How to choose an induction hob: reviews of models with details on pros and cons

Not every apartment or house has the possibility of connecting a gas stove.

Many are forced or because of personal preferences use electric stoves, which consume a lot of electricity.

The best choice in such a situation can be a cooking surface, working on the principle of induction.

Such a device allows you to cook food quickly and saves electricity.

How to choose and what to look for?

Induction cooking hobs appeared relatively recently.

The peculiarity of such devices consists in the fact that only the bottom of the used cookware and products in it are heated, while the walls of the cookware and the stove itself are not heated..

The number of burners

Choosing a cooktop with induction, it is important to decide how many burners you need.

The surfaces can be equipped with different number of heating zones, this number varies from one to six.

This figure will depend on the number of people in the family and how diverse food you are used to cooking.

For a couple or one person, as well as for a family that is used to eating out, a compact version of the device equipped with one or a couple of burners will be sufficient. This will save space in the kitchen.

For a large family, it is recommended to give preference to the panel, which will have at least four heating zones.

Such devices - one of the most popular among buyers, as they allow you to cook a full meal at the same time. But also the space for placing such appliances will need more.

In terms of configuration and arrangement of burners, the standards for their placement have long ago not assume exclusively square or diamond-shaped.

Heating zones can be arranged in a row, in the form of a triangle, oval, semi-circle. When choosing this parameter, you should imagine how convenient it will be to have access to each of the burners, so that the dishes on the neighboring ones do not interfere with each other.

It is also worth considering the diameter of the heating zones and their shape.

Otherwise, the appliance simply will not turn on. In the most modern induction hobs, the burner can automatically detect the size of the cookware and adjust to it.

Hob material

The most common coating material is glass ceramic. The second most common is tempered glass.

The first option will cost cheaper, but differs in strength to mechanical influences.

There are difficulties in care, because sugary liquids, like compote and jam, can leave indelible traces.

Panels coated with tempered glass are slightly more expensive, but they are quite fragile and require careful handling. But this material is more aesthetic and practical to care, not afraid of scratches and abrasions.

Cooking induction hobs can have a metal profile frame or beveled edge.

Both have their advantages:

• Framed - they do not allow escaped liquid to stain the countertop or drip onto the floor;
• Beveled-edge panels are easier to clean.

Panel color

When choosing an induction cooktop, it's worth considering different design options.

Most models are made in dark colors that fit perfectly into any interior style.

For rooms decorated in the country or provincial style, induction hobs with a floral pattern are available.

For modern interiors in high-tech style, models that have no heating zone markings and look like a solid piece of glass are perfect.

Less common are devices that are silver or white, which also look very attractive..

Dust, grease stains and water stains are less noticeable on the light surface, which makes them especially attractive. It's worth noting that cleaning both light and dark panels is not too difficult.

You can remove dirt even during cooking, because the surface is not heated.

Some hobs are decorated with patterns, inscriptions and pictograms for easy operation of the appliance.

Dimensions

It is important that the size of the cooktop fits perfectly into the interior of your kitchen.

The narrowest varieties are only 30 centimeters wide. They are equipped with one or two heating zones and are a great find for small kitchens.

Panels wider than 60 centimeters usually have five burners, and in a width of about 80 centimeters there can be five or six heating zones..

The thickness of induction stoves can also vary. This range is usually from 4 to 10 centimeters.

The standard thickness is 6 to 8 centimeters..

Dependent/independent

Cooking induction hobs can be independent devices that can be placed anywhere in the kitchen.

All that is important for such appliances is a nearby power supply and a flat surface for installation.

Another type of induction units are those that are built into the kitchen countertop. As a rule, they are somewhat more expensive, but look one with the kitchen set.

As far as functionality is concerned, there are no particular differences between them.

Additional functions

The presence of various additional options in the selected model can make cooking a very pleasant experience.

Below is a list of the most common functions found in modern devices:

1. The control panel unit of the appliance. Especially useful if there are small children in the family.
2. Protective shutdown increases the level of safety in using the technique, turning it off when the liquid boils on the stove, there are no dishes on it or significant surges in the voltage in the mains.
3. Timer. It is convenient in that you can set the time required to bring the dish to the readiness and not to stand at the stove, constantly monitoring the process. Advanced models are not only able to turn off the heating at a given time, but by means of an audible signal will notify the hostess of the end of cooking.
4. Indicator of residual temperature helps to understand whether it is safe to touch the surface. The hob itself is not hot, but it can become hot from contact with the cookware in which the food is cooked.
5. Modern induction cookers have a special fast heating mode (Turbo Boost), which allows you to quickly prepare the desired dish by increasing the power of the selected burner at the expense of the neighboring ones.
6. Control of power consumption and temperature modes. The housewife only needs to set the device consumption rate or temperature values, which will then be maintained in automatic mode. All readings are stored in the internal memory.
7. Functions of pause cooking and heating (keeping warm). Convenient to use if the household members are used to eating each in its own mode.
8. The most modern stoves are equipped with new technology - induction without borders, which allows you to do without the usual marking burners. It is enough to put pots with food in any place, and the smart technique will provide the necessary heating zone.

Rating TOP-5 best models

Best Induction Cooktops

Electrolux IPE 6453 KF

Induction cooking surface Electrolux IPE 6453 KF with automatic setting the cooking zone depending on the size and shape of the cookware in use.

Has a fast heat up option, accidental start lock, built in timer, overheat shut off function.

Control is via touch sensitive buttons on the control panel.

14 ways to adjust heating power

Features:

• Number of burners - 4;
• color - black;
• independent;
• coating - glass-ceramic;
• power - 7,35 kW;
• frameless;
• dimensions - 56*49*4,4 cm.

Bosch PUE612FF1J

The Bosch PUE612FF1J cooktop works on the induction principle. Each of the burners has the ability to cook in PowerBoost mode, which implies accelerated heating to reduce the cooking time.

The device is equipped with the DirectSelect control system, which allows you to easily select the heating power and activate additional options.

In addition, there is a timer for switching off, the function of locking the panel, restart, the sensor of presence of dishes on the hob.

The white color of the coating will refresh any kitchen interior.

Characteristics:

• Number of burners - 4;
• color - white;
• independent;
• coating - glass-ceramic;
• power - 3 kW;
• frameless;
• dimensions - 56*49*5,1 cm.

Bosch PIF645FB1E

The Bosh PIF645FB1E induction cooktop features economical power consumption, is reliable and allows you to cook food quickly.

The stove is independently positioned and equipped with four convenient burners, working on the principle of induction. the device supports 17 levels of heating power adjustment, which significantly expands its practical possibilities of use.

The heating zone is defined automatically.

Using the hob is extremely easy, thanks to the touch-sensitive system.

In addition, the hob is equipped with a timer for turning off the burners, security shutdown options in case of overheating or lack of cookware, has the possibility of rapid heating.

The hob can be locked.

Characteristics:

• Number of burners - 4;
• color - black;
• independent;
• coating - glass-ceramic;
• power - 7,4 kW;
• with protective frame;
• dimensions - 56*49*5,5 cm.

Beko HII 64400 ATX

Cooking surface Beko HII 64400 ATX is an induction hob and requires the use of Special cookware for cooking.

The diameter of burners is different, in order to fit pans and pans of different sizes.

Device is controlled by touch panel, heating power can be adjusted in 9 levels.

There is a built-in timer and the function of switching off if the stove is not used for a long period of time.

The equipment is reliably protected from children by a special locking system.

Characteristics:

• The number of burners - 4;
• color - black;
• independent;
• coating - glass-ceramic;
• power - 7,4 kW;
• with protective frame;
• dimensions - 56*49*5,5 cm.

Weissgauff HI 641 BS

Thanks to its modest size, the hob saves space in your kitchen kitchen.

It has a stylish glass ceramic coating and an attractive modern design.

Practical in use, reliable and equipped with all the necessary functions for the modern housewife.

The appliances can be operated by one touch. There is a built-in timer that allows you to control the cooking process.

Nine levels of heating power, pot detection and oval heating zone.

Characteristics:

• Number of burners - 4;
• Color - black;
• independent;
• coating - glass-ceramic;
• power - 7,4 kW;
• with protective frame;
• dimensions - 56*49*6,2 cm.

Useful video

In this video you will learn how to choose an induction hob: