Burners

Burners or stoves directly heat pots and pans in order to cook their contents. They are available in cooktop and range configurations with designs varying from portable units to multi-component models with integrated ovens. The right stove depends on a number of factors including kitchen size, fuel source, and personal preferences. Staples® carries a wide selection of cooktops, burners, and hot plates and from leading kitchen appliance brands.

Choose Between Electric and Gas Burners
One way to classify stoves is by their heating elements. The most popular types are electric, induction, and gas cooktops. Electric burners may have an exposed or hidden coil. In such models, the heating elements are thick coiled wires made of an alloy of nickel and chrome. These coils glow bright red and also get hot when conducting electricity. In cookers with exposed coils, users place pots and pans directly on the red hot elements. Those with hidden or integrated coils have flat surfaces made of glass-ceramic, or metal. Metal-encased coils take longer to reach cooking heat while glass-ceramic stovetops look sleek and are easier to clean. Gas burners produce open flames and cook foods faster than electric stoves. They use propane, butane, and natural gas for fuel. Induction cookers are electric stoves too. However, they heat cookware by generating electromagnetic fields. Like gas burners, these stoves deliver rapid heat and precise temperature control.

Find the Right Replacement Parts for Burners
Finding replacement parts for cooktops is easy as long as shoppers can identify the required components. It is possible to swap heating elements and any other part of a burner with new parts. Simply search for the parts needed by their names and product numbers and confirm that the selected components work with the cooker under repair. Brands usually use the same parts in different models. While they offer high-quality OEM replacement components, these are not always readily available. Pay close attention when shopping for third-party parts. Read product descriptions to see the list of compatible brands and models before ordering these components. Note features like physical dimensions, voltage requirements, and power ratings when shopping for non-OEM replacement parts.

Does the Number of Burners on a Cooktop Matter?
Yes. Single and dual-burner models are ideal for small kitchens and portable cookers. Large cooktops and ranges have wider surfaces that offer four or more cooking zones. These are best for preparing multi-dish meals.

What Are the Different Types of Stove Burners?
Choose a stove with cooking zones of different sizes and capabilities. Look for a model with a high-output burner for boiling and stir-frying, and a low-output one for simmering and other forms of slow cooking. Optional but convenient features include a dual burner with inner and outer rings for pots of different sizes, an expandable element to accommodate oversized or multiple pots, and a bridge unit that connects two adjoining zones to accommodate a griddle or oblong pan.

Do Induction Burners Require Special Cookware?
Yes. Induction cooktops only work with magnetic pots and pans. The cooking element in this type of electric stove heats compatible cookware with a magnetic field. Aluminum and most steel pots are not reactive to this field. Only cookware with a considerable proportion of iron or other magnetic metals will get hot when placed on an induction stove.