General Electric JGP328 30 in. Gas Cooktop

This cooktop was already installed in our new house, and I promptly replaced it with a more serious appliance. Its 9,100 BTU on the three larger burners is woefully inadequate for all but warming a saucepan of soup. If you do any wok-cooking or boil pasta, look for 12,000 BTU or more.

I considered replacing it with similar-looking but higher-end JGP932 (15,000 BTU) but was turned off by the control knob location and the cast-iron grates that appeared somewhat wimpy for the tasks envisioned. Otherwise, I do like the continuous grates and the compact design.

But if you're refitting an apartment complex, this is an attractive and economical choice.