Appliance Shopping 101: Tips For Finding the Perfect Stovetop
As home builders, unfortunately we can't teach you how to cook, but we can build you a kitchen you'll love to cook in.
When it comes to selecting your appliances, there's a world of options waiting to help you step up your culinary skills while elevating your design, and with a range of different price tags. Our team understands how choosing the right appliances is key to creating a space that's both functional, fully equipped, and looks great. With the stovetop really being the rockstar of the kitchen, we decided to start there.
If you’re in the market for an entirely new kitchen, stay tuned for more useful information on the rest of the appliance band members soon.
Stovetops: The Battle Between Electric or Gas
Electric stovetops offer a sleek, modern design that can complement contemporary kitchens. They are generally easier to clean than gas stovetops since they have a smooth, flat surface. Electric stovetops also provide precise temperature control, making them ideal for delicate cooking tasks like simmering sauces or melting chocolate. However, they can be slower to heat up and cool down compared to gas stovetops, which can affect cooking times. Gas stovetops, on the other hand, offer instant heat with precise control, allowing for quicker adjustments during cooking - therefore are preferred by many professional chefs for their responsiveness and ability to quickly change temperature settings. However, gas stovetops can be more difficult to clean due to the grates and burner components, and they may pose a safety risk if not properly maintained or if there's a gas leak. Ultimately, the choice between electric and gas stovetops often comes down to personal preference, cooking style, and kitchen setup.
Gas stovetops may not be an option for everyone, as you have to first ensure your property has access to a natural gas line. Additionally, the costs of connecting to it could come with a hefty price tag depending on your property size and topography. For those without access to natural gas, but are diehard gas cooking enthusiasts, there is another option. Many homeowners choose to install a permanent propane tank on their property and convert the unit to propane via a conversion kit. Keep in mind, conversion kits come at an extra price tag and have to be installed by a professional - also resulting in added fees. Fortis BC’s website has an easy-to-use interactive map that will show you the nearest service, and allows you to very quickly request an estimate or installation date, take a look for yourself at: https://servicerequestportal.fortisbc.com/newgasline
Am I The Only One that Doesn’t Know What an Induction Stove Top is?
No, you’re not. But don’t worry we’re here to help!
Induction stovetops definitely deserve their moment in the spotlight here - Firstly, they heat pots and pans directly using magnetic induction, resulting in faster heating times and more precise temperature control compared to both gas and traditional electric stovetops. They are also the most energy-efficient option, as they only heat the cookware and not the surrounding surface - reducing wasted energy and lowering utility bills (you can be a rockstar home-chef while spending less money and being environmentally responsible all at the same time!). They also provide a safer cooking environment since the surface remains relatively cool to the touch, reducing the risk of burns. And finally, they are amongst the easiest to clean with a smooth flat surface similar as electric options.
As for cost, induction stovetops typically come at a higher initial price compared to traditional electric stovetops. However, their energy efficiency can result in long-term savings on utility bills. Additionally, as technology advances and becomes more widespread, the price difference between induction and traditional electric stovetops may decrease over time. Ultimately, while the upfront cost of an induction stovetop may be higher, its efficiency, precision, and safety features can make it a worthwhile investment for many homeowners.
Much like concert tickets, appliances range in price. Whether you’re looking for the nosebleeds or floor seats, there are great options for every budget.
For budget-friendly appliance brands, some options to consider include:
GE Appliances: General Electric offers a wide range of affordable appliances, including refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, and more.
Whirlpool: Whirlpool manufactures reliable and budget-friendly appliances known for their durability and affordability.
Frigidaire: Frigidaire is another brand that provides budget-friendly options across various appliance categories, including refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers.
Hotpoint: Hotpoint offers basic, no-frills appliances at budget-friendly prices, making them suitable for those on a tight budget.
Haier: Haier specializes in compact and affordable appliances, making them a popular choice for smaller spaces or budget-conscious consumers.
As for high-end, luxury appliance brands, some options include:
Sub-Zero: Sub-Zero is renowned for its premium refrigeration appliances, known for their high-quality construction, innovative features, and sleek designs.
Wolf: Wolf, a subsidiary of Sub-Zero, manufactures high-end cooking appliances, including ranges, ovens, cooktops, and ventilation systems, prized for their performance and precision cooking capabilities.
Miele: Miele offers a wide range of luxury appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and more, known for their impeccable craftsmanship, advanced technology, and stylish designs.
Viking: Viking produces professional-grade cooking appliances, such as ranges, cooktops, and ovens, favored by home chefs and enthusiasts for their power, performance, and distinctive design.
Thermador: Thermador is known for its high-end cooking appliances, including ranges, cooktops, and wall ovens, featuring innovative features, precision cooking capabilities, and sleek designs.
These brands typically come with higher price tags due to their premium quality, advanced features, and brand reputation. If Thermador appliances interest you, we highly recommend scheduling a visit to their Vancouver Showroom - Lux Appliance Studio - an appliance shopping experience like no other! Lux also carries high-end brands Bosch and Gaggenau
When do I need to select my appliances?
Early. Straight away. Do not wait.
“What’s the rush?” you may ask. We strongly encourage you to make your appliance decisions during the design phase - whether a renovation or complete new home - and to understand the consequences of changing your mind later on down the road for multiple reasons:
All appliance types and brands come with unique installation requirements - making a change after gas, plumbing, electrical rough-ins and ducting work has been completed could result in very costly re&re. Depending on the scope of your project and design, ducting pathways and exterior penetrations for vents have already been carefully considered and designed, and may not be a simple switch should you make a change in appliance type (electric to gas for example)
Accurate kitchen design such as cabinet layout and depth, counters, hood fan installation heights, backsplashes, outlet locations and more will require you to at minimum select the size and type of appliances
Changing the electrical load required of your home to operate could also result in added service fees to increase your home’s available ampage. Things like this can easily be overlooked in the initial renovation budget, but is a very costly oversight. If you’re renovating a smaller, existing home - you may only have a 100-amp panel, but making significant changes during your renovation may require you to upgrade to a larger 200-amp service (becoming more standard for new builds)
If you’re building a new home in BC, you have to abide by Step Code 3 building regulations (read our blog post on that here!). Your energy advisor will have to revise their calculations based on the new appliance specs - resulting in added fees. Should your new selections be significantly less energy efficient than your original ones, it could force you to make other changes to your home to meet the Step Code 3 minimum requirements.
Delivery and lead-time. Appliance lead times never seemed to recover after the pandemic, you should be prepared to wait 6 weeks or more for even standard brands to arrive if you haven’t purchased an in-stock model locally.
