Gas cooktops are made of various materials, the most common ones are stainless steel, porcelain coated steel or even glass on some higher end models. There are modular versions that are designed to allow you to snap in a rotisserie, a grill, or a wok. Most standard units have four burners, but other models can have only two or as many as five or six burners. Some have a griddle or grill section in between or on either side of the burners. Others have a removable grill that rests over the regular burners and are heated by them.

  As we mentioned before there are sealed burners that are popular because they are very easy to keep clean. These sealed burners also come in a range of sizes to offer more options. For instance there is one model that has a large burner for fast heating, two medium burners, and a smaller one for simmering. Other units are available with removable burners for easy cleaning and they can be thrown right in the dishwasher. Another nice feature you might consider are heavy-duty burner grates that can support heavy pots. Also a porcelain coating on both the bottom and top of the burners makes them rust and scratch resistant.

  Standard unsealed burners produce about 9,000 Btu per hour. A Btu or British thermal unit is a standard measure of heat or energy output. Sealed burners can range from as much as 12,500 Btu per hour, to the smaller 5,000 Btu per hour burners used for simmering. Commercial-style models produce significantly more heat, in some cases as much as 16,000 Btu per hour.

  In summary you should look for features that make clean-up easier. These can include: removable controls; porcelain drip pans under the burners; a porcelain or glass back guard (as opposed to a painted one); a raised edge around the cooking area to prevent spills from running over; and edges and corners without seams. On cooktops that don't have sealed burners, look for deep wells that control spills and a top that raises up for cleaning and are supported by two rods to hold it in place. These rods free up both hands for cleaning.

Now let's go over gas ovens and broilers...