• Induction Cooktops

What to know before buying an induction range or cooktop

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• This lead me to delve into the world of induction cooktops in general because, quite honestly, I have not come across a more precise, safe and enjoyable way of cooking anywhere else. During my research I have come across a lot of people who are confused about electric and induction. So, on this page you will find everything you need to know.

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Every induction cooktop and induction range in Consumer Reports’ tests delivers fast cooktop heat and superb simmering.

The power and precision of the technology comes from an electromagnetic field below the glass cooktop surface that transfers current directly to magnetic cookware, causing it to heat up.

Essentially, induction cuts out the intermediate step of heating up a burner and then transferring the heat to the pot.

Home cooks have been warming to induction because it cooks faster and responds much faster when you dial back the temperature.

Also, prices for induction have been dropping, with some induction ranges selling for $1,000, including one CR recommends: the Kenmore 95103. Induction cooktops and ranges still tend to cost more than electric smoothtops, but the difference in performance is significant.

If you’re thinking of making the switch, here’s what you need to know. Film kungfu mandarin.

What Induction Is—and What It Isn’t

Induction ranges look a lot like typical glass-top electric ranges. The biggest difference you’ll notice is that because the electromagnetic field on an induction cooktop doesn’t create a glow, you won’t know it’s on. That’s why manufacturers have started adding virtual flames and other lighting cues.

As for the ovens in induction ranges, they broil and bake the same as other electric ovens.

The Induction Advantage
No other cooking technology that we’ve tested is faster than the fastest induction elements—we’re talking 2 to 4 minutes speedier than the competition to bring 6 quarts of water to a near-boil. Life-changing? Probably not.

Contrary to popular belief, induction cooktops can get hot, but the heat is transferring from the cooking pot to the glass through conduction, much as a hot pan would transfer some heat to a countertop if you set it down to rest. As soon as you remove the pot, that heating stops. And because the heat is going from the pan to the cooktop, the glass surface never gets as hot as it does on a traditional radiant electric range. And if you turn an induction burner on with no pot on it by mistake, it won’t get hot, a nice safety feature.

You Need the Right Cookware
If you’re shopping for new cookware, look for pots and pans marked “induction-compatible.” If you want to know whether your existing arsenal of cookware will work with an induction range, use a magnet to see whether it strongly sticks to the bottom of your pots. If it does, it will work on an induction burner.

What’s That Noise?
“A buzz or hum is common and often is louder at higher settings,” says Tara Casaregola, who oversees testing of ranges and cooktops for Consumer Reports. “And we often hear clicking of element electronics at lower settings, as well as the sound of the cooling fan for the electronics.” Heavy, flat-bottomed pans help reduce the vibrations that cause this buzz.

Zip file opener free. Dig Out Your Dial Thermometer
The magnetic field of an induction cooktop can interfere with a digital meat thermometer, so you may need an analog thermometer—an old-fashioned solution to a modern problem.

How to Choose and Care for a Range

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The top models offer rapid boiling and steady simmering

It’s exceedingly rare for a product to earn a nearly perfect score in Consumer Reports’ tests, but three induction cooktops we recently reviewed earn a 99 out of 100, and two more earn a 98.

Induction Cooktops

In fact, 18 of the 21 induction cooktops in our current ratings of electric cooktops make our list of recommended models. The radiant electric and gas cooktops we test don't post such consistently high scores.

The secret to induction’s success? The power and precision of the electromagnetic field, below the glass surface, that quickly provides heat. “Since you’re heating the pan directly, you’re not losing time while heat transfers from a radiant electric burner,” explains Tara Casaregola, who oversees our cooktop testing.

Of course, not all induction cooktops ace our tests, and we do see differences in how individual models perform. And price doesn't always track with performance. Some lower-priced models in our ratings actually heat water faster and simmer more steadily than high-end models.

How We Test Induction Cooktops

We test every cooktop at low and high heat. Just about any cooktop will fare well enough when cooking over medium heat, but a stellar model will also boil quickly and simmer steadily. “The extremes between low- and high-heat tasks are where we really see differences,” Casaregola says.

For high-heat cooking, we use a standardized pot, filled with about 4 quarts of water, on the largest cooktop burner. We jack up the burner to the highest setting and note the speed with which the water heats up.

For low-heat cooking, we use the smallest burner to melt chocolate and then simmer water and tomato sauce, gauging how well cooktops hold a steady simmer temperature without dropping too low or scorching the contents of the pan.

We test 30- and 36-inch induction cooktops from such brands as Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, KitchenAid, Samsung, and Whirlpool. We also test pro-style induction cooktops from Bosch, Dacor, GE Monogram, and Thermador.

Start with our cooktop and wall oven buying guide if you’re deciding what kind of cooktop to buy or debating whether it makes more sense to choose a range.

Do You Need Special Cookware?
If you’ve considered an induction cooktop or range, you’ve probably heard that not all cookware is induction-compatible. Any magnetic pot or pan will work on an induction cooktop. If you’re shopping for new cookware, check the Features & Specs tab of our cookware ratings to find out which sets are induction-friendly.

CR members can read on for ratings and reviews of six of the best induction cooktops.

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