What Is an Overlay on a Stove?

Touchpad Overlays

• Touchpad overlays are available for a variety of stoves. In 2011, stove touchpad overlays are typically digital readouts of various measurements for a stove. For example, the overlay might display the time, a kitchen timer or information about which burners are turned on. Touchpads usually attach to the back of the stove, elevated above the cooking area and away from the flames or burners so they aren't damaged when cooking.

Stove Top Overlays

• Stove top overlays are essentially new cooking surfaces for the tops of stoves. They attach to the top of the stove and typically need to match the existing burner layout, so you don't need to wire the stove to accommodate new burners. You could use a stove top overlay to modernize an older stove with a stainless steel look, or give a stove a fresh, clean look without buying a new one.

Griddles

• Stove overlays might also include additional components used for stove-top cooking. For example, an overlay might include a griddle component that attaches and detaches from the stove top. You can cook on the griddle surface rather than using a pan. The surface is heated by the stove's burners underneath the griddle surface. Once cool, you can remove the griddle for cleaning and storage, exposing the burners underneath the griddle overlay.

Overlay Details

• Overlays for stoves come in all shapes and sizes. Some, such as clocks, are just a few inches wide, while others are as large as the entire stove top. Some are made of stainless steel, while others are ceramic, iron or another metal. Many overlays can snap right into place with little installation work required, though some are more complex and might require a professional to install. Overlays can cost anywhere from $20 for a simple digital clock to hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a more elaborate stove top makeover.