Anyone Use Induction Hobs?

[General Skanky]

Had a quick search and there's only a couple of mentions.

We need to replace our hob and induction vrs ceramic came up.

Been looking into it, just need opinions from users. Induction looks to be the puppy for me.

What are your thoughts please? Thanks.

[SoundofFreedom]

Had one in my previous kitchen and I really liked it - very controllable and easy to keep clean. I would definitely have one again and I think that they are relatively cheap to run.

[JonathanKnight]

We have a De-Dietrich induction hob and get on fine with it, we've had it about four years. It looks like a piece of black glass, very cool looking. All the controls are touch sensetive under the glass.

The only down side we found is you have to get pans with the right amount of iron/steel in them as it works on electro-magnetisim. I took my wife a while to find a pressure cooker that would work on it. It is easier now than when we first got is as more pans have symbols on saying what hobs they work on.

On the up side though it is very easy to clean as nothing burns onto it. We just have to wipe it over when we have finished. It is as controlabale and the heat is as instant as the gas hob we used to have.

[General Skanky]

Nice, thanks.

For the 'cosmetics', do you have rims or plain around the edge? If no rim, can it get chipped?

[Mr.D]

Why do you not want gas?
Its by far the best one to cook on . I wouldn't even contemplate any other type.

Electric fan assisted ovens seem to be the best though.

[Mac Man]

Originally Posted by Mr.D

Why do you not want gas?
Its by far the best one to cook on . I wouldn't even contemplate any other type.

I've ordered a Bosch induction hob.

As controllable as gas
More efficient than gas or other electric hobs
Cheaper to run
And (a major reason) much safer - if you leave a hob switched on there is no chance of anyone putting their hands on the cooking area and burning themselves. Means I'll be much more relaxed if my teenagers are doing beans on toast for themselves

[General Skanky]

Why do you not want gas?

Gas hobs a pain to clean. Never trusted gas hobs. Who in their right mind would ignite an open gas source?

Seriously though, a flat hob gives extra useable work surface. We already have all the pots and pans for ceramic/induction. Easy to use. Clean look. And so on.

[General Skanky]

Means I'll be much more relaxed if my teenagers are doing beans on toast for themselves

Safer to use for yourself after a big drink session late Saturday night, when you're feeling peckish.

[Cynthia 7]

I have a Neff induction hob, which I think is wonderful. Even better than the halogen hob I had previously. Strangely enough I found difficulty in getting a response from the pressure areas initially but after a few months
it responded immediately. My husband has never had this problem. It could be that I usually have cool hands and we bought this in December 04, at the beginning of winter. I've never had a problem since. Cleaning it is a dream.

We bought the wide hob with has four different size circular areas. It also has a rectangular area in the centre for keeping food warm. As Jonathan mentioned, you have to get the right pans, aluminium pans throughout don't work. I have been looking for a rectangular pan or plate for this centre area but it's not that big, almost like a bread tin size. Where can you find a rectangular metal plate?

Mine is surrounded by a stainless steel rim and has a very attractive curved area in the front with the controls in this. I know someone who has one without the stainless steel rim and she finds it a pain because of dirt between the edge and the worktop. She has to use a knife to get this out. She hasn't mentioned chipping.

It's as quick to respond as gas. You can have the tiniest thread of heat and is the only hob I've had where you can put in a block of chocolate in a pan and melt it perfectly for cooking. Usually chocolate goes into a stiff paste if you do that on normal hobs on the lowest setting.

Sorry, I didn't really mean to make this sound like a review, it must be because I've been researching food mixers on the internet today!

[dejongj]

Just make certain that you've buy lots of e-cloth, including the glass polishing version...As the black glass shows up so many stains and e-cloth makes it really easy to clean...Also ideal for stainless steel...No chemicals or soap needed, just wet it slightly....

BTW Have you considered a built-in BBQ as well...We've just done our Kitchen and for the hobs we bought 4 seperate domino system blocks to make up the true hob we wanted....The built-in BBQ is absolutely marvelous! We bought all Siemens appliances but I'm certain other brands do them as well....

[t-force]

If you do go down the BBQ route, make sure you have a kick-ass cooker hood, and one that actually extracts, rather than a recirculator, or you'll end up with a very smokey kitchen, and loads of dirt build up on your kitchen units.

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by t-force

If you do go down the BBQ route, make sure you have a kick-ass cooker hood, and one that actually extracts, rather than a recirculator, or you'll end up with a very smokey kitchen, and loads of dirt build up on your kitchen units.

Good point, although not just applicable for a BBQ....We've got a very nice Elica hood which is the full 1200mm wide that we needed, and near silent yet capable of incredible suction thanks to the motor being mounted on the outside wall instead of within the appliance...We've now got a whopping 1000dm3 suction capability....Although the outside wall of the kitchen now looks like a chippie

Regarding the induction hob...Don't forget to check the electricity requirements as you will be subject to the plan-p building regulations and may have to upgrade parts of your electricity.....

[IronGiant]

Originally Posted by Cynthia 7

I have been looking for a rectangular pan or plate for this centre area but it's not that big, almost like a bread tin size. Where can you find a rectangular metal plate?

Something like a cast iron griddle?
like this?
http://www.cookware.co.uk/index.html?code=166

Although it would probably overhang the area a fair bit

Dave