Cooktops for Sale in Olympia, WA
Choosing a cooktop is a kitchen design decision more than an appliance swap: you are separating the burners from the oven, freeing up wall and cabinet space, and committing to a specific ventilation plan. McKinney's Appliance carries one of the best cooktop selections in Thurston County, with gas, electric, and induction units in 30-inch, 36-inch, and 48-inch sizes. Browse your favorite brands alongside the rest of our cooking appliances to coordinate finishes and brands across the kitchen.
The cooktop itself comes down to three calls. Choose the fuel that fits your hookups (a gas line, or a 240V circuit for electric and induction). Pick the width (30 inches is standard, 36 and 48 leave room for more burners and oversized pans). And if induction is on the shortlist, run a magnet over your existing pots first, since induction only heats magnetic cookware.
Shop Cooktops by Fuel Type
On a cooktop, the fuel choice shapes everything you do above the counter: how fast a pot boils, how precisely a simmer can hold, how the surface cleans up after a spill, and how your kitchen vents the heat above. Gas, electric, and induction each take a different approach to all four. Match the option to your hookups and the kind of cooking you do most often.
Gas Cooktops
Built around an open flame, gas cooktops deliver immediate heat response and the visual control many home cooks prefer. Cast-iron grates and high-output burners make them ideal for searing, wok cooking, and high-heat techniques.
Electric Cooktops
Featuring smooth, radiant elements beneath a glass-ceramic surface, electric cooktops offer consistent heat and a flat top that wipes clean easily. They are a strong fit for kitchens without a gas line and for cooks who prioritize sleek, minimalist design.
Induction Cooktops
Using magnetic technology to heat cookware directly, induction cooktop units boil water faster than gas or electric, keep the surface cool to the touch around the pan, and provide some of the most precise temperature control on the market. They are also the most energy-efficient option of the three. Check out our blog “What Is an Induction Cooktop?" for a more detailed explanation.
Shop Cooktops by Feature
Beyond fuel type, today's cooktops offer features that change how you cook, how you vent, and what the unit costs. The three bullets below cover the upgrades buyers ask about most.
- Wi-Fi Enabled Cooktops: Connected models let you monitor cooking, adjust temperature, and receive alerts from your phone through brand apps like SmartHQ or LG ThinQ. They are a smart addition to a connected kitchen and let you confirm a burner is off without walking back to check.
- Continuous Grate Cooktops: Cast-iron grates that span the entire surface let you slide heavy pots and oversized pans across burners without lifting. This feature is especially useful on professional-style gas models where you cook with stockpots, woks, or rectangular pans.
- Downdraft Cooktops: A built-in ventilation system rises from behind or beside the cooking surface to capture steam, smoke, and odors at the source. Downdraft models are ideal for kitchens with islands or open layouts where an overhead range hood is impractical.
Upgrade Your Kitchen with a New Cooktop at McKinney's
Choosing the right cooktop is one of the few appliance decisions that touch your cooking every single day. Our team can walk you through countertop cutout sizes, gas line and 240V electrical requirements, and how to pair the cooktop with the right ventilation so the installation goes smoothly.
When you are ready, visit one of our Olympia appliance showrooms to compare models in person or contact us to talk through your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cooktops
Can you use cast iron on a glass cooktop?
Yes, cast iron can be used on a glass cooktop, but a few precautions go a long way. Lift cast iron pans rather than sliding them, since the rough underside can scratch the glass surface. Make sure the bottom of the pan is clean and smooth, and avoid dropping or dragging heavy cookware to prevent cracks. Many manufacturers also recommend enameled cast iron as a safer option for glass.
What is a downdraft cooktop?
A downdraft cooktop has a built-in ventilation system that pulls smoke, steam, and odors downward and out through ductwork beneath the floor or along an exterior wall. This eliminates the need for an overhead range hood, which makes downdraft cooktops a popular pick for kitchen islands and open floor plans where a traditional vent hood would interrupt sightlines.
How do you install a gas cooktop?
Gas cooktop installation involves cutting a precise opening in the countertop, connecting the unit to an existing gas line, and securing the cooktop with mounting brackets. Because of the gas connection and the need to confirm there are no leaks, this work should be handled by a licensed installer. McKinney's coordinates professional installation throughout the Thurston County area so the job is done safely and to code.
Gas, electric, or induction: what type of cooktop is best?
The right choice depends on your hookups, cooking style, and budget. Gas is preferred for visual flame control and high-heat techniques, electric is the simplest to install in homes without a gas line, and induction delivers the fastest boil times and most precise control. If you bake often or rely on simmering and sauce work, induction or electric tend to win out. If you cook with a flame, choose gas.
Do you need special cookware for induction cooktops?
Yes, induction cooktops only heat cookware with a magnetic base, so any pots and pans made entirely of non-magnetic materials will not work on the surface. Cast iron, enameled cast iron, and magnetic stainless steel are all induction-ready, while aluminum, copper, glass, ceramic, and non-magnetic stainless steel pans will not heat up.
