Glass-top electric stoves have surged in popularity over the last decade, with their smooth, modern aesthetic that seamlessly blends into contemporary kitchen designs. Unlike traditional coil stovetops, glass-top ranges feature a sleek, easy-to-clean surface that disguises the hot burners underneath. This gives a much more minimalist, uncluttered look compared to exposed coils.
Beyond aesthetics, glass-top stoves offer precise temperature control and efficient heating for optimal cooking performance. As indoor and outdoor home entertaining has grown more elaborate, homeowners are opting to renovate kitchens with pro-style appliances and upscale finishes. Glass-top ranges deliver the high-end luxury look desired for these gourmet spaces. Their fingerprint-resistant stainless steel and black stainless exteriors maintain a pristine appearance even in well-used cooking zones.
With so many options on the market, how do you choose the right glass-top electric stove for your needs? This comprehensive guide will walk through the key factors to consider, from cooktop configurations and oven capacity to durability, smart features and budget. Keep reading for a look at the top five highest performing models along with answers to common questions about owning a glass-top range.
Top 5 Glass-Top Electric Stoves
When reviewing the many glass-top stove options available, keep your cooking needs, kitchen dimensions and budget in mind. Think about oven size for baking or roasting large dishes, high powered burners for searing and boiling, and convenience functions that will make meal preparation easier. Here are five top-rated electric smooth-top stoves fitting a range of priorities:
GE 30″ Smoothtop Electric Range
For an affordable and reliable glass-top stove option, GE’s 30-inch freestanding range is a great choice fitting most standard kitchen layouts. The electric range features a 5.3 cubic feet oven capacity with two oven racks for flexible baking. The smoothtop cooktop contains four radiant cooking elements including two 6-inch 1,200-watt elements for quick boiling, an 8-inch 3,000-watt PowerBoil element to rapidly heat large pots, and a 6-inch/9-inch oval element sized for griddles or odd-shaped cookware.
Convenient functions include a melt setting that gently melts delicate foods like chocolate or butter without scorching or burning. The PreciseAir convection system promises fast and even baking, while a self-cleaning oven takes the effort out of routine maintenance. Owners praise the accurate temperature control on the smoothtop and large oven capacity able to handle holiday meals. For the price, GE delivers reliable performance that should meet most household cooking demands. One downside is the slightly more tedious cleanup of the glass surface compared to exposed coil designs.
Bosch 800 Series Induction Glass-Top Range
For devoted home cooks, Bosch’s high-end induction range provides unmatched cooking power and precision. This slide-in style model offers a striking black glass finish and stainless accents that make an elegant statement in any kitchen. The cooktop features five induction elements delivering the quickest, most energy-efficient cooking of any surface technology. Zones include two 7-inch 1,400-watt burners, two 8-inch 2,200-watt burners, and one 11-inch 3,700-watt burner, along with a flexible cooking zone that combines two elements.
The 4.6 cubic feet oven capacity includes convection baking, with 10 specialized cooking modes from bake to broil. The Home Connect app lets you control oven settings and timers right from your phone. Preheating can be started remotely so your oven’s hot and ready the moment you walk in the door. While performance is unmatched, the Bosch range also fetches by far the highest price tag. Induction only works with certain cookware materials too, so you may need new pots and pans. Still, for hardcore cooking enthusiasts, the small compromises pay off in blazing fast heat and tool-free cleanability.
Frigidaire Gallery Series Smoothtop Range
With its smudge-proof stainless finish, Frigidaire’s Gallery series range offers an affordable smoothtop option blending nicely into most kitchen decors. Its PowerPlus preheat function heats the large 5.0 cubic feet oven quickly and evenly, so you can start cooking sooner. The smooth ceramic glass cooktop contains five elements including a 10-inch 3,200-watt oval burner designed for oversized cookware or griddles. Front-positioned controls make setting changes convenient during cooking.
While it lacks the prestige of pro-grade ranges, Frigidaire’s smoothtop range competently handles all the basics of home cooking. A few downsides: the smaller burners put out lower BTU for slow simmering, and the glass is prone to scratching from sliding pans. Still, for budget-focused buyers wanting a capable workhorse without unnecessary bells and whistles, the Gallery series hits the sweet spot of value for money. The smooth cooktop wipes clean easily after meal prep.
Samsung Smoothtop Electric Range
Samsung’s 30-inch freestanding electric range packs versatile cooking options into a fingerprint-resistant black stainless package. The 5.8 cubic feet oven utilizes flex duo technology to divide into two cooking zones. The five-element smoothtop includes triple and dual ring burners offering concentrated high heat. Through Samsung’s SmartThings app, you can remotely monitor oven status and receive alerts on your phone.
While Samsung’s smoothtop range looks great on paper, it has garnered mixed reviews from owners. Connectivity features seem buggy and unreliable, with Wi-Fi dropping in and out. Customer service also draws criticism for subpar responsiveness and support. However, if you find it at a competitive discount, Samsung’s handsome glass-top range still serves up solid specs and performance for most cooking tasks. Just don’t bank on the smart features.
LG LSEL6335F Electric Smoothtop Range
This affordably priced LG range provides a generous 6.3 cubic feet oven paired with a smoothtop featuring 6 radiant elements. For consistent baking results, the ProBake convection system evenly circulates hot air. The glass surface is designed to prevent staining and residue buildup for easy cleaning. The stovetop allows you to precisely melt delicate foods without burning. LG’s helpful smart diagnosis provides maintenance tips and error code explanations to troubleshoot issues.
Owners generally agree the LG smoothtop range provides plenty of size and power for the price. A few recurring complaints to note: some units suffer quality control issues right out of the box like faulty temperature sensors. And the lowest simmer setting remains hotter than some users would like for gently cooking sauces. But if you receive a properly functioning unit, LG’s affordably priced range offers quality performance and good looking style for most busy home kitchens.
Beyond these top models, there are many other glass-top electric stove options from reputable brands like Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and GE Profile. As you continue your buying journey, keep the factors below in mind as you compare models and make the perfect selection for your home and cooking needs.
Key Factors for Choosing the Right Glass-Top Stove
While all glass-top electric ranges will deliver on the minimalist, easy-to-clean aesthetic, you’ll want to carefully evaluate the oven capacity, cooktop features, and other functionality based on how you cook. Consider the following elements when shopping:
Cooktop Configuration
The cooktop, or stovetop, is where you’ll perform most regular cooking tasks like frying, simmering sauces, and boiling water. Glass-top electric ranges primarily come in three cooktop configurations:
Coil elements utilize exposed round heating coils, like traditional electric ranges. Coils tend to heat very evenly and offer clear sightlines to monitor pan contents. However, they can be more difficult to clean.
Radiant/smoothtop elements feature heating elements beneath a flat glass-ceramic surface. This provides a seamless, elegant look. But cookware must be lifted on and off the flat surface.
Induction elements also hide below a glass surface, but use magnetic technology to directly heat pans. This allows faster, more energy-efficient cooking. Only magnetic cookware works with induction.
Think about which configuration best suits your cooking habits and pans. Do you want open coils or a flat uncluttered surface? Are you willing to buy all new pans for induction?
Number and Size of Burners
Having burners in a mix of sizes allows you to match pans and pots to the right amount of heating area. Make sure the stove configuration fits your particular mix of cookware. Are you regularly cooking for crowds with oversized stockpots? Look for a large oval power burner to accommodate big cookware. Frequently stir-frying or sauteing? Opt for more small and medium burners.
You’ll also want burners with high enough wattage (often measured in BTUs) to provide fast boiling and searing. The ability to precisely maintain a low simmer is also useful for delicate sauces.
Oven Capacity and Functions
Evaluate the cubic footage oven capacity based on the size of meals you routinely cook. Larger families will want more generous spacing for baking pans and sheets. Think about which cooking modes you need most – just standard bake and broil, or specialized convection, roasting, slow cook, and other functions?
Convection ovens have an internal fan that provides faster, more even multi-rack cooking. Many modern electric ranges also include self-cleaning modes that use high heat to burn away oven grime and residue automatically.
Smart Features and Connectivity
Higher end glass stovetops offer built-in wireless connectivity to provide remote monitoring and control from your smartphone or other devices. This can be handy for preheating before you get home, checking timers, or adjusting settings from across the kitchen.
Through voice control integration with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri, you can start oven preheating or set timers with simple voice commands. Internal cameras even allow you to view the contents of your oven from your phone for peace of mind.
Evaluate whether fancy connectivity will enhance or complicate your cooking experience. Low-tech users may find these features frustrating and unnecessary.
Reliability and Durability
Any appliance you’ll use daily needs to stand the test of time through years of regular cooking. Review product testing results and consumer reviews to gauge real-world longevity and reliability for a given brand. Is the company responsive in resolving any warranty issues?
Quality internal parts like heating elements, thermostats, and insulation should remain robust over decades of oven cycles and burner use. The glass cooktop surface must resist scratches and stains through heavy daily use.
Style and Design
While you likely want a contemporary glass cooktop, cosmetic options allow you to match your kitchen’s overall look and feel. Freestanding ranges offer more traditional styling with finished sides and backsplashes. Slide-in or drop-in styles blend seamlessly into countertops and cabinetry for a built-in appearance.
Look for smudge-proof stainless or black stainless housing to disguise fingerprints and grease spatters. Handle and knob finishes should coordinate with your kitchen hardware and fixtures. Ensure the dimensions will fit your existing cut-out space if replacing an old range.
Price and Budget
Glass-top electric stoves span a wide range of pricing from just a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Consider how often you cook and the types of meals you prepare. An avid home chef may justify investing in a higher end range. Occasional users likely don’t require all the bells and whistles.
Also factor in ongoing costs like energy usage, potential repairs down the road, and part replacements. A bargain model that ends up breaking early into its lifespan will cost more in the long run. Focus on quality and performance more than the lowest upfront price.
By taking stock of your family’s cooking needs and priorities, you can easily narrow down the ideal glass-top electric stove range to bring home sleek style and modern convenience. Confidently choose a stove that fits your meal prep and pans, provides the right oven capacity, and cooks reliably for years to come. Keep the factors above in mind, and you’ll have no buyer’s remorse.
Common Questions About Glass-Top Electric Stoves
If you’re used to a traditional coil stovetop, moving to a smooth glass-top electric range brings up some common questions for new owners. Here are answers to frequently asked queries about living with a glass cooktop stove:
Are glass-top electric stoves better than coil stoves?
This depends on your priorities and preferences. Glass tops are easier to wipe down and keep clean since there are no gaps where food can fall through and get stuck. Their sleek aesthetic blends in beautifully with contemporary kitchen designs.
However, coils have benefits too. They tend to distribute and conduct heat more evenly than below-surface elements. Watching liquids bubble and foods sizzle is also easier on exposed coils – the glass obscures the pan action. Solid basic performance and lower pricing keep coil stoves popular, especially in secondary kitchens.
For most home cooks, the difference in daily cooking ability is negligible. Choose glass or coil primarily based on your decor taste, desire for visual pan sightlines, and budget.
What maintenance is required for glass stovetops?
With proper care, glass-top electric stoves require minimal regular cleaning and maintenance. However, their smooth surface shows any splatters, drips and debris much more than a rugged coil cooktop would. Be prompt about wiping up spills to avoid baked-on stains. Use a ceramic glass cleaner rather than abrasives or scrubby pads, as the subtle scratches can dull the appearance over time.
Give the cooktop a thorough deep cleaning every few months by using a razor blade holder to carefully scrape any heavily stuck-on bits, then polish with a glass cleaner. Avoid placing heavy objects on the surface when not cooking. Overall, attentive cleaning when cooking plus periodic deep cleaning should keep your glass stovetop shining for years.
How do I clean burnt food off my glass-top stove?
Pesky burnt-on spills happen to the best of cooks. Luckily, the glass surface doesn’t get as damaged as older porcelain enamel finishes. First, let the area cool completely. Scrape off any loose debris gently with a plastic spatula. Apply a few drops of liquid glass cooktop cleaner and allow it to penetrate for a few minutes.
Use a soft non-abrasive scrubbing pad, moving in a circular motion. If needed, you can use a razor blade scraper held at a 30° angle to the surface to gently dislodge stuck-on spills. Reapply the cleaner and scrub again as needed. Finish up by wiping away any residue with a damp paper towel and drying thoroughly. Avoid using steel wool or abrasive scrubbing pads, which can permanently scratch the glass.
Can you use aluminum foil on a glass stovetop?
It’s generally not recommended. While laying pieces of foil on the glass surface won’t directly harm the cooktop, high heat can melt the foil, fusing it onto the stove. This can leave discoloration and be extremely tedious to scrape off once hardened. If you must use foil, put a liner or protective mat down first to create a buffer.
Never allow foil to overlap the burner elements, as direct contact with the glass can cause troublesome bonding. On induction cooktops, foil can also interfere with the magnetic transference of heat between the stove and pan. For best results, forgo foil altogether and place food directly into oven-safe cookware instead.
While every kitchen appliance comes with a learning curve, glass-top electric stoves quickly become second nature with regular use. Follow basic cleaning procedures, watch for scratches, and you’ll enjoy years of sleek style and cooking performance. Go forth and shop confidently for your dream glass stovetop range!