COOKING EQUIPMENT RANGETOPS The range is still the most important piece of cooking equipment in the kitchen, even though many of its functions have been taken over by other tools such as steamers, steam kettles, tilting skillets, and ovens. Types of Cooktops 1. Open elements (burners), either electric coils or gas flames. These tops are the fastest to heat and can be turned off after short use .However ,cooktop space is limited to one pot per burner. 2. Flattop or hot top (lightweight). Burners covered with steel plate. More cook space is available. Top supports moderately heavy weights. 3. Heavy-duty flattop. Burners covered with heavy cast steel. The top supports many heavy pots .A thick top requires longer preheating. Set burners for different levels,and adjust cooking heat by moving pots to different spots on the top. 4. Induction cooktops. A fairly new type of rangetop, the induction cooktop is slowly making its way into commercial kitchen...