If induction cooking wasn’t a good enough invention, you can now take it anywhere with you. That’s what a portable induction cooktop will do for you. With a device like that, you can turn any table or countertop into a stove and use it just like you would a regular-sized one. You will be able to boil, sauté, brown, and fry your food in outlet access.
Portable induction cooktops have a sleek design, so you can easily handle them and move them around. They are very easy to use and very easy to clean, plus they are safer than regular stoves since they don’t use an open flame. And even without the use of open flame, these cooktops get to the proper temperature in a super-fast way. Not only that, but they are also more precise regarding the temperature and allow a larger temperature control than standard stoves.
Another great thing about a portable induction cooktop is that it is really efficient. Because the heat source of the device is the cooking vessel itself, these kinds of cooktops save about 10% more energy than electric burners do. Plus, because they don’t use an open flame, they save up to half the energy in the gas.
But why would you need a portable induction cooktop, you might ask? This kind of gadget is perfect if you’re trying to increase the cooking surface of your kitchen, but you don’t have enough room, or the budget, to get a bigger stove. It is also great if you always have people over and are tired of cooking more than once. Plus, it works great for college dorm rooms, and you can even take it when you’re going camping or having an adventure in the wilderness. With a cooktop like that, you will be able to save space and money and get just the same efficiency as an electric burner or stove.
How does induction cooking work?
To understand what makes induction cooking different, we’ll first explain how thermal induction – used in electric and gas ranges – works. When a device uses thermal induction, they need a flame or an electric implement that generates heat to heat up the cookware that goes on top of it. Now, induction cooking, on the other hand, turns the cookware itself into the heat source by using electromagnetic induction. That way, the cooktop itself hardly heats up it is just a little warm to the touch. But how does that work? We can explain!
What happens with induction cooking is that the cooktop has copper coils that pass an electric current directly to the iron that is in the cookware. Because of that, you need to keep in mind that not all cookware will work on an induction cooktop. Iron works great because, unlike copper, it is a poor conductor of electricity. That way, all the electricity coming from the copper is released into the pan and turns into heat.
With induction burners, you can get models that offer a specific temperature setting, working from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 500 degrees. Or it can offer a power level that is numbered and works with a specific wattage that goes from 100 watts up to 1800 watts. Regardless of which model you choose, all devices are suitable to work in a 120-volt outline, which is standard in the US. However, keep in mind that plugging in more than one cooktop into the same outlet is not advised.
As we explained before, the types of cookware you can use on induction burners are limited, and that’s one of the only downsides of the device. You are going to need pots and skillets that have iron on it, which we call “ferromagnetic material”. That way, induction cooktops are compatible with stainless steel, cast iron, steel, and iron pots and skillets. It also works with pieces that have a magnetic base.
What doesn’t work is ceramic nonstick, glass, aluminum, and copper. Something to keep in mind is that there is 18/10 stainless steel cookware that may also not work. Plus, the pans need to be flat and have a diameter bigger than 4 inches otherwise they might not connect with the cooktop.
Besides that, the technology of induction burners requires you to be cautious with credit cars, pacemakers, or anything that is magnetism sensible since they can get damaged by the cooktop. Also, since it doesn’t work with an open flame, there are some recipes you won’t be able to achieve, such as blacken bell peppers or crisping a sheet of nori. Still, there is a lot of heat concentrated on your cooking surface, so you need to be extra careful not to burn your food.
What to look for in a Portable Induction Cooktop
Even though a portable induction cooktop is an amazing addition to your cooking life, there are many things to be considered when choosing which model to get. There are various different styles of induction burners to fit everyone’s personal needs. Because of that, you need to understand what you are going to use it for and where you plan on using it before purchasing one.
- Size and Weight
The first thing and maybe the most important one to consider is the size and weight. That will be defined by how you plan on storing the device and how much room you have. More than that, you need to know what you are getting an induction burner for. Are you planning on using it in your home kitchen as an additional cooking surface? Or are you getting it to use during a wilderness adventure or in a campervan? If it is the latest option, you might want to go for a smaller, lighter model that will be even easier to carry around and store, for instance.
- Efficiency
When it comes to efficiency, the most crucial feature of a portable induction cooktop is the temperature settings. Again, it depends on what you are going to use it for. If you’re cooking for your whole family, or you like to try a lot of different recipes, you are going to need a wide range of temperatures. Now, if you are a college student, or you live alone and always cook the same meals, a more basic model will work just fine.
- Safety
In the topic of safety, induction burners are naturally safer than regular stoves, mostly because it doesn’t work with an open flame. Still, make sure you check the safety system of the model you are planning to buy. If you have kids at home, there are options with child safety locks, for instance. As a whole, an overheat protection system should be a must-have on your portable induction cooktop so everyone handling it will be safe.
Another important thing regarding safety is the device’s stability. Remember to check if there are grips in the bottom of your cooktop, which will keep it from slipping and moving around. Also, make sure the shape of your induction burner will fit the countertop or surface you plan on using it on securely.
- Convenience
Convenience is also an important thing to consider when choosing which model to buy. If you are getting a portable induction cooktop, you must be expecting practicality. Make sure your device is easy to clean and easy to store, so you don’t end up with a product that will give as much trouble as a regular stove would.
The best ones on Amazon
Now that you understand what a portable induction cooktop is, how it works and what you need to consider before getting one, it’s shopping time! We gathered the best models available on Amazon, so you can choose the one that fits your personal needs the best.
Once you’ve chosen the one for you, you can purchase it through this article! All you have to do is click its link. Easy, huh?
Extremely affordable and with unmatched high quality, the DuxTop 91000MC is one of the best portable induction cooktops on the market. Only $72.99 on Amazon, this device will fit pretty much any scenario you might need it on. With a sleek design, weighing 5lbs and 2oz and with a size of 16.3 x 12.7 x 3.8 inches, you can use it from anywhere in your home, to the inside of an RV on the road.
You can also trust this device. Its safety system counts with an overheat and auto-pan protection. Along with that, there is a feature that sends an automatic message if there are any diagnosticated errors in the appliance and a warning for low and high voltage. Plus, it has a magnetic feature that ensures that your pots and pans will stay secured and in place while you are cooking, no matter where.
When it comes to efficiency, this model comes with 15 different temperature control settings, going from 140 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows you to cook all kinds of recipes. It also counts with 15 power levels that range from 200 to 1800 watts, which gives you the best cooking experience. All that can be controlled through an LCD sensor touch unit panel.
Another great thing is that the DuxTop 91000MC is extremely durable. There are users reports that say they have used this device for over four years. Plus, it comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
If you are looking for an affordable, potent and compact portable induction cooktop, the Rosewill 13001 might be the one for you. This device comes with high-performance features that work just as well as high-end models, and you can find it on Amazon for only $49.99.
As we said, it is very compact and easy to carry around. It weighs 8.2 lbs and has a dimension of 7 x 12.1 x 15.5 inches in size. The induction burner is lightweight and really easy to store. Plus, this cooktop is known for heating up quickly, allowing you to make your cooking experience the best one possible.
This model is also very versatile. The Rosewill features 8 different temperature levels, which range from 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. With that range, you will be able to cook all kinds of recipes. But keep in mind that since it is a very thin, small device, so it might not be a good idea to use large, heavy cookware on it.
You can also find this model in a pre-programmed option. Not only does it come with the same 8 temperature levels as the non-programmed one, but it also features 5 pre-programmed settings. Those include milk, soup, fry, stir-fry, and hot top. The downside of the pre-programmed version is that, even though it isn’t much heavier, weighing 8.6 lbs, it is way larger with a 14.8 x 11.7 x 2.3 inches dimension.
NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop
If you don’t mind spending more money or have a bigger budget, the NuWave Precision portable induction cooktop will change your life. The price is saltier, being $260 on Amazon, but we can assure you every penny will be worth it.
As you can see, it has a bigger surface than the standard models of induction burners. Still, the device is still compact and easy to handle. Weighing 6.9 lbs and with a 14.3 x 15.9 x 6.3 inches of dimension, you won’t need much storage room. It also has a round surface instead of a square one, like most cooktops.
This device is known for how quickly it can heat up. Imagine boiling your water in less than 3 minutes? The NuWave will do that for you. Plus, it is extremely versatile. Believe it or not, this cooktop features over 50 different temperature control settings, ranging from 100 to 575 degrees Fahrenheit. That way, you will be able to cook all kinds of recipes and not worry about not achieving the right temperature. There are also six pre-programmed settings and the device can store up to 100 hours of program memory.
As if all that wasn’t enough, the NuWave is also extremely energy-efficient and can save up to 70% more in electricity than regular electric or gas stoves. It also comes with a one-year warranty.
Something to keep in mind about this device is that the buttons are made of plastic. Because of that, they are more likely to damage, which lowers the durability of the device. In any way, with proper maintenance, you can keep this portable induction cooktop for over five years.
Extremely lightweight and compact, the iSiler portable induction cooktop is perfect for college dorm rooms and to be used on the road. Plus, it is relatively low in price. You can find it on Amazon for $69.95.
Weighing 6.56 lbs and with a dimension of 11.6 x 2.2 x 14.2 inches, it is easy to store and carry around, plus it is convenient and features a high performance. It has overheat protection, which keeps the internal temperature below 563 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, this device is very flexible, counting with 17 distinct temperature control settings, which range from 140 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit.
The iSiler comes with two pretty unique features. One of them is the child lock, for safety, and the second one is a 6-blade whirlwind silent fan that quickly cools up the device. The last one helps to ensure the durability of the induction burner.
