Induction bargain

[foraloysius]

Most people here use natural gas for cooking. I had a gas cooktop too (on top of my dishwasher). But because of my asthma I didn't use it anymore. I put a huge Ikea wood cutting board on top of it and used a single induction unit that I already had. I had in mind that I wanted to purchase a cooktop with more burners in the future but had no concrete plans. Until I browsed on bol.com, originally a webshop for books, but they started selling appliances. I noticed they had a two burner induction unit on sale. From €229.- ($248.-) down to €95.- ($100.-). I even got an extra €2.50 off because of my birthday recently.

It's only a two burner model, a square three burner model would have cost at least €500.-, the latest model is even over €600.-. So here's a picture of my bargain.

 

[mattl]

Very nice.  What is the power rating?

 

[foraloysius]

Both burners are 2100 Watts, but the max. power draw is 3400 Watts. The dominant burner is the right one, if you set that on max and the left one is already on, the right one is automatically turned to a lower power level.

 

[rp2813]

Excellent deal!

Very nice, and it looks roomy. 

 

It's only in a rare circumstance that I ever require more than two burners.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I am so happy for you! Sorry about the asthma. Were you able to sell your gas cooktop or are you keeping it in case the power goes out during bad storms?

 

[sudsmaster]

Looks very nice. But I'd be slightly worried that a huge pot of bouillabaisse might get launched across the room during an unbalanced spin cycle... ;-)

 

I've also thought of induction but I don't seem to have a health problem with gas, and my favorite cookware is ceramic coated aluminum with no induction capability. Also gas is a lot cheaper here than electricity.

 

Like Ralph, typically I use a max of two burners. Once int a while three, but I can't remember the last time I needed four or five.

 

 

 

 

[delaneymeegan]

My bargain "induction" cooking unit. I think I paid $12.99 for it. Plus tax. And get this, I bought it new. That's right.

Works Perfect. I can easily move it where ever, and half the time I'll cook outside so all the heat, steam, and odor isn't in my living envelope. Great for summer time/air conditioning season.

I laugh, YES LAUGH, in the faces of those who've paid upwards of $5000 for some ugly 60" wide stainless steel behemoth. All that metal and indebtedness just to secure their egos. HUH.
You can't easily move it outside now, can you?.

 

[iheartmaytag]

I think he's safe.

Dishwashers typically don't go into a spin cycle.

 

I bought a 1,800 Max Burrton from Amazon, and love it.  I was able to do my fudge by setting the time and temp.  Comes in handy for a spare burner when I need the sixth.  I just can't run it at full power for more than a few minutes or it blows the breaker.

 

 

[askolover]

I got my 1800watt Duxtop from Amazon for $75.  So far I love it, just bought a new Tramontina induction friendly cookware set.  I use the induction more than the gas now, unless I'm cooking a lot.

 

[lordkenmore]

Nice induction unit! I've really been tempted to get a single burner just to try the technology, but the cost is more than I've felt like dealing with... Maybe I'll win the lottery in 2016... I don't like the limitations with pans, but I do like the thought of advantages of gas without having to have a gas range. Given that I rent--and may do so forever--a good single burner could take a lot of the sting away from the usual crappy electric stove.

Like others, I seldom use more than 2 burners at once. Even if I started entertaining, I'd probably try to keep things as simple as possible, which would mean no need to juggle 6 pots and 4 burners...

Plus...there are all sorts of fun cooking toys, er, tools--slow cookers, electric skillets, etc, etc.

>sell your gas cooktop or are you keeping it in case the power goes out during bad storms?

One selling point on gas which got driven home 10 years ago or so during a long power failure. But someone living in the Netherlands might not have the issues many of us in the US face with crumbling infrastructure.

 

[lordkenmore]

Dishwashers typically don't go into a spin cycle.

Maybe this could be the next EPA mandate: a spin cycle on dishwashers to cut drying time. LOL

 

[askolover]

Walmart

has a Wearever unit for around $59.  I actually got that one first to try it...but it didn't have enough power variation for my taste so I returned it.  It did a good job, just went from OMG hot to nothing pulsing with OMG hot.  My duxtop actually tapers way down, perfect for the pressure cooker.

 

[a440]

Louis, that is a very nice Induction cook top.

We have been cooking with Induction for a few years now.  Love it.  I don't think I would like going back to either gas or electric. 

So what are you cooking for Christmas?

 

 

[gansky1]

Nice bargain shopping, Louis. Since you still have the single unit, you can break it out when you need more cooking space or, take it outside for frying or on hot days.

I have a single induction unit I bought on ebay and have really liked using it. I've lent it to several friends considering new ranges and two out of three of them have bought induction cooktops or ranges.

 

[sudsmaster]

Still looking for a mini induction unit.

 

When I stayed in a hotel in Japan in the 90's, the room had a little 3" diameter induction plate, with a magnetic stainless pot that held less than a pint of water. Perfect for brewing tea. Even better, as soon as it came to a boil, it would shut itself off. I loved it, and have been looking for one ever since. No such luck!

 

 

[foraloysius]

I rarely use more than two burners either, so this will do well for me most of the time. I still have the single burner indeed, but in this old rental apartment the electrical system is a bit basic. I have three 16 Amps 230V circuits. One for the washing machine, one for the livingroom and one for the rest of the house. So if use both burners full blast I can't use the oven or a third burner.

The gas cooktop will stay under the guest bed for the time being. It will probably go to a thriftstore in the end. Power outings are rare here, all wires are under the ground here. And if we do have a power outing, it's most of the time only for a few hours. If it ever happens that it's for a longer time, I will have to start on the icecream in the freezer anyway. ;-)

Induction is great too in the summer. Doesn't heat the house up as much as a gas cooker, even less than an electric burner, but that difference might be smaller.

My dishwasher doesn't come with a spin cycle. Even worse, the induction cooktop didn't come with one either, so I will have to do all the stirring myself...

I noticed you can have a highly rated single induction cooktop for $50.- on your side of the pond. A lot of them come with a temp. control. Mine has it too, but it's not very accurate. It measures the temp under the glass panel, but the old unit had problems maintaining the same temperature. I'll stick to using the power levels mostly. I will try to use the temp. control again when I'm in a patient mood. lol

I was fascinated by the induction technology from the beginning and knew I would use it sometime in the future. So when I bought pots and pans I always made sure it was suitable for induction cooking.

Here's a detailed picture of the unit I bought.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I first saw induction cooking at a Westinghouse booth at the Atlanta Home show in 1971. It was a neat concept, but it did not seem like something I had to have just then. What I came to appreciate later was the efficiency. I keep a small magnet in my change pouch so that if I spot an attractive piece of cookware, I can check the base to see if it is induction compatible.

It is amazing how quickly frozen mixed vegetables are thawed and boiling. Last night I cooked some and within 5 seconds, before I even put the cover on the 1 qt. All Clad saute pan, the water around the edge was boiling.

Louis, I again wish you happy induction cooking.

Tom

 

[DADoES]

 
I've pondered getting a single countertop unit for a taste of induction (I know they fall somewhat short of a full-power cooktop) but 1) that'd be another gadget to store somewhere and 2) all of my cookware is aluminum so I'd have only the "bonus" pan that may be included with the unit of choice.

 

[joeekaitis]

Induction = pressure cooker Nirvana

Once the pot is hissing, back the inducto down to the sweet spot you've found through minimal experimentation and concentrate on some other part of the meal.

1600-watt Max Burton + Fagor 6-qt = setting 4 to maintain a steady hiss after coming up to pressure on setting 10.