Can anyone school me on induction cooktops?

[TripleBlack]

House is 10 years old and the cook top is looking pretty bad. It's also electric which I despise but it's mounted in an island so gas is not an option.

Instead of a regular electric, I've been researching induction cook tops. They sound pretty slick but I was hoping all knowing VBOT would have some experience with them.

If you aren't familiar with induction cooking, it uses magnetic coils in the 'burner' instead of a resistive coil. The magnetic coils cause the pan to get hot but don't get hot themselves so the top of the stove stays cool.

Induction is supposed heat much faster than regular electrics; almost as fast as gas. I hate to put a pot of water on for pasta and have to wait 20 minutes for it to boil.

Any one have one of these?

[BuckyThreadkiller]

The one thing I know is you need inductive capable cookware - Pyrex, Corningware and copper won't work with an induction cooktop.

[Mike Mercury]

http://jewelzdancers.com/images/blog/dinner5.jpg

[ConstantChange]

It's also electric which I despise but it's mounted in an island so gas is not an option.

Slab foundation?

I've seen the induction cooktops on TV and they looked awesome. How are they on price? I assumed they would still be pretty expensive being the new "cool" thing.

[Mike Mercury]

Don't waste your money on anything other than the deluxe model.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/321198478_e5c50cf3e1.jpg

and get the surface type that also allows you to have sex.

http://media.onsugar.com/files/2010/10/40/3/192/1922441/4e17833453d387a0_86537984.xlarge.jpg

[TripleBlack]

Don't waste your money on anything other than the deluxe model.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/321198478_e5c50cf3e1.jpg


I'm betting the pot in that picture boils faster than my old Jenn Air. :yesnod:

The one thing I know is you need inductive capable cookware - Pyrex, Corningware and copper won't work with an induction cooktop.

Yeah, that adds to the cost. If a magnet won't stick to it, it won't cook.

We are methodically replacing Caphalon with All Clad anyway since the non-stick coating is flaking.

[TripleBlack]

Slab foundation?

I've seen the induction cooktops on TV and they looked awesome. How are they on price? I assumed they would still be pretty expensive being the new "cool" thing.

Yep. Slab. I have gas heat, etc. but can't do gas in a slab.

They are more expensive, but there are some that aren't too bad. Maybe 2-300 more than the same brand in a regular electric.

Like Bucky said though... you have to have the right cookware and that can get pricy.

I watched a guy boil a small pan of water in about 45 seconds with one then pulled the pan away and put his hand right on the burner. A little hot from the pan but not so much you couldn't hold you hand on it. Pretty amazing.

Interesting pic here... the egg in the pan cooks but the egg on the cooktop doesn't.
http://www.kitchencontraptions.com/pictures/500x_induction_sauter_egg.jpg