Cooktops offer safety, flexibility

Dear Jim: I am remodeling my kitchen and I would rather use separate stylish electric oven and cooktop units instead of a range. Which element types are easiest to cook with, safest and most efficient? – Kate H.

Dear Kate: Separate cooktops and ovens are becoming more popular because of convenience, comfort and efficiency. It makes sense to locate your hot oven away from your kitchen work area, especially during the summer, and the cooktop near the food preparation countertop area and the sink.

Three basic types of electric cooking elements are induction, halogen, and radiant. All are mounted in easy-to-clean smooth glass cooktops that look similar. Many cooktops use a combination of various element types.

Electric induction elements provide the best cooktop performance, safety and efficiency. Unlike other electric elements, induction elements provide the precise temperature control of gas burners for gourmet cooks. Small single-element and freestanding induction units are also available.

Induction elements heat cooking utensils by creating a simple magnetic field. When an iron or steel (magnetic) pan is placed on the cooktop, this magnetic field heats the pan directly, not the cooktop, making it extremely energy-efficient. When you turn the dial down, the heat energy to the pan immediately decreases.

Magnetic waves have no effect on skin or anything other than iron or steel. If a child accidentally removes the pan from the cooktop, no more heat is produced. The only drawbacks to induction elements are they are more expensive than other element types and you must use iron-based cooking utensils.

Electric halogen elements start heating quicker than standard smooth-top radiant elements. They use a halogen light to heat and radiate energy to the cooking utensil quickly. They are not as popular as they used to be because the newer ribbon-type radiant elements also heat up quickly.

Radiant elements that glow red are the most popular and reasonably priced. The standard ones (not ribbon types) heat up slower initially than induction or halogen elements and lack rapid, precise temperature control.

For the most flexibility, consider a modular electric cooktop. These have optional interchangeable elements such as halogens, griddles, steamers, woks, rotisseries, and deep fryers. Smart elements automatically sense the pot size and select the appropriate element. They also sense when the pot is removed and shut off the heat for safety.

In addition to the number and types of cooking elements, consider the cooking zones. Some cooktops have a small bridge element between two regular elements to create a super-large oval cooking zone for large roasting pots.

Write for (instantly download – www.dulley.com) Update Bulletin No. 870 – buyer’s guide of 14 induction, halogen and radiant electric cooktop manufacturers (26 models) listing sizes, number of elements-cooking zones, types, shapes and features. Include $3 and a business-size SASE, and send to James Dulley, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244.