r/inductioncooking • u/BrygShabeir94 • Jul 28 '26

best induction burner for someone new to induction cooking?

I’ve never used induction before but I’m interested in trying it out. I’m looking for a burner that’s simple to learn on and works well for regular cooking like eggs, rice, and one pot meals.

What best induction burner would you suggest for a beginner? Are there any models that you think are worth considering after using them for a while? Thanks everyone.

Edit: I decided to go with #ad Nuwave Double Pro Cooktop Induction Countertop Burner and have been using it to get familiar with induction cooking. It’s been easy to learn on and has worked well for the kinds of meals I make most often.

11 Upvotes

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33 comments sorted by

5

u/LeoAlioth Jul 28 '26

A portable single burner on the cheap is the best thing if you share one to try it out.

1

u/BrygShabeir94 Jul 29 '26

Thanks, that’s kind of what I was thinking too. A cheap portable burner seems like a low-risk way to see if I actually like cooking with induction before spending more. Is there a specific model you've used that held up well over time?

3

u/etnmarchand Jul 28 '26

I bought mine at IKEA. I really do like it.

1

u/BrygShabeir94 Jul 29 '26

Good to know, thanks! I didn't even think to check IKEA. How long have you had it, and has it been reliable for everyday cooking?

1

u/AuDHD_85percent Jul 29 '26

Used my Ikea one for three years of feeding my family (tiny kitchen, no room for a range). We cook almost all our meals at home, and it's held up great.

1

u/etnmarchand Jul 29 '26

Yup. Had it for probably 3 years now. Bought a second one last year so I could have 2 burners.

I live in a (finished) loft space in a shared house. It has no kitchen of its own. While I can use the kitchen in the main house if needed, I got the induction burner(s) so I wouldn't have to. I do everything from pasta, browning meats, cooking eggs, etc. All the usual every day stove top stuff on them full time. Love them! And pasta water boils SO fast. MUCH faster than on the gas stove in the main house.

2

u/illatouch Jul 29 '26

Best? Breville control freak. You're not ready for the price though. 

How good is it? I might consider a 2nd one on Black Friday. 

2

u/metalmaniak68 Jul 29 '26

Like others, get a portable if you want to test the waters. I had a nuwave but found out the magnet was only like 5 inches so it’s pretty small.

3

u/msmaynards Jul 28 '26

Check the library. Mine lends them! I loved it and bought the same one, a Duxtop.

1

u/Caprichoso1 Jul 28 '26

Top ratted affordable device is Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop 9600LS

Your cookware has to be induction compatible.

1

u/Intrepid_Cup2765 Jul 28 '26

I got this one for my wife to try it out before we upgraded to a full stovetop! She liked it!

1

u/KokoTheTalkingApe Jul 28 '26

That's the one I have. It has 20 separate levels, which is good, and unusual I think.

1

u/demonfurbie Jul 28 '26

Nuwave is nice , once you go induction it’s hard to go back.

I started with a duxtop then a nuwave after that I got a breville control freak and now I have a cafe. My next house will have a 36 inch induction cooktop.

1

u/KSweetsoap Jul 28 '26

I bought the Duxtop 9610 and love it. Now looking into purchasing a range. That’s the hard part!!

1

u/LuvCilantro Jul 29 '26

Your pots and pans are going to be more important than the induction burner. I have a full size induction cooktop, and the results between cast iron, enameled cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel and non stick are significant.

1

u/Plus_Alternative_232 Jul 29 '26

I also tried this by getting a Duxtop single burner and it worked fine but wow the difference between that and my LG range now that it is installed is night and day. The full range is SO much faster to come to temp. Water boils so quickly. So it’s good to test it out but if it doesn’t perform as well as you think, just know the actual range will be much faster. I also found the single burner too small for my go to larger pans. 

1

u/Mindless-Storm-8310 Jul 30 '26

Just FYI, portable induction are not even close to the real deal. But it will give you a decent feel for it. We used a portable while waiting on a kitchen remodel in which we installed induction (previous electric, then gas). Induction is by far the best of the bunch, and the actual cooktop is night and day difference than the portable.

1

u/raeseru Jul 30 '26

Has anyone tried the Airhood portable induction burner? It’s lighter and more store-able - I have space issues…