The Best Gas Cooktops for 2021

Bosch is well known for its high-quality cooktops, and this gas model is highly durable, with a minimalistic grating over its five burners that provides all the support you need while still being easy to clean. But, just because the cooktop looks simple, doesn’t mean it foregoes advanced features. In fact, Bosch has equipped the NGMP056UC with a number of useful features for those who prefer gas. An electronic re-ignition sequence will re-light any burner that suddenly goes out, and each burner is marked by a subtle red LED light to let you know if it’s on or off. One of the burners is a particularly powerful 20,000 BTU model that lets you choose between extra-fast boiling or low simmering that won’t scorch your more delicate creations.

This mighty cooktop from GE sports a dedicated 15,000 BTU Power Burner. Use it for all of your fast-boiling needs, whether you’ve got to steam up some water for a batch of spaghetti or a more elaborate meal. Like other cooktops on our list, the five sealed burners are continuous, so shifting pots and pans around is a breeze. If you’re concerned with receiving optimized heat across the whole cooking surface, rest assured, as the GE MAX burner function ensures the same heat intensity across the whole cooktop — whether you’re using propane or natural gas. The icing on the cake with this system is the bonus cooktop griddle. Cooking a grilled cheese or giant plate of pancakes will never be the same with the GE JGP5030SLSS.

Thermador’s powerful gas cooktop offers 58,400 BTUs in total, with a high-powered burner that can output up to 16,000 BTUs for your instant boils. The Thermador 36-inch also offers two small simmer burners if you want lower heat, with five incremental adjustments you can make to keep foods warm or lightly cooking. Each burner has an indicator light and a re-ignition feature that automatically reignites burners if the flame goes out. This model features remarkably minimalistic grates that allow full access to the burners. As minimal as they are, the cleverly sealed burners prevent any spills from reaching the flames. If you have a smaller oven, take a look at the smaller 30-inch version of the Thermador SGSX365TS.

Samsung’s five-burner model features many upgrades, including a griddle you can attach for bigger cooking projects. This model boasts large, weighty knobs spaced widely apart. They’re backlit with blue LEDs, so it’s easy to see which burners are active with just a glance. The three-piece grate is easy to use and clean, and the burners range from 5,000 to 19,000 BTUs depending on what kind of heating you’re looking for. This is Samsung, so we weren’t surprised in the slightest to see Wi-Fi connectivity built into the Samsung 30-inch NA30N6555TS model. You can monitor and control the burners and heat via an app from anywhere.

Those $1,000 to $2,000 burners are great for those who can afford them, but there are plenty of budget-friendly models that work just fine for cooking delicious meals. This cooktop by Empava is incredibly affordable and comes with stainless steel knobs, cast iron grating, heating options up to 12,000 BTUs, and an aesthetically pleasing layout. To make navigating and cleaning the grill easier, the grate features a continuous design. Such a feature is rare on a cooktop at such a low price, but Empava made it affordable for all budget levels. The Empava doesn’t have many bells and whistles. Still, features like the safety sensors (which will automatically shut off a burner if they detect a heating problem) and a job well done on the standards (quality and functionality) make the Empava 30GC5B70C a great budget-friendly option.

How to choose which cooktop is best for you

Start with size — cooktops generally come in 30-inch or 36-inch sizes, so you’ll need to find a size that matches your space.

Then think about the size of the individual burners: Gas cooktops tend to have five burners of various sizes. If you want an extra-large burner for your pots or a very small burner for cups or low simmering, make sure the model you are choosing includes the burner sizes you want. Some models even include an oval burner specifically for frequent griddle work.

Do you want burners that are particularly hot and can heat very fast? Look for models like our first Bosch pick that have a burner that’s at or approaching 20,000 BTUs of heat.

While most modern gas cooktops are at least a little bit continuous (making it easy to slide cookware from one burner to another), some are much more continuous than others. If you will be repositioning pots frequently or using griddle-like capabilities, look for designs that are fully continuous and durable.

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