Induction cooking

singist · 27 Oct 2006 at 19:04

Ok then.

Im thinking of buying a cooker (Smeg SUK61IPX5) that has an induction hob. The cooker is quite expensive for what it is so I was wondering, does anyone have any experience of induction cookers/hobs etc? they seem to be the dogs danglies but I would like some input from you guys if poss'.

I also have to buy a fridge freezer, vacuum, washer/dryer etc so almost any pointers would be nice; but maily asking about INDUCTION stuff.

Ta!

RetiredGreyFox · 27 Oct 2006 at 19:17

The Domestic Appliance company I work for which is one of the largest in Europe decided against production because of all the problems we encountered with induction.

branddaly · 27 Oct 2006 at 19:52

I've got an induction cooker. Its never broke, so I can't comment on reliablilty. However for cooking its quite good. I still prefer gas, but since that isn't an option this comes a close second. It is rather annoying having to make sure equipment works with it, but since i love cast iron pots, thats not too bad.

bitslice · 27 Oct 2006 at 20:53

my sister had one years ago:

pros -
easy to keep clean
safe; good if you have kids, or like to keep petrol in the kitchen

cons -
not as intuitive as gas,
can't move pans around to vary the heat
simmering was tricky
pans have to be flat to work, so tricky to tilt to make gravy etc
can't flambe anything
they don't have the equivelent of a wok burner
cooking without fire just isn't right

basically I think they are really for people who don't cook, but like people to know they spent a lot of money.
A male version of the Aga tbh

.

singist · 27 Oct 2006 at 21:36

bitslice said:
my sister had one years ago:

pros -
easy to keep clean
safe; good if you have kids, or like to keep petrol in the kitchen

cons -
not as intuitive as gas,
can't move pans around to vary the heat
simmering was tricky
pans have to be flat to work, so tricky to tilt to make gravy etc
can't flambe anything
they don't have the equivelent of a wok burner
cooking without fire just isn't right

basically I think they are really for people who don't cook, but like people to know they spent a lot of money.
A male version of the Aga tbh

.

I am moving into a place that is all electric so I don't even have the option of gas.

As for efficiency: Induction is 90% energy efficient, against ceramics 55% efficiency and 50% for gas. Induction is faster, safer and more energy efficient than any other type of hob.
All the hobs I've looked at seem to have a very exact simmer function too.
Why can't you flambe? ........ if you heat up brandy in a pan and light it, it flambes no?

malfunkshun · 27 Oct 2006 at 21:41

there are only two good things about induction hobs
they are pretty efficient and they are pretty accurate (for electrical).

Some pots with composite bases were unsuitable for use at all, dont know if this is still the case. Halogen would be a decent compromise imo, DMPoole would know best though

bitslice · 27 Oct 2006 at 21:52

singist said:
I am moving into a place that is all electric so I don't even have the option of gas.

ah, you didn't mention that

singist said:
Why can't you flambe? ........ if you heat up brandy in a pan and light it, it flambes no?

lol, t'was only included as a joke.

but OK, if you have no gas option, then get one,
anything that cuts down on cleaning is good

and as you say, they are efficient.