we recommend you consider before shopping for one:
1. How much space do you have?
There’s no point in getting your heart set on a massive six-ring range when you only have a little space.
Although some manufacturers do offer 70-centimeter cooktops that are able to fit a 60-centimeter cutout, it’s always worth carefully measuring your space.
In this way, you get an accurate idea of what type of stove and cooktop will work in your specific kitchen.
2. What features matter most to you?
If you’re a professional chef, you’re unlikely to place your hand straight onto a burner you’ve recently turned off.
On the other hand, a busy mom of three might find that safety features, such as child locking technology or the fact that electric coil stoves glow a warning red or orange color when hot, massive selling points.
3. What layout do you need?
Also, what type of cooking are you likely to be doing?
If you’re thinking of going for gas, check if the burners are big (or small) enough to work with your cookware.
You might also want to consider where you like your controls to be situated: on the backsplash, front, or top of the stove?
4. Energy Efficiency
This is a big one.
Although induction stoves might be more expensive at the offset, their low-energy usage means that you could save a fortune on your electricity bills each month.
5. Electrical Ratings
This one is fairly easy to overlook.
Check with your electrician or gas engineer before purchasing any stove to ensure you have the correct wiring to support your new stove.
You should also always be careful to adhere to manufacturer installation requirements or have your new stove or cooktop installed by a professional to avoid potentially dangerous issues down the line.
Conclusion
In the end, the debate regarding ceramic stove top vs glass likely to come down to personal preference, budget available, and how energy efficient you like your home appliances to be.
We’ll let you decide which stovetop is best for your requirements!
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