Torn between the best rated 36 inch gas cooktop or a smaller option that can perform just similarly? This isn’t necessarily surprising, especially if you have the room to spare in your kitchen.
The bigger version can really make an appealing case for its roominess, promising that you’ll have enough space even when using large pots and pans.
It can certainly affect just how efficient you can be when cooking. So if you love to cook up a storm for your friends and loved ones, a 36 inch Gas Cooktop would really be a good choice.
A 36-inch gas cooktop, on the other hand, makes a better choice due to the many advantages gas cooking equipment can offer.
Its precise heat control, fast heat up and cool down, and cost-efficiency certainly make it a popular pick among many households.
Despite all of these, however, it’s understandable why you might still be hesitating about getting one. With so many options available today, it makes sense to want to check out all of your choices.
This roundup can help you do just that with 36-inch gas cooktops, so make sure to read it all the way through.
Top 5 36-Inch Gas Cooktops 2021 – Reviews and Comparisons:
| Rankings | 1st Choice | 2nd Choice | Best Overall | 4th Choice | 5th Choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top-Rated 36 Inch Gas Cooktops in 2018 |  |
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| Name | Frigidaire FGGC3645QS | Empava 36GC204 36″ Cooktop | Empava EMPV-36GC202 | Frigidaire RC36DG60PS 36″ | GE Cafe CGP9536SLSS 36 Inch |
| Brand | Frigidaire | Empava | Empava | Frigidaire | GE Cafe |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| Color | Stainless | Black | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Rating | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Dimensions | 22 x 36 x 4 inches | 35.4 x 20.5 x 4.5 inches | 36 x 20.7 x 4.5 inches | 36 x 21.4 x 17.9 inches | 36 x 5.6 x 20.4 inches |
| Weight | 59 pounds | 38 pounds | 35.6 pounds | 89 pounds | 57 pounds |
| Material Type | Stainless Steel | Tempered Glass | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Get Started |
Our Picks of 8 Best 36 inch Gas Cooktop Reviews:
Want to know what the best 36 inch gas cooktops have to offer? Check out these products and you’ll see exactly what these cooking apparatuses can add to your kitchen:
1. Bosch 500 Series 36 inch Gas Cooktop
Starting off our list is the Bosch 500 Series 36”. This straightforward cooktop is all about performance, ensuring that you’ll get enough cooking space and power when you make the tastiest dishes for your family.
Its fuss-free design also makes it very easy to clean, so you can spend more time and effort in creating the most delicious meals and not tiring yourself out during cleanups.
Features:
- 5 burner heads
- Up to 16,000 BTU heat output
- OptiSim Burner
- Electronic re-ignition
- Stainless steel surface
- Heavy-duty push-top-turn metal knobs
- Sealed cooktop burners
- Continuous cast-iron grates
- Front controls
- LP conversion kit included
2. Frigidaire RC36DG60PS
It’s said that it’s not easy to find a 36” cooktop with a downdraft so the Frigidaire RC36DG60PS can really be a great choice if you’re looking for one.
With the quality the brand is known for, you can count on its quality.
It also even comes with a turbo burner that will let you cook with a massive pot or pan, so it can certainly meet a lot of households’ needs.
Features:
- 4 burners
- 1 turbo burner
- Up to 21,000 BTU heat output
- Front and center controls
- 2 continuous cast iron grates
- Stainless steel surface
- Stainless steel knobs
- Electronic ignition
- 600 CFM downdraft vent fan
- LP conversion kit included
3. Empava EMPV-36GC202
Don’t want to risk the quality of your cooktop? The Empava EMPV-36GC202 is made in the USA so you can instantly be guaranteed of great construction by this product.
It’s made of heavy-duty materials and features five Italian-made Sabaf burner heads which promise durability and dependability.
Topped with its very friendly price tag, this Empava product proves to be a steal.
Features:
- 5 imported Sabaf burners
- Up to 11942 BTU heat output
- Auto shut-off thermocouple protection
- 18 gauge stainless steel surface
- Heavy cast-iron grates
- Dishwasher-safe grates and knobs
- LP conversion kit included
4. Frigidaire FGGC3645QS
The Frigidaire FGGC3645QS is another nice option if you’re partial with the quality this classic brand has to offer.
It offers more power than what most average households need, so if you love cooking, this can be a great fit for you.
It’s also designed to be very easy to clean, so you shouldn’t fret about cleanups.
Features:
- 5 cooktop burners
- 5,000 to 18,000 BTU heat output
- Power burner
- Low Simmer burner
- Stainless steel surface
- SpillSafe cooktop
- Raised, angled front controls
- Continuous cast-iron grates
- Stainless steel knobs
- Dishwasher-safe grates
- LP conversion kit included
5. Empava 36″ Black Cooktop 36GC204
There are lots of things that might make the Empava 36” Black Cooktop 36GC204 very appealing to many. For one, it doesn’t look like most of the items on this list.
It doesn’t have a continuous grill, so this product doesn’t have a caged look that is common with gas cooktops.
Its tempered glass surface also makes it appear sleeker, so it definitely appears more modern than the other items listed here. Its friendly price tag is also another thing to note, making it a great choice for lots of households.
Features:
- 5 Sabaf burners
- 3,412 to 11,942 BTU heat output
- Tempered glass surface
- Heavy, laser cut cast-iron grates
- Orkli thermocouple auto shut off protection
- Orkli electromagnetic sensor valve
- Dishwasher-safe knobs and grates
6. GE Cafe CGP9536SLSS
Is your household a fan of breakfast food and other dishes best cooked in a big pan? Then the GE Cafe CGp9536SLSS would be a solid option for you.
This unit comes with a side griddle which makes it more convenient to whip up your favorite dishes.
Features:
- 3 burner heads
- Up to 20,000 BTU heat output
- Integrated cooktop griddle
- Precise Simmer burner
- Heavy cast-iron grates
- Sealed burners
White LED backlit knobs - Control lock
- Dishwasher-safe grates
7. Smeg PGFU36 X 36 Inch
The Smeg PGFU36 X 36” is another solid option for those who are looking for a dependable classic-style gas cooktop.
As expected from the brand, this unit has their trademark modern retro vibe and a good amount of power.
So if you like products that are both functional and nice to look at, this could be a good pick.
Features:
- 5 burner heads
- 3,600 to 13,700 BTU heat output
- Ultra low profile base
- AISI 304 stainless steel surface
- Right side control knobs
- Full-width heavy-duty cast-iron grates
- Automatic electronic ignition
- Safety valves
- LP conversion kit included
8. ZLINE 36 in Dropin Cooktop with 6 Gas Burners
As its name suggests, the ZLINE 36 in. Dropin Cooktop with 6 Gas Burners offers the most number of burners among all of the items on this list.
This alone can already make it the perfect choice for some households.
But if you need a bit more coaxing, the fact that it’s handcrafted in Italy with the finest materials might just convince you to give it a shot.
Features:
- 6 handcrafted Italian burner heads
- 2,800 to 11,400 BTU heat output
- Continuous cast-iron grate
- Stainless steel surface
- Sealed premium alloy burners
- Right side controls
How to Install a Gas Cooktop?
One of the things that homeowners find concerning is the actual installation of a gas cooktop. Some folks tend to find this a bothersome task so they shy away from cooktops altogether.
But did you know that it’s not really a feat to install a cooktop? It’s actually quite simple to do if you know how.
How exactly can you install this kind of cooking equipment? Here are the steps:
- Take measurements. This is the most important step when buying a gas cooktop because you have to be absolutely certain that the unit will fit your counter. Before installation, however, you need to measure the parts that you have to slide into your counter. As the cooktop needs to sit flush into the surface, your measurements need to be exact and precise.
- Check your measurements and try on the fit of the cooktop on your counter. This will also help you visualize how the cooktop will look on your counter and allow you to make adjustments in case you need to do so.
- Mark and cut the counter if you still have to do so. The steps on doing this will depend on the material used on your counter, so make sure to research on that as well. If you can’t do this on your own, you can also hire a professional to do it for you. Seal the raw edges after if necessary.
- Read the manual of your gas cooktop then assemble the unit according to the directions noted. Make sure to put together your cooktop properly as you might find that difficult to do once it’s already installed on your counter.
- Check if your cooktop fits in the opening. Place it inside to test its fit. You can also trace its size to help you determine where to place the sealant if you’re putting it under the unit.
- Apply a sealant on the edges of the counter opening and let it cure if need be. This will hold your cooktop in place, so it’s important to be careful when doing this step.
- Place the gas cooktop in its designated spot then press it down to make sure that it sticks.
- Hook up the cooktop to your gas line or LP tank and the electrical line if necessary.
How to Measure Cooktop?
As mentioned above, taking measurements is one of the most crucial things that you need to do when buying and installing cooktops.
Sure, manufacturers provide the basic numbers like the 30” or 36” size as well as the physical dimensions of the unit. However, these are not enough if you are going to make sure that you’ll be able to install the cooking equipment properly.
Why? Cooktops have a lip that helps them latch onto the counter. Others may come with mounting clips but the lip is a basic design that comes with all of the units today.
So you can’t just make a 36” wide hole on your counter if you’re getting a 36” cooktop. That will be too big for your actual cooktop unit.
How do you take measurements for your new cooktop, then? Here are the steps when replacing an old unit:
- Take out the old cooktop.
- Using a measuring tape, measure the width of the hole in the counter from the inside. Do the same with the length.
- If there’s a wall oven placed under the cooktop, measure the available space from the top of the oven to the top of the counter.
- List down the measurements and take note of them when buying a new cooktop.
Here are the steps when measuring the dimensions of the cooktop you bought:
- Remove the unit from its box. Take out all of the packaging inclusions then lay it flat on a counter.
- Measure the width and length of the receded part of the cooktop. This will go inside the hole, so these should match the measurements of the hole for your cooktop.
- Measure the total height of the cooktop from the bottom of the unit to the top of the receded portion. This will tell you how much space you need to make the cooktop sit flush on your countertop.
Induction Cooktop vs Electric:
If you’re also considering other cooktop options aside from a gas-powered one, there’s a very good chance that you might have an induction or electric cooktops in mind.
While gas can be a better option than both, these two also have their own charms.
We’ll also note which one between induction and electric cooktops perform better in each point to help you get a good grasp of what each type of cooking equipment can offer.
1. Safety
Induction cooking apparatuses are designed to be very safe, whether it’s a range, cooktop, or tabletop stove. It doesn’t even heat up so there’s no way you’ll burn yourself when you get in contact with its surface.
Electric cooktops can easily burn your skin if you touch them while they’re on, on the other hand.
2. Cost
Induction cookers are deemed to be more energy efficient than both gas and electric stoves since they don’t really need that much power to heat up.
3. Versatility
When it comes to versatility, however, induction cookers tend to have some issues. They can’t work with all kinds of cookware, so you will need a special set of pots and pans if you want to switch to an induction stove.
Electric and gas varieties, on the other hand, can cook with just about any kind of cookware so they’re certainly easier to have around.
4. Appearance
An induction cooktop will also be quite hard to beat if you want the sleekest-looking cooking equipment. Electric and gas varieties will find it hard to match the ultra-minimalist and clean lines these products can offer.
All in all, however, it’s still a matter of preference when choosing between gas, induction, or electric cooktops. But if you want to be guaranteed with top-notch performance, gas cooktops can still outperform both with ease.
Buyers Guide – What to Look for in a New 36 inch Gas Cooktop?
While most 36 inch gas cooktops have a lot of similar features, it doesn’t mean that they’re all made equally.
So if you want to make sure that you’ll bring home the best one, you should pay close attention to these things:
1. Burner Count and Design
The number of burners in a cooktop can determine just how much you can do with it, especially if you tend to cook a lot of food all the time. However, it also doesn’t mean that you should go for the one with the most burners.
Sometimes, it’s more important that you get more burner space than actual burners. If you cook with large pots and pans, this can ensure that you’ll get to use all burners instead of having your cookware overlap while you cook.
2. Quality
A non-negotiable when it comes to cooking equipment is the quality. Make sure to get cooktop that is durable and made of quality materials and construction. This can ensure that you’ll get your money’s worth.
3. Power
First-time buyers might not know that they need powerful burners for efficient cooking, so make sure to take note of this fact. The BTU ratings listed on a product’s page should clue you in on how powerful it can be, so make sure to pay attention to this detail as well.
4. Extras
Since a 36” cooktop is pretty big cooking equipment, you can also find products that come with various add-ons. If you think the extras will come in handy for you, go for them. If you only like them because they look fancy, you don’t really have to get them.
5. Cost
Lastly, your budget should also be considered when buying one of these items. Cooktops can be pricey but it doesn’t mean that the most expensive ones are the best.
Be thorough in choosing and opt for the best product that you can afford so you can make the most out of your purchase.
Final Verdict
With their great performance and convenience, the best 36 inch gas cooktop can really improve the functionality of your kitchen.
They can also make meal preparations a breeze, so they’re certainly worth the investment. Hopefully, this guide helps you find the most suitable unit for your needs so you can give your kitchen a nice and easy upgrade.
