Induction Cooktop Reccomendations

June 10, 2017 8:42 PM

What are good manufacturers these days for induction cooktops? I love my portable one and am ready to change out the 70s electric for induction. Brand/model recommendations welcome!

I have a separate wall oven so I'm only looking for a standalone induction cooktop.

posted by bookdragoness to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

Best answer: In rereading, I realize you aren't looking for the whole range, just the range top. But my story might still be of interest to you!

Short story: Induction range? Get the extended warranty. Also, the GE PHB920SJSS has been rock-solid for us since we got it this March.

Long story: We bought a GE induction in January of 2015 and liked many features from the beginning. However, it was never able to reliably cook two pans at high heat for extended periods at the same time (think: making corn tortillas from scratch or crepes or searing) because the internal thermal sensor would shut the unit down. We learned how to cook right on the edge of its temperature limits, but started having problems with the unit (oven element & top burners) not reliably staying on at startup at the end of the first year. After a major parts replacement covered under the manufacture's warranty, we bought an extended warranty on the advice of the experienced tech (but we bought it directly from Assurant, not from the GE tech because he said we would get a better price dealing directly from the warranty company. We priced it and he was totally correct. A very nice guy.)

Almost two years into operation the unit was again behaving erratically so we started looking for a new stove. After many tech visits and phone calls, it was determined that throwing money and parts at the existing stove was a bad idea. GE offered to sell us their most recent compatible induction range for $500, AND our warranty company offered us a cash payout in the amount of a new induction range to honor their end of our warranty agreement. We disclosed both offers to both parties and they were "yep, you will get a big check from the warranty company AND you can write a small check to GE to get a new stove." Cool! I now know how much money it takes to make frustration and aggravation disappear in a big sparkling poof of happiness.

Speaking as a (former) equipment technician and (former) cranky consumer, I realize that requiring high tech circuitry to perform in high temperature and high humidity conditions AND be cheap means that you won't get long-term reliability. I no longer consider these stoves repairable in a meaningful way; the cost of replacing the parts that go bad is too high. An old-fashioned gas stove with zero or minimal electronics would be the most reliable and economical choice...but I'm not gonna add a gas line. And I really like cooking with induction.

Get that extended warranty.
posted by heidiola at 9:30 PM on June 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I have the 30" Wolf induction, and it's great. I had also been looking at the comparably sized Bosch, but the Bosch has a heat sink that sticks down (like a vane of aluminum), which would have made it impossible to open the drawer I have under the cooktop.

It really is amazing technology. I had conventional electric before upgrading to induction, and the difference is dramatic. With the large burner switched to "boost" mode, a pot of water boils before I can find the pasta that will go in it.

And since the induction magic works on the pot, rather than by generating its own heat, your kitchen stays much cooler. It's just so great.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 9:30 PM on June 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: We have a GE profile induction cooktop that I strongly recommend against, because all the buttons that control the burners are flat and in the front center, and they think they're being pressed every time you put a pan or dish down in that area. It's the worst.

Sweethome has range reviews that include induction. Note these are full ranges. I would look at their reviews and see if any of the ones they like come in a cooktop model.
posted by medusa at 7:12 AM on June 11, 2017