Induction choices

10 years ago

I'm going to get a 36" induction cooktop. I will have a Miele steam/oven and all other appliances will be Kitchen Aid. Is there any difference in quality of brands for induction cooktops? I'm leaning towards a GE Profile just based on price.

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plllog

10 years ago

I haven't heard of a quality difference between inductors, though there is a bottom of the market where the quality of the cooling of the electronics, or maybe the electronics themselves, aren't quite what they should be and they tend to burn out faster. From mid-range up, the differences are in power, features, controls and appearance. Any of the brands you named should be fine, but you should really look at the power output (it makes a big difference even when there are only a few hundred kW between them), how you like using the controls, and especially changing the power level (temperature). how the timers and programs operate if you're going to use them, and how the boosts work (which elements have power sharing, which are off for superboost, etc.), if there are other features like fry temperature control, keep warm, etc. And, of course, if you like how it looks.

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Comments (6)

Amanda DRo
9 years ago
The Samsung induction consistently gets the best reviews. That said, due to my space, I needed something counter depth and 30 inches, so I have a Bertazzoni and I love it!
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jwvideo
9 years ago
I second what plllog said and add the following as my 2 cents of info learned last Friday while accompanying a friend looking to replace an old cooktop.

Ran across the Samsung 36" induction cooktop model which I had not previously known about. (Until then, I knew about Samsung's induction ranges but was not aware that Samsung was even selling induction cooktops here, too.) Interesting features I noted were: the 36" model has a flex zone (true bridging) and, for those who like analog (knob) controls, there seems to be an option for a "magnetic knob" like that which Gaggenau used to offer. Also, unlike Samsung's "Chef Collection" slide-in range version, the cooktops' burners have 15 power settings. IIRC, the cooktop also has WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity which I am guessing would translate into programed cooking and burner timers. My friend has not found any reviews and very few comments about this model, so I am guessing that it is pretty new to market. In the past, the rap on Samsung has been poor post sale service and support.

My friend was very interested in the current GE Profile and Cafe induction cooktop models that seem to have been out for about a year. IIRC, they have garnered favorable comments which you probably already know about if you have been researching them here.

Bosch has garnered mostly favorable reviews and comments here for its 500, 800, and Benchmark induction cooktop series. Some folks like the ergonomics of the Bosch control interface, so worth doing searches on those models if they interest you.

We've had a few complaints here about Bertazzoni's induction ranges, but I cannot recall having heard or seen anything about the company's induction cooktops. Maybe Amanda DRo will post a review?
dan1888
9 years ago
I've never heard of a Samsung induction cooktop getting the best reviews. There's only one model in the US. Many Samsung appliances get poor reviews, often for poor CS and lack of parts availability. Miele and Bosch cooktops have received good reviews I've read over several years. There are these and several others I'd look at before a Bertazonni.
mnnie
9 years ago
There are some real differences between cooktop features: how many steps between the highest and lowest heat, boosting, size of the hobs, layout, bridging, etc. I'd choose based on features and reliability and how it looks. GE Profile induction cooktops are well reviewed. Consumer Reports rates the Thermador 36" induction cooktop as their highest rated, but they reviewed so few 36" cooktops, I don't think it matters. Having said that, I do have a 3 year old Thermador 36" induction cooktop and love it - it had one of the highest power hops at the time, has 17 steps, and I like the layout and the protective metal around the outside.

Interesting that Samsung doesn't mention their induction cooktop on their website - it is only found on retailers sites. Maybe Samsung stopped making it? Their induction ranges are well reviewed despite lower than average reliability ratings according to Consumer Reports.
cpartist
9 years ago
Bosch has 18 settings or is it 19. I don't read CR because they tend to give the highest marks to the more basic appliances and mostly ignore those in the mid to upper range.