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Best Induction Cooktops
Searching for the best type of cooktop to install in your home? Induction cooktops are much more efficient than both gas and electric cookers and quicker to heat up. Get a handle on everything you need to know about induction cooktops below. Read more…
Best Induction Cooktop
Latest review: When I first opened the box and placed it on the countertop, I was a bit worried: the sheer weight of the power cord moved it across the bench. Very light weight, and the feet are hard plastic,
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.2 (6)
- Value for Money4.7 (6)
- Ease of Use4.5 (6)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.5 (6)
This Bosch induction cooktop contains three cooking zones and offers a safe way to cook with an automatic shut-off timer, child lock and automatic switch-off in the case of overboiling and spills.
Price (RRP) $1,499.00
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.0 (1)
- Value for Money3.0 (1)
- Ease of Use5.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.0 (1)
- Control TypeTouch Control
- Control LocationFront
- Dimensions 51 x 560 x 490 mm
- Colour / FinishBlack
- FeaturesChild Safety Lock, Integrated Cooling Fan, Pan Detection and Timer
Scholtes TIP 744 DOL / TIP 844 DOL
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: The ease of use and the instant rapid heat is fantastic, love the booster function. Best of all it is a dream to
Latest review: After passing warranty of 5 years ,it started beeps and turns off with flashing number. I called Ikea to assist me for the replacement product and my bad luck the kind lady suggested me to contact
Price (RRP) $599.00
- Review Summary
- Build Quality2.5 (2)
- Value for Money2.5 (2)
- Ease of Use2.0 (2)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.0 (2)
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Latest review: Bought this years ago. Not only keeps working but does everything well. Thought I would get another and tried a Breville - piece of you know what. The Highlander does what I tell it, the Breville
- Review Summary
- Build Quality4.0 (1)
- Value for Money5.0 (1)
- Ease of Use5.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 5.0 (1)
The Bellini package combines function and value with sleek style to provide compact and affordable cooking solutions. It features a 60cm glass cooktop with a 65L stainless steel oven.
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality1.0 (2)
- Value for Money2.7 (3)
- Ease of Use2.0 (2)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 2.0 (2)
- Control TypeTouch Control
- Control LocationFront
- Dimensions 595 x 595 x 575 mm
- Colour / FinishStainless Steel
- FeaturesTimer
Adorned with a variety of convenient features and functions, this spacious induction stovetop from Bosch contains a keep warm function and 17 power levels for each cooking zone to give you the most precise heat.
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Build Quality2.5 (2)
- Value for Money2.5 (2)
- Ease of Use3.0 (2)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.0 (2)
Fisher & Paykel 90cm 5 Zone Touch & Slide Induction
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: We put this cooktop into our new home which we moved into 18 months ago. We were looking forward to cooking with it, disposed all our Esteele cookware and purchased all new pots pans etc (good
ALDI Induction Cooktops
· includes 4 listingsAldi's affordable induction cooktop offers you a safer way to cook along with an easier clean up with touch controls and high quality Schott Cernan glass.
Price (RRP) $299.00 to $349.00
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Build Quality3.0 (2)
- Value for Money3.0 (2)
- Ease of Use3.0 (2)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.0 (2)
Latest review: I'm very happy with my Siemens induction cooktop which I've has for 12 months, apart from one annoying issue. The middle burner cooks extremely uneven, that is if you use a large pan which sits
- Review Summary
- Build Quality5.0 (1)
- Value for Money4.0 (1)
- Ease of Use4.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 5.0 (1)
Electrolux EHI645
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: Poor service, waiting weeks and still unresolved. Posted review on Electrolux website, but they removed. Don’t seem to take customer service seriously, send you to a repair person, not in h
- Review Summary
- Build Quality1.0 (2)
- Value for Money1.0 (2)
- Ease of Use2.5 (2)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.0 (2)
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- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.0 (3)
- Value for Money4.3 (3)
- Ease of Use4.0 (3)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.0 (3)
- Control TypeTouch Control
- Control LocationFront
- Dimensions 51 x 606 x 527 mm
- Colour / FinishBlack
- FeaturesChild Safety Lock, Pan Detection and Timer
Latest review: Haven’t had any real issues, after a year I have noticed I have to alter temperature when using multiple plates as power drains a little. When using the one plate it’s pretty good.
Price (RRP) $1,399.00
- Review Summary
- Build Quality3.0 (1)
- Value for Money2.5 (2)
- Ease of Use2.0 (2)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.0 (2)
Latest review: In June 2021 purchased a ceramic cooktop Bosch PKE611CA1A 60cm Serie2. I had a Chef ceramic cooktop for 16 years and was very happy with it. Had to replace as it just died after long years of loyal
- Review Summary
- Build Quality5.0 (1)
- Value for Money5.0 (1)
- Ease of Use3.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 2.0 (1)
Fisher & Paykel 60cm Touch&Slide 4 Zone Induction
· includes 3 listingsThis multi-functional sleek induction cooktop comes with an array of features such as a keep warm function, overheating protection, an automatic switch-off timer and a safety lock to prevent any accidental or unwanted use.
- Review Summary
- Build Quality2.0 (2)
- Value for Money1.3 (3)
- Ease of Use1.7 (3)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 1.7 (3)
What are induction cooktops and how do they work?
An induction cooktop turns your pan into a cooker itself by using electromagnetism to create heat energy inside the pan instead of applying external heat to it. This cooks your food more quickly, evenly, efficiently and safely when compared to other types of cooktops.
How exactly does this work compared to gas or electric? 'Induction' in the title stands for electromagnetic induction which means electricity is generated using magnetism. Under the stovetop is a magnetic coil that generates a fluctuating magnetic field. When a compatible (ferromagnetic) cooking instrument is nearby, it is heated up via the magnetic field.
In theory, if you were to place your hand on top of an induction stove, you will not feel any heat. (Warning: do not do this after cooking as the stovetop may still be hot from your cooking pan being on top of it).
The other types of cooktops to choose from include gas, electric and a combination of both induction and gas cooktops. These include 2 induction surfaces and 2 gas, enabling you to have the advantages of both.
Pros and cons of induction cooktops
Are you considering an induction cooktop for your kitchen? Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of using this type of cooker.
Pros
Cons
Induction cooktops are great for those who want to take their cooking seriously - the extremely reactive surface makes cooking much more precise and efficient. However, for many, this costly installation will require buying a whole new host of compatible pots and pans. Induction stovetops are also easily scratched by sliding pans. However, if you take care of them, they can be a valuable addition to your kitchen that can save you in electricity costs in the long run.
It's important to note that if you have a pacemaker (which works by monitoring electrical activity in your heart), it may be safer to choose a non-induction cooktop as it can interfere with your pacemaker. Keeping a safe distance of at least 60cm/2ft is recommended, but remember to consult with your doctor before making your purchasing decision.
Induction cooktop sizes and cooking zones
Extremely versatile, induction cooktops can range from having 1-5 cooking zones depending on your need.
Portable induction cooktops allow you to cook anywhere with an electrical outlet including a dorm room, an RV or at a table to keep your hotpot warm. They can also work as an extra burner for a busy or small kitchen.
In case you want the advantage of an induction cooker without committing to installing one, portable induction cooktops offer a more compact, affordable and easier to use solution than a fitted benchtop induction cooktop.
Induction cooktops that can be fitted into the kitchen typically come in four sizes. 30cm is usually the smallest size and can accommodate two cooking zones. It's suitable for single or couple households.
The most common sizes include 60cm and 90cm. 60cm can hold three heating zones quite comfortably and possibly four, although this might be cramped. 70-75cm can fit four zones very comfortably and 90cm can have up to five zones. This may be useful for large households or recipes that require a lot of multitasking.
Every kitchen and household is different so the size you choose should take into account the space you have available and how many people will be cooking at once.
It's useful to have a choice of large and small cooking zones depending on what you'll be cooking. It's recommended that the large cooking zone has a diameter of 21cm or larger for the most efficient and even heating when using large cookware. Induction cooktops with defined cooking zones will be easier to use than those without.
Features to look for in an induction cooktop
Now that you've decided to make the switch to an efficient induction cooktop, here are some handy things to look out for in your cooktop model:
Safety features
Safety is a very important feature to consider when buying a stovetop unit as many accidents occur when a stovetop is left unattended. Similarly, if you have children running around the house, it's useful to invest in some safety features.
Safety sensor: This feature monitors the temperature at the bottom of the cookware and adjusts the power output automatically to avoid both cookware and cooktop damage through overheating.
Power on light: These lights should be bright and obvious enough to indicate when the stovetop is on so there are no accidents, and an additional 'residual heat' light can inform you of when the cooktop is still hot after use so you do not touch it.
Auto switch-off: When your stove goes unused for long periods, this feature will automatically switch it off, making it safer and more energy-saving than other cooktops.
Timer: For stock-making, steaming and other slow-cooking tasks, having a cooktop with a timerthat shuts the stove off automatically after the desired amount of time could not only save you from accidental fires but is also a convenient feature to have.
Pan detection: With a pan detection feature, there is no need for an on or off switch. Simply placing your pan on the cooktop will activate the heating element and removing it will switch it off so you never forget.
Child lock: For those with toddlers running around, you won't need to worry about them hurting themselves with a child-lock that can be activated and deactivated before and after use.
Ease of use
Above all else, you'll want a cooktop that is easy to navigate and heats your food efficiently. Look for these features to ensure you get the best product:
Power rating and requirements: Most induction cooktops range in power from 1000-2000W, with those on the higher end heating up quicker and being more expensive. Depending on how quickly you'd like your pot of water to boil will depend on what power you require.
Since they use a lot of energy, some models may require special power connections. Check the wattage requirements before purchasing. For reference, an everyday plug has a 10Amp connection whereas induction stovetops may require a 20A, 32A or 42A connection which has to be hard-wired by an electrician.
Controls: You'll want to know how to control your new cooktop, therefore it's useful to take into account the positioning of the controls and how reactive they are - especially if your model comes with touch control. Some models have the controls on the front and others, in different locations but make sure they are not too close to the elements. Touch controls also offer the extra luxury of being very easy to clean.
Automated cooking: Many features automate elements of cooking so you don't have to do much work or pay much attention. An auto-heat up/booster setting will allow you to heat food quickly to a high temperature and then automatically reduce the heat after a set amount of time - without you having to do any of the work. Similarly, you can set a timer to have the stove turn off after 10 minutes so you never over boil pasta again. A keep warm function then allows your food to stay at a constant warm temperature as you and your guests go back to get seconds.
Cost: Induction stovetops tend to range from $60 (portable) to $5000 with those in the higher range offering convenient additional features such as an integrated and quiet cooling fan, a pause button that temporarily locks your heating settings as you clean around it, digital readouts of temperature, a framed vs edgeless design, booster heat up modes and more cooking zones.
You can read reviews on the best induction cooktops on our website today!