Induction Cooktops

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

C

coldspot66

Well-known member
Platinum Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2003
Messages
1,545
Location
Plymouth, Mass
Does anyone own an induction cooktop? I am thinking of switching out my Kitchenaid gas cooktop for induction. The 3 brands I see most are Bosch/Siemens, Electrolux/Kenmore Elite, and GE.

There is a 120 volt line going to the cooktop, I know I will have to run a 40 amp 220 volt line for induction.

I have newer stainless steel cookware, so that is not a problem. The one cooktop I've seen does hum when you turn on a burner.

Any thoughts???
 
I have one

I have one

I have had an induction cooktop for about 4 years now, and i can say it is absolutly great. Far more controllable, even than gas and as it does not depend on heat transferrence spills etc do not get burnt on nearly so badly as a ceramic top. It is also good for suitations where a very gentle heat is required or for custards or sauces which I would previously have done in a "double boiler" (thats a pan that sits withing another pan with boiling or hot water in it) - you can even melt chocolate directly in a pan without it overheating and spoiling.

You do need suitable pans (non aluminum) - I was off to a good start as most of mine are cast iron Le Cruset brand, although I have added "conventional" items at much lower cost since. You do not need special pans as such, although your existing ones may not be suitable.

My only critisism of mine is that it has four burners where I seldom use more than two, even if that. If I had my time again I think I would just have bought portable ones and plugged them in as I needed rather than take up counter space with a 70cm wide unit - but that is my choice, nothing to do with the top itself.

Mine is a DE Detrich (actually Brandt grrr ...) dunno if that is available in the USA. Oh, you might just need to check teh cabinets underneath - most European hobs are just under 4cm tall (i.e the bit that sits IN the counter), mine is slightly more and has air intakes underneath, but that does not stop me using the drawers that are under my hob. It can also get quite warm underneath too.

I dont think I would have any other sort of hob now

Al
 
I tried induction while in England and it is amazing! If it isn't better than gas, it matches it in every quality! If it wasn't for our ridiculously high electricity tariffs I would get one immediately. Do they sell SMEG in the USA? I love that brand and they make nice induction hobs!
About the humming, it's normal, it's the same noise that you might hear near a transformer or powerline and is due to magnetic fenomenae like hysteresis
 
Some hum

more than others.
Not all stainless-steel works with induction, hold a magnet to the bottom. If it sticks strongly, great. Otherwise, you might have to rethink that.

I do not recall ever having used more than three elements at one time for anything, unless I was cooking for a crowd.

Been using induction continuously since 2006, love it and wouldn't trade it for anything, including gas.

I know there are different opinions here about who makes what, but I would not place too much value on brand name for these things. The innards are pretty much all the same and you are mainly paying for snob appeal, not durability for one brand over another. If you like the design, go for it. But don't think just because it says Miele outside that is was really baked by little dwarfs who don't speak Swäbisch, after all. But what do I know, I only worked in the industry here...

SMEG in America is very high-end, by the way. Super expensive and ultra chic.
 
what about domino / combiset 30 cm wide hobs ?

Quote:"My only critisism of mine is that it has four burners where I seldom use more than two"

ehmm .... sure it is the hob to be criticized ?? ;-)
why didn't you buy a induction domino / cobiset hob ?

They are like a sort of LEGO and uaually have 2 fireplaces; some have just one. Depending on your needs you can install one or more units and mix different types :

gas
old traditional cast iron electric
ceramic glass traditional electric
ceramic glass induction
electric grill
electric fryer

Starting from IKEA(electrolux, then also Zanussi/AEG) every brand as Smeg,Bosch/Siemens/Neff/Gaggenau,Miele,Imperial makes domino hobs (miele calls them combisets)

in our stoneage kitchen we've 3 combisets : 2 gas burners + 2 electric fires + 2 gas

Smeg has the widest choice and IMHO the best design for domino hobs (remember to select 30 cm in "dimension" ):


favorit++10-30-2009-11-05-9.jpg
 
Combiset

Favourit: I did say that it was my bad choice and nothing to do with the cooktop. I have had "domino" units before (Gaggneau) and whilst OK, I did not use them (ceramic top, fryer & BBQ) sufficently to justify the space they took up.

When I bought my indiction top there was much less choice than there is now, where you can now get induction tops in all varities of shapes & sizes. But with use of other appliances (oven, microwave, steam oven) find I can go for days without even using one "burner" - hence my comment. Many here will have steamers (if not steam ovens), deep fat fryers, electric frypans with makes the need for 4 burners even less. In the small kitchen I have the extra space would have been useful for baking and such - I can work on to of a cold top but I tend not to - if that makes sense.

Of course in this thread it is to replace and existing gas top so unless the counters are being replaced a bigger unit my be necessary. But I still think induction cooking is a great way to go, and would not have anything else now
Al
 
Perhaps 2 gas and 2 induction burners makes sense.

1- You'll be able to do some cooking in a blackout.
2- Quick heat ups of metal pans before they go into the oven is great too on gas. Especially useflul if you've refrigerated trays read-to-cook the day before a party or gathering.
3- And, of course, how would you singe the hairs off a chicken without a gas flame? (I think my mother is the only person in the world who does that)!
 
4 small kitchens - spacemaker hobs

These "foldables" (like a toploader lid) are from AlpesInox [ www.alpes-inox.co.uk - more detail on italian website www.alpesinox.it click PIANI COTTURA, then RIBALTABILI]

The downside is price . Alpesinox is on the same planet with Gaggenau, Miele is even cheaper. But when you see these hobs "by real" nothing else looks better. Best quality S.S. and timeless design

@ toggles : both my grans did it too.... and everybody ran away because of the stench :)


favorit++10-30-2009-12-24-47.jpg
 
Induction cooktops

are absolutely the best.When I worked at Incredible Universe,I would have a brunch making 2 egg omlits using the GE Induction 4 burner model and Fagor cookware we sold at our Bizar center.You may use cast iron and there is cookware that isn't too overpriced that works well available in most retail stores. I liked the speed of temperature adjustment and boiling water.I also like the fact that absolutely nothing burns onto the cooktop making cleanup a breeze.I would cut up potatoes,place a paper towel onto the serface,put a saucepan on top then pour Crisco oil into the saucepan heating it up to deep fry the potatoes.Not only did the oil not splatter all over the place but,the paper towel never burned or even scorched.That in itself sold the product and I received numerous letters sent to corporate headquarters thanking IU for having such "an ingenious" appliance.At that time('95)the GE Profile models in a 30 inch built in cooktop ran for $999. Now,you can't touch one for less than $2000!!!!!
 
Yah well it will burn at 451*F! Be careful!

If pricing is anything like microwave ovens, the prices will be the same as or less than a regular cooktop in 10 years or less.

A nuker can now be had --new-- for $40.
 
That's pricey

Here in the UK a 4 burner can be had for about £450 upwards, so somewhere around $750 to $850 depending on the prevailing exchange rates. They seem to be coming in line with "conventional" ceramic or halogen hobs, although why you would have one of those in preference to induction I really do not know.
 
Black out

As ever, Toggles raises a good point for those times when the power goes out. My home is all electric, there is no gas supply in the house at all so I have a portable camping gas burner in case there is a power cut. And if I should ever need to burn feathers off a fowl, well I have my cigarette lighter (cough cough)
Al
 
John

I've had my 1983 Kenmore Induction in for 10 years now, have had it out to repair components twice and it is my daily driver!
I have looked at all the new tops out there, my hands down favorites are Cook-Tek and the new Kenmore elite.
The Kenmore elite is made by electrolux in germany and is the only one that is less than 2 inches deep!!!! so you can with proper ventilation put a drawer under it.

Cook-Tek as I last looked was still made in the USA.

Beside it sits a rarely used 36" gas DCS cooktop. I put the induction in as an after thought but it took over in a DAy!

JON
 

Similar threads

M
Gifted myself an induction cooktop for Christmas, silicon mat worth
Replies
17
Views
18
combo52
combo52
T
POD 4-1-25 Bendix G314 Snow White Washer
Replies
4
Views
71
jetcone
jetcone
T
NYT on Induction Cooking
Replies
11
Views
12
combo52
combo52
M
Gas cooktop igniters
Replies
5
Views
6
askolover
askolover
H
Miele KM 7667 FR - Do you need it? No, but...
Replies
8
Views
11
iej
I

Latest posts

Back
Top