induction cooktop range

[sammyg2]

I was at pacific sales today buying a toto ter-let, and I was checking out the induction cook tops.
They had a couple that were really nice and priced pretty darned low and it got me thinking.

Then I did some research, those bastages suck the power big time!

220v, up to 7200 watts. that's a bunch-O'amps

Now i'd never use all 4 or 5 burners at once, but still.

I have natural gas now and the cost to run a 220 service just for a cook top is a deal killer. bummer, I was all excited and it burst my bubble.

[campbellcj]

They look clean and high-tech but for actual cooking, gas rules.

[biosurfer1]

7.2kW? That's insane. I'm not sure the rest of my house would hit that peak with everything on! Good thing there aren't residential demand charges in most places.

[DanielDudley]

That would be a 30 amp breaker. Electric ranges with an oven often run 50 amps.

I like gas, but induction cook tops might be good with little children around.

[908/930]

They do require a large power source up to 45 amps, but more efficient then other cooktops, almost all the energy goes to heating the pan, depending on your price of gas also less expensive to run and as good heating control.
They do require pots and pans that have a base that is magnetic to work, but lots of them are anyways.

[1990C4S]

I can't imagine the cost of cooking ever being a serious concern. There are about twenty other factors I would consider before energy cost.

[ckissick]

I have an induction stove and love it. It does not require 220V. While overall wattage is higher, it's efficiency more than makes up for it. Induction is the most efficient form of heating.

I did a little research and found this: "A 2000-watt electric stove uses 320 watt-hours to boil 2 liters of water in 9 minutes 50 seconds. The same job takes a gas range 8 minutes 18 seconds and requires 3100 watt-hours (converted from Btu). A 2800-watt induction unit boils 2 liters in 4 minutes 46 seconds, using 225 watt-hours."

It's very easy to clean. I like gas stoves, but they are a pain to clean. What I like best about induction is it's instant heat control and ease of use once you learn the settings.

[Rinty]

We've had induction for about five years, and continue to be impressed with it. I think it's one of the best kitchen upgrades you can do.

As mentioned, they are very energy efficient.

[911_Dude]

Gas is the only serious way to cook.

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by 911_Dude

Gas is the only serious way to cook.

Yah, nobody out there is using crazy-not-gas

The high-tech tools of Keller's kitchens - CNET

Of course, maybe he's just some hack...

[dentist90]

We have a gas cook top and the heat is instant, but you just know a lot of the energy is lost when the handle of your pots is too hot to touch and you burn the hair off your arm reaching for the back burner. I imagine the initial cost of induction is quite a bit higher but the technology is amazing. Take the pot away and the surface is cool(ish).

[JavaBrewer]

Haha. Gas Cook top is the A game.

[crustychief]

I honestly can't recall hearing the phrase " now you're cooking with electricity!". I am currently remodeling the kitchen and upgrading to a gas cook top.

[greglepore]

A lot of good home cooks use an induction "hot plate" for specific tasks like bringing a large pot of water to a fast boil. A cheap compromise if you already have a nice gas cooktop.

I'd seriously consider induction if I were to do it over.

[Peterfrans]

We have an induction cooktop (a 10.8kW Siemens). Very pleased with it, heat is easy to adjust and cleaning is a breeze. Gas tops look better (imho) and probably offer more flexibility (like a wok burner) but for day to day use I think a induction top is superior.