Cooktop conundrum for kitchen renovators
Owners who choose to renovate their kitchens before putting their property on the market are making a smart strategic decision to maximise the value of their homes.
Kitchens and bathrooms top the list of renovations that today’s buyers find most desirable as the market continues its swing into positive price territory.
One key question homeowners tend to pause on when renovating a kitchen is: “what cooktop should we install?”
Gas has been in the firing line recently because of its carbon emissions, and some state laws have now banned gas cooktops from being installed in new housing.
So, maybe you’re now tossing up between ceramic and induction cooktops. This checklist may help you decide.
Looks deceive
Induction and ceramic cooktops may look similar, but they’re not. So, don’t judge these products by their covers.
Energy efficiency
The winner of this important duel is the induction cooktop, as it delivers heat straight to your pots and pans. Ceramic cooktops heat the cooktop surface, and the heat is then transferred to your cookware.
Cookware
Whichever path you take, ensure your cookware covers as much of each heat ring as possible. This maximises efficiency.
Need for speed
Induction wins again. It heats and cooks faster than the ceramic alternative. Induction also changes temperatures with speeds comparable with gas.
Clean up
As ceramic models heat the cooktop, sauce spills will bake to the surface. That doesn’t happen with induction cooking. A few wipes with a damp cloth should be sufficient to clean an induction surface, regardless of the spillage.
Touch controls
If your budget allows, select a model with touch controls. Ceramics often have knobs that are harder to clean and less aesthetically pleasing than sleek touch controls.
Dollar diva
Ceramic gets the vote on price. Choice magazine says its cooktops range from $389 to $1899. Induction can be as cheap as $515, but a more realistic price for a quality model is upwards of $1,500.
Your choice
If you’re renovating to enhance the value of your home, an induction cooktop will have the greatest impact on prospective buyers.
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