Induction Range Choice

6 years ago

We are redoing our kitchen. I have gone all over the map on range vs cooktop and ovens, radiant or induction, etc, but due to space concerns have landed on going with an induction range. I have already purchased a KA refrigerator (photo below), so I would like to get a range that at least has similar style handles, but I am torn as the KA induction range has some features that I am not sold on. We do have a Bosch dishwasher, flat front.

Must Have Features: Self Cleaning (this is the big one the KA falls short on with AquaLift), stainless steel, slide in, warming drawer or second oven

Like Features: glass top edges preferably overlapping counter, 18 control points vs 9 on power selection, timers on the hobs.

I have been looking at the KA, Bosch 800, GE ranges. The KA has the least of the features that I would like, but it matches. I would love anyone's input that may have one of the above ranges, especially with comments on the self cleaning, hob control / pulsating / noise and timers, and the function of the oven.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

nightflyer

6 years ago

I have the Bosch Benchmark. I was torn between the 800 and the Benchmark, but decided to go with the Benchmark. I love the flex induction zone and use it constantly -- mostly because I can throw any size pot on it and it works, rather than having to take 2 seconds to decide whether the pot should be on a small or medium hob.

I can't remember if the Bosch 800 has timers on the hobs, but the Benchmark certainly does. The top does overlap the counters (my counters are low, so I had to put a spacer to make up the difference).

I do notice some pulsing at low heat levels, and a few of my pots make a bit of buzzing when on high, but if I've got the exhaust fan on or am more than a few feet away from the range, I don't hear anything.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

boba1
6 years ago
I hve the free standing KFID5000 double oven induction KitchenAid with true self-cleaning. It's why I wouldn't get the slide-in. I love it.
kenstl
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks boba1. I hadn't really looked at the version since it was not a slide in, but I will consider it. Not having self cleaning is real deal killer on the other range. I do have a few questions:

1. do you operating the cooktop with controls on the back board or are they on the cooktop?

2. do you find you use both ovens, does the smaller one heat up faster for say frozen pizzas and such?

3. any issues with the induction making noise or cycling on and off on lower settings?

thanks
Related Discussions
Any Regrets Over Switching from Gas to Induction?
Q
Comments (5)
Do check out that thread. The actual title is "Does Anyone Here Who Went Induction Regret Your Choice?" It is a long thread but you'll find that nobody there who actually bought an induction appliance had any regrets about switching from gas. Except a couple of people mentioned missed warming their hands while heating a teakettle over gas flames on cold winter mornings. Also, check out this earlier thread about anyone who switched wishing they had not switched from gas to induction. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/appl/msg0119362827237.html When you say you are considering switching to an "induction cooktop," did you mean you are looking for a range with induction burners or did you mean that you are thinking about getting a drop-in cooktop and separate ovens? If you are looking for a range, I'll offer a point for you to consider. The pro-style cooktop on your old Viking, with widely spaced burners and a thin backsplash/vent at the back, offers the convenience of running four large pots and pans at the same time. The stovetop space on most induction ranges is more constrained with slightly narrower (i.e., industry standard) burner spacing and a thick backsplash/vent/rear control panel. You might think that the GE and Electrolux/Kenmore slide-in models (the only ones currently available) would offer more room because they do not have the thick backsplash. However, it turns out that their glass cooking surfaces are actually a bit less deep than on the freestanding versions. If you do not regularly use four large pots together --- for example, two 12" skillets and two 12" diameter stock pots --- then this will be a matter of indifference to you. If you want an induction with the room of a pro-style stovetop, there seem to be only two current induction range choices. The $5k Dacor Rennaisance induction range looks to be a lot of money for not very much stove. However, the Viking induction range is pretty well thought of despite its $7k price tag and Viking's otherwise rather dim reputation for high product defect rates. If the the Viking induction range seems interesting, have a look at the thread stated by brad (aka luv2putt) to which I've linked below. There is also discussion there about swtiching from gas to induction. Also, Brad has offered to respond to direct questions from folks interested in the VIking. If you are looking for a separate drop-in-cooktop and wall ovens, never mind. Here is a link that might be useful: Racing red induction. This post was edited by JWVideo on Thu, Jul 25, 13 at 12:11
...See More
Induction ranges: So we WERE VERY interested in inductions ranges BUT
Q
Comments (33)
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.
...See More
Which range hood for induction? Forno or IKEA? under $550 choices
Q
Comments (12)
If you want easy to clean, then make sure your hood has baffles rather than mesh filters. Huge improvement. If you want the hood to be effective at removing smells, consider at least these parameters: hot air doesn't just go straight up and through the vent hood, some of it actually initially bounces off the hood. If you want the hood to work, it can't have a flat surface at the bottom. It must be recessed to contain rising air. hot air rises in a cone-shaped plume. The hood should be at least 6" wider than your stove and as deep as you can make it. for both of the above reasons, hoods are usually designed with the assumption that they are between upper cabinets. The sides of the upper cabinets help guide the air where it needs to go. don't make your vent duct too narrow. With low-powered hoods such as the 400CFM models that you showed, you have to moderate your expectations. But at least make the best of what you have. A bigger duct is a cheap change order and can make a huge difference.
...See More
Cafe “Modern” induction range vs Profile Induction range
Q
Comments (18)
@lynne3450 Which one did you ultimately get? If you go t the cafe, would you mind sharing your setup, I am curious as to how it looks in a non-showroom kitchen. I think the price difference is because of the material used and smaller production run. @katj461 There is a comprehensive thread on induction range if you search "induction range" that briefly talks about them. I've heard the kitchenaid takes 30 minutes to preheat because of the large oven size and has a weird control.
...See More
boba1
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
You are going to cringe, but I lived with a continuous clean oven for 31 years. I was adamant I wanted self-cleaning, two ovens, and induction. when I needed a new range in May the KA was the only thing that fit the bill. I honestly didn't care about anything but those 3 had to be met. And my old range was a slide-in.

(1) Cooktop controls are right in the fornt on top of the cooktop. I find them easy and responsive. Electrolux has cooktop controls on backsplash and I cannot imagine doing touch pads back there for cooktop. Oven controls are on the backsplash.

(2) The smaller oven heats up faster--425 degrees in 12 minutes. the lower oven about 5-10 minutes longer. I use the upper oven for many things---- 9 x 13 pans baking/roasting chicken pieces; pans of biscuits, fish sticks, a single sheet of cookies, I can even get a bundt pan in there without issue. The lower oven gets used for casseroles with lids that have big knobs (pyrex, Corningware, Visions, ...) slow cooking in a dutch oven; multilevel baking cookies, biscuits, ... For me, if whatever I'm cooking will fit in the upper oven, that's my first choice.

(3) There is some humming with some of my cookware when set on power boost--bringing to boil but once food is placed in, it quiets down. Plus lowering the intensity of the hob. There is cycling off/on with setting of 4 or lower. It's not as noticeable when pan bottom fits very close to hob size and is more consistent. On the 11" hob, my 9" skillet cycles on/off more than when I'm using my 11" or 12" skillet. Induction hob levels are a % function of the wattage of the hob. 5"-6.5" bottom diameter pans do well on the 6" and I have sauce pans up to 3 quart for that. I find a higher number may be needed to achieve expected response vs. similar quantity in my 4 quart sauce pan that fits on the 7" hob. Performance is optimum when pan base size matches hob size and less cycling.
kenstl
Original Author
6 years ago
Very informative, thank you!
Sue 430
6 years ago
I have the Samsung chef collection induction slide in, so far so good. The oven comes with a divider so that you can just use one portion, or you can cook at 2 different temos at the same time. It has the controls on the front and the glass top overlaps the counter. I had so much trouble with my previous kitchen aid ranfpge and fridge, that I would not purchase those again. I was deciding between the Bosch and the Samsung, and in the end, the samsung had more features and slightly better reviews so I went with that

Induction Range Choice

nightflyer

Comments (6)

boba1

kenstl
Original Author

Related Discussions

boba1

kenstl
Original Author

Sue 430

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Induction Range Choice

nightflyer

Comments (6)

boba1

kenstlOriginal Author

Related Discussions

boba1

kenstlOriginal Author

Sue 430

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

kenstl
Original Author

kenstl
Original Author