Hearthware - Induction Cooktop Kit Reviews

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List Price: $99.99
Sale Price: $98.95
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I was familiar with the advantages of induction cooking, but couldn't afford a new range. My wife and I bought the 2 for 1 set, with the two pans, pot, and fondue kit, but I also added one 10 piece cookware set. I assumed the cooktop would work nicely, and looked forward to having more precise control to cook with.

I expected the cookware to be adequate, but nothing special. When I got the two sets, plus extra pot set, I was pleasantly surprised. On first inspection, the cookware looked very well made. Heavy from the ferrous core, but thin and light where it needs to be. The glass lids are very nice, and better quality than the Calphalon lids that came with my old Anodized cookware. Those had gobs of rubber under the distorted rivets, and uneven rims. The NuWave lids are much more refined and precise. I like that they are vented, too.

After cooking with this set for months now, I am very impressed. No sticking issues whatsoever, and without the toxins that are in normal non-stick coatings. In fact, I think the ceramic works better than most other coatings. The handles are really nice, and other than some slight discoloring from gas use, the polished outsides still look great. No complaints.

The cooktop works, although the small element seems to take longer to heat the larger pots and pans. I tested boiling water, and found no real speed advantage, but I know I used a lot less energy to do so. While the gas stove poured huge amounts of excess heat up around the sides of the pot, the NuWave only heated the pot itself. Even then the edge of the glass top remained cool enough to touch. (I don't recommend that, though, just in case). After my wife tried to make rosettes on the stove, and failed, I suggested the NuWave. She was able to make perfect rosettes then with the precise temperature control, and never discolored or burned the oil.

Nice cooktop, than can be used almost anywhere there is a plug, and very nice cookware.

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I bought this cooktop for three reasons. 1: to be able to accurately control cooling temps for long slow cooking at around 205 F. 2: to be able to control temps for deep frying in minimal oil. 3: to be able to stage the cooking times at different temperatures, like cooking grains and beans by starting at a boil and reduce and simmer automatically.

Actually all three of these functions work reasonably well with a little trial and error and calibration. But four problems

1. Noisy, cooling fan is as loud or louder as a hair dryer on low.

2. The pot must be solid steel or iron to conduct. Even well made stainless steel with aluminum cores will not work, steel not thick enough.

3. Limited power transfer. Tried using a 3/16ths thick cast iron comal as a plate to place the stainless on. Heat transfer very slow. Tried cooking with a cast iron skillet, took nearly ten minutes to reach egg frying temps. Tried cooking in a low carbon steel flat bottomed wok. Not as effecient as direct gas flame.

4. The above three pieces of cookware were the only ones that I have that would work at all on the cooktop. So short of buying a complete new set of cookware, I would not be using it. If the thing were not so noisy, I would consider buying a solid steel stock pot to cook long cooking time items. That seems to be the best use for this.

I know Heartware sells the cookware for this, but from what I can tell it is all non-stick coated. After having wasted money on all the Circulon and similiar "coated" cookware, I will never buy anything other than cast iron (non-stick forever), low carbon woks (best non-stick cookware ever) and durable stainless steel.

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I HAVE ALOT OF CAST IRON COOKWARE....WANTED TO FRY BETTER CHICKEN...SEAR MEATS AND THEN SLOW COOK....THIS IS THE KITCHEN GADGET TO DO IT...IT SITS ON MY COUNTER, AND IS READY,WHEN I AM READY.PRESS BUTTONS AND COOK,JUST MAKE SURE YOU WATCH THE TEMP...IT HEATS UP FAST!

Honest reviews on Hearthware - Induction Cooktop Kit

My stove broke and I used regular portable burners to cook. They were very slow. My mom has a PIC that I had used previously and I really liked it. I can't get the parts to fix my stove for another 3 weeks so I ordered a PIC for myself. It is AWESOME! Precise heat quick response and works just like it says. I also love the frying pan. I would love a whole set! My order was delivered in 3 DAYS with regular shipping. I am impressed with everything about this purchase. THANK YOU!

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There is just one thing you need to be aware of. This cook top only works the items that a magnet will stick to. So if you have other cookware that a magnet won't stick to the bottom of then it won't work with this cook top.