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Cooktops at Harvey Norman NZ

Cooktops – Buyers Guide

If you want to upgrade your cooking appliances, remodel your kitchen or replace a broken or faulty cooktop and need clarification about what to do next, our guide will help you choose the right cooktop to help you cook up a storm.

In this guide, we will go over the different types and features to consider and select the right cooktop for your needs and lifestyle.

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Types of cooktops

When choosing a cooktop, consider your cooking needs, your home's power source, and your energy goals. Find anything from a basic cooktop up to high-end designs at Harvey Norman.

Gas Cooktops

Gas Cooktops at Harvey Norman

Gas cooktops use flames to heat your cookware and offer instant heat control. They’re a popular choice for chefs and home cooks, thanks to the precise temperature control, immediate ignition, and the ability to handle different cookware.

Induction Cooktop

Induction Cookers at Harvey Norman

Inductions use magnetic fields to heat cookware directly, so they stay cool to the touch and produce less heat overall, helping keep your kitchen cooler. They also turn off automatically when there is no pan, preventing accidents and making it an excellent choice for households with children and pets. Spills and food particles do not stick to the cooktop surface, making cleanup a breeze.

Stainless steel, cast iron, enamelled iron or nickel work best on induction. Use quality cookware with heavy bottoms for better heat distribution and even cooking.

Electric & Ceramic Cooktop

Electric/Ceramic Cooktops at Harvey Norman

Electric cooktops have coiled heating elements (may have visible heating elements). In contrast, ceramic cooktops feature a seamless appearance using a ceramic glass surface with concealed heating elements.

Gas + Induction Cooktop

Gas + Induction Cooktops at Harvey Norman

The Gas and Induction combination cooktops allow chefs to switch between induction and gas wok burners. It provides precise and immediate heat control, the induction surface area remains cool during and after use, the dual fuel can accommodate a wide range of cookware, and the gas burners can still be used during power outages.

Downdraft Cooktops

Downdraft Cooktops at Harvey Norman

Downdraft cooktops have a built-in ventilation system that removes smoke and odours from the kitchen through a vent. It eliminates the need for a bulky overhead rangehood, making it great for those who prefer a minimalist aesthetic. They can be installed in areas where traditional rangehoods may not fit, like a butler's kitchen or on a kitchen island. They are easier to clean with easy-to-remove filters, smooth surfaces, and some models even have dishwasher-safe grease filters.

Size and capacity

Your ideal cooktop size depends on your cooking needs, countertop space and lifestyle to suit your household. Find a range of cooktop sizes at Harvey Norman to fit everything from small apartment kitchens to large islands for the whole family to gather around.

Compact Cooktops at Harvey Norman
Compact

(1 - 2 People)

Compact-sized cooktops are ideal in small kitchens, apartments, outdoor kitchens or when adding an extra burner to your busy kitchen – featuring one - two cooking zones

Standard Cooktops at Harvey Norman
Standard

(3 - 4 People)

The standard cooktop with three to four cooking zones suits most Kiwi households, providing ample room for cooking meals for your family.

Large Cooktops at Harvey Norman
Large

(5+ People)

Large or commercial-sized cooktops are best suited for households that do large-quantity cooking. Look for four to five or more zones for professional-style cooking at home to reduce prep time instantly.

Features

Once a decision has been made based on the fuel type and size, it's time to think about which features will take your cooktop to the next level and make your life easier, safer, and more enjoyable!

Consider features that are important to you or essential and which are a bonus.

  • Flame failure safety precaution: this safety fallback feature protects you by cutting off the gas supply when the burner's flame goes out. It prevents the build-up of dangerous flammable gas.
  • Flat continuous grates: flat grates cover the entire surface of the gas hob, making it easier to slide pots from one burner to another, and can handle a variety of cookware sizes.
  • Touch control: they are becoming increasingly popular for their modern, sleek look and ease of cleaning compared to traditional knobs.

    Some ovens come equipped with the Touch Slide Control, which lets you instantly choose your desired temperature setting by sliding your finger across.
  • Downdraft exhaust: some induction cooktops have integrated a downdraft rangehood to extract steam and odours straight from the source. Great for kitchen island cooktops or those who don't want a bulky range hood over their head.
  • Hob2Hood the innovative Hob2Hood technology means the cooktop wirelessly communicates to your hood (must be compatible), activating and adjusting the fan speed automatically based on the steam and vapour generated by your meal, letting you focus on your food!
  • Hot surface lights: a safety feature, the hot-surface indicator light lets you know which sections are hot. Remains on until the surface is safe to touch.
  • Gas & induction combination cooktops: a dual fuel induction cooktop with a gas wok burner enables you to perform multiple functions and for ultimate cooking flexibility in the kitchen.
  • FlexiZones, MaxiZone and FlexiBridge: : in newer models, the FlexiZone and FlexiBridge allow you to use two zones independently or combine them to create one big zone for big pans. Similarly, MaxiZone combines two or more zones to cater to extra-large pots and pans, such as paella pans.
  • PowerBoost: rapidly boils a pot of water, quickly heats a pan or sears meat in less time, with precise control and a boost heating function for when you're in a hurry.
  • Warm function: keep your food warm until it's ready to be served. Great for leftovers.
  • SenseFry: some cooktops have sensors that accurately measure the temperature of your pot or pan and adjust the power as needed.
  • Easy cleaning: look for smooth, flat, sealed heating elements in electric and induction models. Rounded depressions around burners, removable knobs, dishwasher-safe grates, sealed joins, and gaps make cleanup easier for gas options.
  • Automatic switch-off: this safety feature turns off the heating elements on a cooktop after some time. It helps prevent the cooktop from overheating and causing a fire. There are different types of automatic switch-off features in cooktops, such as a timer-based feature that lets you set a specific time for cooking or a motion-based feature that turns off the heat if there is no cookware on the heating element.
  • Child lock: prevents children from turning on heating elements and avoids accidents—a must-have for young families or households with pets.

In short, by considering your cooking needs, kitchen space, fuel preference, budget, and essential versus like-to-have features, you can choose a cooktop that meets your needs and helps you easily create delicious meals.

Need help?

We're here to help! If you have any questions or need advice, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can visit your nearest Harvey Norman store to speak with one of our in-house whiteware experts or chat via phone or our live chat tool on our website. We're always happy to help you find the perfect appliances for your home.

Whether it’s a meal for two or a feast for a crowd, make cooking easy and stylish with our range of cooktops designed with features to fit your lifestyle and kitchen.

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