Induction range: Knobs versus buttons
September 3, 2023 10:56 AM Subscribe
Will we forever regret getting an induction range with a control panel with buttons to adjust the elements instead of a traditional knobs?
We're buying an induction range and have narrowed it down to two models: A Frigidaire one that has pretty much all the features we want except it has no knobs to control the elements and has buttons that you press instead and a Samsung one that has more limited features, costs a little more, but has knobs.
I tend to hate having to press little buttons instead of having a physical knob that I can turn. I value being able to quickly turn an element from max heat down to simmer. But maybe buttons aren't that much of a pain in this context? Does anyone have a similar stove?
Unfortunately, it's hard to get an idea of this by actually looking at the stoves, as they aren't plugged in at the store, so you can't really tell how annoying the buttons are.
We're buying an induction range and have narrowed it down to two models: A Frigidaire one that has pretty much all the features we want except it has no knobs to control the elements and has buttons that you press instead and a Samsung one that has more limited features, costs a little more, but has knobs.
I tend to hate having to press little buttons instead of having a physical knob that I can turn. I value being able to quickly turn an element from max heat down to simmer. But maybe buttons aren't that much of a pain in this context? Does anyone have a similar stove?
Unfortunately, it's hard to get an idea of this by actually looking at the stoves, as they aren't plugged in at the store, so you can't really tell how annoying the buttons are.
We have an induction cooktop, separate from our oven, that has touch controls. Ours has a feature when you're first turning on a burner, where if you hit the plus button, it jumps to the halfway point, but if you hit the minus button, it starts at 0. That takes a lot of the annoyance out of the lack of physical controls.
I was looking over the reviews and specs on the Frigidaire model, to see if they had something similar. I didn't find anything yet; however, a number of reviews complained that the location of the controls on the front of the unit causes frequent, accidental changes. That might be something to factor in to your decision making, as it would drive me crazy.
The other difference I noticed between the two models is the lip around the cooking surface. The Frigidaire has a large lip at the front, whereas the Samsung doesn't appear to have a significant lip. Our cooktop has a raised edge all around the cooktop that makes cleaning a nightmare. There are constantly crumbs stuck in the lip that are a pain in the ass to get out.
posted by bluloo at 11:22 AM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
I was looking over the reviews and specs on the Frigidaire model, to see if they had something similar. I didn't find anything yet; however, a number of reviews complained that the location of the controls on the front of the unit causes frequent, accidental changes. That might be something to factor in to your decision making, as it would drive me crazy.
The other difference I noticed between the two models is the lip around the cooking surface. The Frigidaire has a large lip at the front, whereas the Samsung doesn't appear to have a significant lip. Our cooktop has a raised edge all around the cooktop that makes cleaning a nightmare. There are constantly crumbs stuck in the lip that are a pain in the ass to get out.
posted by bluloo at 11:22 AM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
I have that line of Frigidaire, except it's the type with the buttons on back.
I was also reticent about the buttons but have come to not mind them.
It did take a little getting used to. The on/off requires holding the button for a half second or so, I think to prevent accidental triggering. This works fine but only if you know about it, my first week with it was frustrating until I figured that out.
The selection starts at either L(ow) or P(ower boil), (basically 1 or 11) depending on if you hit the - or + after powering on. This means it takes the longest to start the hob at 5/medium, but I just timed it and it only takes a bout a second, definitely under two.
On the occasion that I need to quickly turn down from high to low (ie basically only when I've been inattentive), I've trained myself to just power off that hob and start over, which is safer when you really need to cut heat fast.
The positive side is they are easier to clean than knobs and less moving parts is less points of failure (theoretically).
The only other note (which I assume applies to both) is that they are shockingly powerful compared to any other cook top technology, and if you don't respect that enough you can get into trouble with things boiling over or scorching. This is a net positive in my book, but it does require a little re-calibration of my timing and techniques.
Overall I am very happy with my induction Frigidaire after about a half year of ownership, and the buttons don't bother me, even though I don't love them. Also when we were shopping, the Frigidaires were at the top of Consumer reports reviews, well ahead of Samsung, for what it's worth.
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:23 AM on September 3, 2023
I was also reticent about the buttons but have come to not mind them.
It did take a little getting used to. The on/off requires holding the button for a half second or so, I think to prevent accidental triggering. This works fine but only if you know about it, my first week with it was frustrating until I figured that out.
The selection starts at either L(ow) or P(ower boil), (basically 1 or 11) depending on if you hit the - or + after powering on. This means it takes the longest to start the hob at 5/medium, but I just timed it and it only takes a bout a second, definitely under two.
On the occasion that I need to quickly turn down from high to low (ie basically only when I've been inattentive), I've trained myself to just power off that hob and start over, which is safer when you really need to cut heat fast.
The positive side is they are easier to clean than knobs and less moving parts is less points of failure (theoretically).
The only other note (which I assume applies to both) is that they are shockingly powerful compared to any other cook top technology, and if you don't respect that enough you can get into trouble with things boiling over or scorching. This is a net positive in my book, but it does require a little re-calibration of my timing and techniques.
Overall I am very happy with my induction Frigidaire after about a half year of ownership, and the buttons don't bother me, even though I don't love them. Also when we were shopping, the Frigidaires were at the top of Consumer reports reviews, well ahead of Samsung, for what it's worth.
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:23 AM on September 3, 2023
If it is like a flat digital button screen, it can be less accessible than knobs or mechanical buttons, if there is a concern about losing mobility or vision (which can happen to anyone).
posted by muddgirl at 11:23 AM on September 3, 2023
posted by muddgirl at 11:23 AM on September 3, 2023
Personally, when faced with a similar choice, we went with knobs and have no regrets. My parents have faced this twice (two homes) and chose buttons for the first, then knobs for the second because they hated the buttons so much.
That said, I know in Europe that buttons are super common and everyone is fine with it. So, it may be a “you adjust” situation.
posted by samthemander at 11:31 AM on September 3, 2023
That said, I know in Europe that buttons are super common and everyone is fine with it. So, it may be a “you adjust” situation.
posted by samthemander at 11:31 AM on September 3, 2023
I like physical knobs. If I had a system with buttons, one thing I would want at a minimum is the ability to turn the heat all the way off instantly and easily.
Also, seconding the comment about avoiding a raised lip/edge. An advantage of flat tops is being easier to clean, so why muddy this advantage with a raised edge?
posted by splitpeasoup at 11:34 AM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also, seconding the comment about avoiding a raised lip/edge. An advantage of flat tops is being easier to clean, so why muddy this advantage with a raised edge?
posted by splitpeasoup at 11:34 AM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
We have a different induction stove with buttons in the front. We haven't particularly minded the buttons, but it's very very frustrating when something boils over and then the water drips down and changes the settings on the touch panel. Suddenly your burner is at 100%! Or off! Or, whoops, now your oven is on!
posted by wyzewoman at 11:43 AM on September 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by wyzewoman at 11:43 AM on September 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
I do not have an induction stove. However, I remember reading that the failure point for most ranges these days is the electronics because they tend to get wet when stuff spills. Based on this, I think I'd prefer to have analog knobs. That way if the electronics panel fails you lose your clock and oven, but not your stove.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 12:10 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 12:10 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
I have that issue with water simulating button presses too, it's a pain. Especially that to get the buttons to react properly again, you need to wipe them dry. Knobs would be much better.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 12:11 PM on September 3, 2023
posted by I claim sanctuary at 12:11 PM on September 3, 2023
I have that exact Frigidaire. My only issue with the buttons is that I'd like a setting between 9 and H (high). I'm not at all sure that knobs would give me that, or if they're just a different control for the same settings.
I do turn on the buttons with my abdomen sometimes, but it's never a problem, because they beep, so I notice and turn off whatever I turned on. And the burners will turn themselves off after about a minute with nothing on them.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 1:23 PM on September 3, 2023
I do turn on the buttons with my abdomen sometimes, but it's never a problem, because they beep, so I notice and turn off whatever I turned on. And the burners will turn themselves off after about a minute with nothing on them.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 1:23 PM on September 3, 2023
I have a Kenmore (Fridgidare) induction cooktop from 2008? (maybe 2006). I love it. It has touch control “buttons “ near the front edge of the glass (closest to your body) and a metal lip at the front and back. It’s so easy to clean! I would absolutely not want to clean knobs. My understanding was the metal lip is to prevent the glass from chipping if you accidentally bumped/dropped a heavy pan along the edge. If something boils over and liquid contacts 2 or more of the control buttons at the same time, it starts to beep quickly and loudly to alert you - a very nice feature. However, when you are cleaning it, if you wipe down the control button zone with too much water the alarm will go off until you dry the control zone. To prevent this minor annoyance, you touch the lock button for 10 seconds to disable the control zone before you clean (hold 10 seconds to re-enable). I don’t know how you could get a spill over alarm if you just had knobs. If I need to turn the heat down quickly, I just touch and hold the power button for that burner for 2 seconds to turn it off. The heat is off/on pretty much instantaneously. I feel like I have as much control of the temperature as I had with my gas stove and knobs. I like knobs on a car radio - I do NOT want knobs on a cooktop/stove.
posted by LiverOdor at 1:50 PM on September 3, 2023
posted by LiverOdor at 1:50 PM on September 3, 2023
I bought that exact Samsung model last November and I'm very happy with it (and the knobs). In fact, one of its main selling points for me was the use of knobs. The other selling point was that I dug deep into the minimum and maximum pan sizes for each burner and Samsung seemed to have the best matches for my range of cookware. (LG was really bad about this, but I don't remember what the Frigidaire manual said.)
While some high-end induction ranges have knobs that let you adjust to very fine increments, you get 10 settings with these knobs (1-9 plus high-power/turbo, marked "P"). As somebody with ADHD turned to P, I really appreciate knobs versus pushing buttons and waiting for a response. It would drive me bonkers having to deal with touch pad buttons for all stove-top cooking needs. BONKERS.
The touch panel on the front for the oven, timer, and other controls will react to light touches or wetness, but that's what you'll find with the Frigidaire too, I would expect. You can press and hold a button for 3 seconds to turn off the panel when you're cleaning the stove top so that nothing is accidentally engaged.
Other Samsung pros:
1: Easy to clean cooking surface as the glass panel goes all the way to the edge with no metal lip.
2: The metal knobs are sturdy and responsive to deliberate use. I had read about some people accidentally turning on Samsung electric range burners by bumping into them, but you definitely need to depress and turn these. (I checked out this exact feature with a floor model.)
3: (On preview) The knobs are easy to clean. They gap away from the range surface enough to easily slide a cloth under.
One drawback (tolerable for me): I wish the largest burner at the front right was a little further away from the other burners. An inch to the right and an inch to the front would be perfect. I think Frigidaire also has this spacing issue, but maybe a little less annoying than Samsung. Again, consider how large your current and likely pans are, and map out how you'll use them.
General induction range tip for any model without that animated blue flame feature: stop, look, and make sure you have turned on the appropriate burner. While all models with turn off an unoccupied burner automatically, if you have, say, a kettle on your small back burner that gets filled with water and used several times a day, you will have perceptual/muscle memory to turn on that burner instead of one of the front burners.
What features does the Frigidaire have that the Samsung doesn't?
posted by maudlin at 1:58 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
While some high-end induction ranges have knobs that let you adjust to very fine increments, you get 10 settings with these knobs (1-9 plus high-power/turbo, marked "P"). As somebody with ADHD turned to P, I really appreciate knobs versus pushing buttons and waiting for a response. It would drive me bonkers having to deal with touch pad buttons for all stove-top cooking needs. BONKERS.
The touch panel on the front for the oven, timer, and other controls will react to light touches or wetness, but that's what you'll find with the Frigidaire too, I would expect. You can press and hold a button for 3 seconds to turn off the panel when you're cleaning the stove top so that nothing is accidentally engaged.
Other Samsung pros:
1: Easy to clean cooking surface as the glass panel goes all the way to the edge with no metal lip.
2: The metal knobs are sturdy and responsive to deliberate use. I had read about some people accidentally turning on Samsung electric range burners by bumping into them, but you definitely need to depress and turn these. (I checked out this exact feature with a floor model.)
3: (On preview) The knobs are easy to clean. They gap away from the range surface enough to easily slide a cloth under.
One drawback (tolerable for me): I wish the largest burner at the front right was a little further away from the other burners. An inch to the right and an inch to the front would be perfect. I think Frigidaire also has this spacing issue, but maybe a little less annoying than Samsung. Again, consider how large your current and likely pans are, and map out how you'll use them.
General induction range tip for any model without that animated blue flame feature: stop, look, and make sure you have turned on the appropriate burner. While all models with turn off an unoccupied burner automatically, if you have, say, a kettle on your small back burner that gets filled with water and used several times a day, you will have perceptual/muscle memory to turn on that burner instead of one of the front burners.
What features does the Frigidaire have that the Samsung doesn't?
posted by maudlin at 1:58 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
I have a Bosch and I don't mind the keypad - mine has a very gradual 18 step control over the temperature, it's great. EXCEPT for some stupid reason they build this fabulous appliance without lighting up the keypad. If you get a keypad make sure it lights up cuz it's super annoying that it's not.
posted by bluesky43 at 3:10 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by bluesky43 at 3:10 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Don't have induction, just electric, but how the buttons respond make all the difference. All the buttons are on the top, so no abdomen issues. Our current is a Samsung, and our last was I think a GE? The Samsung is so much harder to use. First, you have to turn on the power to the unit. Then you have to click a different button to turn on the burner you want. Then, might likely need to push the "pan size' button. And then you have to use this, wheel-ish button to scroll up to the temp you want. You can't just press the spot on the wheel that should correspond to where that temp should be. So many extra steps, with a lot of pressing and waiting. We've gotten better at using it, but the older one had up/down spots for temp, and didn't have the overall power button.
I'd go somewhere and try to test the buttons, to see how that fits in with your cooking style.
posted by Windopaene at 3:37 PM on September 3, 2023
I'd go somewhere and try to test the buttons, to see how that fits in with your cooking style.
posted by Windopaene at 3:37 PM on September 3, 2023
I think the answer depends on your aesthetic preferences and cooking habits. We have the flat model without knobs and the boilover changing your settings is absolutely a thing. You also get touch recognition issues if you have wet hands.
That doesn’t bother me much as I’m an attentive cook, and I use the dishtowel, but “Mr Wet Hands,” who actually does most of the cooking, is constantly getting rebuffed for lack of touch recognition beeping and boil over issues.
So I think you have to ask yourself who is doing most of the cooking, the average wetness of their hands from doing prep, and your cleaning preferences from having the totally flat option. (We’re still on the flat option, but if there’s an opportunity to replace, it’ll be an option with knobs, because I’m incredibly lucky to have my husband doing all the cooking, wet hands or no.)
posted by ec2y at 5:04 PM on September 3, 2023
That doesn’t bother me much as I’m an attentive cook, and I use the dishtowel, but “Mr Wet Hands,” who actually does most of the cooking, is constantly getting rebuffed for lack of touch recognition beeping and boil over issues.
So I think you have to ask yourself who is doing most of the cooking, the average wetness of their hands from doing prep, and your cleaning preferences from having the totally flat option. (We’re still on the flat option, but if there’s an opportunity to replace, it’ll be an option with knobs, because I’m incredibly lucky to have my husband doing all the cooking, wet hands or no.)
posted by ec2y at 5:04 PM on September 3, 2023
I went with buttons rather than physical knobs, and I love it because it is MUCH easier to clean a seamless expanse of glass.
posted by aramaic at 6:14 PM on September 3, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by aramaic at 6:14 PM on September 3, 2023 [6 favorites]
If you think the buttons will irritate you every time you use it, I guarantee they will irritate you every time you use it. Trust your gut. If something looks like an annoying user interface, then at least for you, it is.
posted by fritley at 6:17 PM on September 3, 2023
posted by fritley at 6:17 PM on September 3, 2023
My parents have a Bosch induction stove with buttons and it annoys me to the point where I refuse to use it. It’s always covered in grease, so it’s hard to make contact with the buttons. You also have to select the input for a specific burner and then adjust the temperature. Makes it really hard to assess and control the temperature in a hurry.
posted by krunk at 6:44 PM on September 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by krunk at 6:44 PM on September 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
I came in to say basically exactly what maudlin said as a fellow owner of the Samsung. Knobs 4eva!
posted by deludingmyself at 6:50 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by deludingmyself at 6:50 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Similar to maudlin, a year ago Labor Day, we chose between the Frigidaire and the Samsung induction range, and we picked the Samsung entirely for the knobs. The panel for controlling the stove is sensitive, but works well. That said, I would not like it if I had to control the burners with the same panel because I when a pan is boiling over, I just want to be able to react and turn it down.
I love the stove. I love how well it heats. I love how fast the water boils. And I especially love the knobs.
posted by past unusual at 7:30 PM on September 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
I love the stove. I love how well it heats. I love how fast the water boils. And I especially love the knobs.
posted by past unusual at 7:30 PM on September 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
We have a stand-alone induction cooktop with touch-control buttons towards the front of the cooking surface. They drive me nuts, even though I love how easy they make the cooktop to clean. If I had a choice, I'd clean around the knobs every day rather than deal with those stupid buttons that only seem to work properly if my hands are perfectly dry and the moon is in the correct part of the sky.
posted by dg at 8:02 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by dg at 8:02 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
I have a Bosch with no buttons and it is largely ok. The part that is not ok is that my cat will walk across it and turn it on or off! Flames used to keep that at bay.
posted by drowsy at 8:55 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by drowsy at 8:55 PM on September 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
We just recently (2 months ago?) purchased the exact same samsung model you refer to. I specially opted for it because it is the cheapest induction unit with knobs and buttons are the worst. I had a tiny stand-alone induction burner that used buttons instead of knobs, and Jesus sideways shitting Christ I cannot imagine using not-knobs for serious cooking. I have zero regrets, it’s a great stove (the induction is faster than our neighbors gas range in a 1L water boil test; woah buddy), and would highly recommend it. I am an avid home cook and use the range multiple times daily. The broiler is not induction, but quite (even unexpectedly so) super hot and even. My wife bakes a shit ton and the oven very even. She recently did a huge batch of zucchini breads in cupcake tins and she didn’t even bother to rotate the pans (up, down or rotate) and they came out incredibly even.
My only complaints which are minor, is that the knobs “click” from 1-9 plus a “boost” setting (basically “hot as fuck, but not for long” and defaults back to 9). You can’t select 1.5 or 7.75 or something in between. I found this annoying at first but it’s still faster than clicking through buttons. The other minor issue is that the knobs aren’t placed where I would intuitively think they’re connected to the burner. To me, the big, lower right burner should be connected to the rightmost knob, but it is connected to the second rightmost knob. It has taken some getting used to, feels awkward, but is only a minor annoyance.
posted by furnace.heart at 9:26 PM on September 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
My only complaints which are minor, is that the knobs “click” from 1-9 plus a “boost” setting (basically “hot as fuck, but not for long” and defaults back to 9). You can’t select 1.5 or 7.75 or something in between. I found this annoying at first but it’s still faster than clicking through buttons. The other minor issue is that the knobs aren’t placed where I would intuitively think they’re connected to the burner. To me, the big, lower right burner should be connected to the rightmost knob, but it is connected to the second rightmost knob. It has taken some getting used to, feels awkward, but is only a minor annoyance.
posted by furnace.heart at 9:26 PM on September 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
Induction hob owner with buttons not knobs here: personally I like it that way as the whole thing is just a flat sheet of glass that can be cleaned easily. The buttons are less intuitive than knobs would be - and there is certainly a requirement to learn and practice a little more when getting used to them - especially if you want to remember how to operate all the many features of the thing. For that reason, buttons can be a bit perplexing for anybody else using your hob for the first time. But the cleaning ability trumps all those shortcomings IMHO.
posted by rongorongo at 12:59 AM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by rongorongo at 12:59 AM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
We had our new induction cooktop installed about a week ago. Against the adjustment to buttons vs knobs, I submit: buttons means your cooktop is perfectly smooth and flat, and a single wipe of wet cloth will make it clean! Worth a slight learning curve and/or a little bit of inconvenience in my opinion.
posted by Cheese Monster at 2:53 AM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Cheese Monster at 2:53 AM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Not induction but normal electric… we used to have touch sensitive buttons and I found them really annoying. Like others said, drips of water or wet hands set it off flashing and beeping and I'd have to wipe it and wipe it again before I could do anything.
We currently have knobs and they're much easier and simpler. Yes, occasionally they need a clean, but well worth it.
posted by fabius at 6:18 AM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
We currently have knobs and they're much easier and simpler. Yes, occasionally they need a clean, but well worth it.
posted by fabius at 6:18 AM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
I've had and adored an induction range with touch buttons for about 15 years now. My buttons let you start at either the top or the bottom of the range and also have an off button so I don't feel like I spend a lot of time fussing with the temperature. The button panel is easy to clean. The only slight annoyance is accidentally triggering a self-clean when I wipe it down, but there's an off button for that too.
The much bigger annoyance for me is that it has a fan that runs whenever it's on and it blows cold air right at my stomach. I don't know if they all do that but if not then it's definitely something to avoid because it is very unpleasant in the winter.
posted by HotToddy at 7:01 AM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
The much bigger annoyance for me is that it has a fan that runs whenever it's on and it blows cold air right at my stomach. I don't know if they all do that but if not then it's definitely something to avoid because it is very unpleasant in the winter.
posted by HotToddy at 7:01 AM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
I insisted on knobs when we redid our kitchen because the Kitchenaid resistance electric range that came with the place had touch controls not just on the front of the stove but inset there, so that water naturally pooled on top of the touch panel and rendering the whole contraption unusable. I hated it more than I have ever hated anything. If the controls had been actual, physics buttons it might have been fine.
I got a Frigidaire cooktop with knobs on the front. They are indexed in half steps, and highly responsive. The knobs pull off with a good tug, so it’s east to clean any spills that go under them.
Knobs all the way.
posted by Just the one swan, actually at 9:21 AM on September 4, 2023
I got a Frigidaire cooktop with knobs on the front. They are indexed in half steps, and highly responsive. The knobs pull off with a good tug, so it’s east to clean any spills that go under them.
Knobs all the way.
posted by Just the one swan, actually at 9:21 AM on September 4, 2023
I have an induction range with touch controls (this Husqvarna) and I don't mind it at all - I've only ever had stoves with knobs before I got this one and can't say I really notice the difference. Agree with others that the flat glass surface makes cleaning a lot easier as well.
Also this is my first induction stove, and I gotta say I love it. Much more efficent and heats up/cools down far faster than the traditional ceramic electric stoves I've always had in the past.
posted by photo guy at 11:52 AM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also this is my first induction stove, and I gotta say I love it. Much more efficent and heats up/cools down far faster than the traditional ceramic electric stoves I've always had in the past.
posted by photo guy at 11:52 AM on September 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
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Also, induction cooktops will will sometimes emit a high frequency sound that can be very annoying. This can go away by shifting the pan a bit, adding some liquid/ingredients, or most often slightly adjusting the burner.
I have a Samsung range similar to the one you linked to and I really like it.
posted by bondcliff at 11:20 AM on September 3, 2023 [4 favorites]