Induction Range Choice

8 years ago

We are redoing our kitchen. I have gone all over the map on range vs cooktop and ovens, radiant or induction, etc, but due to space concerns have landed on going with an induction range. I have already purchased a KA refrigerator (photo below), so I would like to get a range that at least has similar style handles, but I am torn as the KA induction range has some features that I am not sold on. We do have a Bosch dishwasher, flat front.

Must Have Features: Self Cleaning (this is the big one the KA falls short on with AquaLift), stainless steel, slide in, warming drawer or second oven

Like Features: glass top edges preferably overlapping counter, 18 control points vs 9 on power selection, timers on the hobs.

I have been looking at the KA, Bosch 800, GE ranges. The KA has the least of the features that I would like, but it matches. I would love anyone's input that may have one of the above ranges, especially with comments on the self cleaning, hob control / pulsating / noise and timers, and the function of the oven.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

nightflyer

8 years ago

I have the Bosch Benchmark. I was torn between the 800 and the Benchmark, but decided to go with the Benchmark. I love the flex induction zone and use it constantly -- mostly because I can throw any size pot on it and it works, rather than having to take 2 seconds to decide whether the pot should be on a small or medium hob.

I can't remember if the Bosch 800 has timers on the hobs, but the Benchmark certainly does. The top does overlap the counters (my counters are low, so I had to put a spacer to make up the difference).

I do notice some pulsing at low heat levels, and a few of my pots make a bit of buzzing when on high, but if I've got the exhaust fan on or am more than a few feet away from the range, I don't hear anything.

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Comments (6)

boba1
8 years ago
I hve the free standing KFID5000 double oven induction KitchenAid with true self-cleaning. It's why I wouldn't get the slide-in. I love it.
kenstl
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks boba1. I hadn't really looked at the version since it was not a slide in, but I will consider it. Not having self cleaning is real deal killer on the other range. I do have a few questions:

1. do you operating the cooktop with controls on the back board or are they on the cooktop?

2. do you find you use both ovens, does the smaller one heat up faster for say frozen pizzas and such?

3. any issues with the induction making noise or cycling on and off on lower settings?

thanks
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boba1
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You are going to cringe, but I lived with a continuous clean oven for 31 years. I was adamant I wanted self-cleaning, two ovens, and induction. when I needed a new range in May the KA was the only thing that fit the bill. I honestly didn't care about anything but those 3 had to be met. And my old range was a slide-in.

(1) Cooktop controls are right in the fornt on top of the cooktop. I find them easy and responsive. Electrolux has cooktop controls on backsplash and I cannot imagine doing touch pads back there for cooktop. Oven controls are on the backsplash.

(2) The smaller oven heats up faster--425 degrees in 12 minutes. the lower oven about 5-10 minutes longer. I use the upper oven for many things---- 9 x 13 pans baking/roasting chicken pieces; pans of biscuits, fish sticks, a single sheet of cookies, I can even get a bundt pan in there without issue. The lower oven gets used for casseroles with lids that have big knobs (pyrex, Corningware, Visions, ...) slow cooking in a dutch oven; multilevel baking cookies, biscuits, ... For me, if whatever I'm cooking will fit in the upper oven, that's my first choice.

(3) There is some humming with some of my cookware when set on power boost--bringing to boil but once food is placed in, it quiets down. Plus lowering the intensity of the hob. There is cycling off/on with setting of 4 or lower. It's not as noticeable when pan bottom fits very close to hob size and is more consistent. On the 11" hob, my 9" skillet cycles on/off more than when I'm using my 11" or 12" skillet. Induction hob levels are a % function of the wattage of the hob. 5"-6.5" bottom diameter pans do well on the 6" and I have sauce pans up to 3 quart for that. I find a higher number may be needed to achieve expected response vs. similar quantity in my 4 quart sauce pan that fits on the 7" hob. Performance is optimum when pan base size matches hob size and less cycling.
kenstl
Original Author
8 years ago
Very informative, thank you!
Sue 430
8 years ago
I have the Samsung chef collection induction slide in, so far so good. The oven comes with a divider so that you can just use one portion, or you can cook at 2 different temos at the same time. It has the controls on the front and the glass top overlaps the counter. I had so much trouble with my previous kitchen aid ranfpge and fridge, that I would not purchase those again. I was deciding between the Bosch and the Samsung, and in the end, the samsung had more features and slightly better reviews so I went with that