I love my gas range but this portable induction cooktop might have converted me — here's 5 reasons why
Bringing versatility into the kitchen
We all have our preferred way of cooking, whether you prefer to use a gas range, one of the best electric ranges, or a combination of both. My first choice is to use a gas cooktop because of its versatility and speed of response over an electric stove. However, since testing Smeg’s newly launched portable induction cooktop, I’m being converted.
It also got me thinking about using a portable appliance. Most of us own small appliances, from air fryers to coffee makers, which we can move on our countertops or store in a cupboard when not in use. So why not take the same approach to our cooktops?
I had the chance to test Smeg's portable induction cooktop for 2 weeks, which launched in the UK this month and is coming to the US later this year. And despite being a devoted gas cooktop user, here are 5 reasons why I now think choosing a portable induction cooktop is worth it.
1. It's super compact
We’re not all fortunate enough to have a large kitchen that looks straight out of a show home. In fact, many of us have limited space and are constantly battling with what small appliances stay out on the countertop to then give us enough space for food prep.
That’s where a portable induction cooktop comes in handy. It could be a good space-saving solution if you have a bijoux kitchen and don’t have too many hungry mouths to feed. It’s very similar to the benefits of the best toaster ovens, which also take up much less space than a large appliance.
Plus, induction cooking is extra-sensitive and one of the smartest ways to control the timings and temperature of your cooking more precisely.
2. It can go anywhere
You can move a portable induction cooktop around your kitchen to suit where you want to cook, just as long as the power cable reaches a socket. It’s not limited to being stuck in your kitchen — its lightweight quality and slim profile allow it to be picked up and carried easily. Compared to moving a coffee maker or bread machine, it’s far less cumbersome.
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Are you going camping, or on a road trip? Take it with you. A portable induction cooktop is the perfect cooking appliance to pack when you’re going on a road trip and will allow you to enjoy nutritious food while you’re away from home.
So, rather than installing a stove in your RV, which might not get used throughout the year, a portable induction cooktop will give you more flexibility, as it’s not restricted to being used in one place.
3. The benefits of induction cooking without the price tag
Once you convert to induction cooking, it can be difficult to go back. However, making that swap can be pricey. Some induction cooktops cost many hundreds of dollars, and there's also the cost of removing your existing cooktop to install a new one.
Opting for a portable cooktop will allow you to try induction cooking before replacing your gas or electric cooktop. If you’re unsure about trying something new, it could give you the reassurance you need.
4. It offers extra cooking capabilities
If you enjoy hosting dinner parties and cooking delicious feasts, you’ll know that serving several elaborate courses can be an exercise in juggling pans on your cooktop. Having the extra cooking capacity that a portable cooktop can give, might be a solution to restore your hosting nerves. It can also be a solution when you opt for a single vs a double oven and can do with the extra space.
And if your worktop space is limited and you’d prefer not to opt for a large range, such as the Cafe’s premium gas range with six burners, it could give you the extra capacity you need, when you need it.
5. It keeps your kitchen cool
Induction cooking is more environmentally friendly than gas, produces less heat and reduces cooking time. So, rather than cooking in a hot and steamy kitchen in the height of summer, switching to a portable induction cooktop could keep your kitchen cooler.
By only heating the area in contact with your pot, it will only produce the amount of heat you actually need to cook your meal, and won't heat the area to the side of your pan. Although it only has one pot ring, this won’t be such an issue during the summer months as we all tend to reduce the amount of hot food we eat.
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Camilla Sharman has worked in publishing and marketing for over 30 years and has covered a wide range of sectors within the business and consumer industries both as a feature, content, and freelance writer.
As a business journalist, Camilla has researched articles for many different sectors from the jewellery industry to finance and tech, charities, and the arts. Whatever she’s covered, she enjoys delving deep and learning the ins and out of different topics, then conveying her research within engaging content that informs the reader. In her spare time, when she’s not in her kitchen experimenting with a new recipe, you’ll find her keeping fit at the gym. In the pool, stretching at a yoga class, or on a spin bike, exercise is her escape time. She also loves the great outdoors and if she’s not pottering about in her garden, she’ll be jumping on her bike for a gentle cycle ride.
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John Fox Your experience is far different from ours. During a kitchen remodel, we cooked using a well recommended induction cooktop and a cheap microwave oven. We got it to help decide between gas and induction, and it convinced us to buy a gas range. Half of our pans wouldn't work. Our iron skillet starting sticking for the first time in a decade or more and took forever to come up to temp. We later learned that it was because most induction burners and cooktops have 9 inch burners, and in order to get 12 inch burner induction cooktop we have to spend thousands of dollars more than a gas cooktop. Plus we would have to rewire the outlet because they require higher amperage service. It was cheaper to install a propane tank than do the electrical work.Reply
We stuck with gas and have loved it. We thought we'd use the burner for parties and stuff but it just gathers dust. We did splurge and bought a gas cooktop with a forced air wok burner, something you can't get on an induction stove.
The other advantage fanatics used to describe induction is they boil water faster, which is about the lamest reason ever. We know how to plan our cooking and boil times have never been an issue.
Plus we bought an inexpensive electric kettle to boil water for things like sweet tea. Overall, we saved thousands over buying an induction and couldn't be happier. -
Wolfshadw I've been using a portable induction cooktop for several years now. It does everything I need it to do EXCEPT cook two dishes at the same time.Reply
-Wolf sends -
hcubed I just looked it up to see how much one would cost and true to Smeg pricing, the cost for a one burner induction burner is as outrageous as expected. I do realize that Smeg is considered a high end brand but c'mon, who spends that on one burner, seriously?Reply -
Fox Tread3
July 24, 2024 - I hope that it is okay to mention brand names here. I have a wonderful duxtop multi-plate Induction appliance, and have used it for about a year. I'm extremely happy with it. It was under $300.00, had a number of convenient controls, and I think attractive design. The model in question is larger and two of them could take up the burner surface of a four burner electric or gas stove. However, it is light enough to be stored away in a reasonable sized cabinet if necessary. I suggest that you do an search online for the company and its inventory. Good luck and stay well.Wolfshadw said:I've been using a portable induction cooktop for several years now. It does everything I need it to do EXCEPT cook two dishes at the same time.
-Wolf sends -
Fox Tread3
July 24, 2024 - I hope that it is okay to mention brand names here. I have a wonderful duxtop multi-plate Induction appliance, and have used it for about a year. I'm extremely happy with it. It was under $300.00, had a number of convenient controls, and I think attractive design. The model in question is larger and two of them could take up the burner surface of a four burner electric or gas stove. However, it is light enough to be stored away in a reasonable sized cabinet if necessary. I suggest that you do an search online for the company and its inventory. Good luck and stay well.hcubed said:I just looked it up to see how much one would cost and true to Smeg pricing, the cost for a one burner induction burner is as outrageous as expected. I do realize that Smeg is considered a high end brand but c'mon, who spends that on one burner, seriously? -
Woofy98102 What I don't see mentioned by the reviewer is that the induction cooktop they used is a European market 220v model which is in no way comparable to an American market 110 volt model. The performance of the European model will literally trounce the lower voltage American model, no matter what Smeg will say otherwise. It's simply impossible to get comparable performance unless Smeg can magically break the laws of physics.Reply
I literally installed a Gaggenau built in deep fryer that runs on 240 volts because 120 volt countertop deep fryers are garbage compared to the 240 volt commercial fryers used in every American restaurant kitchen. Instead of greasy and gummy results my Waring Pro countertop model was getting due to design limitations that are absolutely no fault of Waring's, the 240 volt Gaggenau easily maintains temperature even when using frozen prepared food. It also has a robust drain valve in the bottom making oil changes a breeze. Gallon in, and to change, sumply put the drain hose into the empty oil container, open the valve, fill the container and then take the used oil to the local solid waste transfer station and recycle it FOR FREE.