IDK about using a unit like that to get a real feel for induction. My concern would be having granular enough control of the temperature- which is what induction is great at. You are probably better off going to a store that has live induction cooktops for you to play with. Bosch and Miele are great choices.

I did exactly this. Ordered a good single induction portable. It has a maximum wattage of 1800. It gave me a good idea if I would like induction but I must say that until I had the actual cooktop installed, I did not realize how fast induction could be. My GE 30 inch induction has a 3600 watt element and it can be too powerful at times. So just keep in mind that a portable will not be an exact guide as to how quickly a true induction cooktop performs. I would take induction over propane. I purchased mine from Amazon and the brand is Max Burton.

I have a Paragon/GE induction hot plate and it’s great! It comes with a sensor that clips magnetically to the side of the pot, and then a specific temperature can be set. So I was just deep frying with it the other day. It also works very well for sous vide ...it does not circulate but will hold specific temperatures. It also works without the sensor like a regular hot plate (digitally select 1-10). Thumbs up!

I got one from Costco a while back to try. It will also come in handy during the renovation in a temp kitchen setup, as well as using outside when cooking something smelly, like fish.

I bought this for use during my reno- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045QEPYM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am quite certain it is not as good as a real induction cooktop, but heats up very fast; control is definitely not granular enough, particularly on the low-end (I don't go over level 5, I assume 10 results in air turning into plasma). I am getting a gas range but must admit the induction works well.

I've had an old induction cooktop (1983), a new one (well, 2012ish), and a hot plate bought for a remodel. The hot plate isn't quite as nice as the built ins but I think it'll give you kind of a feel for it.

Even if you decide to go with gas, the induction hob will be handy for other things. I have gas now but recently pulled out that thing when I needed an extra burner for canning and use it for some candy as well. It'll keep your nacho cheese goo fluid for as long as you like...

What the portable induction cooktops (PICs) will give you is a feel for the rapid adjustability of induction and, to an extent, the control. However, they can have limitations and tradeoffs. (For example, their burners are small so not well adapted to evenly heating 14" or large paella pans --- and, yes, we have had a thread on that subject.) We've had some long threads on the subject of PICs generally such as [this long-running thread here on this subject[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/portable-induction-cooktop-and-cookware-dsvw-vd~2324992), which you might find helpful if have not already seen it and like to read detailed discussions

Frankly, the sheer variety of models and the wide range of prices can be daunting and all the more so when you first encounter this subject. .

Rather than plowing through that and other lengthy threads here, though, I've been pointing friends to the blogs on the CenturyLife.org site which provide a very lucid and fairly objective introduction/explanation of PICs. That link will have links to reviews of specific models and cookware which helps understand the products better.

Also, the New York Time's product evaluation site, Wirecutter.com, has just updated its recommendations for PICs which you can find by clicking here.

I bought the NuWave portable when I did my remodel. It has temp control. I still use it as an extra burner and if I need to slow cook when I’m not home. I wasn’t looking for induction at that time just needed a way to cook. It works very well though I’ve never used a range so I can’t compare

I would read through the daunting long thread for advice rather than trusting review sites that earn money from affiliate links. This is becoming big business and a new marketing model.

I also would not trust most review sites but I've found Wirecutter and CenturyLife to do a pretty good job with being fairly objective on the features, functions and trade-offs of PICs in general. Not to knock that "long thread" --- to which I contributed at considerable length --- its just that I found those two sites will get an induction novice more quickly to the same understanding of what to look for and avoid in a PIC.

“Affiliate marketing is about as old as e-commerce, but the industry got a kick-start after Amazon.com launched an affiliate program in 1996. The industry has since ballooned, with around $4.5 billion changing hands in 2016 just in the U.S. Affiliate marketing is even becoming an important source of revenue for legacy publishers like The New York Times: Last year the paper paid $30 million for two review sites, The Wirecutter and The Sweethome, which have built a bustling business around affiliate links.” Here’s an interesting read that changed my opinion in combination with wondering why better brands were omitted from reviews. Be careful who you trust. https://www.fastcompany.com/3065928/sleepopolis-casper-bloggers-lawsuits-underside-of-the-mattress-wars

Big money is involved.

Thank you all for the advice/information. I did decide to get one. My new house will have a walk-in pantry, so there will be plenty of room to store and use as an extra burner around the holidays as suggested by many of you.

You are probably better off going to a store that has live induction cooktops for you to play with.

I think you're right, but I live in a fairly rural area and haven't found any stores that have induction cooktops setup for demonstrations. I'm going to try a portable unit first. If I like it, I'll make a trip to a bigger city to demo a cooktop before I decide between induction and propane range.

My GE 30 inch induction has a 3600 watt element and it can be too powerful at times.

How do you like your GE induction? GE is one of the brands I'm considering.

Frankly, the sheer variety of models and the wide range of prices can be daunting and all the more so when you first encounter this subject.

You got that right!! It really is overwhelming trying to sort through all the information available. But, thank you for the link to the old post. I had searched the topic, but had not seen this one. I have a difficult time finding things using the Houzz search bar, unless I know the exact title of the post. Part of my problem was I was searching for "induction hot plate" instead of "portable". :) I also checked out the other sites you listed.

I would read through the daunting long thread for advice rather than trusting review sites that earn money from affiliate links. This is becoming big business and a new marketing model.

I did both. :) These days I take most of the reviews with a grain of salt. I even find myself questioning Consumer Reports some days.

I also would not trust most review sites but I've found Wirecutter and CenturyLife to do a pretty good job with being fairly objective on the features, functions and trade-offs of PICs in general.

They did have pretty good reviews and CenturyLife did a good job at describing the differences between the 2 models I was considering. One thing I did find funny, is that wirecutter listed the following under "why you should trust us": Additionally, we read reviews in Cook’s Illustrated (subscription required) and Consumer Reports (subscription required). I have subscriptions to both of those websites and neither one has reviews on Portable Induction Cooktops. Consumer Reports does have lots of information on induction cooktops and ranges, but only one portable device that I could find. Cook's Illustrated (including their entire family of sites) has nothing on induction cooktops, portable or not. I always search America's Test Kitchen/Cook's Illustrated first for any cooking related questions I have. Never the less, I did benefit from both of the websites, so thanks again for the links.

Hi Becky. Saw you asked about GE cooktops in there. I’ve got a 36” GE Profile induction cooktop that I’ve been cooking on for around 3.5 years & really like it. It’s got five basic burners, none of the bridge or griddle zones or any of that stuff (I cook all the time & have never found a need for those w/ what we eat). I love cooking with induction & cleanup is so much easier. As for stores with induction cooktops you can actually demo, it won’t be at any of the big box stores. Try local appliance stores in your nearest main or big city or a chain like Ferguson’s if they have those near you. Even though they might not be in your budget, search for the stores that carry the more expensive brands like Thermador, Wolf, Viking, etc. because they will most likely have induction cooktops hooked up to try & can answer more of your questions about them. And sometimes those places carry lines from GE as well.

Becky, if I could have fit a Bosch in rather the GE, I would have (I have a family member who works for Bosch and the discount would have been steep). But I literally had no room as they are 31 inches rather than 30. My only complaint about the GE so far is that I wish the big burner was situated more in the middle rather than off to the side, but that is not to be helped.

After a year, I am still learning things though. Rice and hard-boiled eggs, two of the easiest things to cook, had a whole new learning curve. Was kind of funny actually cause I felt just like a new cook all over again.

Rice and hard-boiled eggs, two of the easiest things to cook, had a whole new learning curve.

On a whim, I bought a Dash Rapid Egg Cooker. I had never heard of such a thing, but saw it on Amazon's daily deal. I needed another "cheap" gift for Christmas in case we did a white elephant gift exchange. I didn't need to use it as a gift, so I opened it up expecting to try it and trash it. That cheap little thing is awesome! You poke holes in the eggs, pour in water and turn it on. It buzzes loudly when it is ready. PERFECT eggs every time. I hope to never again boil eggs on the stove, but your point is well taken about the learning curve. :)

Also, I'm glad you pointed out the width difference with the Bosch. That is another brand I'm considering, but I assumed they were standard sizes.

The little egg cooker is great! But now I do them in an instant pot and sold my egg cooker to make space for something else on my pantry. I sold the rice cooker, too.
I’m getting the Samsung 30” induction cooktop. Nice features. I like the on lights, and the removable magnetic knob for controlling the digital controls.

" Rice and hard-boiled eggs, two of the easiest things to cook, had a whole new learning curve."

Interesting - I find rice is cooked exactly the same, but my steep learning curve was for popcorn.

For years, I have been using two portable induction burners that sit on top of a nice gas range (propane, actually). I LOVE induction so much that I would rather cook in shifts than have access to 4 gas burners. I know, it sounds crazy!.

I have a Coso Pro chef. It's pretty powerful and was one of the better ones available when I bought it a few years ago. Now there are so many to choose from. I'd look how how many watts it has and how many power levels.

I eventually picked up a much less expensive fagor to have second burner. You will still get a feel for induction with either one, but if you have a powerful one, it is significantly better because it is so much more adjustable. The fagor goes from warm to boil and not much between. So, just know, if that is your experience, realize that is not what a cooktop would be like.

I imagine there are better ones now, but just to give you an idea of the power level and adjustability that is available, this is the one I have and use most often. caso 1800