induction cooktops

[gizmo]

Does anyone here use an induction cooktop? What do you think of it?

I am thinking of getting a small plug-in benchtop single hotplate. We have upgraded our solar power system and on sunny days we now have more power than we know what to do with. I was going to buy a small benchtop single solid hotplate, but the new induction ones are much more efficient. Omega now have a 1600 watt single induction hotplate for AU$199.

Thanks

Chris

 

[foraloysius]

Chris,

I have a single plate, the brand is Prima Donna (really!). Overhere they are very cheap, I'm not sure but IIRC I paid 30 or 40 Euros for it. I had a solid hotplate before and that thing took very long to adjust the temperature. This induction hotplate works wonderful, it responds like gas cooking.

1600 Watts is good for cooking, but for stir frying etc. a 3000 Watts one would be needed. Mine is not very flexible in the lower settings, 300 Watts is the lowest setting. Sometimes just a bit too much. Perhaps that has to do with this one being a cheap one. Here's a picture.

 

[foraloysius]

And a picture with a pot on top.

 

[bellalaundry]

I have a Sanyo Surf Cool!

Picked it up second hand on E-bay for $30. I wanted to try one second hand to see if it was something I liked. Well it's great! Very efficient! I read somewhere on the net that they are 95% efficient. Extremely accurate temps. Mine also has the thermostat setting. I would definately reccomend one if energy saving is a factor.

I use my vintage orange (Flame) Le Crueset with mine also!

Guy

 

[gadgetgary]

Toggle and I found one.....

At my local Goodwill. Works fine, except it is written in Japanese.

 

[toggleswitch]

Three dolla make you holla.

That was a real bargain. I have the thougth that it was not known as to what it was or does when offered for sale at ye olde thrift shoppe.

The top is PLASTIC BTW.

The E1 error message if from using an inappropriate (non- magnetic) pot.

 

[panthera]

Suppentown

Mine, a lovely gift, also is thermostatically controlled with an additional timer and 'keep warm' function.
It is wonderful and absolutely the most energy efficient way to cook with electricity.
They currently retail for between 39 and 50 Euros in Germany. In the US they are three or four times that price.
Mine has a ceramic top, by the by...and has been used quite a lot these last 9 months. I think a plastic top might me better for use in a household where things get dropped.
Added bonus: If you have well-seasoned cast iron cookware, you now have the best of all worlds. Non-stick, perfect milk and sauce temperature control and enormous heat for serious cooking when you need it.
The only problem I know of (I had it, two of my friends did, too) was learning to adjust the temperature for pressure cookers. It took a while to learn what 'temperature' best ran the pressure cooker. In my unit's case, once the operating pressure has been established, reducing to 145F was the answer.

 

[petek]

The only place I've seen these things for sale is in Chinatown neighborhoods, Vancouver, Calgary etc. so I'm sure you can find them in Chinatown NYC, SF, etc. The chinese supermarkets as well as those little crowded chinese "kitchen" stores all seem to sell them