Ignition risks associated with cooktops have increased despite the advancement in the cooktop technologies. The fires caused by cooktops cannot be completely avoided, but with significant research there can be potential decrease in kitchen fires incidents associated with cooktops. In this work, we try to improve our understanding of cooktop ignitions and the effects of the cooktop types on the ignition risk. A series of experiments were conducted to thermally characterize several types of electric cooktops which can be useful for assessing the cause for ignitions in future. Furthermore, the thermal responses of cooking pans of different materials are analyzed on heating elements of all three cooktop types.

Three commonly used cooktops were tested including an electric coil cooktop with cast iron plate, ceramic glass cooktop and an induction cooktop. The electric power and temperature of the heating element of cooktops were measured at different knob settings using power analyzer. Temperature at different parts of cooktops was measured by using thermocouple, and infrared camera. Additionally, radiant heat flux was measured for electric coil and ceramic glass cooktop by using heat flux sensor.

The results showed that the maximum surface temperature in electric coil and ceramic glass cooktop can reach to 620\°C and 590\°C respectively and can easily ignite different cooking oils and solid materials. In all three cooktops, within first few minutes, different frying pans (cast iron, carbon steel and aluminum) can reach to the ignition temperature of different cooking oils and solid substances. This study provides information to evaluate the competency of different types of electric cooktops in terms of igniting a variety of common kitchen items.