Cooktop grate with improved stability

A cooktop has a recessed portion surrounding a burner opening. The recessed portion includes bosses with grate supporting surfaces below the upper surface of the cooktop, and dams with vertical inner surfaces. A grate has a rectangular base with a vertical side wall and a bottom edge. The grate is mounted in the recessed portion, aligned with the burner opening, with the base bottom edge resting on the grate supporting surfaces of the bosses and with the grate side wall adjacent the vertical inner surfaces of the dams. The base includes tabs aligned with the dams and extending downwardly to provide greater height at the portions of the side wall aligned with the dams.