Remodeling a kitchen can be a blast. You get to choose cabinets, fixtures, tiles and countertops to your heart's content. Once you've made the major decisions, don't forget to spend some time selecting the best cooktop for your kitchen.
There are several types of cooktops. The standard and somewhat old-fashioned electric coil or gas burners are just two of the choices available. Now you can select a grill attachment or a smooth glass cooktop that has a flat surface. You'll already know if your kitchen is set up for gas or electric. The cost of changing from one to the other can be costly so you might consider sticking with what you have and limiting your options in this way.
Consider the cleaning process. It might seem pessimistic to start thinking about cleaning when you haven't even purchased your cooktop yet, but if you spend some time thinking about cleaning before you buy, you might be happier with your choice. Select the cooktop that is easiest to clean and you'll be happier for your choice in the long run.
Some cooktops offer the option to raise the cooktop so you can clean underneath. If you've never checked this option for your range, you might be surprised at what has been building up underneath the cooktop. Take the time to thoroughly clean this area. Any cooktop should be wiped down after every use and thoroughly cleaned at least once a year or after any big spills. Cleaning the cooktop will prevent unpleasant smells from caked-on food and will add a sparkle to your kitchen.
If your cooktop has coil burners, they can become a mess of grease and burnt foods if not cleaned regularly. To prevent the smell of burning every time you turn on the cooktop, you should maintain the coil burners. You can clean your electric coil burners with some elbow grease and common household items.
When gas burners get dirty, they can clog, causing your food to cook unevenly. You might even begin to notice a smell of gas and delay in the burner lighting because of the clogged burners. If you want to clean gas burners, take the time to read the manual to find out how to disassemble the gas burners and how to clean the cooktop. Pay special attention to the safety instructions and steps for turning off the pilot light and gas connection if necessary.
After considering your options practically, you can select the cooktop that is best for your kitchen and your lifestyle. Though the choice of cooktop may seem like a small one compared to all the other decisions you're making, you'll end up glad that you considered ease of cleaning in your assessment of the many cooktop options available.
Renata Lavlor writes kitchen remodel tips for HowToDoThings.
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