How to choose a cooktop with multiple burners? (Kitchen | Appliances & Fixtures)

Choosing a cooktop with multiple burners should feel exciting — it’s basically choosing the “engine room” of your Sydney kitchen. But let’s be honest: when you stand in front of rows of gas burners, induction zones, wok rings, dual flex zones and shiny knobs, even the bravest home renovator suddenly feels like they’re trying to choose a spaceship control panel.

Don’t worry. Picking the right multi-burner cooktop is actually much easier when you break it down the right way. And in Sydney, where kitchens are smaller in some suburbs and mega-sized in others, choosing the right cooktop is really about matching function with lifestyle.

Here’s the ultimate guide to help you choose the perfect multi-burner cooktop for your new kitchen — without burning your brain.

1. Start with the magic number: How many burners do you really need?

Sydney homeowners often think, “The more burners, the better!”
But sometimes four is plenty, and sometimes five or six is the dream.

Here’s the real-life breakdown:

4 Burners (Most common in Sydney homes)

Great for:
• Families of 2–4
• Standard apartment kitchens
• Regular daily cooking
• Smaller benchtops in places like Zetland, Ryde or Chatswood

5 Burners (Sydney entertainer’s favourite)

Why it’s popular:
• The centre wok burner = game changer
• More space for big frypans and pots
• Perfect for home chefs in suburbs like Strathfield, Epping or Kellyville
• Makes it easy to cook multiple dishes during gatherings

6 Burners (The “MasterChef at Home” choice)

Choose this if you entertain often or cook big meals.
Great for:
• Large homes in Mosman, Vaucluse, Pymble, Hunters Hill
• Enthusiastic cooks who always have a pot simmering
• Big families where meal prep feels like running a restaurant

Quick tip:
If your benchtop is small, don’t force a 5- or 6-burner model — crowded burners are worse than fewer burners that actually fit your cookware.

2. Choose your cooking style: Gas, induction or ceramic?

Sydney homeowners always argue about this part — gas lovers vs induction lovers — like it’s State of Origin.

Here’s the simple breakdown:

Gas Cooktop (The classic Sydney favourite)

Perfect if you:
✓ Love flame cooking
✓ Use woks
✓ Cook Asian-style dishes
✓ Want instant heat control

Perks:
• Great for large pans
• Works well on 5+ burner layouts
• Flame = visual feedback (you know exactly how hot things are)

Downside:
• Harder to clean
• Needs gas connection (or LPG bottles)
• Slightly less energy-efficient

Perfect for: Traditional cooks, wok lovers, entertainers.

Induction Cooktop (Modern Sydney superstar)

Perfect if you:
✓ Want fast heating
✓ Like sleek, flat, clean designs
✓ Have kids and value safety
✓ Want the safest + fastest + easiest-to-clean option

Perks:
• Heats water faster than gas
• Ultra-safe (cooktop stays cool-ish)
• Great for precision cooking
• Flat surface = easy to clean
• Works beautifully in modern kitchens from Alexandria to Lane Cove

Downside:
• Requires compatible cookware
• Some units need upgraded electrical circuits

Perfect for: Young families, minimalist homes, premium kitchens.

Ceramic Cooktop (Affordable and stylish)

Looks like induction but slower and less energy-efficient.

Perfect if you:
✓ Want the flat look but on a budget
✓ Don’t need super-fast heating
✓ Rarely cook big meals

Perfect for: Rentals, investment properties, budget renovations.

3. Burner layout: Don’t underestimate this — it changes everything

Burner layout affects how comfortably you can cook. Here are the main Sydney-approved options:

Centred Wok Burner (Most popular layout)

This is the 5-burner classic:
• 4 smaller burners around
• A powerful wok burner in the middle

Why Sydney loves it:
• Balanced
• Lots of space
• Good for both large pans and small tasks

Left or Right Wok Burner (Chef-style layout)

If you often cook one big dish, this gives you more space on one side.

Great for:
• Stir-fries
• Big families
• Chefs who like control

Inline Burners (Long and narrow cooktop)

Perfect for island benches or compact kitchens.

Looks sleek and modern.
Great in luxury kitchens in areas like Potts Point or Darling Point.

Triple Ring Burners (For gas lovers)

When you want serious heat.
Think sizzling steaks, deep woks, paella nights — all the fun stuff.

4. Size matters — cooktop widths explained

Sydney benchtops come in all shapes and sizes, so match the cooktop size to your space:

600mm:

Standard. Fits most apartments and small family kitchens.

750mm:

A sweet upgrade — gives more room without overwhelming the space.

900mm:

The entertainer's choice. Works beautifully with 5–6 burners.

1000–1200mm:

For premium kitchens.
If you’re cooking for extended family every weekend, go big.

5. Ventilation — don’t forget the range hood

Multi-burner cooktops = more heat, more steam, more smells.

Don’t make the classic mistake of pairing a giant cooktop with a tiny range hood.
Sydney has enough smoke from summer bushfires — your kitchen shouldn’t add to it.

Ideally:
• Range hood width = cooktop width (or larger)
• For gas: choose stronger suction
• For induction: a quieter model works well

If you want a down-draft extractor, plan early — they require cabinet depth and ducting routes.

6. Think about cleaning, maintenance and daily comfort

Ask yourself:

Do you want easy cleaning?
Choose induction or ceramic.

Do you hate fingerprints?
Avoid stainless steel surrounds.

Do you want professional-style cooking?
Choose gas with heavy cast-iron trivets.

Do you want speed?
Induction wins every time — it boils water faster than a Sydney summer heats up the M4 asphalt.

7. Safety: Very important in Sydney households

Families in Sydney increasingly choose induction because:

• No open flame
• Surfaces cool fast
• Pan detection (turns off automatically)
• No gas leaks to worry about

If you’re big on wok cooking but still want induction’s safety, look for hybrid cooktops (gas + induction combo).

8. Budget — what should you expect to spend?

Here’s the rough Sydney pricing:

• 4-burner ceramic: $300–$700
• 4-burner induction: $700–$2,000
• 5-burner gas: $500–$1,800
• 6-burner gas: $1,200–$3,500
• Premium brands (Miele, Wolf, Gaggenau): $4,000–$10,000+

Installation costs depend on:
• Gas fitting
• Electrical upgrades
• Bench cut-outs
• Ventilation requirements

The cooktop itself is the long-term investment — don’t cut corners here.

9. Think about how YOU cook (Sydney lifestyle edition)

Here’s your self-checklist:

If you cook lots of stir-fries:
Choose gas with a strong wok burner.

If you meal-prep every Sunday:
Choose a 5–6 burner layout for multitasking.

If you love a sleek modern look:
Induction, 900mm, minimal lines.

If your kitchen is compact:
Go 600–750mm, fewer burners but better spacing.

If you entertain a lot:
5 burners minimum — your stress level will thank you.

If you’re renovating to improve resale:
Induction or a premium 5-burner gas model always impresses buyers.

Final Verdict — How should you choose a multi-burner cooktop?

Simple:

1. Match the number of burners to your cooking habits.

2. Pick the fuel type that suits your style.

3. Choose a burner layout that makes cooking comfortable.

4. Ensure your range hood can handle the workload.

5. Match the cooktop size to your benchtop and lifestyle.

6. Consider safety, cleaning, and daily convenience.

A well-chosen multi-burner cooktop turns your kitchen into a smooth, powerful, joyful cooking zone — not a battlefield where pots fight for space.

Whether you love big family dinners or quick everyday meals, the right cooktop becomes the heart of your Sydney kitchen renovation.

Visit www.mb9.com.au to find out more information about kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation and laundry room renovation services from MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.