Abstract: A heating element (10) for a cook top or the like has a predetermined heating profile by which the temperature of the heating element is rapidly increased from room temperature to a cooking temperature because of an initially high level of power dissipation in the element when a current is applied to the element. As a result of the high level of power dissipation, as the temperature of the element rises toward the cooking temperature, the power dissipation level falls to a predetermined level at which it subsequently remains. A first heating element material (12) has a first predetermined set of heating characteristics, and a second heating element material (14) has a second and different predetermined set of characteristics. When the materials are combined together to form the heating element, the element incorporates therein heating characteristics by which a desired heating profile is achieved; i.e., the rapid initial temperature increase and accompanying decrease in power dissipation.