The short summary for ranges. Most people do not have problems. Some do. Find a store with an induction range or cooktop to demo. Try it and see if you hear anything offensive when using induction

This is such a frequently asked question that Houzz ought to have a FAQ with a section on this subject.

Unfortunately,
they do not.

For maybe more info than you care to read, try this
search string with google: "gardenweb + induction + noise."

My summary of what you can learn:

Some people have such acute hearing at very high frequencies that they hear things that most others do not. (Dog whistle effect -- not buzzing.)

Of those who notice buzzing, many find the level so low and inoffensive as to be unimportant. Others find noises completely masked by a range hood fan. Some who encounter it find the buzzing (or whistling or whatever) much more annoying.

Some brands in the past have been more prone to a variety of noises than others and those include buzzing, clicking or whistling. Three or four years ago, Whirlpool-made induction products seemed to garner more complaints. You tube videos can give you a sense of what can go wrong when things go wrong.

Typically, however, the noise problem has been much more of a complaint with the $100 portable countertop induction units that folks buy to try out induction. If you are considering that kind of try-out, you may find it helpful to read this thread from a couple of years ago on that subject, assuming you have not already seen it. http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2324992/portable-induction-cooktop-and-cookware

For those who encounter a problem with ranges, it sometimes seems related to using certain kinds of clad or layered cookware. Some clad cookware seems more prone to buzzing or noises than others. Some who encounter the buzzing have said that other cookware --- such as solid enameled cast iron ware like Le Creuset --- does not buzz for them.

Again, there is no substitute for first hand experience if you can get it.

Thanks, we'll have to check around. Miele for example does not have any dealers locally. Lowes sells Bosch but no induction units. Living where we do in paradise is awesome but, there are draw backs since there is no "big city".

Keep looking. You might have to try one of the higher-end kitchen design stores. Here in the rural northern Rockies with our nearest big city 60 miles away --- which would be a mere town to you in Florida --- we have a couple of such places with an induction cooktop hooked up for demo.

Good input thanks

Do you have a Ferguson Kitchen and Bath?

I have a Kenmore (rebadge Frigidaire) and will later buy a Miele when we do the kitchen. The only time it buzzes is when I turn on two pans at the same time at full boost, when I turn it down there is a slight whistle but nothing really annoying. It certainly isn't buzzing the whole time it is on. Sometimes there is a pulsing/buzz.

CP, just checked and we do!

I've had two induction ranges, a Samsung and now a Electrolux. Both make a fairly subtle buzzing noise in some conditions but neither was really bothersome to us and not nearly as noticeable as the convection fan. The noise I am referring to seems to be related sometimes to cookware as for example with a small lightly loaded pan (e.g. melting a stick of butter), the pan will actually move slowly in a circle. That is a small "issue" though as we don't hear buzzing when sauteing or boiling water or simmering a big pot of pasta sauce which are more common cooking tasks. You can certainly hear the stove cycle on and off when cooking at low settings though again it isn't bothersome unless you are standing right at the stove.

Nothing is as quiet as a direct coil or radiant electric stove. Gas makes some noise but not as much as induction if you are really very sensitive to buzzing type noises.

Well we just watched a video on the Miele induction range and WOW that is one bad a** range. We have a local Ferguson's and going to see if they stock that unit. Very pricey but the wife deserves it and we work hard.

Also look at the wolfe and the bosch. I actually prefer the bosch 800 to the miele.

Others share your preference. The Miele range's induction burners have only ten power settings, which seems peculiar for a $7k range, especially considerng that Miele's induction cooktops have had more flexibility for a long time. Some may find only ten too limiting. For that kind of money, I would really want some hands on time with the stove. We've had a couple of Miele range threads here and it might be worth searching them out.

Thanks, read here that can be modified to 18 or 19. I will download manual.

Pensacola, that's true of the old cooktops, and I thought it was also true of the ranges (and might be one who said so) but I think that was wrong. Do let us know if you find that in the manual. 10 power levels is not good. Really not good.

My miele buzzes a bit but it doesn't bother me at all. Seems like one of those things you're hyper aware of as a new buyer but don't pay any attention to in real life.

Just an FYI, the new Miele HR1622i range ships from the factory with a default of 9 cooking levels. However, than can be modified and programmed to accept a maximum of 17 cooking levels. That is the word from our local Fergusson Kitchen & Bath.

Take a look at the Bosch too. It gets high ratings and is less. Are you definitely doing a single range vs a cooktop and oven?

Yes going to do a single range. The Bosch appeared to be just a cooktop ?

Gardenweb discussion of Bosch Induction Range

Bosch Induction Range Product Info

Bosch has a Benchmark induction slide in range http://www.bosch-home.com/us/products/cooking-baking/ranges/induction/HIIP054U.html?source=browse

Thanks for those links! I did find that Benchmark range. DIY, I will read that information. Seems well received at a glance and a price of $3k plus vs $7,000 for the Miele is significant. I'll let the bride have a look. She did watch the video of the Miele and perhaps that was a mistake LOL. She loves that range!

I would double check the information re the number of cooking levels. The manual for the cooktop has a section which tells you how to change to the expanded settings. It also has a section which tells you which cooking level is recommended (this also includes the expanded settings). The manual for the range doesn't include this information. I often found that I knew more about a particular appliance than the sales staff. I by-product of hanging around here so much, I think.

Thanks, I did not see info in manual so made a call and they confirmed.

Sorry for the fussiness about ambiguity but "they confirmed" what?

That the range's burner settings cannot be modified and programmed to accept a maximum of 17 cooking levels, right?

No ambiguity in my statement from earlier. You may want to reread that or better yet, call for yourself to inquire.

Ummmm, jwvideo, my question as well. I'm not sure who was called and what was confirmed.

No ambiguity. They confirmed the 17 levels. But I'd take the word of the manual over the sales help. My memory of it was exactly what Sherri said. I actually showed the people at the Miele Sales Gallery how to make that change to the cooktop back when I was shopping, and showed them where it said how in the back of the manual. I also told them how to install their panelled warming drawer so it wouldn't stick out an inch. And that was the company. That was long before the range, and what people have previously said here about the range, and the manual says, that it only has the ten levels.

As I said before, ten levels is really bad. It's a chore to cook on. So this is something to be 100% sure, show-me-the-proof of, before you decide on it, especially since it sounds like you aren't the primary cook.

On buzzing:

A purely ferritic (400 series) stainless steel pan, which won't be as stainless as one might like, sitting on silicone pads and filled with something, will not buzz because there is nothing to rattle against and the pan itself has too much inertia to move against the high frequency (ultrasonic) induction field.

Pans built like All-Clad, Emeril, etc. that use sandwiches of metals with the ferritic steel embedded within can buzz because these metals are only pressed together, not welded. Overheating accidents seem to lead to greater buzziness, due I think to metal separation from unequal expansion coeficients.

A purely cast iron pan on silicone pads should not buzz either.

On ten levels:

I agree that this number is too low for power spacings that are relatively linear between levels. I could not use my Frigidaire (or the previous Kenmore) if I only used the whole number settings. The only exception that I know of, but have not personally tested, is the Wolf, which has non-linear power settings with larger spacing at the higher values and smaller at the lower setting values.

kas

I believe the Miele also has non-linear settings albeit 12 rather than 10.

Oh, and just so nobody gets confused by last October's comment about the Ferguson reps saying that the Miele induction range is supposed to be switchable from 10 and 17 burner heat settings --- the Ferguson reps were misinformed. As numbers of us knew and has been confirmed by owners in the long thread on the Miele induction range it has 12 whole number settings per burner and no half steps, and there is no switch or software option for increasing the number of settings.

I was concerned about the buzzing also. Fortunately, we were able to try several cooktops at showrooms in our area. We ended up purchasing the Gagg full induction cooktop. I hear the slightest buzz when I turn it on/set the pan on the cooktop, but the cooktop is really very quiet. Best of luck!

You need to use heavier pots and pans to mitigate the buzzing... e.g. Le Creuset

Grumpy, how is the Gagg doing 4 years later? Anyone else want to chime in on the latest

induction experience?

tiffeslan, the Gagg is still working out fine for us. Occasionally (not frequently) I hear a buzz but adjusting the placement of the cookware seems to solve the issue. We enjoy the ability to place pots/pans anywhere on the surface and have the size detected. Sliding those pots and pans around so easily probably contributes to scratching, however. We also like and frequently use the cooking timer that each cooking position offers. The timer has been very useful, particularly since certain people in the house have a tendency to put something on to cook and then wander off. ;) The specs on the Gagg indicate that it allows for cookware “as small as 3 inches…” I can confirm, having had someone inadvertently “cook” their metal travel mug. Oops! I’ve had one visitor tell me she was uncomfortable using induction after “always having a gas range.” I’ve not had a gas cooktop so can’t weigh in. Although we are not gourmet cooks (the first use of our beautiful Gagg was for a can of Spaghetti-O’s lol), we would definitely choose induction again. We love our Gagg and would most likely repurchase if in the market for a new cooktop. Hope this helps! I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.