From a sustainability perspective, this Energy Star-rated Frigidaire 30-inch induction cooktop is an outstanding choice. With four large and powerful induction elements, the cooktop is a more energy-saving way to cook meals. It’s about 10% more efficient than conventional electric units and three times more efficient than gas. No need to stress over spills, either. The sleek and smooth black surface is easy as pie to wipe clean.
“We needed to switch everything from propane to electric, and this was one of the highest-rated induction cooktops available—plus it was on sale,” says a verified buyer. “It is very responsive and easy to operate, and we are pleased with the cooking results.”
Pros
- Saves on home energy bills
- Elements connect to create a larger cooking surface for oversized pans
- Goes from simmer to boil in seconds
- Auto-sizing pan detection
Cons
- Only available in black
- The touch slider won’t work with wet fingers
This fully electric and freestanding induction range from Frigidaire was the first of its kind to offer a built-in air fryer. With the air fry feature, you can make healthier meals without a separate appliance taking up space on your countertop. This 30-inch appliance features True Convection, which allows a more even baking result and a 50% faster and easier way to clean. Don’t have time to clean your stove as oven as you should? The fingerprint-resistant surface will come in handy.
“This Frigidaire induction range is exactly what I love about induction cooking. It is the most powerful induction range I have owned so far. It boils water in seconds for a small quantity to a few minutes for a large quantity. The range also can get my pans scorching hot,” writes five-star reviewer, Justin Gray.
Pros
- Switches to air fry function with a touch of a button
- Self-cleaning feature
- Fingerprint-resistant surface
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant
Cons
- Front control panel is sensitive
Compact and portable enough to cook in small spaces or on the go, the Duxtop portable induction cooktop is a single-burner induction “hot plate” you can set up on the kitchen counter or RV—anywhere with access to a standard electrical outlet. Easy to operate, the Duxtop offers a lot of the functions you’d find in a full-size induction cooktop, like a digital LCD sensor-touch control panel, “fast boil” and “keep warm” buttons and a child safety lock. Not bad for a portable stove!
“I’m in the middle of a kitchen remodel, so I needed to set up a small kitchenette area so that I can not have to do takeout until the kitchen is ready (it’s going to be a few weeks),” shares Jeff Finkelstein, a verified purchaser. “This is my first foray into induction cooking. What I like about this is that it is stable, sturdy and heats up really well. My cast iron skillet is perfect—it has the iron content to work with the induction burner.”
Pros
- Only weighs 6.2 pounds
- Premium glass surface that’s easy to maintain
- Digital countdown timer is programmable for up to 10 hours
- Add-on cookware options available
Cons
- Power cord is thick and tricky to tuck out of the way
- The fan is noisy
What to Consider When Buying an Induction Stove
Key factors to think about when comparing the best induction stoves are appliance size, type, cooking capacity (based on your household’s needs), budget and style. After deciding on the basics, ask yourself what other components and features matter to you. Do you want a booster for faster boiling? Preset menus? Extra-safety features, such as auto shutoffs and child locks? Smart connectivity?
“Across brands, there are a lot of performance similarities with induction since they source the electromagnetic generators from the same manufacturers,” Forlines says. “The big differences are in the interface (user input and interaction), aesthetics (design, knobs vs. touchscreen controls) and burner layout (designated or non-designated burners, number of cooking zones, etc.).”
Forlines says induction ranges and cooktops generally require 220 to 240 volts and 30 to 50 amps. However, plug-in countertop single burners are available in 110 volts.
Consider these factors:
- Type: Your options are full-size ranges with ovens, cooktop-only and standalone portable models. The latter is an inexpensive way to try out induction cooking.
- Price: This varies from around $100 for portables to $9,000 for “the works.” Because they’re operationally efficient, induction stoves can save money on utility costs over time.
- Controls: Power, temperature and preset controls are generally available in rotating knobs, push buttons and touch sensors.
- Interval temperature settings: The more temperature intervals available, the easier it is to adjust the heat.
- Smart connectivity: “There are also some induction burners that can be set by temperature and/or have integrated app-driven, video-guided recipes for people to cook along with,” Forlines adds.
- Extra features: A booster to boil water faster, preset cooking menus, automatic pan detection and safety sensors, like auto shutoffs and child locks, are available on some induction stoves.
Types of Induction Stoves
You can go with a full-size range with an oven, a freestanding or slide-in model or a cooktop-only (with four to five burners or “flex induction” that has cooking zones spread over the entire surface). For the most convenience, pick a space- and energy-saving portable model.
How We Found the Best Induction Stoves
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
How does an induction stove work?
Unlike electric and gas stoves, which work via thermal conduction, induction stoves use an electromagnetic field to generate the current through a copper coil wire placed inside burners. The result is pans and food get hot, but the burners remain cool to the touch. The only caveat is cookware must be magnetic (think cast iron). Note: Copper and aluminum pans won’t work on even the best induction stoves.
How do you clean an induction stove?
Since the surface of the cooktop never gets red-hot, spilled food won’t burn onto the ceramic/glass surface, making it easy to wipe it clean with a soft cloth. To prevent scratches on the ceramic-glass surface, be sure to avoid using steel wool, rough sponges and abrasive cleaners.
Source:
- Andrew Forlines, chef and home kitchen appliance expert at ChefAF.com
