Maytag MGC5430BD The Heartland Metro 36-Inch Cooktop 3825 comes to us from AGA, the English manufacturer of vintage-style cookers and appliances. It's designed specifically for those who want the nostalgic look of the kitchen of yesteryear, but with the high-end performance of today's powerful commercial-style cooking equipment.

A model in the rangetop style, the 3825 is impressive to see and certainly meets the goal of adding vintage inspiration to the kitchen. When it comes down to performance, this model is really quite simple in design. Six powerful gas burners each pump out up to 15,500 Btu of cooking power and can be reduced as low as 450 Btu for low heat, simmering tasks. Beyond this fairly typical performance for professionally styled equipment, the Heartland 3825 isn't much more than just metal and some unusual paint.

In spite of that fact, we have to admit that we'd choose this cooktop or better yet, one of Heartland's ranges, if we were attempting to create a truly nostalgic, country kitchen. The look and feel this equipment lends to the kitchen is truly one of a kind, even if the performance is fairly standard. We particularly favor this model in one of the unusual colors like blue, and recommend you couple it with the imposing 20-inch high backsplash with attached storage shelving.

When it comes to everyday use, the grates are continuous, making a smooth and stable place for cooking and moving around pots. The likelihood of actually having to move pots around on this model, however, isn't that great, because each burner performs exactly the same. The only reason you'd be likely to move a pot is for convenience. Push one pot to the back and prepare another food at the front.

Electronic ignition and re-ignition set this model apart from those cooktops that are truly vintage in design as well as in operation. No inconvenient pilot will ever need lighting and this rangetop's flame will never blow out.

If simple and traditional-looking, yet modernly powerful, describes what you're looking for in a cooktop, then chances are Heartland's 3825 is for you. As an option, consider this 36-inch model with four burners and a grill.


Pros: Vintage styling, modern power and electronic ignition
Cons: Expensive for such a simple concept, grates/burners will darken with use

Warranty
1 year