Portable Induction Cooktop

Does anyone own one? What do you think of induction cooking?

I looked at them. Seems you have to have special pots & pans.

My sister in law bought a set (buy one and get ONE FREE....yeah, right....ain't so when you add in the handling & shipping fees) for her two boys. They didn't last very long and were kinda neat at first the boys said. But, like Barb said, you have to have the correct pans (flat bottom & able to react to the magnetic stuff).

But JanaAZ had an induction range she loved. If I could afford to change my range out, it's one I'd consider in a heartbeat.

When i got a new stove a few months back I made sure the one I got was NOT induction because i did not want to also have to get a lot of new cookware.

It's doesn't require 'special' cookware. It uses stainless steel or cast iron. It was my excuse to buy All Clad years ago but most of my 'regular' cookware worked.

I have 2 portable induction burners. I used to use them when I needed more than 6 burners in a class. They work really nice and I like them especially when working with kids because they don't become hot and don't cause fires.

JanaAZ wrote:It's doesn't require 'special' cookware.  It uses stainless steel or cast iron.  It was my excuse to buy All Clad years ago but most of my 'regular' cookware worked.

I have 2 portable induction burners.  I used to use them when I needed more than 6 burners in a class.  They work really nice and I like them especially when working with kids because they don't become hot and don't cause fires.

What brands were they?

Bugster2 wrote:

JanaAZ wrote:It's doesn't require 'special' cookware.  It uses stainless steel or cast iron.  It was my excuse to buy All Clad years ago but most of my 'regular' cookware worked.

I have 2 portable induction burners.  I used to use them when I needed more than 6 burners in a class.  They work really nice and I like them especially when working with kids because they don't become hot and don't cause fires.

What brands were they?

They are up in my cabin right now. I don't remember the brand. If you want to know, I'll look. However, since I bought those, several manufacturers have come out with their version of portable burners. I was going to replace mine with a newer one, but I'm not doing classes right now so I don't want to waste my money. I think the one I was looking at was around $200. Mine was $150 at the time, but they have come down in price.

I am sure you get what you pay for but $150 is over my limit. I have been looking at those that are $75 and under. I want one with an automatic shut off and, if possible, a really low simmer. My gas range on low is still too hot.

Bugster2 wrote:I am sure you get what you pay for but $150 is over my limit. I have been looking at those that are $75 and under. I want one with an automatic shut off and, if possible, a really low simmer. My gas range on low is still too hot.

I bought them when they first came out. I know they have gone down in price.

I have an induction range and I really love it. Because I do some canning, and you can't do that on my range because of the intense heat, I bought just a single burner on Amazon for about $80 and I was able to process two batches of relish in my steam canner by using it on my kitchen counter.

thesweetestpea wrote:I have an induction range and I really love it.  Because I do some canning, and you can't do that on my range because of the intense heat, I bought just a single burner on Amazon for about $80 and I was able to process two batches of relish in my steam canner by using it on my kitchen counter.  

What brand is yours?

UNCLE JIMMY wrote:They are advertising a single induction burner on TV....I think on HSC ??? Or maybe on regular channels.
Looks neat, and I think the cost is / was like 49.00 plus shipping and handling.
What is great about induction, is it is great for preventing food burning.  

Well, Jimmy, you fell for the hype. You can burn your food on an induction burner just like you can on any other type of heat. Ask how I know......

JanaAZ wrote:

UNCLE JIMMY wrote:They are advertising a single induction burner on TV....I think on HSC ??? Or maybe on regular channels.
Looks neat, and I think the cost is / was like 49.00 plus shipping and handling.
What is great about induction, is it is great for preventing food burning.  

Well, Jimmy, you fell for the hype.  You can burn your food on an induction burner just like you can on any other type of heat.  Ask how I know......

Good to know! I guess on a better convection top, the temperature control of the food being cooked can be better controlled?

I have always thought an induction range top gives you more control of the heat under the cookware and is quicker to respond to the changes, unlike an electric range that slowly cools down when you turn it from high to low. I've never had an opportunity to cook on one, but if I could afford a slide in model, I'd give it a try for sure.

bethk wrote:I have always thought an induction range top gives you more control of the heat under the cookware and is quicker to respond to the changes, unlike an electric range that slowly cools down when you turn it from high to low.  I've never had an opportunity to cook on one, but if I could afford a slide in model, I'd give it a try for sure.

I think I will look at them too.I might as well bite the bullet & get a new range.Only thing is I don't want a black smooth top but that seems to be what they all make now..

I decided to spent my money instead of letting my DD have it   I sure as hell can't take it with me. I might as well enjoy the small stuff.......

I could have picked up a KitchenAid one that got returned to the appliance store when I bought my dishwasher for $1,100....lady bought it and then found out it wouldn't fit because she had special backsplash with some sort of ledge. She lost her $400 restocking fee apparently and they offered it to me at a reduced price even though it was brand new.

But I just couldn't afford it at the time. Now I could kick myself. It was a steal.

KitchenAid


Huge pass on that one. Ka is whirlpool. Nothing but horror stories on their Face book page.


I won't be buying that one lol

well, I can attest to that, too.

I've always had good luck with my kitchenaid dishwashers. Had 'em last for years & years. Went through a Sears dishwasher every 2 years or so....then I bought a KitchenAid and had super good luck.

Well, the one I bought last year for here in the villa was definitely NOT the same quality as I've experienced in the past. Crap. Doesn't clean well. Is cheaply made.

Won't be getting another one, that's for sure.

I have had good luck with my KA dishwashers. My KA fridge still works but everything plastic, including the liner is cracked or broken. It is about 10 years old.

bethk wrote:I have always thought an induction range top gives you more control of the heat under the cookware and is quicker to respond to the changes, unlike an electric range that slowly cools down when you turn it from high to low.  I've never had an opportunity to cook on one, but if I could afford a slide in model, I'd give it a try for sure.

It does give you more control than electric. My preference is 1) Gas, 2) induction and 3) electric. If you can't have gas in your kitchen, induction is a great 2nd choice.

The one I bought is a Nesco and the reviews were pretty good for what I'd be using it for and here's the link and they've all come down in price since I was looking last summer.  It's a PIC-14 and 1500-watts and is $58.88 right now.

Won't be getting another one, that's for sure.


Beth when you go looking for DW,look at the Bosch.If I had to replace mine(knock on wood I do not)I would go with that..German made..

Bugster2 wrote:I have had good luck with my KA dishwashers. My KA fridge still works but everything plastic, including the liner is cracked or broken. It is about 10 years old.

You did get lucky or because it was made when KA used good parts.You should read the hundreds & hundreds of pages of bad reviews & mad as hell buyers of KA.So sad. Then again they should have read the reviews before buying.If my mixer goes belly up ....I will NOT buy a KA>