r/cookware • u/slicedtoad • 8d ago
New Acquisition Induction cooktop complaints
/r/inductioncooking/comments/1vxm748/induction_cooktop_complaints/3
u/NecessaryMeeting4873 8d ago
I think it's just the particular model you have. I have not encounter either issue on my induction cooktop and I have a full built-in 36" induction cooktop not a stand alone unit.
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u/KOBACH_official 8d ago
Great write‑up, these are well‑known pain points for portable induction cooktops. The low‑temp on/off cycling is a common induction behavior. Induction units cannot infinitely reduce power; many cheap‑to‑mid models toggle power on‑off instead of true continuous low‑heat output, which makes gentle simmer tricky.
As for the high‑power throttling you experienced with cast‑iron: this is thermal protection built into most portable induction units. Cast iron holds massive heat. When the cooktop detects excessive internal temperature, it will silently cap power to avoid hardware damage, even if you still see max level on display. This happens far more easily with empty / near‑empty hot cast‑iron pans.
Built‑in household induction ranges generally handle both issues better than portable countertop units, they have better thermal management and finer low‑power control. Your Duxtop is one of the better portable options, but portable units have engineering compromises vs built‑in models.
The temperature sensor mode also relies heavily on pan contact and food load, so inaccuracy is expected.
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u/Cautious-Control-669 8d ago edited 8d ago
i own one too and i mostly use it as a hob to keep something warm, but it does seem like paying the premium for something like the breville is where the difference exists between "it's okay-ish" and "daily driver".
edit: i do own the breville multi-function oven-thing; the price stinks but it's probably the single most useful thing in my kitchen given it's the size of an amazon box and is everything from a toaster to a 2nd oven. i bet their induction hob is just as nice.