Induction Fan Noise

6 years ago

Hello - just bought an LG induction range as a wedding present for our daughter. However, there is a fan that comes on when the induction cooktop is turned on, so she is very unhappy and wants to return it. I have a Kitchenaid induction range which I love (2 yrs old) and a Thermador induction cooktop (6 yrs old) , so I'm very sold on induction. I agree that the LG induction is NOISY... and this isn't the "buzz" that some inductions have but a real fan - and this is not the fan for a convection oven. The salesman insists that all induction ranges now have a fan that operates with the induction cooktops. What happened to induction ranges? The issue is what range do we get then? I looked online and yes, LG, Frigidaire, and GE now have a fan that operates when the induction burner is turned on. Any ideas?

Featured Answer

kaseki

6 years ago

I can't normally hear the fan under my Frigidaire induction cooktop, nor do I recall the predecessor Kenmore induction cooktop having a noisy fan. (Note that these fans may only turn on, and also may be speed controlled, based on actual internal electronics IGFET heat sink temperatures, so modest cooking might not cause them to operate at full power.)

In this LG case, one can speculate that either LG has selected a fan or heat sink design that is particularly noisy performing its cooling function, or the fan has defective bearings and needs to be replaced. To discriminate, one would have to be able to distinguish a bearing noise from air turbulence noise.

With respect to the question, auditing the candidate ranges might be needed to determine noise levels.

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Comments (8)

mnnie
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you! Our appliance dealer - one of the largest in the twin cities - doesn't have any of the induction ranges set up to try pre-purchase. returning the LG for a frigidaire is a possibility but I wish I could tell if the Frigidaire was quieter
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kevinande
6 years ago
They all have fans, however they should not be annoyingly loud. It should be a soft hum. I agree with kaseki, it is probably a defective fan or could be that particular model just has crappy components. Induction requires electronic components in order to operate. These components especially the heat sinks get very hot and a fan is required to keep them "cool". I would just return it and get another if you really like that one or get a different model.
mnnie thanked kevinande
Lindy
6 years ago
I have an LG slide-in range. There is a slight hum when the stovetop is used. It is significantly quieter than the fan on the convection bake. I cannot hear it at all if there is any noise in the background. I only notice it if the kitchen is dead quiet. I have been very pleased with my range. I second a defective fan. I preferred the LG to the Frigidaire when I was shopping for a range. It feels more substantial to me. I am very pleased with my LG. Perhaps try swapping it out for a new LG before giving up on the brand altogether.
mnnie thanked Lindy
mnnie
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks all! We will have a service person come out and check it out. My daughter is now in love with induction and the range seems to be very nice other than the noise. Plus she loves the matching refrigerator. They do look nice.
3katz4me
6 years ago
If you are dealing with Warners Stellian you may also want to check with LG as well. I had noise problems with an LG fridge that WS didn't resolve and LG got someone else out who did. Check the LG website - I was able to use it to identify my problem and the solution though WS couldn't implement the solution correctly.

I have an Electrolux induction range and it has no fan noise when using the cooktop. E'lux is a Frigidaire brand so perhaps the Frigidaire would be similar.
Cavimum
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
We have a 7-year old Thermador induction cooktop. I had no idea there is a fan under it! Super quiet, apparently, except for the occasional buzzing sound we all know.
philmck
6 years ago
I have an LG dual fuel slide in. Pulled it out yesterday to diagnose the very loud and annoying cooling fan whir (not convection). It's not the fan bearings or actual fan rotor, it's a distinct sound that changes pitch as the variable speed fan ramps up and down. It is extremely annoying. My conclusion is that it is due to the aerodynamics from the intake and exhaust shape. In doing some research it appears others have the same issue. I would return mine, if I could.