I think coil is certainly slow to heat and equally slow to cool down, which can be dangerous as it's still hot when it looks ok. I loathed the radiant glass top I had due to both the slowness and how hard it was to clean; I can't imagine trying to keep it clean with 91-year-old eyes. But the coils and glass tops that I've had were from the 1980s, so maybe there have been miraculous breakthoughs since then :) .

Induction sounds the best to me for electric (I went with gas) from all the raves on this forum and in the Appliance forum. Sounds the safest, too.

HTH

Induction is definitely the safest for your situation. It's responsive and as soon as you remove the pan the top cools quickly. You can burn food in a pan by turning it up too high, so attention is still required.

What does she want to get? Does she want something she is already familiar with or is she up for learning something new? Induction does sound like the safest option, but she might not be comfortable with the touchpads and electronics. I know my 87-y.o. MIL wouldn't want anything to do with an induction stove.

You can always replace a stove later on, so I wouldn't worry about how it looks. I'd get whatever she would like to cook on (assuming she will be the one using it).

About 6 months ago I installed a Ge Monogram induction cooktop in our kitchen. My 95 year old mother lives with us and has adapted very well to it. We don't worry about her burning herself on it or melting items left laying on a hot burner. Previously we had a radiant ceramic top cook top and was constantly struggling to keep it clean. The induction cooktop beats anything I have cooked with hands down. It is safer, more responsive, more energy efficient, and easier to keep clean than all of the other heat sources i have used. Yes, it is more expensive, but I don't regret the cost one bit. It is a joy to cook with. You do need magnetic cookware, but there are plenty of reasonably priced choices in induction compatible cookware available, including inexpensive cast iron. Just check the cookware with a magnet. If it sticks, it will work.

Thanks for all your responses. Especially, first hand experiences with induction and the elderly.

I think my mom could adapt to an induction. It's a bit of a challenge for her to manage menus on a cell phone or a computer screen, but if it is just a touch pad, such as you'd find on a microwave, she'll be fine. Is it more complicated than that?

I will for sure show my mother the induction before purchasing.

We have radiant glass and it is fine. Much easier to clean than coil. And it behaves in a way an older person would expect. I'd be careful doing induction unless you are very confident of her memory.

Waterdamage, why would induction require more memory than other types?

Induction is the perfect cooktop for the elderly since, by far, it is the safest.

With the pot recognition features, elements are deactivated when they are not in use or the pan is empty and CANNOT be accidently turned on or left on once a cooking vessel has been removed. Most have overflow sensors and shut off in that event. The only thing safer than that is to have food delivered. (;

Have you seen the online video of a forum member, cooking on his induction? At the end he shows how long it takes to clean up after frying sausage, hashbrowns and soft boiled eggs!

Here is a link that might be useful: Gary's ccoking on induction

Induction "behaves" like a cooktop only much safer. If you lift the pan it turns off immediately and within seconds it's no longer hot to the touch. If the pan gets too hot the burner will shut off automatically preventing a fire. Far safer than any other cooktop.

Instead of Low-Medium-High you usually have numbers 1 to 10. It's simple for anyone to learn that "5" is medium and you can go up or down from there.

I never understand why people have trouble cleaning a glass top electric. I just wipe it with a microfiber cloth after using/when cool. Dish soap or occasionally glass top cleaner. Never needed a razor blade. Mine is black and I am a messy cook.

That being said, induction sounds great. If your mom can get a demo and play with it a little first that may be best.

Good luck.

Debrak, is yours a newer model? My sister had one years ago and said she would never have one again. Other posters on GW say they are easy to clean but others say they are difficult. I just don't know. Is it newer verses older models?

I don't think coil cooktops are hard to clean either. I traded in my silver drip trays for black ones. Truth is, no one but me knows they are dirty, so I seldom clean them. The porcelain enamel top is easy to keep clean and so very durable.

perhaps spend around $100 and get your Mother a single induction plate to 'try' out? Mr. Induction comes to mind

CM

Mine is a Kenmore maybe ....about 4 years old? Not a high end model. I have seen some white glass tops that looked terrible. I don't know if it is the color, stove, or the cook.

My glass top is much easier to clean then the gas stoves in our rental double. Those grates are horrid. After the next tenant moves out I've vowed to throw out the grates or just get a new stove if they are not clean.

The single induction plate sounds like a good idea.

My 81 yo mom went from gas to a coil electric with no issues. Has no problem keeping it clean.

I too think think that induction would be a good choice for your mom. A bonus is that the cooktops with simple controls cost less money! I have to disagree with those that said to get an single induction plate. I had one during remodel and it absolutely pales in comparison to the real thing. I almost changed my mind because of the noise alone (I have no trouble with noise on my cooktop). I think your mom will love induction! (My mom is gone now, but I often think she would've loved induction...and she was an amazing cook.)

If she actually is somewhat tech-savvy using apps, etc., perhaps induction would work. I know my mother would want as simple as possible, which would be coil. She used her 60's gas stove until she passed away at 85, but she never had cognitive issues.

When you compare a temporary induction hotplate to a real induction cooktop, it's not fair. You are buying a small underpowered device and hoping people will like it as much. Beware.

theresa2,
They are all tried and true technology. Induction has been out on the market for decades.

Induction
Similar to "gas" in that it has an extremely fast temperature response AND also an extremely fast stop. This is hard to believe, because other electric cooking is not like this.

The glass ceramic top does not have to get hot like the "Radiant" glass top. It only gets warm just like any countertop surface would, if you left a hot pot on it. This is hard to believe, because the other glass top electric cooking is not like this (it can get red hot!).

Super easy cleanup. Since the glass doesn't heat up, burnt sugar doesn't harm the surface. Since the glass doesn't heat up, you can place a silicone pad or paper towel under cookware to protect cooktop surface from spillovers and scratches (from grains of sugar or salt). Safe cool touch.

Price is close, but it is the most expensive option of the three (IKEA induction costs a couple hundred more than a radiant cooktop). Cookware needs to be magnetic, but not necessarily expensive.

Automatically turns off after a short delay when not in use. Automatically turns off when a pot is left to spill over. Foolproof. Less heat escapes into the ambient environment.

Radiant glass top - Slowest temperature response. Not especially easy to clean spill-overs. You have to wait for it to cool down before you finish cleaning. Because of the heat you might get baked on stuff that is hard to clean. Requires specialized cleaning products and sometimes, even a razor blade. Must be kept tidy at all times to look decent. Most susceptible to cooktop surface damage. Mid-range cost.

Coil - Harder to keep clean, but doesn't look as bad as radiant glass top if not kept perfectly tidy. More of a lower end product in terms of quality features.

One thing nobody seems to have mentioned: if she has any kind of vision loss and/or tactile problems with her fingers, a touchpad is just plain not going to work.