INDUCTION COOKING IS MAGIC… I cannot believe I nearly chose a traditional range!
We have a gas range… it cooks stuff!
So I assumed that we would do another for the kitchen remodel… but as with all kitchen decisions, the further you wade in, the further you realize that you have been living in a prehistoric cave: dirt floor, poor lighting, no espresso station.
What was the source of my cave/dirt epiphany?
The sorcery that is INDUCTION COOKING.
Incase you too are a cave-dweller, this is an induction cooktop.
A THIN PIECE OF GLASS WITH ZERO NOOKS TO SCRUB.
And yes, it comes as a freestanding range… BUT YOU CAN DO IT LIKE THIS TOO.
Not only is it an easy-to-clean surface, it’s energy efficient, there is no outgassing, AND all the bulkiness of a range top is totally unnecessary!
The clunky knobs? Unnecessary!
The unsightly grates? Unnecessary!
The nooks for collecting gunk? Unnecessary!
The OUTGASSING OF TOXINS? UNNECESSARY!
If those are unnecessary… WHY DID I NEARLY BUY THEM!
Terrifying.
Before we continue, allow me to SHOW YOU THE MAGIC!
Here is induction cooking in a short video (I took it at the Wolf showroom, which I’ll get to in a second) and YES– the cover photo of this video IS water boiling WHILE sitting on a paper towel AT THE SAME TIME. Madness!
I began my induction introduction at the Wolf and SubZero showroom… Paul and I were sightseeing; attempting stealth and composure, while waiting to be identified as poors and evicted to the parking lot where we belong.
For the record: they were very kind to us.
Even after I started licking all of their shiny things.
But then, the Wolf guy was like— have you considered induction?
And then all our kitchen plans were ruined.
Now that I’ve seen induction, I’m GENUINELY confused why they even SELL anything else… nothing else even makes any SENSE.
So I was all– I do not understand! What am I missing? What is WRONG with it? Why is EVERYONE NOT USING THIS?
The Wolf guy sort of struggled to find words to explain; he said something like– well, you have to get USED to it… and you cannot SEE the heat, which weirds people out.
And I was like— eh? That seems like preferring a corded-home-wall-phone to a smartphone… not to mention how this wall phone has giant grates and burners and squats on your countertop screaming: LOOK AT MY KNOBS.
Whatever.
I’m going to skip that.
Also FYI: your cookware must be compatible… check using a magnet. If it sticks, you’re good… Mine happens to be fine, (I use All Clad copper core) but I would have (HAPPILY) bought all new pans… I cook every. single. day… and I can see how this technology is WAY BETTER than what I was using, FOR ME.
Now, this post should be over.
But it’s not.
Because ease and simplicity are things to be complicated.
I went home and started googling… it took me three seconds to find the roadblock I was looking for!
What is it?
I’m glad you asked!
Before I spell it out, allow me to conduct research:
Visually, do YOU see any way that the kitchen below COULD BE BETTER?
Do you see it?
Let’s try again… do you see something below that is NOT LIKE THE OTHER THINGS? And would be BETTER if it WERE like the other things?
Because this thing is NOT fancy or gilded or a giant antique grand piano that is now our kitchen island… so it does not need to be going around demanding that people take notice of it; because the cooktop is NOT THE ARBITER OF WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOTICE IN MY KITCHEN… I AM.
To me, the answer is obvious:
the above photo would be 874,239,054 TIMES BETTER if the induction top was white, instead of THE MOST NOTICEABLE AND CONTRASTING THING THEY COULD HAVE POSSIBLY PUT IN THAT SPACE.
Apparently that’s just me though; because American induction cooktop manufacturers ONLY MAKE THEM IN BLACK… because this is 1908, and Henry Ford is in charge of all cooktop colors!
So, for fun, I have decided I do not wish to have black!
I wish to have white!
Huzzah!
This is unfortunate considering that I HAD been planning slate countertops, (which are currently in our garage) and which might be fine-okay-ish with a black induction… BUT. For some reason? Now that is prohibited.
I do not know why.
IT JUST IS.
White carrara.
With white induction.
This is the way.
Does white EXIST?
Sure! In France, Belgium, Australia… basically any place not located at Home Depot.
Preferring options NOT available to me is incredibly inconvenient; so this is where YOU come in: in an ideal world, one of you has purchased an induction cooktop not marketed in the U.S.
And hopefully, you did it without actually traveling to Paris and bringing it back in your luggage; because while that would be an amazing blog post, it goes against my first rule of existence: do not leave the house unnecessarily.
EVEN FOR PARIS.
Actually, ESPECIALLY for Paris… because last time I was there, my dad got separated from us at the train station, and COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED.
Gone. Vanished. No trace.
My brother and I searched the train station… and then the surrounding blocks, and then back to the train station, and then back out into the neighborhood… we looked for our father in a country where we do not speak the language… eventually finding our way back to the hotel we’d checked out of, who let us use their phone to call my mom to tell her that we had bad news about Dad, and also we had no passports or money or anything because Dad had them; and then we sat in the hotel lobby for some eternity while my mother at whatever three-am time in America is trying to find someone who speaks French… until my father called the hotel, and said– WHERE ARE YOU KIDS?
For your edification: not only was my father completely fine, he claims none of this ever actually happened… which is pretty weird since Chris and I remember it exactly the same way: with vivid, frightening detail.
Anyway.
Cooktops.
PLEASE TELL ME all about how easy it was to swap out out European voltage, hertz, nominal frequency of the oscillations of alternating current. Simple!
I emailed Bosch… in The Netherlands… and also Electrolux in Australia… to ask WHY DO THEY WANT AMERICANS TO ONLY HAVE UGLY?
Being so obvious about it is really rude.
And also to tell them: they are ruining kitchens around the world by leaving us imprisoned at the whim of American induction manufacturers.
No more!
THE TYRANNY MUST END!
Two last bits of information to have my full perspective:
1. IT MUST BE FLUSH.
NO surface mount… I want it IN my counter; as opposed to just sitting on top.
I think the appeal of the inset version is obvious, BUT FYI: it does mean that your counters must be fabricated to the specs, and any cutting of stone is where the expense really piles up… plus, if you had to replace it, potentially a nightmare.
2. Options in the American market that are sort of off-white… if, you define off-white as: tanish beige, 1982.
Here is option #1 tanish-beige-circa-1982 (price is twice what you can pay for black.)
Option #2, Monogram induction cooktop:
Reading other people’s descriptions online, it seems like the color of this one (pictured below) depends on lighting and angle; so maybe I could get on board with the color, if I saw it in person.
I cannot claim to be disinterested in the shiny silver circles, but the price is twice the other tanish beige… and that just is… no. I will not pay that much for 1982.
I’m done now.
Plz hlp me.
‘k thx.
Patricia
February 11, 2018 @ 11:42 am
In my remodel of several years ago, I thought I was finally going gas with the Wolf double oven. However, I used induction during the remodel and I was amazed. I’m almost 70 and I knew right away that induction would be safer for me as I age. I also designed my kitchen to keep the hobs as portable hobs. It gave me more cooking room and allows me to update as the induction technology changes. The Breville Control Freak is an amazing work of art. I also have a 3500 CookTek hob that I use for Wok cooking and boiling water for pasta. I am totally pleased with my decision. BTW, take a look at Demeyere cookware. I had been using All-Clad for decades, the Demeyere Atlantis is a whole different experience. Have fun with your kitchen…and let go of the white cooktop madness. It is a rabbit hole.
D
February 11, 2018 @ 11:47 am
I have used induction for over 20 years (have one of the first domestic ones produced) and cannot imagine why anyone would use electric or gas. In fact I find it hard to cook on another stovetop as induction is so easy and quick. Bought mine in Australia and it has travelled with us and is now installed in our home in France. Yes, it is black, but it still looks as good today as it did the day I bought it. No one notices the stove, they are too busy eating the delicious food I produce using it
D
February 11, 2018 @ 11:51 am
Forgot to say…. I make industriam quantities of jams, jellies and chutneys each year, as well as cooking daily. I drape a clean linen tea towel over the stovetop, cook my jam with the pot on the towel and then whisk it away afterwards to leave my stovetop sparkling. Anything that spits fat when you cook it is done over the top of paper and so no greasy stovetop. It does not slow the cooking or damage the tea towel.
judy
February 11, 2018 @ 3:49 pm
that is so weird to an elder whose 1st experience with a phone was a microphone and an ear pierce-available in black only. Sometimes I think that well…………..things haven’t changed that much since I was born-as I lock my car from my bedroom,tell Alexa to play Nat King Cole to put me to sleep and the coffees set to turn on at 7:30 AM etc.etc. Oh, and some guy took a stroll on our moon on my 29th birthday.
Can’t imagine what all of you youngsters will find in your future. Beware of AI and Robots!
Nathan
February 12, 2018 @ 8:27 am
Try Bosch, they had a white edition that I saw in a store in Pittsburgh.
Gerry W
February 12, 2018 @ 1:26 pm
Perfect for the house where nobody can or does cook. Reminds of the Copper Pan motif so popular several decades ago. Rural French Kitchen Ambiance. Of course if you actually cook with Coppers pans you will find they do not stay photogenic, but since you only cook twice a month,at best, who cares. Millions spent on beautiful French Copper Cookware which was never used and sold at estate sales by your daughter in laws who you never liked in the first place. They laughed. Daughter in laws are like that.
Cookie
February 12, 2018 @ 2:43 pm
It’s beautiful. However if you are wondering why SOME people won’t go for an induction stove, it’s because of concerns about EMFs.
Cookie
February 12, 2018 @ 2:47 pm
Oops. Here is a link on emfs and induction cooktops. I haven’t finished reading up on all sides of this concern. still doing the research https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/induction-stove-dangers-what-to-buy-instead/
Kirsten
February 12, 2018 @ 6:37 pm
I’ve been meaning to comment to let you know that you and the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel have pretty much become interchangeable in my mind.
Jessica
February 13, 2018 @ 11:31 am
Whyyyyy did you have to put this in my head?? I didnt even know inset was an option for our induction top! We r remodelling too! I will comment on the white tho- from someone who has a white cooktop I’ll warn you that with years of use the areas surrounding the rings (under the glass) build up this creamy brownish type color…I can’t wait to get rid of ours!
Penny
February 15, 2018 @ 2:55 pm
Oh Victoria, I think you have changed all my kitchen stove plans…..
Penny
February 15, 2018 @ 3:04 pm
Actually, I think I would try the dark countertop w/induction cooktop on the piano and stay with the white/light counters in the rest of the kitchen and see if it will work for you.
Laura
February 15, 2018 @ 5:43 pm
Your post inspired me to pull out my induction plate to cook dinner tonight… and reminded me why I rarely use induction. It’s purely utilitarian. It gets the job done well, but in my opinion, there is no joy in cooking on it. Ease of cleaning and the sleek look can’t overcome the joy of slowly stirring risotto over an open flame. As much as a romantic as you are, and especially of you like to cook, it’s hard to believe you would be happy long term with the induction.
Carolyn G
February 17, 2018 @ 11:12 pm
A fallen coffee mug led me to replace my cracked smoothtop with an Electrolux induction cooktop. I chose the Electrolux because it has a stainless steel rim, making cracks a little less likely. Regarding the color, my first non induction cooktop was a white “grey” smoothtop. Honestly, I was not terribly upset when the wine bottle fell and cracked it. It just didn’t hold up to the rigors of cooking. It was yellowed, foggy and scratched. The Electrolux induction is my 3rd cooktop. It is black and yes, I have white cabinets and white granite counters. Honestly, I adore my induction range. I find I actually cook quite a bit more on it than I did with standard electric. Eggs, no problem. I feel like a short order cook. Yes, I do miss the ability to use 2 burners with one pan, but there is no perfect cooktop that I know of. My secret for keeping the induction cooktop clean, is cleaning daily with rubbing alcohol. It is inexpensive, easy and boy does it shine! I did get new cookware, the Cephalon Symmetry, which is non-stick and dishwasher safe. Just wish there were more options in this cookware line to fully utilize my induction cooktop.
Jennifer
February 19, 2018 @ 1:42 am
Ikea has a white option. It is not inset, though.
Jackie
February 26, 2018 @ 12:11 am
We’re looking at convection ranges right now, and I saw these and had to stop by to share… I don’t know anything about them. We actually need a full slide in range, but these come in a light grey.
http://www.thermador.com/cooking/cooktops
Katrina Lee
March 1, 2018 @ 1:41 am
Are you sure that this isn’t the stove you need? https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/720000GCBL.html I think I need it & my house was built in 1999.
Jayne
July 10, 2018 @ 10:29 pm
We are exploring an induction stove top. Looking at the Frigidaire. Are you getting a Wolfe. I can’t imagine why there is such s range of prices? I chose a black one to mount on quartz. Very excited!
Cara
June 27, 2019 @ 2:29 pm
Her’s why I would avoid this method: I’m very concerned about EMF exposure. I believe wi-fi, cellphone exposure and other non-ionizing radiations are the cigarettes of our time. The manufacturers have no incentive to test accurately, and people are addicted to convenience and don’t want to face the truth (like smokers).
Induction cook tops involve EMF exposure.
https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/induction-stove-dangers-what-to-buy-instead/
Excerpt:
While it is extremely controversial whether this type of radiation source is actually dangerous, the data is sufficient enough for me to avoid it. The latest information I found that should give anyone pause about bringing an induction stove into their home was published by the Journal Bioelectromagnetics in 2012 (1).
The study authors concluded that most induction hobs (rings) exceeded even the high 1998 maximum exposure levels set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) when a person was standing close to the induction stove.
The worst case scenario was an up to 16-fold increase from these maximum exposure levels!
Safety Tests on Induction Stoves
So how in the world did induction stoves ever pass the safety tests? According to Powerwatch, the safety tests assumed that a person’s body is never closer than 1 foot (30 cm) to the front of the induction stove. Standing that far away would be considered “normal usage”.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t cook standing at least a foot away from my stove. My arms definitely aren’t long enough!
In fact, this would be pretty much impossible if you needed to reach the back burners.
END of excerpt.
Anyway, most people will scoff at the possibility of harm from our conveniences, or will not care, but I believe in the precautionary principle. We don’t use a microwave or wi-fi in our house, and we have VOIP and a landline. We only have cell phones because payphones are almost extinct, but we rarely use one.
Kirsten
August 18, 2019 @ 3:55 pm
I just heard that ikea has white…don’t know if it can be recessed.
I’m holding out for under the counter!! Just bought another project house with a bad, dyi concrete counter. Now I have an excuse!!
KC
May 4, 2021 @ 7:36 pm
While I too am in love with that magic of induction the reason for my hesitancy and likely other market hesitancy in the US is that being magnetic it isn’t terribly safe with pace makers, and people with pace makers are advised to be 2 feet away with anything containing an induction cooker.