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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 Guide To Selecting Cooktops
ILC Reference NO 81:20:994
Item sourced from ILC WA database
Short Description
Cooktops are available in either gas or electric models. They can be built into the kitchen bench at a height that suits the user. A variety of models are available, which have different features.
Price Guide
Refer to supplier details for pricing
More Details
A range of styles are available, consider the needs of the individual when selecting which style of cooktop to purchase. Cooktops are available in a range of surfaces including enamel, stainless steel, ceramic and toughened glass. Generally installed in conjunction with a wall or under bench oven.
(Note that cooktops may also be referred to as hobs, by some manufacturers.)
Electric cooktop:
Radiant coil: heats quickly, may be difficult to clean, may be easier to determine if the element is on, note if provided with removable spill bowls and elements.
Solid sealed: easier to clean than radiant coil, may retain heat once element is turned off.
Ceramic glass: elements are located under the ceramic glass surface; easier to clean and allows pots to slide across the surface, consider durability when sliding pots, hinged glass lid may be included with the cooktop to provide extra bench space. Frameless cooktop will be easier to clean.
High speed element (halogen).
Induction Cooktop.
Gas cooktop:
With continuous or individual trivets. With continuous trivets it may be easier to slide pots across the cooktop surface. Generally cheaper to run than electric. Consider ease of ignition (press button, gas gun, automatic, push and turn dial).
POINTS TO CONSIDER
Location in the kitchen area - consider installing the cooktop in a convenient position for transferring pots from the cooktop onto the bench. Hot plates should generally be positioned away from high traffic areas. If installed flush with adjacent bench tops, pots are able to slide from the cooking surface onto an adequately heat resistant bench top surface. This eliminates the need for lifting pots.
The space the cooktop has to fit into, (a square layout of elements / burners takes up less space than a staggered layout).
A staggered, line or half moon layout of elements avoids the need for reaching over other elements to get to the rear elements.
Controls:
A range of styles are available, choice of style will be dependant on the individual's needs: soft touch buttons, push button, large rotary dial with cross bar, push in and turn action, automatic or press button ignition (gas). Consider the following -
- Position: controls located at the front or side, rather than the rear, may be easier and safer to operate. Alternatively, with some models, touch pads can be mounted on a wall, in a drawer, inside a cupboard or beside the hotplates. With gas cooktops determine if push button, manual lighting or automatic ignition are suitable;
-Visibility: illumination, fluorescence, size and clarity of any lettering or symbols;
-Ease of use;
-Ease of cleaning;
-Also, consider the ease of recognising which control relates to which element.
-Note that controls can have tactile markings added to them.
Cooktop indicator lights (which tell you if the elements are on) - should clearly refer to individual hotplates. Note if they can be seen from a distance. This may be particularly important with a ceramic cooktop as it may be difficult to determine whether the elements in this type of cooktop are on. Also, consider the ease of recognising which control relates to which element.
The need for a range hood or other exhaust system. Cost of installation and ducting (if applicable).
Cleaning: ease of removal of components for cleaning (coiled elements, spill bowls); frames around the cooktop (traps for spilled food).
Need for electrical outlet for ignition (gas)
Overall cost, including installation.
Length and condition of warranty.
Safety Features
Automatic ignition when the gas is turned on or the flame goes out (flame failure device).
Automatic overheating shut down (electric).
Coiled elements are illuminated with heat, solid elements are not.
Hot surface indicator (e.g. ceramic).
Cool touch surfaces.
Stove guards (barriers to enclose hotplates and controls) are available. Contact the Independent Living Centre for more information.
Additional Information
Suggestions for people who sit to work
For example: people who use wheelchairs, those with chronic pain, fatigue or poor endurance, poor standing balance etc.
Wheelchair access underneath the bench can be allowed when building in a cooktop; Note that installation depth of the cooktop varies and will affect the space available under the unit;
A staggered layout of the elements / burners allows access to the back of the cooktop without having to stretch over heat or the flame;
A small mirror on a handle allows checking of the cooking progress;
A benchtop grill may be easier to use and clean than a grill drawer.
Suggestions for those who experience pain, weakness or stiffness
For example: back pain, upper limb joint stiffness such as arthritis etc.
Large dials with central cross bars or soft touch / sensor controls;
Easily operated press button ignition or automatic ignition (gas);
A ceramic glass cooktop (electric) or continuous trivet cooktop (gas) for ease of sliding pots; Also mounting the cooktop flush with the benchtop will also assist;
Solid electric elements or ceramic cooktop, for ease of cleaning.
Suggestions for people who have a vision impairment
Gas may be preferable to electric as it produces instant heat that gives an immediate indicator that a burner is operational. The burner can be heard and located as soon as the supply switch is turned on. There is little residual heat when a burner is switched off and pots can be left without the same risk of boiling over as there is with an electric cooktop;
A positive 'click' when the controls are turned to the off position;
Where sensor touch controls are sued, a slightly raised surface will assist in locating the control required;
Consider ease of visibility of symbols / lettering on the controls (eg. colour contrast - black on white) and indicator lights;
Tactile markings may be added to controls.
Suggestions for people who have memory impairment, difficulty understanding or confusion
Controls and corresponding symbols should be clear to read and understand, simple to operate (eg avoid push in and turn styles) some light up or have indicator lights when they are on;
Controls located to the front of the cooktop are easy to reach, avoiding reaching over a heated element;
Elements which glow when operational, (eg radiant coil elements) may be more suitable, indicating when an element is hot;
If controls are arranged in the same pattern as the elements, it may assist the person in matching the appropriate control to each cooker.
Flame failure device and automatic ignition (gas).
Further Sources Of Information
Test Report Electric Ranges. Choice Magazine, March 1997. Page 41 - 46.
Local retailer.
Choice Magazine.
Visit the Independent Living Centre.
Display Item On Loan From
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Supplier Information - click to supplier for contacts details
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