Best Portable Induction Cooktop
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Induction cooktops have the effect of making your kitchen unique and efficient making them a very wise investment. As opposed to electric and gas cooktops, these cooktops use magnetic induction.
As such, the outcome is a clean and energy efficient gadget that modernizes your kitchen. This technology basically involves the transfer of magnetic energy from a coiled wire into a pot which is made of magnetically conductive material.
It is time to modernize your kitchen with one of these 6 Best Portable Induction Cooktops. We have analyzed them using the above features and are our recommendation for an average household.
6 Best Portable Induction Cooktops
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#Our Pick
Key features that make this induction cooktop a great choice:The benefits of using this induction cooktop include;
- It offers 15 power levels with 15 temperature ranges from 140 – 460 degree Fahrenheit.
- A digital control panel which is intuitive and easy to use.
- A lightweight and portable design for easy handling and storage.
- A built-in timer for up to 170 minutes for stress-free timed cooking.
- Auto pan detection which makes it highly energy efficient.
- Low and high voltage warning system.
- Precise cooking gives you perfectly cooked and nutrient-rich meals.
- The digital control panel makes it very easy to use.
- The timer allows you to cook meals at pre-specified times which not only avoids overcooking but also lets you do other activities within the house without worrying about burning food, overcooking and even accidental fires.
- This energy efficient unit ensures there is no wastage of heat once you are done cooking and with its pan detection feature which will translate to savings in the cost of electricity in your household.
- Its compact and lightweight design makes it highly portable to use and store ensuring you make maximum savings in the cost of electricity.
With a modern and elegant design, this induction cooktop will truly modernize and compliment your kitchen décor.
It is easy to use and energy efficient with some cool features that make cooking enjoyable again. It only features a single cooking element which pretty good considering this cooktop goes for a bargain.
#Budget Pick
The key features that make this induction cooktop stand out include;The benefits of using this induction cooktop include;
- A light and compact design for easy handling and storage
- A digital and intuitive control panel that is easy to use.
- A built-in timer for up to 170 minutes with 1-minute increments.
- 10 power levels with temperatures ranging from 140 – 460 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Auto pan detection with a 60-second automatic shutdown if no pan is detected.
- A diagnostic error message system.
- A high and low voltage warning system.
- It is compatible with whole-clad premium cookware including induction ready cookware.
- 10 power levels allow you to cook different foods with precise temperature control giving you perfect meals.
- Its digital control panel makes it easy to use when cooking different foods that require different heat settings.
- Auto-pan detection and automatic shutdown help prevent heat losses.
- The timer allows you to cook while attending to other activities without overcooking or burning your food.
This single element induction cooktop is an excellent way to switch from traditional cooking methods and start modernizing your kitchen.
It comes with all the cool features you can expect from an induction cooktop including a timer, 10 power levels, and pan detection. Moreover, it is energy efficient although it cannot handle huge workloads at ago.
#8 power levels
Key features that we like about this induction cooktop;The benefits you will get using this induction cooktop include;
- Pre-programmed settings for easy and convenient use; soup, warm milk, hotpot, fry, and stir fry.
- A polished crystal plate surface.
- 4-digit, LED large screen display.
- 8 power levels and temperature settings form 150 – 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 24-hour timer setting for worry-free use
- Automatic pan detection feature which ensures no wasted energy.
- ETL/FCC safety compliant.
- The pre-set menus are convenient for use with everyday foods without having to change the cooktop’s settings saving you time.
- 8 power levels and temperature settings allow for precise cooking temperatures delivering perfectly cooked and delicious meals.
- LED display allows you to monitor the cooking settings and gives you control over the cooking process.
- The timer and automatic shutdown allow for flexible cooking while ensuring your electricity bill is minimized as low as possible.
This single element induction cooktop is an ideal choice if you don’t have a lot of workload in your kitchen.
It is compact, lightweight and easy to handle and store making it versatile for use anywhere anytime. Furthermore, it has all these cool features that not only modernize your kitchen but also make life in your kitchen much easier and more convenient.
#child safety locks
The key features that make this induction cooktop among our best choices include;The benefits of using this induction cooktop include;
- A lightweight and compact design that makes it easy to handle and store.
- With 1800W power rating, this induction cooktop provides faster energy transfer to cook your favorite meals in minutes as opposed to traditional cooking methods.
- Child safety locks prevent children from unknowingly turning this induction cooktop on and therefore making it safe to use at home with kids.
- Auto pan detection and shutdown makes it highly energy efficient, the variable cooling system also ensures the cooktop does not overheat.
- 9 Power levels with 10 temperature levels allow you to cook with precise temperatures guaranteeing perfectly cooked meals.
- A built-in timer that allows you to set the cooking time from 5 mins to 3 hours frees you up from monitoring this cooktop all the time.
- You can use it anywhere; kitchen, dorm room, RV to cook your favorite meals since it is lightweight and compact.
- It’s cool features such as a timer, auto shutdown and child lock make it safe to use even with kids around the house. Moreover, its surface remains cool to touch which can help prevent accidental scalding.
- The different power levels and temperature ranges allow for precise cooking temperature control and therefore perfectly cooked and nutritious meals.
This induction cooktop will make an excellent addition to your kitchen. You will not only be making savings on your energy costs but also will enjoy perfectly cooked and great tasting food.
This cooktop has all the cool features with an emphasis on safety for everyone.
#lightweight
The features that make this induction cooktop among our top recommendation include;The benefits of using this induction cooktop include;
- A ceramic glass stove top that is scratch resistant. It is also resistant to heat and shattering and is simple and easy to clean.
- Automatic pan detection that shuts the unit down when you remove a pot saving you on energy costs.
- 2 cooking elements make it a convenient choice especially if you can multitask to finish your cooking in minutes.
- A lightweight and compact design makes it highly portable and ideal for use in a number of occasions.
- Since it is lightweight, you can use it anywhere to cook your meals just the way you like them.
- The two cooking elements allow cooking more than one food at ago saving you time in the kitchen.
- Auto shutdown and pan detection features make this induction cooktop energy efficient that will see you realize savings in your cost of electricity.
- This induction cooktop also looks very spectacular and is sure to compliment your kitchen décor and modernize the look of your kitchen.
This cooktop is an ideal choice if you have a higher workload in your kitchen. You can be able to make more than two meals at a time which will save you a lot of time.
It also comes with the cool features of any induction cooktop such as a cool to touch top surface, easy to clean surface, auto pan detection and it is also energy efficient. What you may miss with this cooktop are the pre-set menus and a built-in timer but its other features make up for this shortcoming.
#energy efficient
The features that make this induction cooktop one if our best sellers include;The benefits if using this induction cooktop include;
- With magnetic technology, this cooktop heats up cookware faster than traditional cooking methods and is 70% energy efficient.
- Auto pan detection feature that shuts down the unit when it detects the cookware has been removed.
- A child lock feature ensures safe and adult only uses with this unit.
- LED display with digital button controls makes it easier to use this unit.
- A timer that can be set for up to 3 hours allowing you to cook your meals perfectly and more efficiently.
- 8 Power levels with 8 temperature controls allow for more precise cooking with controlled temperatures.
- A non-stick glass surface that cools instantly and is easy and quick to wash.
- Since this unit uses 70% less energy than traditional methods, this is a saving you can expect to see in your electric bill.
- This unit cooks much faster and with more precise temperatures adding convenience to your kitchen.
- It also helps modernize the look of your kitchen and compliments other kitchen décor.
- It has some top-notch safety features making it ideal to use without any worries.
Convenience! Safety! Energy Efficiency! This unit has all that. Its great features make cooking more enjoyable and faster than ever before.
Moreover, this clean cooking method means you get to deal with very minimal cleaning as opposed to when using the traditional cooking methods.
Buying Guide - What makes the best portable induction cooktop ?
Theses are the factors to look for in an induction cooktop and the benefits it can bring to your kitchen.
This technology has been there for several years however its popularity has grown over the last couple of years. The reason for this has been the drop in prices of the induction cooktops attracting a lot of people and even professional cooks to switch to this clean and efficient gadget.
As we have discussed above, an induction cooktop heats the cooking pam directly using the magnetic induction principle. The heat, therefore, gets conducted directly to the cooking pan making this technology faster and energy-efficient when compared to the traditional cooking methods.
The top of the stove which in most cases is ceramic glass stays cool and therefore there is no wasted energy in form of lost heat. Additionally, there are no flames or direct heat meaning that the cooking pot will always be free of any kind of dust and dirt including carbon.
Furthermore, with an induction cooker, you can be able to generate a lot of heat in a short time which also has the capacity of being increased continuously. You can therefore cook and boil your foods much faster and also simmer the cooking temperatures more precisely than you would with the traditional cooking methods.
In summary, induction cooktops offer a clean, fast and highly efficient cooking experience which makes this technology for anybody who wants to modernize his/her kitchen. Currently, there are a lot of manufacturers selling induction cooktops many of which offer a number of cool features.
It is therefore important to know what you will be looking for and what features are pocket-friendly for you.
Element power rate
Most induction cooktops have a power rating of between 1000 – 1800W; 120VAC/240VAC. When the power rating is higher, that means you can cook much faster. However, highly rated cooktops are more expensive and consume more electricity. You may, therefore, need to make a tradeoff between your cooking speed and the cost of electricity when you are selecting an induction cooktop based on its power rating.
Power levels
Certain foods may require to be cooked under controlled temperatures to be cooked precisely. Most induction cooktops come with power levels that allow you to choose the amount of heat you need to cook a particular food.
An induction cooktop with many power levels allows for more precise and controlled cooking to give the best results. This is also a feature you may need to consider if your cooking needs require precise temperature controls.
Cooking timer
Sometimes you may need to cook or boil something for a specified period of time. If that is the case, then you will need to choose an induction cooktop with a timer feature. These cooktops automatically shut down when the time you set to cook is exhausted.
This is a very useful feature especially if you are a busy person and helps prevent burning or overcooking food as well as accidental fires.
Control panel
The control panel allows you to control the cooking settings. An induction cooktop can come with either a button panel or a touch panel. While both panels are simple and intuitive, cooktops with a touch panel are more sophisticated and expensive when compared to button panel controls.
Pre-set cooking menus
Just for like you microwave oven most new cooking gadgets, a preset menu is for certain foods and defines how long and the amount of heat required for cooking the food. The most common pre-set menu you will find in induction cooktops includes; grill, stir, fry, boil, and milk among others.
These menus make your life easier as you don't have to adjust the settings on your cooktop every time you use the menus, all you need is a press of a button and you can enjoy your meal just as you like it every day. Additionally, you don't have to worry when using the pre-set menu as most cooktops come with LED/LCD indicators and a child lock feature for seamless operation.
Portability
This is a choice you will need to make depending on the size of your kitchen and personal preference. There are portable and fixed cooktop options but the portable induction cooktops offer much flexibility making them a top choice for most people switching to induction cooktops.
Temperature control
Temperature control helps you cook your foods to perfection and avoids overcooking or burning. Every type of food usually has its ideal cooking temperature to prevent loss of taste and nutrients.
Temperature adjustable cooktops are therefore an ideal choice if you need to get the best from your cooking. The induction cooktops with adjustable temperature control allow you to adjust the cooking temperatures from 140 – 430 degrees Fahrenheit.
Auto-pan Detection
The automatic pan detection feature is an important aspect especially when it comes to energy efficiency. As soon as the cookware is removed from the cooktop, heating is turned off which prevents energy wastage.
Pot Compatibility
This is also a very important consideration if you are switching to an induction cooktop for the first time. Most induction cooktops are compatible with cookware such as cast iron, stainless steel and those with a magnetic bottom. Pot compatibility with your cooktop ensures maximum efficiency when you are cooking and you are therefore not likely to waste any energy due to poor magnetic conductivity.
Pan Size
Each induction cooktop has a maximum and minimum pan size it can support. If you are using a pot smaller than the minimum supported size, the induction cooktop can’t detect the pan and therefore will not turn on the coil to heat the pot
As a matter of fact, choose a cooktop whose coil's diameter matches with your pan size for maximum efficiency. While large coil diameters offer faster heating, it may come at a cost of losing portability.
Number of Elements
This is the pan capacity your induction cooktop can support at ago. Ideally, this is decided depending on your cooking needs and the number of people you cook for in your household.
There a number of pan capacities you can choose from depending on your workload but most induction cooktops will have anywhere between 1 – 5 pan capacity.
