Having read your many posts and everything about induction on the site, I'm not sure what more anyone can say that will help you make up your mind. As far as power goes, the Viking and Diva are both more powerful than any residential gas cooktop/range you could buy and they are just as responsive. That said, for some it's not just about the power. There are plenty here who would not give up gas no matter what, but I don't think power and response times are among their reasons for not choosing induction.

Thank you for your quick response. I am amazed that many people won't even consider induction and that can make one (me) nervous when buying brand new appliances. The Diva costs just as much as a Blue Star range top. From all the research I have done, induction has plenty of power. Thanks for the encouragement.

We are getting both induction and gas. Here are the reasons we don't want just induction:

1. Glass surface. We have heavy pots and pans that we just put down our current (Viking) rangetop. Yes, they say it is hard to break these things but still, I can't imagine putting pots and pans down on them the way we use gas unit.

2. Glass surface #2. We went to a place that had half a dozen induction units and a commercial pot. We put the pot on each one and just moved it left and right once. Every unit without exception wound up with scratches. Some you could buff out partially, others seeemed hard. I want to be able to stir things vigerously and not worry about the pan sliding. Yes, I hear about putting sheets under it but what is the point of having a kitchen you have to baby this way when the alternative doesn't have this issue?

3. Re-sale. Most people don't know about induction. This is a high-end home/kitchen and we worry about people thinking this is a cheap electric cooktop. Mind you, this is not a big consideration but it is one.

4. Griddle. We use our griddle a lot. And we like the fact that it has temprature control. Putting a griddle pan on the hobs is not going to work for us. And at any rate, we are getting a 24" one with the gas unit.

Other than the above, everything else is a plus in our book. Yes, we look at the flame to adjust the heat but I don't think that is a big deal to get used to.

So if you are not bothered by the above, then there is really no reason not to get induction in my opinion. For us, they were enough of a burden that we had to augment the unit with gas at great expense.

I really wish someone would make an induction cooktop without the slick glass surface. I realize this is what most buyers want, but for us, performance is more important than a shiny surface...

Interesting, armirm...What gas cook top are you going to get and which induction? I assume you are getting a two burner induction for boiling water, etc. We thought about that, too, but we are on Propane and I don't think we would end up using both. We had a Wolf cook top before with the grill. Now, we have a couple of barbecues outside for grilling and we have an electric griddle. If I weren't on propane, I wold have bought the gas built in griddle with four burners this time instead of the grill.

I understand that you need to be careful of scratching and I am ok with that. But also easy clean up compared to my Wolf. This is also a high end home and I am not concerned about re-sale vs induction. I don't think we will break the glass. So I guess it looks like induction .for us

We've had two induction units and a (Viking) gas unit at our vacation home. Induction is much better: more responsive, more energy efficient, faster clean-up, less heat in the kitchen, etc.

We love a griddle as well, though. So in our new house, we're putting in the 36" Viking all induction cooktop with a 24" Viking gas griddle next to it.

Don't worry about resale. Our first induction was in an older house we bought. We knew nothing about it and thought we'd immediately replace it. We waited and are very happy that we did that.

How much would I love to have both gas (for DH) and induction!!! However, we too needed to choose and though we don't have it yet, I can't wait to get my induction cooktop. I've been cooking with a portable cooktek for several months now and just love it.

Like you, Paso, I have agonized over which model to go with because none of them have everything I want. I almost settled on the 36" Diva, but decided instead to get the 30" Miele. We have a combi steam oven and I'd rather have more counter space than that extra hob. I didn't do the Viking or Diva in 30" because I wanted one hob larger that 9". It took at least 6 months to get to this decision. Good Luck.

DH didn't like the controls on the top left of the 36" Viking. We would have chosen the 36 range top Viking all induction (controls on front), but they only make a 30". So that is why we went withthe Diva.

You are all making me feel so much better!

We've been using our Thermador almost everyday for two years and there are no scratches. None. There is also no mess, no ugly grates and no control knobs to worry about. It's sleek and beautiful.

As for power, it was mentioned before. There is a lot more power in an induction cooktop than you can get from gas and it is easily as responsive as gas. More so if you consider that there is no time at all to heat your cookware. I think if you need more power you'll have to go nuclear.

You can sauté to your hearts content. I suggest a high quality sauté pan, Demeyere makes awesome induction cookware with multiply material right to its edge for perfect heat. You can also simmer for days on end. I don't know why you'd ever want to, but you could without burning your food.

Induction is getting bigger as more people become educated to it. There is a commercial touting a major brand now. The only thing I would be concerned about with a re-sale is how I would rip the thing out to take it with me..LOL.

Seriously, my cooktop is so nice looking that I get comments on it from everyone who walks into my kitchen. It would probably seal the deal. Besides, who's worried about resale? Unless it's imminent, why worry? And if it is imminent, why buy an expensive appliance like an induction cooktop?

Ahh, the old griddle situation. Well, unless you griddle a whole lot, a separate free standing griddle should work fine. Use it, put it away. Some people find them to be an eyesore anyway. There are other solutions as well including specialty cooktops and cookware.

I've used both and performance with an induction cooktop is far superior to gas. Gas is good for people who like FIRE. So, unless you like to see flames and feel the huge amount of lost heat energy, there is nothing that a gas stove can do that an induction cooktop cannot. There's nothing like a nice hot gas stove in the middle of summer.

Wait, there is one thing. You can flambé on a gas stove without having to light a match. Considering the danger gas imposes, even when not cooking, I'll light a match, thank you.

It really boils down to preference. I'm sure a majority of the people on this site can cook a whole lot better then me on their gas stove.

All kidding aside, I think once you use an induction cooktop for a while, you'll be hard pressed to use anything else.

Good luck with your choice. Oh, I read above that someone was going to make a choice depending on local availability. I wouldn't do that if I were you. Believe me that it is better to have to drive out of state if you have to and get what you want than to settle and regret. Most high end manufacturers have showrooms and will ship anywhere.

Klaa2

Well, we were down the path of getting a 5-hob induction and a griddle. But then you think about the fact that adding 4 gas burners to it doesn't cost that much more. And that way, you can use all of your pots and pans. What doesn't work on induction, can be used on gas.

Then... you think.... well, if I am going to have 4 gas burners, do I really need 5-hob induction? Answer becomes no. Then you think some more... How about getting a single inductin for everyday use and another induction wok to get that application covered too! And you end up where we are: a wolf with 24 inch griddle running on Propane. A cookteck normal inductin hob and the dedicated wok induction from the same company.

Of course, all of this is in theory. We will let you know how it all works in fall, when the remodel is finished :).

OK consider not getting a new gas rill and keeping your pots/pans and use the money to buy top quality pots/pans and donate the pots/pans to charity.

I have an ancient induction cooktop and have had gas in the past (sounds bad!). It's instantly responsive, extremely powerful, and unscratched. It was installed in 1983.

I personally prefer gas because it's fun, but induction is pretty darn awesome! Go for it!