The 5 parts of a stovetop
A standalone cooktop or range stovetop is made of several parts (grates, burners, knobs and drip bowls or covers). These parts are designed to work together to help you serve hot meals to your family every day.
Keep reading to learn more about the parts of a stovetop and their functions and get answers to some common cooktop questions.
5 parts of a cooktop
Cooktop parts may vary depending on whether your cooktop or range is gas, electric or induction.
Understanding the parts and features of a cooktop can help you decide which one is the right model for your kitchen.
1. Burners
Every cooktop has burners regardless of which type of heating element it uses. Specifics vary by model but most stovetops often have at least 4 burners on the top of the stove.
Burners on gas cooktops utilize an open flame to heat cookware, whereas induction and electric burners use electromagnetic heating elements or heated metal coils hidden underneath a glass plate.
2. Grates
Grates securely position cookware over the flame of a burner. The height of the grate over the heat is precisely calculated to ensure strong burner performance.
Gas stovetop grates are typically made of cast iron or other metals that can stand up to heat. Electric and induction cooktops are built with the heating element housed beneath a smooth ceramic-glass surface instead of grates.
3. Knobs
The knobs on a cooktop are usually located in one of three places:
Top of the cooktop
Next to the burners
Below the burners
The knobs help control the temperature of your stovetop’s heating elements. Pushing and twisting a knob activates the electric coils or ignites the gas burners.
Select models have tap-activated buttons rather than control knobs, providing a minimalist look that fits nicely into many kitchen designs.
4. Drip bowls
The purpose of drip bowls or pans is to catch leaks, spills and splatters, protecting your burners from messes that occur during cooking. Drip bowls or pans are situated under the burners and can typically be removed when it’s time to clean or replace them. Glass-top stoves do not usually have drip bowls.
5. Accessories
Depending on your cooktop’s make and model, it may feature certain accessories like grill burners, an additional burner or griddle burners.
Are a stove and cooktop the same thing?
While sometimes used interchangeably, stoves or ranges are different than stovetops or cooktops. The word “stove” is often used to describe a kitchen appliance that has both a cooktop and an oven. Also, cooktops only have 2–5 burners on their surface and no oven.
Why is my stovetop not working?
There are a few reasons why a stovetop isn’t heating, such as user error, a malfunctioning burner, a poor gas supply, or something is wrong with a heating element. To determine the cause and fix the issue, it’s recommended to schedule a service appointment with a licensed technician.
For gas cooktops, the burner ports may get clogged with various types of food debris. You can fix this without the help of a technician by clearing the clog with a straight needle, pin or small-gauge wire.
Tip:
The size of a burner should always match the size of a pot or pan as closely as possible. Pots should never overlap a burner by more than 1/2 inch.
When boiling water, try using flat bottom pots with the lid on.
How to replace a stove burner?
Directions for replacing a stove burner vary by the cooktop type and brand. To replace a burner, follow the instructions in your product manual and only ever replace it with compatible parts.
What is the lifespan of a cooktop?
A cooktop’s lifespan may vary depending on the make and model in addition to how well you maintain it. To perform regular maintenance, follow the maintenance instructions in your model’s product manual.
Where to buy replacement stovetop parts?
Whirlpool brand offers replacement parts for specific stove models. If you require help to find a replacement part that matches your appliance, contact customer service and someone will help you find the right one. If you need troubleshooting assistance for your cooktop or to find and install the right replacement part, schedule an appointment with a licensed technician.
Explore Whirlpool® cooktops
No matter your style or preferred fuel source, Whirlpool brand has a cooktop to fit your needs. Whether you want gas, electric or induction technology, you can find a cooktop with the features and controls that will elevate your cooking, like select models with the SpeedHeat™ Burner or FlexHeat™ Dual Radiant Element.
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