A gas stovetop has been the preferred choice for most professional cooks and kitchens for decades. The popularity is largely due to the fact that switching heat on and off is instantaneous. Burners don’t have to heat up or cool down in the way that electric ones do.

However, cooks don’t always want a gas oven to go with the cooktop, which is why it is nice to choose the cooktop and oven for your kitchen separately rather than opting for a complete range. The difference between a cooktop and a range is that the “cooktop” is just the area where the burners are, whereas a range (also called a stove) is an appliance with burners and an oven.

When selecting a gas cooktop, the most important factors are size and the number of burners. These choices will be impacted by where you will be placing the built-in gas cooktop and by your budget. Taking measurements for a new cooktop is important because you will know what size to choose. The popular 30-inch gas cooktop offers you both four-burner and five-burner designs.

If your kitchen is designed around the use of a range instead of around a separated stovetop and wall oven, you can still mix gas and electric by choosing a dual-fuel range. For instance, you can get a classic stainless-steel gas stove with gas burners and an electric convection oven. With the increasing popularity of convection ovens, this kind of appliance is appearing in more and more kitchens every day.

You will get the most out of your new gas cooktop when you have the proper cookware for all of your culinary needs. You can stock up on individual skillets and sauté pans or just go ahead and get a complete cookware set. Either way, your gas cooktop will be put to good use.  You might also want to invest in some tools to keep you safe in the kitchen, like food thermometers and knife sharpeners.

Installing a new cooktop can be intimidating, especially when it involves hooking up an appliance to the gas line. So, don’t hesitate to contact Best Buy’s appliance and installation team for assistance. You will also need proper ventilation for your gas cooktop, such as a downdraft ventilation system or an island range hood. This will vent steam and smoke out of your kitchen as well as the chemical compounds released by cooktop gas.