36" induction cooktop

8 years ago

There's a lot of discussion about induction ranges--can we talk about induction cooktops?

Several people have mentioned wanting 'knobs'--can someone share why they do/don't want knobs?

What should I be considering?

Featured Answer

plllog

8 years ago

Knobs are easier to use than touch pads, especially for those who have colder fingers, arthritis or other painful conditions, or who have a hard time relating to the readout. Knobs are pretty intuitive to anyone who has grown up with one as simple as a wheel valve on a water pipe--turn one way you get more, turn the other you get less. For kids today growing up with asking the house program to turn the water on and off, or the TV, or anything, it's a different set of concerns.

The knobs on induction are still metaphors. You're not turning actual valves or gears or spindles. My Gaggenau has a "knob" which makes for a simplified display, but isn't any more intuitive for the device challenged than any other digital system. It's a magnet, so there isn't intrusion into the black box where the magic happens. You slide it over to select your element, like an air hockey controller, and turn it to adjust the temperature. It also works with the timer.

What this somewhat knob knob gives me is just not having to tap tap tap, which I dislike. The power, boost, memory and timer toggle are still touch buttons, which is fine. I didn't choose this for the controls, however. I just think they're cool. The one control option out there which I really dislike is the slider, but the metaphor works best for some people.

It's not knobs that you need to be looking for, if you don't have an issue with electronic controls. It's the power, layout, size, options and controls together (I don't even mention looks, because there just isn't enough variation to make a big difference unless your heart is stuck on one of the few that aren't black).

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Comments (14)

dan1888
8 years ago
Look at Bosch and Miele for a large number of different level settings.
Beth thanked dan1888
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Toronto Veterinarian
8 years ago
I definitely wanted knobs on my induction range. Why?

1) I like the aesthetics. It has more of a chunky textured look and less of a smooth, even look. Some people might have a different aesthetic and like the smooth look, but I don't. Smooth is my least favourite texture ;)

2) Visually, the knob controls are easier for me to see, as they don't rely on the light/shadow/glare in my kitchen (on my LG, there are knobs for each of the "burner" levels, and one for the oven functions. Oven temperature is still set with the touchpad).

3) I'm starting to get some arthritis in my fingers, and I think they might be easier for me if the arthritis progresses.
Beth thanked Toronto Veterinarian
alex9179
8 years ago
I went with the touchpad because they are plentiful and didn't want to restrict my choices further. One thing I did require was one-touch control. I didn't want to tap or hold down to reach the power level. I had trouble, at first, because I was pressing down and the cooktop wasn't responding. It doesn't read my touch if my finger is wet, either.

Layout, hob sizes, number of power levels, and one-touch response were my main concerns.
Beth thanked alex9179
Beth
Original Author
8 years ago
alex9179 (and everyone else), what did you end up with?
alex9179
8 years ago
Bosch 800 30". I'm very happy with it and feel spoiled. I think it took me a couple of weeks to find my rhythm, getting to know the power levels. I'm in a different place, right now, and miss it terribly. I can't wait to be able to use my cooktop, again.
Beth thanked alex9179
Toronto Veterinarian
8 years ago
" I'm in a different place, right now, and miss it terribly. I can't wait to be able to use my cooktop, again."

Me too! When I was away on business, I kept saying how much I missed cooking on my own stove.
Beth thanked Toronto Veterinarian
cpartist
8 years ago
I'm getting an 800 series 36" Bosch Induction cooktop. I had an electric radiant Bosch cooktop before and the buttons are the same as the radiant cooktop in terms of how to use them.
Beth thanked cpartist
Dana Groulx
8 years ago
I have carpal tunnel and arthritis and have no trouble with touch controls. I own a 36" Miele that recently replacing the GE Profile put in by the builder. I owned a Miele several years ago, but had to deal with the GE after building a new home. In all honesty, the GE was worse than using induction hobs. It took forever to heat anything. Once a pan was hot, it would not cool instantly when I turned it down and could boil over. Impossible on a Miele, which is instantaneous. Go to a kitchen appliance store and try them out. See if the controls are easy for you to use.
Beth thanked Dana Groulx
sprtphntc7a
8 years ago
i have miele 36". love the touch pad, no problems. i would not want knobs b/c i don't want to clean them. one smooth surface is SO EASY to clean!!

would never go to back to gas or coil electric. Induction always!!!
Beth thanked sprtphntc7a
User
8 years ago
I need a knob because my cat could walk across the controls and turn the cooktop on. If the child lock is on, he could sit in one place for long enough to disengage the child lock and turn it on. Ask me how I know :)
Kim G
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Even if the cat turns it on - unless you have pots sitting on the hobs and your cat hits that hob to on and selects a power level - nothing will happen - at least on my wolf - all 4 need to happen for a hob to become active. So don’t leave your pots on your cooktop when not cooking and you should be fine. Unless your cats wear “Magnetic Boots” :-).
Toronto Veterinarian
8 years ago
"I need a knob because my cat could walk across the controls and turn the cooktop on."

But with an induction stove, if there's no pot on the burner, there will be no heat (and in fact it will likely turn itself off again). The first time I saw an induction cook top it was owned by a woman who bought it mostly for cat safety, actually.
User
8 years ago
Duh. Thank you both so very much! That is so obvious, but I hadn’t thought of it!!! *bangs head on wall*. I was seriously not considering Miele over gaggenau for that very reason! In my last rental, there was a range with electronic controls and my cat loved to hear the beeps she made when walking on them... after she disengaged the child lock and turned on the oven, we had to keep something over the controls!!! I hadn’t thought the induction technology though :).

I love induction for me, but cat safety is Is a selling point for me too