Electric CooktopElectric Electric cooktops come in two versions, your traditional coiled eyes, and your smooth glass/ceramic top. They are also very similar to induction cooktops. Now, the glass/ceramic top tends to be more popular because of how easy it is to clean. It requires a cleaner called, “Cerama Bryte”. Although this is the least expensive cleaner, expect that extra expense with this cooktop type. Another thing to remember with the glass/ceramic tops is that they can crack if something heavy such as a cast iron pot hits it. Most importantly, these types of tops take longer to heat up, and longer to cool down as opposed to a gas cooktop, or even the coiled eyes. This could possibly pose a danger, depending on the quality of cooktop you purchase because when cooling down, there may be no indication that the burner is still hot, possibly causing you or a loved one to be burned. This also would make the cooking area warmer. Finally, these types of tops don’t provide the even heat distribution throughout the pot or pan as gas does. This trait goes for the coiled eyes as well. Modern pots and pans are grooved on the bottom so full distribution of heat wouldn't be possible with anything electric. Coiled eyes, can produce a slightly better performance than the glass/ceramic tops believe it or not. Depending on the quality of the coils (the more coils in an eye the better!) they're able to provide faster cooking and faster cool down time. With coiled tops, the coils are your heating element, with glass tops, the coiled heating element is beneath the glass surface which causes the delay in cook times. Coiled eyes can just be a pain to keep clean, so depending on how often you cook, glass surface may be the way to go. |