Induction hob; anyone got one…...

[Blue in Munich]

….and if you have, how do you find it?

Looking to re-do the kitchen. We've always had gas but looking at the options, the management appears to fancy one of these. Are they as instantly controllable as a gas hob? Any pros? Or cons? Your thoughts please.

Thanks.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Been in the white goods repair business for almost 35 yrs
I have one, it replaced the gas hob when I did the kitchen. Its a fantastic bit of kit. It needs it's own 32A circuit (I know there are some that are 13A, but they wont have the full on power that gives best results), it's quicker than gas, miles cleaner, just as controlable if not more so but more expensive to buy.
Another plus side is that the glass whilst gets hot through contact with the pan, is no where near as hot as the burner caps of a gas hob or ceramic glass of a normal ceramic hob.
The only thing is you will need are ferous based saucepans, so if you haven't got any now take a magnet with you when you go shopping

My wife was initially sceptical, but I bought a single induction hotplate for her to use whilst I did the kitchen and after using that she couldnt wait start using the new hob.

Cleaning of the glass is easy, Jif and plenty of kitchen roll is lal you need, if you want the glass to stay pristine looking as long as you can.

 

[bobmac]

I've got one and it's great.
The only drawback is that the pots and pans have to be stainless steel or iron.
Aluminium pans won't work unless you get a steel converter

 

[masterosouffle]

Got one and love it, would never have anything else now

 

[richart]

We have got one. Seem to remember we had to get a load of new pans to go on it. but you would have to ask Mrs RH what she thinks of it. I can't even turn a ring on, and we have had it over two years.

 

[toffeelover]

Had one 6 months. Used it twice. Boiling veg....highest setting had it spitting everywhere, next one down calm waters, so not impressed!

But SWMBO has not complained about it, so it must have been me

 

[chrisd]

We're about to have a new kitchen, walls knocked down and loads of other stuff done and Mrs D decided after much deliberation not to go for one claiming that she prefers 'good old gas' . We are buying all the appliances ourselves and, if you are too BIM, we've found AO to be amongst the cheapest but, and i dont want to teach you to suck eggs, she's saved a few hundred quid after searching for VOUCHER CODES for the items and they've often reduced their even low prices by up to another £50 per item

 

[bobmac]

Don't forget 'quidco'

 

[CliveW]

As said, they are terrific. Ours runs off 13 amps and can boil a pan of water quicker than it takes the kettle to boil. The majority of our pans were suitable but we did have to get a couple of new ones, particularly milk pans as they were aluminium. It took a wee while to adjust some cooking times due to how quickly it heats up.

 

[Rooter]

Brother in laws house has one, i dont like it. I will add, i was a prof chef for years and have always cooked on gas, so maybe im just set in my ways and would get used to it, but you cant beat gas in eyes..

 

[Twire]

Having one fitted next week once the new worktops arrive. Did a lot of research and with good recommendations as well we decided to go for one. Also having a wok burner next to cover all bases.

 

[Crazyface]

I've got one and it's great.
The only drawback is that the pots and pans have to be stainless steel or iron.
Aluminium pans won't work unless you get a steel converter

No one should ever buy anything else. Have a see what's in a professionals kitchen. You can scrub them clean as a whistle, and that's why they have them.

 

[fundy]

Put a new Neff one in a few months ago. Took a little adjustment to get used to but once adjusted its excellent and as easy if not easier than gas, only small downside was the main board on it blew the other day and had to be replaced (under warranty, neff were excellent).

We picked up some Circulon pans when they on sale at xmas which all work on it really well and are good quality

 

[Blue in Munich]

Thanks for the input guys, useful food for thought.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

If you cant have gas, then induction is miles better than just a normal electrical hob.

I fitted one when we redid the kitchen a couple of years ago, brilliant in comparison, it is fast, clean, flat.(I did have to run a new wire into the kitchen tho, to cope with the kw of the oven & hob, so maybe an issue for you)

 

[Blue in Munich]

Resurrecting this one to add a big thank you for all the responses, it's in & it's pretty much all positive; occasionally struggle to balance something on a simmer but it seems to be just a case of learning which pot on which hob, otherwise all good & it didn't hurt that John Lewis ended up giving us an upgraded one for the same price as the one we'd ordered :thup:

 

[Lazkir]

Put a new Neff one in a few months ago. Took a little adjustment to get used to but once adjusted its excellent and as easy if not easier than gas, only small downside was the main board on it blew the other day and had to be replaced (under warranty, neff were excellent).

We picked up some Circulon pans when they on sale at xmas which all work on it really well and are good quality

Good job it was in guarantee, I've fitted a few of those boards and the price would make your eyes water!

I'm in the appliance trade as well, and when my kitchen gets redone next year I'll have no hesitation about replacing my gas hob with an induction one!

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I would say that in general, the reliability levels of the newer induction jobs is miles better than when they first appeared.

 

[Lazkir]

I would say that in general, the reliability levels of the newer induction jobs is miles better than when they first appeared.

True, otherwise I'd have thought twice about having one.

 

[jdpjamesp]

Never owned one, but used one on a cookery course at Northcote. Theirs were top of the range (of course), but very impressive indeed. The whole surface is induction plate, you just whack your pan down and it detects it, and throws up a little dial so you can control the heat in that spot. Then you can move it around and it tracks it. Add another pan, and it detects that. Then stick the roasting tray on it to make gravy and it detects that as well. Amazing.
The tutor did a demo, frying stuff off on hottest setting, with a piece of paper between the pan and the hob. The paper wasn't even slightly charred.
Boiled a large pan of water from ice cold in no time at all.
My next hob will be induction if I can afford it.