Cooktops have changed quite a bit in recent years. New technologies have bred an abundance of new products in both gas and electric versions. Gas units have always been a favorite with serious cooks — they're clean, have fast heat response, and permit a high degree of fine temperature control. The new gas models allow even more control. Electric cooktop improvements have been even more dramatic, making some of the newest electric cooktops as quick and efficient as the new gas models. Traditional Electric Cooktops The most common electric cooktop is the electric coil or calrod type, which works by conduction. Electricity heats a steel coil, which transfers its heat directly to any pan that's placed on it. The main
