https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/till...-50422390/
Ikea.com has their Tillreda portable induction hob at a "Last Chance" price of $49.99 which is well priced for an 1800 watt large 12 x 15 model from a reputable retailer. Weight is 7 lbs which suggests a higher quality unit. Works with any cookware a magnet will stick too including cast iron. Operates from a standard 120 VAC wall outlet or small generator.
edit: "Last Chance pricing" typically means a discount but not here. It's discontinued at the regular price. Thank you TunnaNugget.
Popular uses for PICs: As a main or extra burner heats much faster while conserving energy. Outdoors on deck patio keeps kitchen clean and cool. Dorm, office. Emergency preparedness and camping with one of the new hand carry generators.
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Link? I searched and saw none under $64.99
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank timbertop
Cheap units may only have five settings and may be missing a separate power-wattage control. Having these settings is a good sign but offers no assurance that they will function as advertised.
Coil size: This is an internet myth. The quality of the controls and of the coil winding is what defines performance not the coil diameter. Low quality coils and control circuits are unfortunately the norm these days.
Warp-free cookware with excellent heat spreading characteristics is important for good culinary results on induction and if you wish to avoid center over-heat and burning.
Either a bonded aluminum disc or 5 ply designs accomplishes this. Cheap non-stick pans with a small bonded induction disc will work but will cook only in the center. They react too quickly and will warp.
I successfully use all of the following daily:
- 24 cm small Staub enameled cast iron skillet for searing and when used with a cast iron lid for slow cooking, reheating;
- Instant Pot's Duo Evo Plus flat bottom 6 or 8 qt pot with handles. Induction is a wonderful companion to Duo Evo because you can transfer hot to I.P. allowing it to come to pressure in one minute instead of 15-60 minutes. Sauteing is cleaner and easier on induction and you save wear and tear on the I.P. Other models don't have flat induction-ready bottoms or insulated handles.
- four quart, 24 cm Le Creuset 4 qt dutch over whose lid works on the Staub and the I.P. 6 qt stock pot
- one high quality 11" 28 cm skillet. HaptIQ non-stick 5 ply with high density aluminum plies has excellent heat spreading slow reactivity and is a no-brainer on the $99 promo. Any high quality bonded disc type is also great.
- larger enamel cast iron dutch ovens as long as liquid is used or you stir often.
Many already own a large non-enamel cast iron pan. Use a lower setting, heavy cast cover and add just enough liquid to create steam.
Here is the thread mentioned for the Insignia deal.
https://slickdeals.net/f/15059773-insignia-single-zone-induction-cooktop-30-free-curbside-pickup#comments
I've tried maybe 5 or 6 different ones under $100 from reputable brands, but all were a little too noisy for my taste. or is it simply not possible to find a good induction cooktop that's quiet enough?
thanks!
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I've tried maybe 5 or 6 different ones under $100 from reputable brands, but all were a little too noisy for my taste. Is it simply not possible to find a good induction cooktop that's quiet enough?
thanks!
Manufacturers have switched to cheap sleeve bearing motors instead off ball bearing motors in most models. PIC quality in general has tanked due to inflation and consumer expectation that PIC should cost less than they did 15 years ago.
I have the Nu Wave singles. Titanium 1800w ( 5 deg 100F to 445F ) and the Gold 1500w ( 10 degree ) which are bearable for noise. One of the Chicago Tribunes top picks https://reviews.chicago
I love my induction burner (I have one from Vollrath), but even with high quality cookware that is designed for induction, you still get hotspots if the pan is significantly larger than the coil.
Sources: Century Life's seriously in-depth guide to induction burners [centurylife.org] and the hotspot/temperature gradient I get with an 8-inch coil and a 12 inch skillet.
1800 watts is the absolute maximum that standard 15A electrical circuits are rated for. This isn't like a portable griddle you plug in anywhere; it needs a dedicated circuit to be operated safely.
I love my induction burner (I have one from Vollrath), but even with high quality cookware that is designed for induction, you still get hotspots if the pan is significantly larger than the coil.
Sources: Century Life's seriously in-depth guide to induction burners [centurylife.org] and the hotspot/temperature gradient I get with an 8-inch coil and a 12 inch skillet.
https://therationalkitc
Scroll down to where it is discussed.
A coil that is larger than the pan bottom is a much bigger problem. 10" pans do not have 10" bottoms.
All the under $150 grade consumer units have similar size coils yet some are absolutely awful at creating a super heated burn spot at say 2 o'clock on the circle. Seriously some are so bad that they are completely useless.
Coil diameter is rarely disclosed and not a useful specification for comparison.