Best Range Top Surface: Stainless Steel or Black Porcelain?

[gredmondson]

I have a friend who is going to buy a 30" freestanding gas range. So, first of all, do you have any brand preferences? Second, he has a one year old Samsung stainless steel refrigerator that is on the same wall as his range is, so the new range could match the refrigerator.

It looks like the stainless steel top models are more expensive than the black porcelain models in general. What I have found so far is that one is not clearly way better than the other (though I like the stainless steel look way better than the black porcelain).

Does anyone on this site have any thoughts about it?

George

 

[nmassman44]

Having had both I would go with the black porcelain top. On my Bosch gas stove it had the Stainless Steel top that was a pain to keep clean and if something spilled onto the cooktop and baked on,I had to take an SOS pad to it to get the gunk off. On my GE gas stove it has the black porcelain top and its a breeze to keep clean. The burners come out and whats left is the igniters that are built into the cooktop. This cooktop is much easier to keep clean in my opinion.
If your friend is going to buy a new stove I would go with GE. Performance is spot on ,the oven temps are are as well. This stove also uses the broiler to add heat much like an electric oven. So results are outstanding. I have had the GE for close to two years now and no issues at all. Stay away from Bosch, they do not stand behind their products and I was on my 7th oven igniter when it went out again. They knew they had an issue with the stove but didn't do anything or offer anything. Thats my experience.

 

[cuffs054]

I'll have to disagree with NMass. My MT Gemini at the first cabin had the black top. I could never get it to look "streakless" drove me nuts.

 

[rp2813]

Good to see you posting here George!

Our Electrolux ICON range has sealed gas burners with a black tempered glass top.  It has held up well over the past six years that we've had it, and you can use a razor blade to remove anything stubborn without worrying about damaging the finish.

 

Ralph

 

[nmassman44]

Pic of the GE cooktop without burners and grates, streak free and clean. I just use soapy water, a dish cloth and wipe down with a tea towel.

 

[nmassman44]

Put back together...

 

[gredmondson]

Hey, Gentlemen, thanks so much for the input!
I should tell my friend about the glass top option.
One of my sons has an older black glass top Dacor with sealed burners, and it is a chore to keep clean. I have thought about taking oven cleaner to it.
ps. Ralph, I liked seeing the personal message