I tested IKEA's portable induction cooktop — and it's a game changer for small spaces

If you thought induction cooking was out of your price range, think again.

Often priced above the cost of the best gas and electric ranges, induction cooking is never seen as a cheap option. What’s more, there’s also the decision of whether you want to swap to a completely new way of cooking, as there are a few things you need to know before you buy an induction cooktop, with the main distinction being the difference in how heat is transferred.

I have the perfect solution: Try before you buy. A portable induction cooktop offers the opportunity to test induction cooking before investing in a full-blown version, or it could simply be a handy way to cook in a tight space or if you want a portable cooktop to take on a camping trip. It won’t provide the excitement of cooking over a campfire, but it will boil a pan of water in a flash.

And I have the perfect product to put before you. IKEA's Tillreda induction cooktop is a real budget find, offering you the chance to try out induction cooking before you rip out your old cooktop and swap to induction for good.

IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Price and availability

Unlike some portable induction cooktops, you can only buy the IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop direct from IKEA — no surprises there. You can pick it up at IKEA in the U.S. for $59 and £45 in the U.K. I think it’s an exceptionally good price. Plus, in the U.K., you can also buy a version with two cooking zones, which is available for $80 at Ikea.

The induction cooktop sits with other kitchen appliances in the Tillreda range, including a microwave and refrigerator.

IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Design

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The Tilreda induction cooktop is neatly packaged. It comes in one piece with the plug attached. Once you remove it from its box, you can simply plug it in and go. There’s nothing to add, fix or charge.

It takes on a neat cube shape, with a black cooktop and a white base. There’s nothing exceptional about the design, just as there’s nothing unpleasant or garish. I also like its cubesque shape, which makes the Tillreda feel compact and easy to store without any awkward curves. And if space is super tight, it even features a hanging hook that pops out of the back of the cooktop.

The air inlets and outlets for the fan are located on the right side and at the rear of the cooktop. You’ll find silicone pads on its base to keep it stable on your countertop.

On the top, you’ll find a very reflective surface with markings indicating where to place your pan, and the cooking display is at the front.

It’s a good bit different to Smeg’s portable induction cooktop, which is currently available in the U.K. (We’ll let you know once it’s released in the U.S.). Smeg’s version takes on a more curvaceous form and is significantly deeper, although it still maintains a sleek profile.

IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Ease of use

Before I mention how easy it is to use the cooktop, I need to say about pans. Induction cooking transfers heat through an electric current. That means your pans need to be magnetic. So, if your pans don’t contain a sufficient amount of iron, you won’t be able to get started. It’s one of the 5 things you’ll need to know before buying an induction cooktop.

I tend to use my cast iron Dutch oven when I’m cooking hearty meals on an induction cooktop, but you can also use stainless steel pans. Simply test your pans with a magnet to check.

The induction cooktop will also let you know if your pans aren't suitable. It's clever like that. An 'U' icon will appear on the display to indicate the pan is unsuitable or not correctly positioned.

Other than that, there’s not much else you need to do apart from removing the cooktop from its packaging, giving it a check wipe down, and plugging it in.

Although I love getting stuck in, it’s best to check through the instruction manual before using it for the first time. But it’s all very intuitive to use.

To get started, hold down the ‘padlock’ icon on the touchpad to unlock the cooktop, then press the on/off button. You can now select the level of heat you require by using the ‘-’ and ‘+’ keys.

That’s it, you’re cooking!

What about the competition?
Smeg’s portable induction cooktop is also easy to use, but it has extra functionality, which means it may take a little longer to get accustomed to. It includes a power boost, a temperature probe, and cooking modes, including Keep Warm, Barbeque, and Fry. You might now be thinking you’re looking at the wrong product, but you do pay more for these extra features — it’s all comes down to what you want or need.

IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Performance

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What’s so impressive about induction cooking is the quick response time. As soon as you alter the power level, it’s done. If you’ve got a pan boiling over, and you turn down the heat, the response is immediate.

I also love how easy it is to set a gentle heat, whereas with my regular gas hob, I find it hard to get the right balance. IKEA’s induction cooktop didn’t disappoint, and when I cooked a casserole, I set the power to level 3 for a gentle simmer.

However, one of my first tests was timing how long it took to boil one liter of water. I placed the water in my Dutch oven, popped on the lid and waited for the boil. It took 4 minutes and 5 seconds when placed on level 9. This is a whole minute longer than when using the Power Boost setting on Smeg’s portable induction cooktop, but I won’t be losing any sleep over it.

I cooked numerous dishes on the induction cooktop and even used it to melt chocolate, as induction heat allows you to melt the delicacy without the fuss of using a bain-marie. Using power level 3, I was able to gently melt milk chocolate, although I’d warn you not to take your eyes off it, as it’s gentle yet fast.

There’s not much you can’t cook on an induction cooktop. From sausages, to sauces and casseroles, I found the heat was steady on the cooktop, and just as impressive as the Smeg version, without the added features.

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I also tried cooking scrambled eggs, one of my favorite breakfasts, and was eager to watch how they cooked to check the heat distribution. I was impressed with the even heat distribution, and the eggs tasted delicious with some hot, crunchy toast.

You’ll need to experiment with the power levels to find what works best, but for scrambled eggs or an omelet, I recommend a power level of 4 or lower.

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As a one-pot fan, I wasn’t put off by having just one cooking zone to work with. Although, as mentioned above, you can buy a two-zone cooktop in the U.K. I tend to throw everything in and see, and using the induction cooktop, combined with my cast-iron pot, worked a treat.

Noise alert
It’s not the quietest cooktop. I tested the volume using a sound meter, and on average, it measured 63dB, with the highest reading reaching 87dB. But, here, you’ve got to look at the price. Would you expect a silent induction cooktop that costs $59?

Safety features
Apart from the child lock I’ve mentioned above, the induction cooktop has a couple of other safety features. After turning on the power, if the power levels are not selected within 30 seconds, the unit automatically switches off.

Plus, if you don’t switch a cooking zone off after two hours, or change the power level, or it overheats, for instance, a pan boils dry, it will also turn off.

IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Cleaning

On the cleaning front, the induction cooktop scores an undeniable 10/10. There are no awkward nooks and crannies to clean around or any grates to wash up. It’s a real-time saver.

Plus, due to the responsive control, there’s less likelihood of food boiling over and causing a mess. The most I had to clear up was sprays of fat, and even in this instance, a damp cloth was all that was needed to wipe away the mess.

Having gotten used to using the induction cooktop, as soon as I returned to using my gas cooktop, I cursed every time I cleaned it.

IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Verdict

There’s no denying that IKEA’s Tillreda induction cooktop offers basic functionality, but it gives an excellent performance for the price. I can envision it being used by students and those with small cooking spaces, or where an extra cooking zone is needed when entertaining crowds. It also offers you the perfect chance to dip your toe into the world of induction cooking and experience what all the fuss is about without splashing out.

More from Tom's Guide

• I've discovered the best thing about induction cooking — and you've got to try this yourself
• Why can't you use aluminum pans on an induction cooktop?
• I used an induction cooktop for the first time — here are 3 things I discovered