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DISCLAIMER:
Whilst all care is taken to provide accurate information with respect to the item described, the Independent Living Centre (ILC) is not involved in product design or manufacture, and therefore not in a position to guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Selection of equipment, which is both suitable and appropriate for individual needs remains the responsibility of the person(s) considering requisition, and no responsibility is taken by the ILC for any loss or injury caused through use of the equipment or alleged to have arisen through reliance upon information provided. As information is subject to change any enquiries should be directed to the manufacturer.
Item Details
A Buyers Guide to Cooktops
ILC Reference NO 81:20:604
Item sourced from ILC ACT database
Short Description
This information sheet provides an overview of factors to be taken into account when considering the purchase of a cooktop; this can include a single bench top cooking plate or an upright stove which incorporates a cooktop and an oven.
More Details
ADVANTAGES
- Single bench mounted cooktops can often provide greater flexibility in terms of access, particularly for people using wheelchairs.
- Where a kitchen will be used by a person/s in a wheelchair, you will need to provide sufficient floor space in front of, under, and alongside the cooktop to allow wheelchair access.
- You should also consider the provision of adjacent unobstructed bench space for the purposes of a work area and for transferring pots etc from cooktop directly across to the bench.
The cooktop should be at a height that allows the user to:
1. See into saucepans and other cooking containers;
2. safely reach, lift and transfer the saucepans etc;
3. safely reach, lift and transfer objects into/out of oven if a combined oven/cooktop being used.
SPACE BELOW COOKTOP FOR SEATED USERS
- Space under the cooktop should be left open to accommodate the wheelchair or other chair.
- For the closest approach to the cooking top, there should be clearance space for the armrests of the chair and knee access as minimum.
- For most wheelchairs, the chair arms require a clearance of at least 800mm and for knee clearance at least 600mm.
EASE OF OPERATION
- To facilitate ease of transfer of objects on/off the cooktop, there should be minimal projection of cooktop above bench top.
- Bench top ceramic cooking surfaces best provide for sliding of items because they are usually almost flush (level) with the bench top.
- For gas cooktops, the preferred style is where the trivet (metal upper grill covering burners) is all-in-one and not separate for each burner.
LOCATION AND STYLE OF CONTROL KNOBS
- In the interests of user safety, it is desirable that the control knobs be positioned at the front of the cooktop. Rear positioned knobs are harder to see and present safety hazards in terms of risk of burn and steam injuries.
- In an upright stove, look for knobs positioned at the very front of the stove, ie. not on the rear panel.
- Front positioned knobs may be more suitable for people who use the cooktop in a seated position.
- Some cooktops can be bought with a control panel that is separate to the actual cooktop itself, thus enabling a more user specific location of the controls.
- Can the user safely identify, grip and manipulate the controls?
LOCATION AND ARRANGEMENT OF HEATING ELEMENTS
- In the interests of safety, you should look for heating elements that have the least exposure of wrists and arms to front elements.
- A linear arrangement is the most desirable type however these are not commonly available and usually only offer two heating elements.
- In some instances you may wish to consider the purchase of two 2 element cooktops so that the different user needs can be met; this would obviously require greater available space.
- Whilst square arrangements of 4 elements is most common, it also offers the greater safety risk as users must reach over front elements to access rear elements. Consider staggered or crescent arrangements.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
- As mentioned above, consider the arrangement of heating elements.
- Consider the purchase of a protective stove guard designed to prevent accidental reaching across hot elements and to minimise the risk of cooking pots being knocked over.
- Ensure that control knobs are easily identifiable by the user - you may have to adapt the standard knob to user requirements.
- Where the cooktop is a bench top model, make provision for insulation of underside of work area.
- Consider the degree of heat transfer and heat retention of elements - coil elements are preferable to plate elements. Gas elements do not conduct or retain as much heat as electric cooking appliances.
MAINTENANCE
- Consider the ease of cleaning - do you have to remove numerous pieces to clean the cooktop after a spill?
- Look for a single removable spill bowl around each element or consider the use of aluminium spill bowls which can be replaced as required.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
- Refer to CHOICE Magazine for review of specific products
- Refer to YELLOW PAGES and talk to a retailer
- Ask an Occupational Therapist at the Independent Living Centre ACT
The Independent Living Centre ACT is keen to receive your feedback on the information we provide.... if information in this sheet is incorrect or could be improved please let us know.
Readers should also note that the information provided covers general suggestions only... If you experience considerable difficulty in your daily activities.. please consult an Occupational Therapist. Ask at the ILC for details as to your nearest Occupational Therapist.
Supplier Information - click to supplier for contacts details
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