Doing some kitchen upgrades soon and replacing a gas cooktop with induction
Having never had induction before, I'm curious what makes a $3k Bosch better than a $2k Bosch better than a ~$1500 Westinghouse
Flex zones, cooking areas, power outputs… Where to start :)
Any induction cooktop experts got some knowledge they can impart?
Love my ikea induction top. The choice of cooking areas, and wattages, seemed better than most alternative brands in the <$2k range, and it was far cheaper.
Check the manual for how the cooking areas can be powered. Mine had choices on how to wire it up. If you wanted to wire it up to run the maximum consecutive elements, it would draw something like 6kw and require a dedicated circuit with 32a breaker
i bought a brand new ikea induction 4 burner cooktop off market place for $25.
it had been shipped to the seller, seller reported issue with crack, ikea told him to keep the cracked one and sent a replacement.
had a small chip (size of 20cent piece) on the back right corner glass (doesn't both me at all).
i really like the cook top. super fast heating, no residual heat after turning off, even heating on burners,
No 900mm option in Australia from IKEA that I can see
Costs are all about the induction coil technology ;)
For example, the cheapies on a "50%' heat setting turn on to 100% for 1s, then off for 1s, hence a "50% heat" rating, whereas the expensive ones use variable resistors to actually provide a constant 50% heat - far less stress on the coil too!
Oooh, I never knew that. Thanks for the bit of extra knowledge.
Definitely worth to do some real tests to see wheather the $3000 bosch is much better than the $1500 westinghouse in terms of heat stability.
If you are used to gas, the on and off method used in the cheap induction is really off-putting.
Aaahh. The god knows how old Kitchenmaid in our house cycles at 4 or lower, scale of 9
.
As a long time user and advocate for induction cooking, one tip I can share is knowing about the max power output… Those things make an appreciable difference with regards to getting your pan hot the quickest. Biggest shame is, usually that information isn't the easiest to find! I mean, with cars, it's easy enough to know the HP, with vacs, the air watts of suction, with gas cooktops, the BTU. - But with induction it's like pulling teeth, grrrrrr.
I don't suppose you have any recommendations for a good flat bottom wok? Having trouble getting my cookware to the heat I want to get that wok breath for my Chinese cooking.
Sorry, that's something we just decided to skip. At the back of my mind, we'd still like a flat bottomed wok, but I guess, we're not actively looking at the moment.
You're right though, that wok-hei is the bomb! That being said, my mom-in-law still manages just fine and she cooks with induction now. :) I think she uses a large skillet/frypan type of thing. (I wasn't paying that much attention when we visited)
Don't forget the cost of buying new cookware, some pots and pans won't work on induction. If you were gifted a nice big set for wedding or something you might want to check.
Got plenty of cast iron pans and magnet checked some others
A few won't be suitable, but most seem ok.
Other than Ikea, the Bosch series 8 seems to be the leader
I assume you are aware of the circuit upgrade that may be required
yeah, electrical works known
Have 3 phase so have options when it comes to wiring.
Size of the induction coil and smarts of the electronics that control it.
For example, I have an Ikea Tillreda portable one which, according to the specs has a 175mm coil. That means it can only effectively heat pans of at most 200mm (20cm) diameter.
When I put my big 30cm pan on there, there is a clear hot spot the exact diameter of the coil in the centre where food gets super seared and an outside ring where food does not get cooked nearly as much.
It's pretty funny because the $69 Tillreda has a larger induction coil (175mm), than the $169 Lagan (150mm) which Ikea sells as a built-in cooktop to be installed into a countertop. So in this case, the cheap portable would give far better performance than the one that costs $100 more.
Are you in an apartment? When I did my research on what's good nothing told me about the condensation issue…. Only when I specifically googled induction and condensation did all this info come up. I feel if I had more space between the rangehood and the stove top itself there would be less dripping.
nup, standalone house
Awesome, think you won't have this issue then!
I learned something new again! I've had induction in 2 different kitchens now, but lucky enough to not have experienced this. I just googled it and it makes a lot of sense.
We didn't have an option for gas in our new apartment so it was either induction or electric. We were so confused when the first time we boiled 2 pots at a time it felt like it was raining!
Hi SBOB,
Can I ask if you opted for something in the end and your thoughts of what that may have been? I am looking at changing a gas cooktop as part of a wider jump to all electric.
I have seen the https://www.nationalproductreview.com.au/catalogue/kitchen/c… which from this site appears to have good reviews. Unsure of whether they are verified or verifiable………
I can get this cooktop from TGGC for $1400 which seems decent. Appliances Online sell it for around $1640 and that seems to also have decent reviews.
Cheers
ended up getting the Bosch PXV975DV1E
Liked the ideas of flexi-zones, matched the oven we bought.
Only installed a day or 2 ago so no long term usage review yet
Though do need to now find some pan replacements as some of our existing was not induction compatible.
Thanks.
@SBOB how is your going? I am looking at getting this one as well
have you used any wok on it? if you are, can you send some links
Cook top works well, no regrets
using flat bottom wok (https://www.amazon.com.au/Electric-Induction-Spatula-Seasoni…) which works but its not as good as gas for wok usage.
SMEG.. saw it on channel nine's The Block
Ikea have a good range - very happy with mine, now around 3 years old and working well. Decent prices, mine came from Germany!.