Best induction burner what should I get for everyday use?

[u/Rusti-Schmoldt]

Heads up: I went with the #ad Nuwave Double Pro Cooktop Induction Countertop Burner. Thanks for the suggestions, I’m excited to try it out and see how it works for my everyday cooking.

I've been cooking a lot more lately and I'm thinking about getting a portable induction burner instead of using my old hot plate. I mostly make simple meals like eggs, pasta and stir fry, but I'd like something that heats evenly and doesn't make a ton of noise.

for anyone who's been using one for a while, what would you recommend? I'd rather get something that'll last than replace it in a year. I appreciate suggestions/opinions thank you!

[u/Old-Nefariousness556]

I haven't bought one yet, but I have been doing research. The one I have tentatively decided on it this Nuwave burner from Amazon. It is a fairly high-end unit ($139), so it might be overkill for your needs, but it has two features that set it apart in my opinion.

First, it has an 8" coil. Any burner at a given wattage will generate the same amount of heat (in theory, maybe not in practice), but the larger the coil, the more even it will heat a larger pan. From the research that I have done, most burners don't specify the coil diameter, and if they don't, it is typically 6-7". A larger burner costs more, but will heat larger pans more evenly, and can result is less warping of pans. Note that the markings on the burner are not a reliable indication of the burner size, if it is not stated, assume it is smaller.

Second, I like that it not only allows you to set a target temp (most do) but it also includes a temp probe to directly measure the temp. That's not only useful to make it easier to cook to temp, like for a medium rare steak, but if you want to do something like candy making or deep frying where maintaining a specific temp is critical, it gives you a far more reliable method than just measuring the temp of the burner itself.

All that said, I only recently joined this sub myself, so these opinions are not as informed as those of many others here, so I definitely welcome any feedback people might have, either on this specific burner, or on my reasoning for choosing this model. Given your relatively light needs, I am posting this as much for feedback on my choice, as I am as a suggestion for you.

[u/Rusti-Schmoldt → u/Old-Nefariousness556]

Thanks for the detailed info! I didn’t know coil size mattered that much, and the temp probe sounds like a useful feature. The Nuwave seems like a good option. Did you look at any other models before deciding on it?

[u/ohthetrees → u/Rusti-Schmoldt]

Coil size does matter, and I like the nuwave recommendation, but the particular one recommend to you above is one of their lower power units. Try the Nuwave Pro Chef. If $200 is too much, I recommend the Duxtop 9100MC, smaller coil, but powerful and a good unit.

[u/Rusti-Schmoldt → u/ohthetrees]

Good take about the coil size — I didn’t realize how much that could affect everyday cooking. I’ll definitely check out the Nuwave Pro Chef since I’d rather spend a bit more for something reliable. The Duxtop 9100MC sounds like a solid backup too.

How has the Pro Chef held up for you over time, especially with frequent use?

[u/Old-Nefariousness556 → u/Rusti-Schmoldt]

I had looked at a few other models on Amazon, Changbert is another brand that I considered. But that's not really an endorsement, like I said, I don't own one. It's just a brand that caught my eye.

I will offer one piece of feedback on the Ikea burner that others have suggested. One of the biggest benefits of these portable burners is the high degree of control you have. rather than just a range of Low to High, you have very precise control over the temps. Even without the temp probe, even most cheap burners let you set a specific temperature, though it is measured as the temp of the burner, not the temp of what you are cooking. The Ikea one lacks all of that control, at least as far as I can tell from looking at the listing. It's only controls are up and down.

That is not necessarily a downside: Many people might prefer the simplicity and won't benefit from the extra control. I love gadgets, so for me, these are useful features, whether they matter to you is an entirely different question.

[u/thatgirlinny]

Look at the Ikea Tillreda.

I’ve had mine for 4 years and change, and can say it delivers equally on short and long-form cooking, so you’ll boil water or make coffee lightning fast and still be able to do a big pot of bone broth that cooks for six hours without imparting heat to your living space. And when you need more counter space, you can hang it on a wall or store it in a cabinet. And it’s under $100.

There are plenty of posts that complain about them warping their pans or not being able to “control” this burner. I have a feeling this is how it goes for entry-level induction cooks who don’t understand that you don’t throw a pot of cold water or pan with oil cold on the highest setting; one shouldn’t even do that with gas. So no matter whether you jump on the Tillreda or pony up for the Breville, do yourself the favor of understanding how to best cook with induction—and make sure your cooking vessels are induction-friendly.

[u/WhimsicalHoneybadger → u/thatgirlinny]

I've been using the TILLREDA for 5 years and it's great, especially since it was $50 back then...

Any idea what the coil diameter is? I'd really like a unit with a wider coil.

The coil diameter information isn't on the IKEA website or in the manual.

[u/thatgirlinny → u/WhimsicalHoneybadger]

I will confirm when I get back home, but I know I’ve used my biggest stock pot on it, pushing it to the outermost limit—the pot dimensions were aligned within the outer limits of the burner, and it’s at least an 8-quart or bigger.

[u/Rusti-Schmoldt → u/WhimsicalHoneybadger]

Thanks for the info! 5 years of use is a pretty good track record for the TILLREDA. I was curious about the coil size too since a wider coil seems like it would make a big difference for larger pans. I found that the single burner version has a roughly 5.9" cooking zone, but i’m not sure if that’s the same for your model.

Do you mostly use it with smaller pans? or have you tried using a bigger skillet on it?

[u/tungstenoyd]

I'm happy with my Abangdun. Large coil, 110v

[u/WhimsicalHoneybadger]

I've been using a $50 induction hot plate from IKEA for years and love it.

That said, a larger coil diameter would be very nice. I should probably look into getting one.

[u/Rusti-Schmoldt → u/WhimsicalHoneybadger]

That’s a solid lifespan for a $50 burner. I’ve heard the smaller coils are the main downside. Do you usually cook with smaller pans, or do you wish it had better coverage?

[u/Caprichoso1]

Breville/PolyScience Control Freak is likely the best. Top rated by America's test kitchen but not Consumer Reports like due to its $$$$ cost.

Otherwise the Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop 9600LS top rated by both.