36" Induction Cooktop Recommendations?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

We are in the process of a gut remodel of our kitchen, and since we do not have a gas line available in our area, we are installing an induction cooktop. I am debating between the Wolf 36" transitional and the Thermador 36" Liberty, as the price is equivalent given the promotions available and the other appliances we have selected. However, I am open to other options.

I plan to try out the Wolf at the showroom, but not sure where I could try out the Thermador. I am purchasing Thermador wall ovens which have glass panels that coordinates better with the Thermador cooktop, though that is a secondary consideration.

I am mostly interested in reliability, heat transfer, clicking noises (I have a large set of All-Clad copper core), and cooking surface layout. I use 12" pots and pans regularly. I like that the Wolf has the large hob on the right side, and room for a very large griddle (such as a Lodge) by combining the four hobs on the other. The Thermador has more flexibility overall, and apparently BSH (parent company of Thermador and Bosch) is the leader in induction cooking.

Anyone have experience with either of these appliances? What do you like/dislike about them? Recommendation for something else?

Budget is approximately $3000 or less (spending less would be great, but not at the expense of performance). Thermador is more but the free dishwasher makes up the difference.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

wdccruise

6 years ago

Profile PHP9036DJBB 36 in. Electric Induction Cooktop

Before considering a Bosch cooktop, note its inconvenient design which requires you to first select a burner and then use its single slide control to set the power level. Other cooktops have one control for each burner.

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Comments (7)

jabaz
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
@wdccruiseThank you. This is exactly the type of feedback I was looking for. I will have to investigate if that is a deal breaker, since a 12 and 13 year old who are beginner cooks will also be using it. Also, the bridging possibilities for a large pot (I have huge stock pots and a large griddle) seemed better on the Wolf, since all of the smaller burners are grouped together.
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jabaz
Original Author
6 years ago
@User Thanks for your feedback.

I couldn't care less about the brand or getting a package, but I do want the highest quality appliances for my budget (which is fairly flexible, but not unlimited). Most of the other appliances I have chosen are Bosch, not out of a desire to match brands, but because of the performance/price ratio. I've settled on a Bosch refrigerator and separate refrigeration drawers (brand and model TBD) after scrapping plans for an integrated unit, based on much better cost/cubic feet of this set-up, as well as long-term maintenance and replacement cost. I am leaning towards the Thermador steam oven because of the large interior space. My close friend purchased hers 4 years ago and raves about it; I cook a lot and would use it daily.

With the cost savings of the free dishwasher in the Thermador deal (which only requires buying the oven and cooktop), there is only $500 or so difference in price between the Thermador Liberty and the Bosch Flexinduction cooktop in my area. If the former has better features and/or functionality, that would be worth the upgrade for me. If not, I will consider the Flexinduction and other brands. I put a (refundable) deposit on the Wolf during the tax free event (14% in my area), so the price was expensive but not astronomical.

I've never cooked a full meal with induction, which is why I was seeking feedback from others.
wdccruise
6 years ago
Don't be fooled. The Bosch Benchmark NITP668UC ($2,600) is essentially identical to the Thermador CIT367TMS "Liberty" ($3,800) and is $1,200 less. Always check the specs: Bosch, Thermador.

Of course, both fail the bang-for-the-buck test against the Profile ($1,709).
jabaz thanked wdccruise
HU-47431962
6 years ago
We recently replaced our jenn-aire downdraft gas cooktop with a Wolf induction. We looked at the Bosch also, but our deale—-who sells both—said quality is similar but if service is ever needed, Wolf wins, hands down.
jabaz thanked HU-47431962
Jennifer Svensson
6 years ago
Very happy with our Bosch benchmark- best value for (our) money. I don’t find that choosing the burner prior to deciding the temp is an inconvenience.
jabaz thanked Jennifer Svensson