Cooktop Sizes (Standard Gas, Electric & Induction)
They said that the kitchen is the heart of many homes, but the cooktop is where the heart beats loudly, and choosing the perfect one is integral to keeping the delectable dishes flowing. There are many types of cooktops available for purchase, and they come in many sizes, fuel types, styles, and designs, with some of them equipped with added features for enhanced functionality.
Aside from the many available cooktops, these appliances are the most efficient and flexible since most built-in options cater to a homeowner’s specific needs.
Standard Cooktop Size
One of the best things about cooktops, aside from getting them built-in to fit a homeowner’s requirements, is they fit the standard cabinet of 30 to 36 inches or around 76 to 91 centimeters. If a cabinet width is between those numbers, it will be easy to go for the standard sizes.
Cooktops are available from the slim version at 15 to 24 inches or about 38 to 61 centimeters to the more extensive ones for bigger homes and families at 45 to 48 inches or 114 to 122 centimeters in width.
The size of each cooktop will depend on the size and how many burners there are, plus the trim size allowance and more. The width will decrease for a double burner model while adjusting wider for a more extended five burner unit.
Ultimately, the cabinet size is also a factor in choosing a standard size for cooktops, so knowing the cabinet’s dimensions is integral to getting the perfect measurement for any homeowner’s kitchen.
Sizes of Gas Cooktops
The most common type of cooktops use liquid propane or natural gas, where cooking and grilling food are done in an open flame. They are known to be accurate in cooking temperatures, ideal for blackouts or power outages, versatile since they can be used for grilling to simmering, and almost compatible with all cookware types.
Although there are several valuable benefits, there are also some cons, like ventilation problems, especially for apartment living where most don’t have an open window.
Gas cooktops are available in many sizes, with their widths ranging anywhere from the smaller 12 inches or 30 centimeters to more extended ones at 46 inches or 117 centimeters.
Gas models are available with a single burner, medium ones with 2 burners, and larger gas cookers with 6 burners for bigger households. This size availability will make it possible for any homeowner to get the perfect model no matter the size of their kitchen.
Homeowners will also have a choice between open and sealed burners, with their main difference being that open burners have a wide opening ideal for boosted cooking power. At the same time, the latter is more for homes because they are sealed and easy to clean.
Sizes for Electric Cooktops
Electric cooktops come in a spectrum of sizes, similar to gas cooktops, with smaller ones starting at 12 inches or 30 centimeters and bigger ones at 45 inches or 114 centimeters in width. They are also available in models with single burners and some with up to six burners.
Cooktops that use electric power are some of the most affordable products available. Aside from that benefit, electric units are also easy to clean; the installation process when it comes to these models tends to be a lot easier. They cool down a lot faster, plus they tend to be flat and heat all over, which makes for a more stable surface for cookware to rest on.
At the same time, it also has ruses like longer cooking time, inability to work during power outages, and homeowners risk easily burning themselves on its surfaces.
Those with a coil burner are the most budget-friendly when choosing an electric cooktop. Models made from ceramic glass are the best option if aesthetics is on top of a homeowner’s checklist regarding requirements. Read more about gas vs electric cooktops here.
Induction Cooktop Dimensions
Like the gas and electric models before, induction cooktops are available in many sizes, from single and portable induction units at 12 inches or 30 centimeters to bigger ones starting at around 45 inches or 114 centimeters.
Aside from gas fuel or electric power, homeowners can choose to go for an induction cooktop. Unlike gas and electric models, induction cooks in a way that heats the pots and pans directly instead of heating the entire cooking surface, which makes them the most energy-efficient option for homeowners looking to cut back.
Some benefits of induction cookers are that they are the best for accurate temperature control; the surface around the cooking area stays cool, making them the safest cooktop on the list.
For the cons, one significant thing is they tend to be the most expensive option, requiring a specific type of cookware to be effective, specifically magnetic flat-bottom pans or cast iron pots and pans.
Apartment Size Electric Cooktop
The most common compact electric cooktops are from 12 inches to 24 inches or 30 to 61 centimeters. The smaller ones are for freestanding individual cooktops that will not require a cutout space. At the same time, the latter sizes are the most efficient option since they can easily hold at least 4 burners, which gives homeowners who like to cook many meals more opportunities.
There are many requirements and considerations a homeowner will need to look into before buying the perfect cooker, and one of those considerations is keeping in mind the space available. Some kitchens, especially those in apartment buildings such as studios and even tiny houses, will have limited space to work with.
An electric burner installed on top of an existing cabinet is the most efficient solution. Electric is also the better option since some buildings prohibit gas use.
How To Measure Cooktop Size
Now that you know the types available for purchase, it is helpful for any homeowner to understand how to measure the perfect cooktop size, especially if you’re just looking to replace the unit without renovations.
There are two measurements to consider when doing this: the size of the existing cooktop, no matter the type, and the size of the cutout so a specific match can be found.
The first thing is measuring the cooktop itself. To do this, the first thing to do is measure the current model, and uninstalling the unit first will give the most accurate measurements.
The width is measured by using a tape measure to calculate the space between the cooktop‘s right outer edge and left outer edge. At the same time, depth is measured from front to back on the cooktop plus its control panel.
The next thing is measuring the cutout of an existing cooktop. To measure the width, measure from the right to the left edge of the cutout and do it accurately by measuring not on the cutout itself but the front.
Take the smallest dimensions possible. Two measurements are required to measure a cutout depth: from the front to the back edge, one closer to the left, and the right side.
Cabinet Size for 30 Inch Cooktop
One of the most popular sizes of cooktop, no matter if it’s gas or induction, is the 30 inches or 76 centimeters model. These 30 inches cooktops are the perfect width size to accommodate up to 4 burners with a control panel for all its features on the side.
The most recommended minimum base cabinet width to accommodate this size of cooktop should be at least 33 inches or 84 centimeters wide. If one is unsure about what specific product to get to accommodate the cabinet size, one can always measure the cabinet to be safe.
Measuring a cabinet for stove top installation will require calculating the space of the upper cabinets, the area of the cooking surface, and the distance between the stove and the wall.
The first can be done by measuring from the cabinet top to the bottom of the upper cabinets on both sides of the cooktop and considering the upper cabinet depth is also integral.
The second is measuring the cooking surface from above, whether it stops with the upper cabinet or any combustible surface like an exhaust fan.
The last thing to measure is the space between the wall and the cooktop, often the smallest number of the three.
Base Cabinet Size for 36 Inch Cooktop
An ideal base cabinet width to install a cooktop that is 36 inches or 91 centimeters wide is a cabinet that is at least 39 inches or 99 centimeters. This size is often achievable since most standard cabinet sizes are around this size.
This cabinet is ideal for homes out of small apartment spaces to provide a house with an adequate and efficient cooktop for everyone to use, even for multiple courses being cooked at once.
A stovetop appliance can be installed above an oven in some kitchen layouts. They can be found in the primary base cabinets or in a kitchen island, depending on the design.
For more related content visit our guide to range hood dimensions on this page.
