I have a portable 1800W Cooktek. I bought it to check out induction before I committed to a whole cooktop. I LOVE it!! We use it for everything. In fact, I find myself using my range less and less. I was tempted to buy the more powerful model but it wasn't practical because I couldn't power it with a standard outlet. The only thing I don't like is how loud the fan is. I asked for advice about this earlier, and someone suggested that it would be quieter if it were built in. Makes sense, but I don't know for sure.

My only problem now is that I can't find a 36" cooktop that can do all the things this portable one can (programmable, timers and 100 power levels). Unfortunately, I don't have the space to install 2 of the Cooktek built in models. Hope this helps.

cpovey has a built-in cooktek unit in addition to his range, if I remember correctly. Maybe he will chime in as to the fan noise, or lack thereof.

We briefly toyed with the idea of installing 2 cooktek units end to end toward the backsplash edge of the countertop- like running Legos! The front edge of the countertop could be prep space, the back would be cooktop. We would've needed two exhaust hoods and lost upper cabinet space we sorely needed, but I still think it's a cool idea.

And if you like a portable unit, just wait until you use a cooktop!

Good luck!

Three questions, Cheri:

1. What do you use the timers and programming for?
2. Do you find 100 power levels overkill, or a viable way to approximate the continuous control provided by many ranges?
3. Did you add ventilation for the portable unit or do you use it under your existing hood?

The programming is great for cooking things like rice and pasta or braises, anything that you have to lower the temperature for after bringing to a boil. The timers are great for not overcooking chicken stews and curries (as I've done on numerous occasions, when distracted). I don't use these features often, but sort of like the idea of having them when I want them.

As for the hundred power levels, it's just what I got used to. You just sort of slide the control from 1=100% power. I've no doubt that 10 or 12 power levels is more than ok.

If I'm cooking anything that has a strong smell (onion, garlic, stew) or generates smoke (this thing is awesome for searing) I put it on the center part of my range (on top the covered and NEVER use grill) so that it's under the hood.

I'm so frustrated right now because I love the layout of the Electrolux Icon but am worried about quality and power. I need to talk to an appliance rep and find out how the installation cutouts vary are between units. I'm thinking of going with something not too expensive and replacing it with a newer "all-over" zone model when they come out.

What I'm really drooling over is the new Diva induction range. They just go the ok to build and it's due here in 6-10 weeks but it's almost $9K!!!!! It's induction on steroids and the oven sounds wonderful. However, that price! And I thought Turbochef was expensive.

One final thought, I don't think the Cooktek built-in models have the sliding 1-100 control, just the Apogee, which is free-standing only.

Cheri, Thanks for the info. According to The Induction Site there are also built-in Apogee units with the slider thing.

I've been going round and round about what to get because I have big pots but don't want a full sized cooktop. I thought I'd put aside consideration of Cooktek for other reasons but got some other info and though I should look again. I really like the power/space ratio.

Do you think the all over models are really going to come out?

I read about the zoneless induction at inductionsite.com. If you go to the section "How induction works", near the bottom of the expanation is a brief discussion on De Dietrichs model, still in it's early stages and not without problems. But, if there's a market for it, I'll bet they have one in two years.

If you decide on a portable, keep in the mind that the cookek is 4" high. I'm only 5'4", so it's a bit awkward for me to use. Some of the other models look like they are much lower. Good luck.

plllog,
I am also doing a modular cooktop setup in my kitchen. My individual modules will be one burner only. I find that for my cooking style, having a pot simmering or being used on the back burner, will prevent me from using the front cooktop effectively. I tested all manner and size of rangetops before coming to this decision. Although my configuration will end up taking up about 60", I will still only have four burners. I also think this setup will work better for me in a multi user kitchen where we both cook.

My choice of configurations are:
1. 2 Gaggenau wok burners (either model will work, 12" or 15")
2. 2 Cooktek single burner or 2 Diva De Provence Commerial size single induction cooktop.

The layout will be one gas burner, one induction, one gas burner and one induction. The Diva De Provence units are about 18" wide so that is a factor. Also, I don't like the electronic controls only option. I think I like a knob available so that is why the Cooktek is the top runner right now. I would consider the Gaggenau but the price of the Gaggenau induction is just too high.

Good luck!

Yes, as pecanpie remembered, I have a Cooktek induction hob (single) next to my Bluestar. It is the 3500 Watt unit, the drop-in model (which can be made portable in about 10 minutes if necessary-though it leaves a large hole in the countertop!)

Yes, I like it very much. It is reliable and efficient. It amazes people when they first see it and I demonstrate it's power.

If I was going with a multi-induction cooktop, I would probably go with a pair of 12-1800 Watt units, plus a pair of 25-3500 Watt units. Mine is the 'older' style unit, with on 20 power settings, and I do find that I sometimes need a power setting between 1 and 2. Cooking rice for example, I start it on the Cooktek, because it is so fast for boiling water. Then I dump in the rice, stir, cover, and wait a few second for it to boil again. I then move it to the small Bluestar burner. I do this because I need something between 1 and 2 for rice to cook properly. The two ways to solve this are to use a less powerful hob or to use a hob with more power setting. But this is not true universally-I can and do cook oatmeal all on the Cooktex.

It makes very little noise when installed in a countertop, more like a hum than a fan noise. There must be some way for the heat to escape from the cabinet it is installed in-keep that in mind.

I did get rid of my excellent Russell Hobbs tea kettle when I got the Cooktek. It is faster than the Hobbs, my a good margin.

Hope this helps. let me know if you have any questions.

Colin

I have two Cooktek Apogee 3500 watt stand alones. The strange thing is after I bought one, I won another in a contest. I love the Cooktek and the 100 cooking levels. Since I already installed a 36" induction cooktop, I brought the Cooktek to my office for people to use. Almost no one goes out for lunch anymore as people use it for different things from 11am to 1pm. My employees were so impressed that 3 people have bought induction units for their homes. They all still love the flexibility of the Cooktek Apogee in the office and one of my employees wants to buy the $1,250 extra unit I have at home for a big discount. Of course, a big discount to him means $400. I told him I'd be more interested if he offered at least $750, which is still $500 off, although I have seen it for $1,140.

Greg

We have 2 Cooktek dual 2500W units. They are really excellent, but have some issues.

1. The temperature control system simple doesn't work at all.
2. They are not reliable over the long term. We've had one unit fail twice in 8 years, and the other once.

1. The temperature control system simple doesn't work at all.
2. They are not reliable over the long term. We've had one unit fail twice in 8 years, and the other once.

Agree 100% with #1.

On #2, CookTek has recently found an intermittent problem that has been driving them and some users nuts. The Cooktek units contain two circuit boards, one small, and one large. On the small board, there is a large connector that connects it to the large board. The joints on this connector sometimes were soldered poorly, and the bad solder joints cause a rash of intermittent problems. Once they are correctly soldered, most problems disappear.

Well I got one of my Cookteks repaired and back and am sending in the other now. I was wrong in my original post, we've had these units 5 years not 8, one repaired twice, the other going in now for the first time.

The service rep at Cooktek was a bit discouraging when I asked about reliability. His opinion was that one or two failures in 5 years was about what should be expected. Perhaps that's the norm in the commercial world, but it certainly isn't what I expected.

Anyway, it seems the bottom line is that while they are excellent when they work, you should expect to have it repaired every few years. When installing them, keep in mind that you will be removing it, so plan accordingly. Perhaps the standalone ones make more sense than the built in units.