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Original poster

Induction hobs - yes or no?

93 replies

PopcornAndWine · 08/09/2021 17:36

Hi, having an extension with new kitchen built at the moment and trying to decide what hob to get. Have heard mixed things about induction hobs so looking for opinions/experiences. Thanks.

OP posts:

KatherineJaneway · 09/09/2021 21:54

I use one at a relatives and wouldn't have one myself. So slow to react to the temperature change. Have to use special pans etc. Much prefer gas.

Strangevipers · 09/09/2021 22:02

Yes

LoveFall · 09/09/2021 22:04

There must be a lot of bad induction hobs out there, given the complaints about slow to react.

If I have something boiling.or even threatening to boil over, one touch and it stops boiling almost instantly.

As for pots, we have a regular stainless set and they work fine, as does cast iron. There is very little cookware today that doesn't work. I has to be a metal that is magnetic, that's all.

Where I live natural gas is due to be banned in a decade or so. This makes me happy that induction, which runs on our carbon-neutral hydroelectricity, is so good.

GroggyLegs · 09/09/2021 22:16

I've got an AEG induction hob.
It's good, fast, responsive and it blows my mind that you can use a silicone liner under the pan to protect the top & keep it clean.

I love that its flat - no gross knobs collecting grime & bits.

Use it with equally fabulous Circulon pans which are worth every penny.

CombatBarbie · 09/09/2021 22:38

Love mine, didn't like it initially but now wouldn't be without it! I don't have a problem with wok cooking either?

JosephineDeBeauharnais · 10/09/2021 07:40

I love the fact it doesn't heat up so in essence I've got extra work top space
That’s what I thought @MauveMavis but I can’t use it as that because it beeps if you put anything on it and don’t turn it on.

FuzzyPuffling · 10/09/2021 08:13

I've had to make this decision recently, but have plumped for gas, as it is a possibility I may need a pacemaker in the future.
Pacemaker = no induction hob.

thinkingofselling · 10/09/2021 08:15

@abw94

No.

Hated it when we had one so we changed it to gas within 6 months of moving in. Difficult to find pans to work and the heat settings were either hot and burn everything or stand over the pan for what felt like your whole life.

Will never have one again.

I agree with this. I have a Rangemaster professional plus plus plus or something similar its a ridiculous cooker. it came with my house. I agree it's great for heating water quicker than the kettle but I really like cooking and struggle to get anything to simmer despite it have 11 different temperature settings on each ring. In fairness I didn't have any problem with saucepans but then I only use stainless steel or Le Crueset and yes it is easier to clean than gas but I would go back to gas if I could but I cant as no gas here. I do sometimes wonder if a more expensive make e.g Miele although they aren't all they used to be would be better?

AnnaSW1 · 10/09/2021 08:15

Love mine

Soontobe60 · 10/09/2021 08:16

@Realyorkshiretea

No, no and no again. I just moved house & went from gas to induction and I HATE it. Gas was so quick & intuitive to control, the induction hob takes ages to warm up and there is a lag in changing the settings and the heat adjusting. Any spills bake on to the glass and are difficult to get off. The glass always looks like it has a greasy film on. And to top it off if I put a pan or plate on it without the ring being on, it beeps at me.

In short, it’s ruined my life.

An induction job is instant - are you sure yours isn’t a ceramic hob? If you turn an induction job on, you won’t feel any heat unless an actual pan is on the hob.

Soontobe60 · 10/09/2021 08:19

I have an induction job and I love it. I can simmer at very low temps, use my flat bottomed wok, boil rapidly and it cleans like a dream. Previously had gas, and hated cleaning it. After a while I couldn’t get the burners clean, found the grids that the pans go on too big to fit in my sink, and just generally didn’t like the look of it.
For the PP who said hers beeped if she put something on the hob even when it’s not on, mine does this, but only if I put it over the control panel.

Orangelady32 · 10/09/2021 08:27

I have a portable induction hob. It's brilliant for woks as you get high heat all the way across the base of the wok. Not sure why someone said they don't work for woks. Must be the type of wok you have.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 10/09/2021 08:51

@JosephineDeBeauharnais

I love the fact it doesn't heat up so in essence I've got extra work top space That’s what I thought *@MauveMavis* but I can’t use it as that because it beeps if you put anything on it and don’t turn it on.

The beeping on mine drove me mad until I bothered to read the instruction manual and realised I could turn it off!

FurierTransform · 10/09/2021 08:58

I think there's a bit of confusion between ceramic hobs (which look identical to induction when they're off, but glow red under the pan when on) and induction, & also IME lots of difference between brands of induction hob - some are much more controllable than others, and don't pulse on/off as much when on a lower setting - my parents cheaper model does this and it's really annoying.

I have an AEG induction and it's great, would never go back to gas.

thinkingofselling · 10/09/2021 09:00

I'm not totally sure you should us it as "work top space" as everything Ive read about them says you shouldn't slide things over them as it can cause the rings to break and I suspect that wouldn't be cheap to repair. Maybe Im just slight paranoid about it and its more robust than Ive been lead to believe.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 10/09/2021 09:06

@thinkingofselling I put a teatowel over the hob and then put things on it.

I also use a muslin under my Le Creuset casserole dishes as they are so heavy and I'm worried about scratches. we've had ours for 8 years now and I still love it

Medievalist · 10/09/2021 09:14

But good wok cooking needs the whole pan - ie the sides too, not just the base - to be very hot! The point is to cook things quickly which requires the food to have lots of surrounding heat.

I used to think it must be the type of wok I was using, so now have several - all 'induction compatible'. Same with all of them.

thatfuckingtent · 10/09/2021 20:01

IKEA sell glass worktop savers that are the size of the hob. Means more worktop space with less beeping.
Admittedly mine is an 80cm and they are 60cm but they're protecting most of it.

Word to the wise, don't buy the Lakeland induction hob protectors. Yes you can cook with them but every spill needs scrubbing off with a brush and you can't see the zone markings through it

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