Electric Ranges & CooktopsRadiant Cooktop
Whirlpool WCE55US6H Electric Range or Cooktop Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the 36 in. radiant cooktop, with verified specifications.
- TypeRadiant Cooktop
- Cooking zones4 (up to 3,000 W)
- Width36.3 in.
- Est. yearly cost$33.15
About the Whirlpool WCE55US6H
Model WCE55US6H from Whirlpool is a 36 in. radiant cooktop that meets ENERGY STAR requirements for electric cooking products. It measures 36.3 in. wide and 21.8 in. deep, with a height of 5.25 in.
Radiant elements sit under a smooth glass-ceramic top and heat the pan through the glass. They work with any flat-bottomed cookware, but the glass stays hot for a while after the element is switched off. The cooking surface has 4 cooking zones, the most powerful rated at 3,000 W and the largest 9.84 in. across.
Listed features include dual-concentric zones that switch between two diameters and knob controls.
Rated annual energy consumption for the cooking top is 195 kWh, about $33.15 a year at $0.17/kWh.
Specifications
| Brand | Whirlpool |
|---|---|
| Model number | WCE55US6H*** |
| Type | Radiant Cooktop |
| Installation | Built-in |
| Width | 36.3 in. |
| Height | 5.3 in. |
| Depth | 21.8 in. |
| Cooking zones | 4 |
| Zone sizes / power | 6.5 in. / 1,200 W; 9.84 in. / 3,000 W; 9.84 in. / 3,000 W; 6.5 in. / 1,200 W |
| Most powerful zone | 3,000 W |
| Specialty zones | Dual Concentric Cooking Zones |
| Controls | Knobs |
| Voltage | 240 V |
| Amperage (as listed) | 40.0 A |
| Listed features | Indicator Light - Heating Element On |
| Annual energy use (cooking top) | 195 kWh/yr |
| Low-power mode, cooking top | 0.00 kWh/yr |
| Average cooking-zone test time | 9.0 min |
Safety information
- This appliance requires a 240 V circuit (the certification record lists 40 A). Have the electrical connection made by a qualified electrician according to the installation instructions and local code. Never use an extension cord or adapter.
- Never leave cooking unattended on high heat, and keep pot handles turned inward, away from the edge.
- For a grease fire on the cooktop, turn off the zone and smother the flames with a lid or baking sheet. Never use water and never carry a burning pan.
- Do not store flammable items, plastic utensils or aerosol cans on or above the cooking surface.
- Wear close-fitting sleeves; loose clothing can catch fire on a hot element or pan.
- Never use the glass top as a cutting board or storage shelf. If the glass is cracked, switch off the breaker and stop using the cooktop until it is repaired.
Installation and first-time setup
According to the certification data, this cooktop is 36.3 in. wide, 21.8 in. deep, and 5.25 in. tall (top to bottom of the unit). The countertop cutout is a different, smaller dimension — always cut to the template or cutout drawing in the installation instructions.
- Prepare the cutout
Cut the countertop opening to the template dimensions and verify the minimum clearances to the cabinet doors, drawers and any wall cabinets above as given in the installation instructions.
- Check the electrical supply
Provide a dedicated 240 V circuit using the breaker size and wire gauge the installation instructions specify (the certification record lists an amperage of 40 A for this model). New installations generally require a four-wire connection (two hots, neutral and a separate ground).
- Connect the cooktop
Route the flexible conduit to a junction box within reach of the cooktop and make the connection with the breaker off. Do not shorten or kink the factory conduit.
- Seat and secure
Lower the cooktop into the opening, center it, and fasten the hold-down clips or brackets so the glass sits flat without stress. Remove any protective film before first use.
Using your cooktop
Cooking zones on this model
| Zone | Diameter | Power |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 6.5 in. (17 cm) | 1,200 W |
| Zone 2 | 9.84 in. (25 cm) | 3,000 W |
| Zone 3 | 9.84 in. (25 cm) | 3,000 W |
| Zone 4 | 6.5 in. (17 cm) | 1,200 W |
Match the pan to the zone: the base of the pan should cover the zone marking, or be no more than about 1 in. larger. Use the highest-wattage zone for boiling large pots and searing, and the smallest zones for sauces and simmering.
Cooking on a radiant glass top
- Use flat, smooth-bottomed pans that match the element size; rough cast-iron bottoms can scratch the glass.
- At lower settings the element cycles on and off to hold the temperature — the glow brightening and fading is normal.
- The glass stays hot after switching off. Use that stored heat by turning the element off a few minutes before the food is done.
- Wipe up sugary spills promptly (carefully, with a scraper and oven mitt) — melted sugar can pit the glass if it cools on the surface.
Specialty zones
- Dual-concentric zone
- Switch between a small and a large ring to match the pan size.
Controls
This model uses knob controls. Knobs typically push in before turning to prevent accidental activation; always confirm the indicator shows the zone you intended.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| After each use (once cool) | Wipe the glass with a damp cloth. For residue, use a ceramic-cooktop cleaning cream and a non-scratch pad — never steel wool, abrasive powders or glass cleaner with ammonia on a warm surface. |
| As needed | Remove burned-on deposits with a razor-blade scraper held at about a 30° angle, then polish with cooktop cream. |
| Monthly | Clean the control knobs or touch panel with a soft cloth and mild detergent; dry thoroughly. |
Troubleshooting
Many cooktop problems are caused by cookware, settings or the power supply. Try the checks below before scheduling service.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing works | Breaker tripped (240 V appliances use a double breaker); controls locked; power outage. | Reset the breaker fully off and on; unlock the controls; check other appliances on the same panel. |
| Element turns off and on by itself | Normal cycling to hold lower settings; temperature limiter protecting the glass. | No action needed. Use flat pans that match the zone size so the limiter does not trip early. |
| Scratches or shiny marks on the glass | Rough pan bottoms, sliding pans, or metal marks from aluminum or copper pans. | Metal marks usually come off with cooktop cleaning cream; scratches are permanent, so lift pans instead of sliding them. |
| Food heats slowly or unevenly | Warped or undersized pan; wrong zone. | Use a flat pan that matches the zone diameter. |
| Touch controls do not respond | Water or spills on the panel; controls lock on; pan resting on the controls. | Dry the panel, remove objects, and turn off the lock. |
| A code appears on the display | The control has detected a fault. | Note the code, switch the breaker off for a minute, then on. If the code returns, look it up in the code table in your manufacturer's manual. |
Energy use and running costs
The Whirlpool WCE55US6H has a rated annual energy consumption of 195 kWh for its cooking top, measured under the U.S. Department of Energy test procedure. At $0.17 per kWh, that is about $33.15 per year, or $2.76 a month.
Low-power (standby) consumption — the energy used by displays and electronics when nothing is cooking — is listed as 0 kWh/yr for the cooking top, a negligible amount.
To cut energy use, match pan size to the element, keep lids on pots, and use residual heat by switching the element off a few minutes before food is done.
Frequently asked questions
How many cooking zones does the Whirlpool WCE55US6H have?
It has 4 cooking zones (size / power: 6.5 in. / 1,200 W; 9.84 in. / 3,000 W; 9.84 in. / 3,000 W; 6.5 in. / 1,200 W). The most powerful zone is rated at 3,000 W.
What are the dimensions of the Whirlpool WCE55US6H?
The certification data lists a width of 36.3 in., a depth of 21.8 in., and a height of 5.25 in. Always use the cutout dimensions from the installation instructions, which differ from the overall size.
What electrical supply does the Whirlpool WCE55US6H need?
It is listed at 240 V with an amperage of 40 A. Use the circuit breaker and wire size specified in the installation instructions, and have the connection made by a qualified electrician.
What cookware works best on the Whirlpool WCE55US6H?
Flat-bottomed pans that match the zone diameter heat most evenly. Avoid rough-bottomed cookware that can scratch the glass.
How much electricity does the Whirlpool WCE55US6H use?
Its cooking top is rated at 195 kWh per year, about $33.15 a year at $0.17/kWh.
Is the Whirlpool WCE55US6H ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR certified residential electric cooking products list, with a certification date of November 2024.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified electric ranges & cooktops dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified November 24, 2024), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with Whirlpool. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact Whirlpool or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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