At a Glance:
Electric Cooktops | Pros & Cons
If you’re like two-thirds of households who cook with electricity, there’s a good probability you’re familiar with the common 30 inch electric cooktop. In recent times, these appliances have undergone a major makeover from their first-generation coil design, transitioning into sleeker cooking setups for the modern kitchen. While the redesign has garnered additional skeptics along with naysayers who swear by gas cooktops over electric models, electric cooktops are actually convenient and affordable alternatives we recommend.
Discover whether one of these cooking appliances is right for your cooking station with the help of the appliance experts at Colder’s. Inside, we detail the pros and cons of electric cooktops, how much electric cooktops cost, and popular brands recommended for buyers of every budget.
Explore Electric Cooktops
Electric CooktopsWhat is a Cooktop?
For many home cooks, a cooktop is a convenient alternative to a freestanding stove. Unlike stoves, which require floor space anywhere between 24 to 60 inches, cooktops can be installed directly into a countertop cutout without sacrificing cabinet space below. Essentially, a cooktop is the cooking surface of a range, whereas the bottom is the oven.
A variety of cooktop sizes are available to home chefs, but the most common cooktop size is 30 inches. These models typically come with four or five heating elements. If you’re a casual cook, you can save a little by opting for a four burner electric cooktop. However, five burner electric cooktops provide more flexibility both novice and seasoned culinary enthusiasts can appreciate.
NOTE: While induction cooktops are technically electric, for the sake of this review, we’re sticking to cooktops that use radiant heat rather than electromagnetic cooking.
How Much Do Electric Cooktops Cost?
Ceramic coil electric cooktops are the most affordable options on the market, but many shoppers prefer smooth top electric cooktops for a couple of hundred dollars more. Overall, a cooktop can cost anywhere between $320 and $4,030.
Cooktops vs. Rangetops
These two appliances have very similar names, and in fact, they share some overlap. Both are installed into a countertop, and both appliances come in gas, electric, and induction fuel options.
The difference lies in how each is installed.
- Cooktops are installed into a cutout that is fully surrounded by a countertop. Therefore, the controls are directly on top of the appliance, located either in front or on the side.
- Rangetops slide into a countertop cutout. Many experts suggest this is the more professional presentation since it looks like a pro-style range. Unlike cooktops, rangetop controls are located on a front panel that hangs off the countertop. For households with children, this can pose some concern, but many manufacturers include child lock mechanisms that provide extra safety.
Best Electric Cooktop Brands
There are a lot of electric cooktop brands on the market, but we’ve reviewed our catalog to find the best options for all budgets. Take a look at all the great features these five brands offer.
Frigidaire Electric Cooktops
Not everyone is a serious cook, so not everyone needs the professional-grade performance of a luxury cooktop. If this is the case for you, Frigidaire is a great brand for affordable cooktops with modern designs and function. The brand offers 30 inch electric cooktops across the Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, and Frigidaire Professional lines, with the latter serving as the manufacturer’s premium line. Electric cooktops from Frigidaire feature four or five heating elements fashioned in ceramic glass surfaces for a modern look.
Frigidaire 30 inch electric cooktops cost between $1,200 and $1,700.
Best Frigidaire Electric Cooktop Features
✱ SpaceWise Expandable Element: Cook with flexibility with this heating element that can adjust to heat cookware of various sizes.
✱ SpacePro Bridge Element: Use two adjacent heating elements independently or combine them for an expanded cooking zone large enough for roasting pans and griddles.
✱ Ready-Select Controls: Know exactly how high a surface is with easy-to-read heat indicators on cooktop controls.
✱ PrecisionPro Controls: High-grade knobs clearly display power levels, so you are always in control of your menu.
Recommended Frigidaire Electric Cooktop: Frigidaire® 30” Stainless Steel Electric Cooktop
User Jill4411 expresses that her transition from “coil cooktop to smooth top has been spectacular” thanks to the simple setup of this Frigidaire electric cooktop. All you need to cook meals every night is at your fingertips atop four heating elements, including a SpaceWise expandable element for the flexibility to cook with multiple cookware sizes. Dinner gets done quicker with the addition of a Quick Boil element that uses 3,000 watts of power to quickly heat up pasta water.
Frigidaire FFEC3025US Cooktop Reviews
Whirlpool Electric Cooktops
Along with 15, 21, 24, and 36 inch models, Whirlpool 30 inch electric cooktops are affordably priced cooking setups made for everyday meal prep. The lineup features solely ceramic glass stovetops in a choice of four or five heating elements. Select cooktops even come in a few color options like black, stainless steel, or white for extra design flexibility. As a domestic appliance brand, Whirlpool electric cooktops are a good choice if you prefer products that are made and manufactured in the U.S.A. with over a century of reliable reputation to back it up.
Whirlpool 30 inch electric cooktops cost between $850 and $1,060.
Best Whirlpool Electric Cooktop Features
✱ FlexHeat Dual/Triple Radiant Elements: Enjoy multiple heating elements on a single cooking zone with this electric cooking surface that can heat cookware six to 10 inches.
✱ Hot Surface Indicator Light: Cook safely, knowing when a surface is hot, even after you’re finished cooking.
Recommended Whirlpool Electric Cooktop: Whirlpool® 30” Stainless Steel Electric Cooktop
If you’re concerned about maintenance when it comes to a glass cooktop, consider this buyer review from Klynlyn, who says they “love how easy it is to clean up.” That’s because this electric stovetop is made with ceramic glass that not only looks lovely but also makes dinner cleanup as simple as wiping away with a wet cloth. There’s essentially no guesswork when it comes to this pick: dial controls tell you the exact setting you’re cooking at, and the Hot Surface Indicator informs you which element is active, even after it’s off.
Whirlpool WCE55US0HS Cooktop Reviews
Beko Electric Cooktops
Overseas, Beko is a renowned brand for its energy-efficient appliances and modern designs. New to the U.S.A. only since 2016, Beko is slowly but surely becoming a more familiar name in the industry, though its catalog is small compared to other leading appliance names.
Beko 30 inch electric cooktops are part of a small catalog, and the models are currently limited to four heating elements. With that said, their sleek profiles and specially designed glass surfaces offer a dash of elegance and sophistication.
Beko electric cooktops start at around $1,050.
Best Beko Electric Cooktop Features
✱ Vitroceramic Elements: Specially engineered glass retains heat better and is exceptionally durable.
✱ Residual Heat Indicator: Avoid injuries with a notable indicator that tells whenever a heating element is still hot.
✱ Touch Controls: Digital controls add a sleek, modern look and are easy to clean.
Recommended Beko Electric Cooktop: Beko 30” Black Glass Built In Electric Cooktop
Upgrade to this Beko electric cooktop to double up on flexible heating elements to make cooking even easier. This is the ultimate glass cooktop for modern kitchens because of its frameless design and touch controls that fit right into a countertop completely even. The power settings are directly in front for easy heat adjustment that doesn’t require reaching over a hot zone — just slide across 19 cooking levels, and the Vitroceramic elements quickly respond.
Beko ECTM30102 Cooktop Reviews
LG Electric Cooktops
For LG, staying ahead of the curb is part of the brand’s schtick, which is probably why LG 30 inch electric cooktops come with five heating elements versus the standard four. That’s one more space to prepare side dishes and entrées without having to eat up a single extra inch of countertop space. Staying ahead of the pack also means style, and LG delivers with refined cooking setups featuring touch controls for a fully flush installation into countertop surfaces.
LG 30 inch electric cooktops range between $900 and $1,450.
Best LG Electric Cooktop Features
✱ SmoothTouch Controls: Low-profile touch controls make it easy to monitor and adjust heat levels.
✱ Triple Cooking Elements: Expand a single heating element to three different sizes for pots and pans, from small to large.
Recommended LG Electric Cooktop: LG 30” Black Electric Cooktop
Not only does this LG electric cooktop come with five cooking zones, but it also features a triple heating element to heat large sauté pans up to 12 inches wide. In a buyer review, Drudeba points out, “All burners are very responsive,” noting LG’s Steady Heat technology made for precision and rapid heat response that is superior to traditional electric heating elements. Positively sleek, this number comes in a black glass setup with flush touch controls for a seamless integration into a countertop.
KitchenAid Electric Cooktops
With distinct designs that nod to professional kitchens, KitchenAid is a favorite brand of savvy chefs, including its lineage of electric cooktops. Compared to the rest of the brands in this review, KitchenAid offers the most range of options.
Buyers can choose 30 inch electric cooktops with four or five burners, as well as downdraft cooktops that free the need for an overhead range hood. Colors are limited to just black, but we do like the contrast against professionally inspired knobs with knurling details.
KitchenAid 30 inch electric cooktops range $1,500 between $2,050.
Best KitchenAid Electric Cooktop Features
✱ Even-Heat Technology: Advanced radiant heating delivers a continuous output of power for better results.
✱ Ultra-Power Element: Quickly boil large pots of water or bring cast iron skillets to roaring-hot temperatures with this boosted heating element.
✱ Downdraft Ventilation: A built-in downdraft hood with 300 CFM circulation flow provides ample ventilation for a 30 inch electric cooktop.
Recommended KitchenAid Electric Cooktop: KitchenAid® 30” Stainless Steel Electric Downdraft Cooktop
We give this top-rated KitchenAid electric cooktop high marks for its convenient redesign that saves you money on a range hood. The built in ventilation is powerful enough to circulate up to 300 square feet of air per minute with three fan levels, and product reviewers like Bobthree agree, stating the “Multi-level fan is a big plus.” Added to great features like Even-Heat technology and a professional design that’s unique to the KitchenAid brand, it’s no wonder more than 4/5 of buyers recommend this electric cooktop.
KitchenAid KCED600GSS Cooktop Reviews
Electric Cooktops | Pros & Cons
30 inch cooktops are one of the most common kitchen appliances in homes, yet there are situations where one of these cooking appliances isn’t the best match. Take a moment to review the pros and cons of 30 inch electric cooktops.
Pros
✅ Fit into just about any kitchen
✅ Widely available
✅ Affordable
✅ Easy to clean
✅ Simple installation
Cons
✖ Wall oven needs to be purchased separately
✖ Not many features
✖ Can scratch
✖ Can feel cramped for some
✖ Not as much output as gas or induction
Electric cooktops are a staple in kitchens that offer a sleeker kitchen setup versus cooking on a range. 30 inch cooktops are available from just about every major kitchen appliance brand providing shoppers with a large selection of styles and performances to fit their budgets. We recommend a 30 inch electric range as an affordable update to your current kitchen’s cooking station or as a way to customize the flow of your kitchen with a matching wall oven.
FAQs
Here are a few last pointers for you to consider as you search for an electric cooktop.
What should you not use on a glass top stove?
Heavy-duty cookware such as cast iron, ceramic, and other similar materials, such as stone, should be used sparingly on smooth top cooktops to avoid scratching and potential cracking.
How long do electric cooktops last?
Electric cooktops can easily last 10 years and up to 13 years with proper maintenance.
How much does it cost to install an electric cooktop?
National averages show that it can cost between $500 and $1,000 dollars to install a cooktop.
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder’s pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can’t find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee.
Shop 30 Inch Electric Cooktops at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop cooktops online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you select the perfect 30 inch cooktop for your kitchen, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: What to Look for When Shopping for Ranges [Range Buying Guide]