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The case for induction cooking

nytimes.com

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Re: The case for induction cooking

#431

Post by sharken »

Dyac wrote: post #422
kergonath wrote: post #383

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> would love to see an induction stove with a usable UI. To me, induction with physical knobs and buttons would be the best. Other than the stupid touch things, induction is just so much better than gas for almost anything.

We felt exactly the same way bugging a new kitchen last year. Salespeople thought we were being obstinate. Fortunately we found one with knobs. https://www.aeg.co.uk/kitchen/cooking/cookers/electric-cooke... It does have auto off on spills, but it's not overly sensitive and only triggers if you really let things boil over. Had it 9 months, can highly recommend this cooker.

There is definitely a niche market for these kind of cookers, but induction has for as long as I can remember always been a flat surface.

That leads to touch controls with all the listed drawbacks, but it's nonetheless what has gained the most support.

For most i suspect the aesthetics of one clean flat surface wins out over alternatives, even though these alternatives are more usable for cooking.

Re: The case for induction cooking

#432

Post by Beltalowda »

alliao wrote: post #310
worik wrote: post #268

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>All the vents in places I've rented have seemed hilariously ineffective even on the highest and super loud setting A consumer organisation here studied "rangehoods" and (if memory serves) they found them all to close to useless. consumer.org.nz - the reports are paywalled and I no longer subscribe, so mēh!

interesting... i wonder if it's because of the height constrained by aesthetic inputs.. i'm pretty sure if you stuck the vent like 50cm above the stove it surely can be a bit more than useless...

That sounds like horrible usability; it's going to be in the way all the time, especially if you're a tad tall. I bet that's the far more important reason than aesthetics. I already don't like the regular ones because I need to be careful not to bump my head in to it.

Re: The case for induction cooking

#433

Post by pi-rat »

kergonath wrote: post #383
DyslexicAtheist wrote: post #359

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> environment and is overall worse than induction would love to see an induction stove with a usable UI. everything I have used is designed by a person that never had to cook for more than 1. the automatic off during the slightest spill, and the impossibility to operate buttons with wet/greasy hands, has to be one of the biggest design mistakes in the history of engineering. my idea of a great time is to invite this…

> would love to see an induction stove with a usable UI. To me, induction with physical knobs and buttons would be the best. Other than the stupid touch things, induction is just so much better than gas for almost anything.

Gaggenau got knobs, pricey though.

https://www.gaggenau.com/global/appliances/cooktops/400-seri...

Re: The case for induction cooking

#434

Post by 2muchcoffeeman »

donw wrote: post #371
DyslexicAtheist wrote: post #359

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> environment and is overall worse than induction would love to see an induction stove with a usable UI. everything I have used is designed by a person that never had to cook for more than 1. the automatic off during the slightest spill, and the impossibility to operate buttons with wet/greasy hands, has to be one of the biggest design mistakes in the history of engineering. my idea of a great time is to invite this…

God, this. I like induction stoves. Easier to clean, and do 90% of what I need doing in a kitchen. Not having to run gas lines is a plus, and for the other 10%, I'm probably working on a grill or using a dedicated burner anyway. But the UIs are awful. Stop turning yourself off. Yes, I do intend to cook the thing I put on you for six hours. Just fucking do it. Give me a knob. Gas stoves use knobs for good reasons. You…

>There has to be a market for people that want appliances that just... work.

I bet none of the commercial induction cooktops are internet of shit devices.

Re: The case for induction cooking

#435

Post by roywashere »

Nition wrote: post #413
nullityrofl wrote: post #394

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My Miele induction cooktop is physical buttons/knobs and has no auto offs. Honestly, I was confused by all of the replies with complaints about induction UI's because it's the first induction cooktop I've owned and it's been a joy. I couldn't go back to gas.

Miele doesn't make any with real knobs anymore sadly. All the current models are touch controls only.

And that is so unbelievably stupid! The flat surface for your pans is already infinitely better than on a gas stove. I want knobs and be able to quickly dial the heat up or down on the burners. I do not really care if I still have to clean the knobs now and then. And I want non-discrete settings. And I do not need the device to beep loudly if I change from '5' to '9' every time I press a button

Re: The case for induction cooking

#436

Post by londons_explore »

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #192
londons_explore wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When gas is 4x cheaper per kWh, electric isn't going to win cost-wise, even if 100% efficient.

Have you done that math? The "even if 100% efficient" doesn't sound right to me. Wouldn't that imply gas cooking is 25% efficient? Admittedly, induction isn't 100% efficient, but it's very efficient! A gas flame heats up everything around it, whereas induction only heats up your cookware. The surface of an induction stove without any cookware is cool to the touch; in other cases, it's warm only due to the heat radiat…

Induction also heats up the power electronics inside the cooker. That's why they need a beefy cooling fan.

I have done the math... Induction is 84% efficient, and gas is 40% efficient. So for most people, gas is still cheaper, unless you live in an area with very cheap hydroelectric.

Re: The case for induction cooking

#437

Post by jpalomaki »

ptomato wrote: post #42

Let me know when you can buy one of decent quality in the US with actual physical controls instead of some insane touch system designed by somebody who has apparently never actually been in a kitchen and marketed to people who won't use it but just want a thing that looks cool.

At least Gaggenau has different options with physical knobs [1].

[1] https://www.gaggenau.com/global/products-list/cooktops/400-s...?

Re: The case for induction cooking

#438

Post by justincormack »

petercooper wrote: post #194
ginnungagap wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It also depends where you are in Europe, in Italy gas is still by far the most common way to cook

I'm in the UK and I've never knowingly been in a home that has an induction cooker or know anyone in my personal life with one. Gas is perhaps 90% of what I experience, with the occasional halogen.

I moved to a UK home with induction. Its not on the gas grid though. Some homes use bottled gas but I think induction is common for that situation. Otherwise I know some apartments with induction. But overall yes, mostly gas hob, although everyone in uk has electric ovens unlike US.

Re: The case for induction cooking

#439

Post by gerikson »

germinalphrase wrote: post #220
gerikson wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We have a Bertazzoni range with knobs (we live in Sweden). They are pricey though.

Other than price, are you happy with it?

Yes. It is a bit ”buzzy” but the external controls make up for it.

Re: The case for induction cooking

#440

Post by Groxx »

modeless wrote: post #262
kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #254

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty easily mitigated with a vent hood which all these tests don't have running.

All the vents in places I've rented have seemed hilariously ineffective even on the highest and super loud setting. Maybe good ones make a difference but how many people actually have good ones? And how many people actually use them every time the stove is on?

Every rental I've lived in has not had ventilation.

It has had a range hood with a fan... and zero ductwork. The fan pulls up from under the hood, and blows it straight into my face, out the top of the hood.

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