In recent times, radiant and induction cooking surfaces have grown in popularity. With the trend taking over kitchens everywhere, many home cooks may look at their coil stoves and wonder if they need to catch up.
While coil cooking is an older technology, it remains popular due to its many benefits, such as durability and classic design.
What Is Coil Cooking?
Rather than using gas or smooth-top elements, coil cooking relies on heating coil elements, both on the stovetop and in the oven. The electrical wire in the metal conducts electricity to heat the metal on the coil burner. As the burners heat up, they glow orange.
Anything placed on these coils is heated directly. The stove’s dials control temperature by adjusting the resistance levels in the heating element—more resistance means higher heat.
The Five Benefits of Coil Ranges & Cooktops
1. Durability
Coil ranges are the most durable option compared to gas ranges and smooth-top induction. Unlike glass cooktops, steel coils can handle almost anything from a light nonstick pan or a fancy glass pot to a heavy cast-iron skillet. Compare that with the smooth-top glass cooktops which are more prone to cracks and damages
2. Easy Service
No one wants to worry about replacing parts or paying a professional to service their range. However, accidents happen. Luckily, coil cooktops and ranges are easier to service and repair than induction cooktops because their heating elements are simple, readily replaceable coils that a technician can easily locate at a hardware store.
Induction cooktops have complex internal circuitry that usually requires specialized technicians to repair. Radiant and induction cooking utilize one solid piece of glass as the cooking surface. If service is needed, the entire glass top has to be replaced, leaving the cooktop unusable. In coil products, the issue may be isolated to a single element, allowing you to continue to use the other burners.
Pro Tip: The elements and the bowls underneath them pop out for easy cleaning, and in the case of most coil models, the whole stovetop lifts like the hood of a car to make it more accessible to clean underneath.
3. Cookware Compatibility
With coil cooktops and ranges, users can use virtually any kind of cookware. This means they can use cast iron or glass cookware without fear of damaging the surface.
Induction cooktops on the other hand use magnetic energy, meaning the pots and pans used must be made from magnetic material. So not every pot or pan in your existing line-up of cookware will be compatible, so users will need to make yet another trip to the store to purchase suitable pots and pans.
4. Affordable
Coil cooktops and ranges are generally more affordable than induction, radiant, and gas cooktops because they have a more straightforward design, use readily available technology, and typically have a lower initial purchase price. This makes them a more budget-friendly option for most consumers.
In contrast, induction cooktops often require specialized cookware, and both radiant and gas options have more complex technology, driving up initial purchase costs and future repairs.
5. Vintage Style
Of course, many kitchens have ranges and cooktops with sleeker, modern designs. Many homeowners choose coil cooktops and ranges for their nostalgic feel and vintage style.
No matter the users' kitchen aesthetic, Summit manufactures various coil ranges in multiple sizes, wattages, and stylish swatches, such as classic white, modern black, and and sophisticated stainless steel.
Additionally, we offer several 110V - 115V coil cooktops and 220V - 240V cooktops in several finishes to match and complement the style of any kitchen setting.
More Appliances For The Kitchen
Are you looking for something other than coil cooktops and ranges? Download our complete cooking catalog to explore our newest products and find the perfect cooking solution for your kitchen needs.
