How to

Information on buying induction cooktops that not everyone knows

Induction cooktop is an energy-saving electric stove that can quickly cook food. When the cooktop starts operating, the current runs through a coil of copper wire placed beneath the glass surface of the cooktop and generates a magnetic field within a few millimeters above the cooking surface. This heats up the pot with an induction base and cooks the food.

Administrator

7 January, 2024

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How much are Induction Cookers in the market?

Induction cookers in the market come in different types and prices. The ideal induction cooker for a family is one that is affordable yet ensures quality. So, what price range are you considering for the induction cooker you are about to purchase?

By exploring the price range of induction cookers at HC Electronics Supermarket, you can own one with prices ranging from $500k to $40 million. Induction cookers imported from Europe are usually more expensive than those imported from China, Malaysia, etc.

European imported cookers come in various prices.

Single induction cookers have an acceptable price range for many consumers, ranging from around 3 million VND ($130). Brands such as Sunhouse, Midea, Bluestone, etc., with a power of 2000W, have prices ranging from 500k to 1 million VND with various product lines and diverse designs. These are the convenient choices for many families to use during parties and events.

Double induction cookers, on the other hand, have a power ranging from 3200W to over 7000W, with prices starting from 4 million VND ($173). Double cookers below 4 million VND are relatively rare, but this type of cooker mainly serves the daily cooking needs of a family, so you should choose a durable and quality cooker. The most expensive double induction cookers imported from Europe, depending on the number of burners, brand, and features, can cost around 14 million VND ($605). Induction cookers imported from China, Taiwan, or assembled by Vietnamese enterprises are cheaper.

Induction cookers imported from China or Taiwan are cheaper.

Induction cookers with 3 or more burners cost from 12 million VND ($520) upwards. Reliable brands such as Fagor (3-4 burners) have prices ranging from 13 to 18 million VND ($565-$780), while Amica cookers (4 burners) cost nearly 36 million VND ($1560).

What Types of Induction Cookers Are There?

There are various types of induction cookers available on the market today: single cookers, double cookers, and cookers with 3-4 burners. Depending on your usage needs, you can research and purchase the most suitable induction cooker for your family.

Choosing the Brand and Origin of the Cooker

This factor contributes to the quality and durability of the induction cooker.

In terms of Asian brands such as Vietnam, China, Malaysia, etc. (except Japan), their prices are usually lower. However, compared to Japanese or European cookers, their durability may be lower, and their design, accompanying technologies, and features such as manufacturing materials and preset cooking modes may not be as good. Nevertheless, the durability of induction cookers is generally high, as long as buyers do not choose counterfeit or low-quality products.

Therefore, depending on the cost and needs, buyers can consider and choose between brands and origin of the induction cookers they want to buy.

– Induction cookers imported from Europe are famous brands such as Electrolux, Teka, Fagor, Bosch, etc. There are also other good cookers such as Amica, Baumatic, Ariston, Binova, Cata, Nardi… These are reputable electric cookers with diverse prices, mainly in the high-end segment.

– Induction cookers imported from China, Taiwan, etc. include brands like Chefs, Elmich, Munchen, Facom, etc. followed by other brands such as Midea, Sunhouse, Supor, Sanyo, Banti, Oddy, Gali, Honey’s, Sooxto… These cookers come in various models and prices, including both high-end and low-end options. In addition, there are many types of mixed electric-induction cookers, electric single cookers, and 2-electric, 1-induction cookers with prominent brands like Taka, Ferroli, Bluestone, etc.

Teka IR720 induction cooker – with 2 burners (1 electric and 1 induction)

Criteria for Evaluating the Best Induction Cookers Today

With a wide range of induction cookers from different brands, how can you evaluate which one is the best and suitable for your chosen price range? Let’s consider the following criteria:

– Glass Surface: You should choose products imported from Germany. The glass surface is divided into 3 types, with Schott from Germany being the most resilient to heat, thermal shock, and having quick heat dissipation. K+ (France) is the second type, and ordinary glass is the last.

– Components: Similar to the glass surface, you should use imported components from Germany, Japan, Italy, Spain, as they are more durable. The recommended glass types include heat-resistant glass (Sunhouse SHD6005), Crystallite (DOMINO KAFF KF-330I), Ceramic (Electrolux), etc. For induction coils, you should choose the type with a separate copper coil system and an independent electronic control panel for each cooking zone, with a super-sensitive design and a heat-retention mode to maximize energy savings (such as Tiross TS-804 and AQUA AIC-VM2000).

– Operating Principle: You should choose the type of cooker that applies the Fuco electric current principle, where the electric current passes through an induction coil in contact with the pot’s bottom, creating heat. Therefore, the material used for the cooker must have an induction base. The combination of this principle and the automatic pot bottom recognition function concentrates the heat under the pot’s bottom instead of spreading out, increasing the cooking efficiency to 90%, reducing cooking time, and saving energy. If there is no pot or if the pot is not suitable, the cooker will issue a warning and automatically turn off after 2-3 minutes, ensuring safety during use.

– Cooking Functions: You should choose a cooker with functions that suit the needs of your family. Some recommended induction cooker functions include: child lock for safety, automatic timer cooking function for busy individuals (the cooker will automatically turn off after a set time), and energy-saving function (automatically turns off after a certain period).

– Cooking Modes: Depending on the price range, induction cookers will have corresponding cooking modes. Most induction cookers have 6 cooking modes, except for the grill mode. This is a limitation of induction cookers, which can be easily overcome by choosing an induction-electric hybrid cooker (combining 2 induction zones and electric zones).

– Cooking Needs of the Family: For families with many members, you can choose cookers with 3 or 4 burners or more. However, these cookers with multiple cooking zones will have a relatively high overall power consumption, so you should consider this before purchasing. For families with fewer members, you can opt for double cookers. Depending on the size of the kitchen area, you can freely choose the cooker’s design. If you are replacing a gas stove with an induction cooker, you can choose a double induction or a 3-burner induction cooker with a long shape, depending on the size of your family’s kitchen counter.

– Origin of the Cooker: Vietnamese cookers are usually cheaper and more suitable for all consumer classes. However, there are still some limitations when using them. For assembly cookers imported through third countries and known to have good performance, such as Sanko SI 759W, you can be more confident about the product’s quality compared to those imported through third countries. Meanwhile, cookers imported whole from Europe, such as Faster FS2SIR and Bosch PID631BB1E, are considered to have better quality than those imported through third countries.

Which Induction Cooker is Suitable for Your Family?

The best induction cooker is the one that best suits your family’s conditions. Based on your family’s cooking needs, you should choose a cooker that suits your preferences:

– For those who need an induction cooker for travel or for home parties, a single induction cooker is the perfect choice. They are compact, portable, convenient to use, and easy to carry.

– To meet the daily cooking needs of typical Vietnamese households with 4 to 6 people, you should choose a double induction cooker or a cooker that combines both electric and induction cooking. Electric cookers provide excellent cooking effects for dishes that require low heat and long cooking times, such as stir-fries, frying, stewing, and braising.

– If you do a lot of cooking, you can choose induction cookers with three or more burners. However, induction cookers with multiple cooking zones often have a relatively high power consumption, so you should consider this before making a purchase.

Moreover, the size of the cooker’s burners from different brands varies greatly. To save energy and ensure the cooker heats up effectively, choose induction cookers with burner sizes that fit the sizes of your kitchen utensils (pots, pans, cauldrons, etc.) that are already available in your family.

Is it Better to Choose an Infrared Cooker or an Induction Cooker?

Infrared cookers and induction cookers are two types of appliances that many modern families choose. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages:

Cooker Type	Infrared Cooker	Induction Cooker
Description	Uses infrared light energy to heat the glass surface and radiate heat.	Uses electromagnetic induction to create heat, directly heating the pot or pan.
Advantages	Suitable for most types of pots and pans. Can be used for direct grilling on the cooker’s surface.	Up to 90% cooking efficiency. Reduces cooking time. Low power consumption. Safe for children.
Disadvantages	Needs child lock function to ensure safety for children.	Only works with pots or pans that have an induction base.

Buying Advice for Induction Cookers

There are currently two types of induction cookers in the market: built-in induction cookers and freestanding induction cookers. Depending on your usage needs and the size of your kitchen, you can choose the most suitable product. Specifically:

– Freestanding Induction Cookers:

Freestanding induction cookers do not require installation. At the same time, you can easily move the product to any desired position. Moreover, the price of freestanding induction cookers is cheaper compared to built-in induction cookers.

– Built-in Induction Cookers:

Unlike freestanding induction cookers, built-in induction cookers cannot be easily moved. Although they require users to have a spacious kitchen for installation, they are compact due to their built-in design. Furthermore, with their stylish appearance, built-in induction cookers can make your kitchen look more elegant and luxurious.

Number of Cooking Zones in the Induction Cooker

The number of family members greatly influences the decision on the number of cooking zones in an induction cooker. If you have fewer than 4 family members, a single or double induction cooker will be a perfect choice. However, if you have a larger family, you should choose an induction cooker with more than 2 cooking zones.

In addition, the sizes of burners from different brands also vary. To save electricity and ensure effective heating, choose induction cookers with burner sizes that match the sizes of your kitchen utensils (pots, pans, pots, etc.) that are already available at home.