[mjohnson]

Outside of a laboratory, I've only used a 3500W 220V "catering" hob. It is noisy, with the fan and it lasted about as long as you would expect from the ~$250-300 chinesium price point. I'd expect the comparable Volrath or other professional-level tool would be better, but regardless of the price - WOW that thing pumps out the joules!

Our kitchen is dual-fuel (elect/gas) and I'm still working on selling it to the other cook in the house ahead of a remodel. I do wonder if a proper cooktop would have a gradual low/medium power. That was my only real issue, being one ding against the numerous other advantages over gas. The all-or-none pulsed mode was annoying and seemed indelicate.