We test how every cooktop performs at low and high heat. Just about any cooktop will fare well enough when cooking over medium heat, but a stellar model will also boil quickly and simmer steadily.
For high-heat cooking, we fill a standardized pot with 4 quarts of water and place it on the largest cooktop burner. We jack up the burner to the highest setting and note the speed with which the water heats up.
For low-heat cooking, we use the smallest burner to maintain simmer and melt temperatures, gauging how well a cooktop holds a steady simmer temperature without dropping too low or reaching temperatures hot enough that you’d scorch delicate foods like chocolate or tomato sauce.
We test 30- and 36-inch gas cooktops from brands such as Bosch, GE, Ikea, KitchenAid, LG, Samsung, Viking, and Wolf. If you want even more options than those above, CR members can browse our full cooktop ratings. Check out our free cooktop buying guide for shopping tips and help deciding whether to buy a gas cooktop, an electric cooktop, or an induction cooktop for your kitchen.
