A stove top is the flat cooking surface of a stove, where pots and pans are placed for heating food. It typically features burners that can be powered by gas, electricity, or induction. Each burner can be controlled individually, allowing for precise temperature adjustments while cooking. Stove tops come in various designs, including gas burners, electric coils, and induction cooktops. Gas stove tops use an open flame, while electric coils heat up through electrical resistance. Induction cooktops use magnetic fields to directly heat pots and pans, making them energy-efficient and safe to use.