which induction cook top (budget??)?

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Batman

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#261374 24-Nov-2019 07:49

i type in "90cm induction" (that's the space it would going into - currently ceramic) on google and it shows me stuff ranging from $700-$7,000.

are there any difference between them?

any recommendations?

i actually like knobs but i don't understand why they are all touch screen.

also is it worth buying a cheap breville/philips 2100W portable induction cooker?

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#2359935 24-Nov-2019 08:02

I had a Parmco 60cm induction hob from the Applicance Shed (now Noel Leeming Clearance Centres) that was fine. Seems they are all touch screen rather than dials for induction to make it easy cleaning. Was about $600 (?) a few years ago and no complaints, the 90cm ones seem significantly more expensive .

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#2359941 24-Nov-2019 08:21

The Beko brand is good midrange IMHO. We have the freestanding oven, the cooktop is better than the oven, both are fine.

I think 90cm is considered premium.

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#2359944 24-Nov-2019 08:24

The Vogue cooktops from Trade Depot are good value, we've had this one (60cm) for a number of years and it's been great. Ensure whatever you get has Ceramic glass for the cooking surface for better resistance to cracking if you put something hot down on cool glass.

Also, you may need new pots/pans to work with induction. Easiest way to check is to use a magnet to see if it sticks to the bottom of your existing pots/pans. If it doesn't stick then it won't work.

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#2359945 24-Nov-2019 08:27

The biggest difference you will find is how much power each zone can handle in normal and boost mode between brands. The cheaper ones usually only have a single control panel to set temperatures etc across multiple zones which can be a pain if you have multiple pots or pans you are cooking in at same time. You will also need to look at Amps rating for the model you select and likely will have to upgrade your mains power cable.

You will also need to provide ample ventilation in the cabinetry underneath as the cooktop will have fans running at its bottom. The expensive ones have zone control for each zone so makes it easy to set temperature, start, stop etc. They also have pot detection features and can usually set a specific temperature on a particular zone (temperature control). The glass layer that sits on top of cooktop can also vary between brands.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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#2359947 24-Nov-2019 08:34

thanks that's very helpful. induction is better than ceramic you reckon?

timmmay

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#2359948 24-Nov-2019 08:36

Ceramic are HORRIBLE. Induction are AWESOME.

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billgates

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#2359950 24-Nov-2019 08:38

Batman:
thanks that's very helpful. induction is better than ceramic you reckon?

Yes absolutely. It’s easier to clean. It’s safe if you have kids as the zone itself is only warm to touch if they accidentally touch it. It’s quicker to cook on.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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#2359960 24-Nov-2019 09:08

We initially had a Samsung induction hob. Looked good, but the controller failed internally and we replaced it with a Miele. Not budget I know, but money well spent in my opinion. The only downside to induction is you have to make sure your cookware is compatible. But even that is easier now with more available than there used to be.

Samsung make great phones and TVs but I won’t buy their whiteware.

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#2360135 24-Nov-2019 16:33

Kraven:

The Vogue cooktops from Trade Depot are good value, we've had this one (60cm) for a number of years and it's been great. Ensure whatever you get has Ceramic glass for the cooking surface for better resistance to cracking if you put something hot down on cool glass.

Also, you may need new pots/pans to work with induction. Easiest way to check is to use a magnet to see if it sticks to the bottom of your existing pots/pans. If it doesn't stick then it won't work.

+1 for this - we've moved into a new house and were able to get this to replace the old ceramic cooktop with separate controls that was in the house - it's been brilliant, and 1/2 the price of a "name brand" equivalent. Sister in law has had one for a few years too and actually put us onto this.

(Edit - buggy bbcode interpreter!)

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#2360136 24-Nov-2019 16:35

thanks guys. i'll just need to find an electrician ...

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#2360138 24-Nov-2019 16:53

Batman:

thanks guys. i'll just need to find an electrician ...

As you have probably worked out the induction cook tops are typically twice as grunt as ceramic, so you need twice the power supply. When we upgraded, (60cm cooktop) the old cooktop need 16A and shared a 32A feed with the oven. The new cooktop needed a 32A feed on its own (or 2x 16A feeds), so we dedicated the existing feed to the cooktop and ran a new cable to the switchboard for the oven.

Make sure there is enough ventilation space around the cooktop. The power electronics of induction cooktops gives off a bit of waste heat that needs to be dissipated. A lot of induction cook-top failures are due to them being poorly ventilated and overheating.

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#2360141 24-Nov-2019 17:01

yes thanks i meant find an electrician to look at the set up before i dive in

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#2360143 24-Nov-2019 17:19

Our electrician just said not to turn everything on full power at the same time, and that if a fuse blew he would run another line. it might have been that our existing line was almost enough, it's been fine.

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#2360170 24-Nov-2019 18:45

timmmay: Our electrician just said not to turn everything on full power at the same time, and that if a fuse blew he would run another line. it might have been that our existing line was almost enough, it's been fine.

I see. Thanks for the tip.

timmmay

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#2360188 24-Nov-2019 20:34

Batman:
timmmay: Our electrician just said not to turn everything on full power at the same time, and that if a fuse blew he would run another line. it might have been that our existing line was almost enough, it's been fine.

I see. Thanks for the tip.

Ask your electrician, don't rely on this for anything.

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