Every so often in the AJ Madison office, we receive news and information on a home appliance so new and interesting that it sparks a debate on how to classify it. Companies like to throw a curveball in their product line-ups and introduce new devices that either combine features of previous devices or bring something entirely new for release. Though we always discover and sell the latest products, some items take us by surprise.

Fisher & Paykel CookSurface (CG363ML)

Fisher & Paykel have recently released the CookSurface, a 36 inch, 3-burner cooktop that works like no other gas cooktop. This smoothtop cooktop uses gas sealed burners instead of electric elements! The burners and pan supports sit hidden underneath the cooktop’s ceramic glass surface, and gently rise with the push of a button. This appliance can sit flush across a countertop, exactly like an electric or induction cooktop, but with gas instead. Now gas-cooking enthusiasts like myself can enjoy the style and convenience of a smoothtop that electric users have had for so long.

With the CookSurface, various visual and audio cues help make the cooking experience precise and exciting. When using the dials to control the device’s burners, the CookSurface indicates the strength of the flame with both a red LED indicator status bar and audible tones. The supports are durable and sturdy in structure, and are also designed to help contain spills away from the gas burner. The product was also designed for safety in mind, with the three-in-a-row configuration, decreasing the possibility of burns and other injuries (particularly those involving reaching across other burners).

Along with other products in what Fisher and Paykel are calling “Tomorrow’s Kitchen,” this really breathes new life into cooktops. If you’re updating your kitchen and want to include the latest in cooking appliances, the CookSurface is one great place to start.