Induction is the best type of cooking available today. Induction has been around in the 1980s, but only since the 1990s in the US. The first induction cooktops were $4,000. Today, you can buy a whole induction range with convection and warming drawer for under $1800. In fact, you can buy kitchen packages for less than $4,000.
What is Induction?
Induction is magnetic heat. The magnet excites the molecules in a metal pan which creates heat. We cover the process in detail in our Induction Cooking Buyers Guide. The process is more efficient at 90% than gas at 60% and regular electric at 55%.
Induction creates less heat so it can be downdrafted and does not require a professional high CFM blower like professional gas ranges. It is faster to boil and has an instant simmer. It is also the most child safe as the magnet heats the pan directly rather than the glass cooktop itself.
Best Induction Cooking Kitchen Packages
2 Pieces - Induction Range and Over-the-Range Microwave
KitchenAid - $1,999 & Electrolux - $2,199
Electrolux and KitchenAid are the newest and possibly best induction ranges in the market. They both have convection (fan forced heat for more even heat for better baking), warming drawers (keep food warm for up to 3 hours) and all induction burners.
The ranges are comparable with Electrolux having the more powerful burner, yet KitchenAid has more powerful other elements. I like the Electrolux combo, because the microwave is convection as well. It can be used as a second oven.
Both good choices. I like the microwave and stove together for a coordinated look.
Whole Kitchen Induction Packages
KitchenAid - $4,199 & Frigidaire - $3,199
KitchenAid and Frigidaire are really two different packages. Frigidaire Gallery is more affordable and geared mostly to a first time buyer or empty nester. It features a 18 cubic foot refrigerator, digital dishwasher and over-the-range microwave. The range is really decent with a 3,800 watt element as well as convection and warming drawer.
KitchenAid has a shallow depth refrigerator and is a French door. The dishwasher is stainless inside as well as in appearance. The range and microwave are the same as above. This is a coordinated, upscale looking kitchen.
Built-In Induction Packages
Thermador - $5,999 & Jenn-Air - $5,999
Thermador and Jenn-Air are becoming more competitive, especially in built-ins. Jenn-Air has a very intuitive wall oven with their famed Culinary Center. It is preprogrammed to most every recipe including doneness control. I also like the Jenn-Air induction cooktop with the bridge elements to acommodate odd shaped dishes.
Thermador has a really great induction cooktop with the super, triple ringed element in the middle at a whopping 4,600 watts. Thermador is the most reliable of the upscale brands other than Miele. Their dishwasher is actually a Bosch.
Professional Induction Packages
There really is no such product as a professional induction. It's really only the look. Viking is currently the only company with that professional look in an induction range. Oddly enough, the other products are manufactured by other companies. The refrigerator is a Whirlpool, dishwasher is a Blomberg and the microwave is a Sharp, all with the Viking styling and logo.
Related Articles
Additional Resources
Download the Yale Induction Cooking Buyers Guide with features, specs and wattages of every induction cooking product. Well over 40,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
