The best tabletop induction cookers for 2020

The induction-type technique continues to gain popularity, but despite this, a very ambiguous attitude has developed towards it in society. While some housewives change their usual gas stoves to induction ones, others bypass them, considering them dangerous and useless. Is this so, the editors of the site "bestx.htgetrid.com/en/" decided to figure it out and prepared for you an overview of the best desktop models for 2020, from which you will learn everything about induction cookers.

How does an induction hob work?

An induction hob is an electric appliance designed for heating and cooking food in a domestic environment.

The main difference between an induction device and a gas or conventional electric device lies in the principle of operation. A gas stove creates conditions for gas burning, and by means of fire heats the dishes and food in it. The classic electric stove releases thermal energy due to the presence of a heating element, which acts on the installed container by its own heating.

The induction technique only heats the dishes.

The appliance itself remains cold. You can touch it with your bare hands, place kitchen items such as spatulas and oven mitts, and it is also easy to rinse off the escaped liquid, since it does not stick to the coating.

This effect is achieved due to induction current - there are turns of copper coils under the hob. The current passing through them is converted into an alternating electromagnetic field. In fact, the induction coil is the primary winding, the cookware is the secondary. Interacting, they cause induction currents, as a result of which the kitchen utensils with the contents inside are heated. At the same time, heat losses are minimal, and the heating rate is high. Induction panels are characterized by an efficiency of almost 90%, in contrast to gas panels, in which this figure is 65%.

However, it should be remembered that the surface of the appliance can be heated directly by the pan itself. And therefore, it is better not to touch the burner ring, especially with its prolonged operation - of course, there will be no severe burn from it, but the sensations obtained will be far from pleasant.

What are induction hobs?

The following types of induction devices are on the market:

1. Full-size - Stand-alone appliances of standard configuration with four heating zones and an oven;
2. Hobs are built-in appliances that are mounted directly into the kitchen worktop;
3. Tabletop - devices without an oven with one or more hob rings that are not built into the kitchen set and can be easily moved from place to place;
4. Combined - equipment that combines induction and conventional heating elements in one design.

Next, we will consider the main selection criteria in order to understand which stove is better to buy.

How to choose?

In order to choose a desktop panel, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:

• material;
• number of heating zones;
• control;
• rated and maximum power;
• available programs.

Work surface material

The working area of ​​kitchen stoves can be steel, glass-ceramic, enameled or made of tempered glass.

In the manufacture of induction models, either glass ceramics or tempered glass are used.

Glass ceramics are good because they look aesthetically pleasing and expensive. But besides this, the material evenly and quickly distributes heat over the working surface. Caring for glass ceramics is easy and simple. Among the disadvantages is low resistance to mechanical damage.

Tempered glass is practically no different from glass ceramics in terms of external parameters. It is also easy to clean and attractive, but costs a little less. The disadvantages of tempered glass include the need for extremely careful handling, since very noticeable scratches quickly appear on such a material.

Number of burners

The functionality of induction burners ensures precise adjustment of the working temperature and quick response to increasing / decreasing power. In this case, even if the burner is switched on, it will not start heating until the dishes are installed.

The number of burners and their diameter determine the capabilities of the technology. There are single and double burner tabletop models on the market. More rare are appliances with three hob rings.

Also, when buying two-burner stoves, you should take into account the location of the heating zones. Customer reviews indicate that the most convenient are those models in which the burner with a smaller diameter is located at the front edge.

Control type

Management can be mechanical or electronic.

Most modern kitchen ovens are equipped with mechanical switches that control the operation of the appliance.

The electronic type of control is less common and consists of ordinary or touch buttons. Such models may have a display where information about the temperature regime, the selected program, the time until the end of cooking, etc. is displayed.

Electronic models are characterized by higher functionality, but at the same time they force the user to perform more manipulations. They are also more expensive than models with mechanical switches, more difficult to repair and operate - electronic switches can fail if liquid is spilled on them. And after that, the technique will most likely become completely inoperable.

Power

There is a rated power and maximum.

The nominal power parameter is measured in kilowatts and determines how much electricity the device consumes in standard mode.

Maximum power consumption refers to how much the vehicle “eats” at maximum load.

The less electricity the equipment consumes, the more energy efficient and economical it is.

There are currently seven main energy efficiency classes. They are labeled with Latin letters from A to G, where A is the highest, G is the lowest and least energy efficient.

It should be remembered that the energy class directly affects the price, increasing the cost of the equipment.

Cooking modes

The number of modes may differ from model to model and may not be present in every model.

Built-in automatic cooking programs facilitate the operation of the equipment and determine the parameters of its operation. Choosing one of the programs, you can calmly go about your business, without running every five minutes to the stove.

Slab color

The equipment body can be made in various colors. And since the stove, as a rule, is in plain sight, being one of the central places in the kitchen, it should be in harmony with the rest of the room design.

The classic version is white or black appliances, but at the moment the range of models is wide enough, which allows you to choose the one that will harmoniously fit into the interior.

Additional functions

Manufacturers equip their appliances with additional options that greatly facilitate the cooking process. These include:

• Booster - allows you to borrow the power of a free hotplate for the one that is in use, which allows you to increase the capabilities of the latter and prepare the dish as quickly as possible;
• Quick start - when switched on, the technician independently determines which of the burners is occupied with dishes;
• Timer - after the set time, a signal will sound, notifying that the cooking time has expired;
• Safety shutdown - the equipment automatically turns off if liquid is spilled onto the working surface or no commands are received from the user for a certain time;
• Residual heat indicators - many electrical devices are equipped with them. The point is that each hotplate has its own indicator, which lights up after it is turned off and remains on until the temperature reaches a safe level. Also, the advantage of indicators is that they allow you to determine which of the heating zones has not yet cooled down and can serve to keep food warm;
• Childproofing is a safety system that prevents children or animals from accidentally switching on the equipment.

Which cookware is right?

For induction equipment, special dishes are required, since the functioning of the equipment directly depends on it.

When choosing cookware, it is important to pay attention to the following points:

• you can cook only in dishes with a ferromagnetic bottom;
• manufacturers mark suitable kitchen utensils with a special spiral symbol;
• you can check whether the existing pots and pans are suitable for cooking on a similar stove using a magnet - if it sticks to the bottom, then the containers can be safely used;
• the condition of the bottom also matters - it should not have bulges or dents, the diameter should correspond to the diameter of the ring ring, and the thickness should be from two to six mm;
• to use dishes with a smaller diameter, it is best to purchase a special adapter, which is also good in that it allows you to install those containers that are not intended for such equipment;
• if you install dishes that do not meet the requirements on the work surface, then the device simply will not work;
• do not use aluminum, copper, ceramic and glass containers.

How fast does the stove cook?

Due to the applied induction principle, the device does not consume energy for heating the contacting elements. Heat loss is minimal, and therefore all the available capabilities of technology are directed directly to the dishes and their contents. In this regard, food is prepared as quickly as possible - heating starts immediately, heat is distributed evenly, and less electricity is consumed.

Also, do not be afraid of the electromagnetic field - it does not have a negative effect on food, since the radiation is of a non-ionizing nature and is mostly directed at the dishes. Such equipment is also not dangerous for a person, but there are some exceptions - if you have a pacemaker, you should consult a doctor before buying such equipment.Some studies suggest that if you approach a device closer than half a meter to a switched on device, the pacemaker can fail.

Advantages and disadvantages of desktop models

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Main technical characteristics

room	Specifications	Recommendations
1	Manufacturer	The question "Which company is better?" rather complicated, since there are not so many good induction models as there are gas or electric ones. Therefore, there are few brands worthy of attention. The best manufacturers are: • Electrolux; • Bosch; • Gorenje; • Hotpoint-Ariston; • Hansa. Popular models are produced by Galaxy, Kitfort, Gemlux, REDMOND, Tesler, Midea, ENDEVER, RICCI, Oursson, Caso.
2	Body material	The case of desktop-type induction devices is most often made of metal. This ensures structural reliability and durability of the device.
3	Work surface material	The working area of ​​such equipment is made of glass ceramics or tempered glass. Most of the models on the market are glass-ceramic.
4	Installation method	Tabletop models, as a rule, do not have the ability to integrate the device into a kitchen set. Having "legs", they are installed on a table or other horizontal surface, and can be easily moved if necessary.
5	Number of burners	Most often, tabletop ovens are equipped with one or two burners. Three-burner models are an uncommon option.
6	Control	It can be electronic or mechanical. With mechanical control, the equipment is equipped with push-buttons, with electronic control - with a touch panel.
7	Safety	stoves are considered the safest among all the stoves on the market - due to the special principle of operation, the burner will not turn on until the dishes are placed on it. And due to the presence of a timer and various indicators, the induction cooker is as safe as possible.
8	How much is	At a price, devices differ depending on the functionality and the number of burner rings. Budget single-burner models cost an average of 2,000 rubles. For a more multifunctional device, you will have to pay about 3,000 rubles. The price for two-burner stoves averages 14,000 rubles.

Rating of quality desktop models for 2020

Galaxy GL3053

The cheapest electric stove with 1 burner and glass-ceramic work area. The rated power of the equipment is 2 kW. There are seven automatic programs available for the preparation of various dishes. Working temperature ranges from 80 to 270⁰C. Control - electronic, carried out using touch buttons. All available information about the operating mode is displayed, which greatly simplifies operation.

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ENDEVER IP-51

An economical version of a glass-ceramic electric stove with induction. The rated power consumption is 1.5 kW. Electronic control using touch buttons. The user has one hotplate at his disposal, which will quickly boil water or heat up a dinner, significantly saving time. The device is easy to operate and maintain, safe for both children and adults who need constant supervision.

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Kitfort KT-107

Single-burner electric kitchen tabletop oven with mechanical control. Buttons act as switches. The maximum power consumption of the device is 1.8 kW. The body is made in a laconic design using black, silver and red colors. The working surface is matte. The model has 8 power modes, perfect for home brewing and use in a home outside the city.

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RICCI JDL-C20G2

Inexpensive glass-ceramic hob with 1 burner and touch switches. It has an expensive design with no joint "seams" at all. The body is metal. The universal size of the heating zone (18 cm) allows the use of pans with both small and large bases. The rated power is 2 kW, which is enough for most tasks. 10 modes and 8 programs are available.

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REDMOND RIC-4601

Mobile electric stove with electronic control and one burner. The rated power consumption is 1.6 kW. The glass-ceramic work surface and 6 automatic programs will only give you a pleasant experience, making the cooking process much easier. If you do not need to cook large amounts of food, then this panel is ideal.

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Oursson IP1220T / RD

Electric kitchen tabletop in glass ceramic with a deep red body. It is equipped with one burner and, due to its modest dimensions, will be an excellent solution for a small kitchen and a good option for a summer residence. The power of the equipment is 2.1 kW. Electronic control will help to select the desired mode, and touch switches - to adjust the operation.

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Midea MC-IN2111

Single-burner tabletop stove, decorated in non-standard white colors. Has 8 cooking programs and 10 levels of heating power. The rated power is 2.1 kW. Equipment control is carried out using touch switches. Covering - glass ceramics. The device is equipped with several indicators - the set mode, cooking time, switching on.

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Tesler PI-23

A good glass-ceramic hob with two burners of different power levels will allow you to cook with a minimum of time and effort. The diameter of the heating zones is 17 cm, each of which is designed for a weight of up to 10 kg. Electronic control with touch buttons. There are two built-in programs available.

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Gemlux GL-IPIC3400

Combined two-burner stove. Equipped with one infrared and one induction hob. There are two heating zones - under a large and under a small container. Control - electronic, using touch switches. Eight levels of temperature regulation are available. The working area is covered with glass ceramics, and the body is made of metal. The panel has a simple, intuitive interface and is an excellent option for summer cottages. There is the possibility of embedding - the kit includes a template and a sealing tape.

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Caso S-Line 3500

This silver tabletop oven with touch controls and two heating zones will be a reliable companion in the kitchen. The working surface of the equipment is made of glass-ceramic, which is easy and simple to maintain. The maximum power consumption is 3.5 kW. The settings and controls are very clear.

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Oberhof Ein S11

Multifunctional induction cooker Oberhof Ein S11 with one burner and electronic touch control. There is a digital display on which you can see the parameters of the device. The power of the device is 2500 W. There are 10 temperature operating modes and 8 preset programs, including deep fat cooking, blowing, frying, keeping warm, stewing, boiling water and others.

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If you have experience in using induction cookers described in the rating, or a more interesting model, tell us about it in the comments.