Where To Buy Cooktops
For this update, we also reviewed several specialty burners (all priced over $120) designed for precision cooking, cooking along with recipe apps, or working with larger pots and pans. We also tested one double burner and two entry-level commercial burners just for kicks. For our recommendations from those tests, see Other good induction cooktops.
where to buy cooktops
Rachel Wharton is a food writer and reporter who has decades of experience in breaking down complicated culinary subjects for readers, as well as many years of hands-on experience testing recipes for cookbooks. The latter is ideal training for testing induction burners, as you learn to pay attention to small details during the cooking process. Rachel is also an avid home cook, which was important in helping her evaluate these cooktops from that perspective. It also helps to have experience using them: To test these burners, she used our picks several times a day for more than six months.
When researching and testing portable induction cooktops, we wanted to rate them first and foremost on how easy they were to cook with. We considered the following criteria in our evaluations, largely in this order:
The US Environmental Protection Agency recently gave all induction cooktops an Energy Star Emerging Technology Award because induction cooktops lose less heat to the surrounding air than gas or even electric cooktops. (This also helps to keep your kitchen cooler, possibly lowering the load on some air conditioners during warm weather.) According to Energy Star, gas stoves transfer energy at an abysmal efficiency of 32%, electric cooktops (also known as resistance heating) transfer energy at an efficiency of 75% to 80%, and induction cooktops have an energy-transfer efficiency of 85%.
Note that a small but growing handful of more expensive burners now come with integrated temperature probes or sensors that allow you to set the heat with even more precision. They do this by monitoring the temperature of the pan or its contents and seamlessly adjusting the wattage to hit the target temperature. We looked at three such cooktops, and we liked the Hestan Cue and the Breville Control Freak, which you can read more about in Other good induction cooktops.
Some more expensive induction burners now come with integrated temperature probes that allow you to set the heat with even more precision. They monitor the temperature of the pan or its contents and seamlessly adjust the wattage so that it hits the target temperature. We looked at three such cooktops, and we liked the Hestan Cue and the Breville Control Freak, which you can read more about in Other good induction cooktops.
Maintaining a low temperatureMost induction cooktops can easily keep a pot or pan at a low temperature, even below 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which is extremely hard to do on a gas stove in particular as the flame tends to blow out when you try to get it that low. With the best induction cooktops, you can melt chocolate without using a double boiler, or you can keep something just barely warm, like scrambled eggs that need just a little more time to set.
Built for power, precision and performance, Maytag drop-in cooktops are a great addition to any kitchen. Whether you're working in a small kitchen space or just want more room for cooking your favorite meals, our cooktops come with gas and electric fuel types and in multiple burner configurations. Ready to find the right fit? Check out our complete line of cooktops to get started.
Induction differs from gas or radiant cooktops because there is no exposed coil, open flame or heated surface. If an element is turned on accidentally, no heat is generated unless cookware 5" or greater in diameter is placed on the element. When cookware is removed from the element, the coil is de-energized and automatically turns off within 30 seconds.
Built-in cooktops provide professional performance exactly where you need it. Cooktops fit perfectly into islands and countertops, strategically delivering all the BTUs one could ever need. Viking 7 and 5 Series cooktops give you the freedom to not only cook whatever you like, but however you like.
Viking 3 Series cooktops offer the freedom and power to cook however - and whatever - you like. Derived from our ranges and rangetops, gas and electric cooktops combine sleek design versatility with powerful performance.
Induction cooktops are gradually becoming more popular in households across the United States, thanks to high energy efficiency, safety advantages and the ability to help you cook quickly and precisely. In these areas, they perform better than both gas and electric stoves, making them an obvious choice for any new or updated kitchen. This guide will help you decide how to choose and purchase the best induction cooktop to heat things up in the kitchen.
Induction cooktops use electromagnetism to directly heat compatible pots and pans set on its surface. This makes them very practical and energy efficient, especially compared to gas or electric stoves. They heat up very quickly to the desired temperature, but they remain very safe to use, since the only part of the stove getting significantly hot is the part in contact with the cookware. If there is no pot or pan on the cooktop, or the cookware is not induction-friendly, the stove will not turn on.
Induction cooktops are very similar across brands and models. From an initial glance, they typically look like a smooth-surface electric cooktop, often installed to lay flush with the counter surface. These cooktops are made out of glass-ceramic, with the metal coils to generate the magnetic field contained inside. Glass-ceramic is a durable, difficult-to-break material capable of withstanding extreme heat but is prone to scratching.
The standard domestic-use induction cooktops typically come with anywhere from two to four circular heating zones. These will typically include at least one small and one large zone, much like your standard gas or electric stove. The average cost per unit goes up based on the number of zones, as does the size of the cooktop itself.
When it comes to labor costs, induction cooktops will run you between $225 and $400 on average for installation by a professional. Though installing an induction cooktop is fairly straightforward, if you have to do any modifications (electrical or otherwise) to your kitchen in order to accommodate the new unit, you can expect this price to go up quickly. These numbers also take into account costs for replacing your gas or electric cooktop with an induction stove. Note that this price does not include the cost of the induction cooktop itself, which will start around $1,000 for a basic design.
No, induction cooktops do not use a lot of electricity compared to electric or gas counterparts. The units are considered significantly more energy efficient than conventional cooking tops that use gas or resistance heating. Induction cooktops transfer energy with around 85% efficiency according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The exact electrical consumption of your induction cooktop will depend on the model, but it will likely provide savings over existing non-induction cooktop units
Depending on your needs and priorities, induction cooking offers significant advantages over gas. Induction cooking is between 85% and 90% energy efficient, easily twice the 40% or so of gas. The units are also safer than gas cooktops, since they do not retain residual heat like a gas stove. Induction cooktops are more expensive than gas cooktops and also require a specific type of cookware to work with the electromagnetic field, both of which can be a deterrent for potential buyers.
LG cooktops combine incredible cooking performance with sleek, modern design. With gas, radiant heat and induction technology to choose from, you can create a kitchen with the perfect blend of form and function.Designed to help you cook with control, our innovative cooktops boast the latest technology and come in three powerful versions: gas, radiant heat and induction. Compare our cooktops and learn more about the technology behind each.
Induction: Seamlessly blending style and technology, our induction cooktops focus heat toward the bottom of the cookware only, which ensures quick, even heating and safe operation from start to finish. For added convenience, they also boast smooth, electronic controls, versatile elements that can be "bridged" to accommodate larger pots, and a single-unit design that wipes clean.
Whether you want change the way you cook or just update your kitchen, with a gas, radiant heat or induction cooktop from LG, you can do it all. Designed for control and convenience, our cooktops feature professional-grade controls, versatile burners and simple-to-clean surfaces that make it easy to keep your kitchen looking its best. Explore our full range of cooktops, as well as our newest ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers -- and create a kitchen with style and functionality.
Through the use of electromagnetism, induction cooktops accelerate the molecules within the pan, generating heat. Because all the energy is being generated in the pan rather than in the cooktop, the pan will get to temperature faster, meaning shorter cooking times.
To clean an induction cooktop, you'll first want to make sure it's turned off and cooled down. Once the cooktop is cool, you can use a homemade cleaning solution or store-bought, all-purpose cleaner with a degreaser on the cooktop. You should spread or spray the solution gently onto the surface, avoiding any rough cleaners or abrasive pads. From there, dip a soft sponge or cloth in fresh water, and wipe all the solution away. If tough, baked-on spills are still present, tackle them with baking soda and vinegar."}},"@type": "Question","name": "Can you use cast iron on an induction cooktop?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "You cannot use cast iron cookware on an induction cooktop for two reasons. First, your cookware has to be compatible with the magnets within the cooktop for heat to be applied to your pan. For this reason, many induction cooktops come with a compatible pot or pan, or owners go out and buy a set for themselves. Second, the smooth top of an induction cooktop is quite fragile and will scratch if you use cast iron on it. To preserve the stylish surface, it's best to use soft cookware, not use harsh or abrasive cleaners, and avoid dragging your cookware on the cooktop as much as possible.","@type": "Question","name": "What are the disadvantages of induction cooking?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "While an induction cooktop is just as precise as a gas cooktop in terms of controls, it can be expensive in comparison. Not only is the cooktop itself expensive, but compatible cookware can add to the price tag. Another disadvantage of induction cooking is that it's very quick. While this is a good feature for a chef in a time crunch, many newbies to induction cooking will have to get used to how quickly a cooktop heats up and applies the heat to the pan, so they don't burn their food.","@type": "Question","name": "What is the difference between an induction cooktop and a glass cooktop?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "The primary differences between induction and glass cooktops are the speed and manner with which each type heats up and cooks food. Induction cooktops use an electromagnetic field that causes rapid heating of cookware and its contents. Induction cooktops also adjust to temperature changes quickly. Because of this increase in heating speed, induction cooktops allow you to cook food more quickly. Unlike glass cooktops, induction cooktops have no residual heat. As soon as the pot or pan is removed from the stove, the heating stops.Glass cooktops use electric coils to heat the surface of the cooktop, which takes longer to heat up a pan or food to the desired temperature. Electric cooktops also take longer to cool down or adjust to a different temperature.","@type": "Question","name": "What kind of pans do you need for an induction cooktop?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "There are two requirements for cookware that is compatible with induction cooktops: It must be magnetic and have a flat surface. Stainless steel over aluminum, cast iron, and enamel on magnetic metal pans will all work well on induction cooktops. Some materials, such as glass, aluminum, ceramic, and copper, lack magnetic properties and are not suitable for induction cooktops. Klein offers this suggestion on determining if a pot or pan is compatible with an induction cooktop: "Place a magnet on the bottom of your cookware; if it sticks, it is induction cooktop ready.""]}]}] .icon-garden-review-1fill:#b1dede.icon-garden-review-2fill:none;stroke:#01727a;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round > buttonbuttonThe Spruce The Spruce's Instagram The Spruce's TikTok The Spruce's Pinterest The Spruce's Facebook NewslettersClose search formOpen search formSearch DecorRoom Design
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