That is a pain. What induction unit do you have?

Judy

Sunpentown SR-951T It has 7 choices that can be set either at a specific temperature or heat level.

I think the regular built-in type induction units have a lot more temperature choices than your Sunpentown has. I have the Kenmore, and it has no problem handling a variety of low temps.

I have induction and gas, and I have found that the number of steps an induction unit has is just as important as the maximum power. My unit has 20 steps, and while I can cook oatmeal successfully, I have real trouble cooking rice on the induction-I need a setting of like 1.5, because 1 is too low, and 2 is boiling for smaller quantities.

The new model on my unit now comes with 100 steps, so I guess the manufacturers are still learning.

Which units would have the ability to change by half step increments. I remember reading something about it on this forum. Thanks,
Judy

Cpovey, who made your induction cooktop? Do you use the gas and induction equally often? I wondered about getting both, but that would be more complicated. Heck, by the time I buy three cabs, granite or soapstone, 2 ovens, and one or two types of cooktop, I may as well get a LaLanche with two ovens. There is not a huge difference in cost.

Lindawink, sounds as if you are happy with your Kenmore.

I have a Windcrest and make oatmeal for my son daily with no problems. I use the Low setting, which is equivalent to 1 of 10 settings.

It is a Cooktek. The real problem is that it is the 3500 Watt unit, which is intended for high heat applications. If the steps are linear, each step represents 175 watts (3500/20=175). Thus my desired 1.5 would equal approximately 262 Watts.

If I had the 1800 watt unit, I am sure making rice would be no problem, since 1800/20=90 watts/step, thus 3=270 Watts.

As to use, I use the Cooktek for boiling water applications, and I try and us it more in the summer, to reduce the heat going into the house.

Water must boil fast! Mine is so underpowered it is faster to boil a big pot of water on my ancient electric coil stove when it worked. If I stay with induction, I am looking forward to power/speed.

I had oatmeal boil-over with my Sunpentown countertop unit (it spilled inside the unit and it never worked again afterwards.) But I did love the unit so much I immediately bought another.

The only thing I can suggest might be to try a double boiler method for the oatmeal....

We now have a built-in 36-inch induction cooktop but I've actually not made oatmeal on it yet. My biggest difficulty with induction is that our favorite stovetop popcorn popper is made from aluminum and will only work on our countertop cast iron unit!

jayne

jayne, countertop units were a great marketing tool for the induction industry! I've not read anyone purchased a gas or radiant cooktop after using a countertop unit. Which cooktop do you have? I am looking seriously at Bosch because the timers actually turn off the burners. The salesman told me there is little difference between Thermador and Bosch (except the price). And, he sells both.

I discovered if I leave a little gap between the pot and the lid and keep it at 130 degrees it will go the full 30 minutes without boiling over.