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If you are looking to save on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, an induction cooktop may be the solution.
Induction cooktops feature a magnetized base which creates an electromagnetic field. This transfers directly to magnetic cookware, enabling it to heat up. Given that the heat is transferred directly, no energy is wasted. This makes induction cooking more energy-efficient than traditional open-flame cooking, where heat is lost in the process.
More and more consumers have been choosing to switch to induction cooking for this very reason. There are currently several induction cooktops on the market that contain multiple surfaces for heating different appliances simultaneously. Many of these products retail at less than $1,000, making induction cooktops an affordable choice for kitchen owners.
What’s more, induction cooktops enable you to control the temperature more precisely. The capacity for high precision is ideal for keen home chefs who wish to follow recipes as accurately as possible.
Finding an induction cooktop that is big enough to act as your primary stove is tough. To make things simpler, here is a rundown of the best 36-inch induction cooktops on the market right now.
Contents
Best 36-inch Induction Cooktop
Empava 36 Inch Electric Stove Induction Cooktop
This 36-inch induction cooktop from Empava is exceptionally high quality and offers all the features you need in a cooktop. The cooktop is made from tempered glass which allows for easy cleanup. Wiping down the surface of your cooktop has never been easier.
The cooktop can be installed above any Empava wall oven. If you are looking to make the cooktop your primary stove, it fits simply and effortlessly over an under-counter single wall oven.
The Empava electric stove is compatible with stainless steel and cast-iron cookware. The glass withstands intense heat without cracking or chipping.
The cooktop is controlled by an LED surface. When each burner is heated, an “H” will appear in the cooking area to let you know the elements are hot. When no pan is present, the sensor detects this and turns off automatically for safety. Other safety features include a child control lock to prevent unintended activation.
The Empava cooktop comes with 9 heat level settings for accurate and easy temperature changes. The cooktop heats amazing fast, boiling water 50% faster than a traditional cooktop. There is also a built-in timer for precise and accurate cooking.
If you live in a studio flat, small flat, or an RV, this is an ideal cooktop in terms of energy efficiency, ease of use, and cleanup. There is also less risk of setting off the smoke alarm accidentally when you are frying up your breakfast.
GE PP7036SJSS 36 Inch Smoothtop Electric Cooktop
This 36” cooktop from GE comes with similar features. It also offers five versatile burners and is a great choice for your primary cooktop.
One of the most noticeable differences between the GE and Empava is that the settings on this model are controlled by red LED backlit knobs. This type of control is a little more familiar and makes it very easy to switch between settings. The downside of the knobs is that it makes clean up a little more difficult.
This model comes with the standard features including control lock capability. When in lock mode, you cannot turn the burners on without unlocking it first. There is also an additional “keep warm” setting if you want to keep your pan simmering on a low setting while you leave the room.
This product is compatible with magnetic pans, although cast iron pans are not recommended as it may scratch the glass top. The glass is not quite as scratch-resistant as the Empava, and it is also more difficult to keep clean and shiny. If you choose the GE, we recommend getting a good glass-top cleaner to keep it looking shiny and new.
CIT36XKB Masterpiece Series 36″ Wide Freedom Induction Cooktop
The CIT36XKB Masterpiece offers up to 4600 watts in power, meaning it boils water faster than any of its rival cooktops. It heats 50x faster than a traditional cooktop.
Although this cooktop only has four burners, the burners have a larger surface area meaning the cooktop supports larger pans and woks. The temperature of the burners is controlled by a full-color touch-screen interface on the induction cooktop.
The heating elements automatically fit the shape of the pan or pot. This makes the product even more energy-efficient than its rivals. If anything spills over the edge of the pan, it will not char but can be easily cleaned up once the pan has been removed.
One of the most interesting features of this cooktop is a setting that enables you to transfer all of your heat settings over to another element. This means if you are cooking on one burner and want to move your pan to another location, you can continue cooking at the same precise temperature setting.
As with the other induction cooktops on this list, the system operates using pan-recognition. The elements will not turn on if other objects are placed on the cooking zone. There is also a fully-functional child safety lock. When liquids are detected on the user interface, an alarm will sound.
This is by far the most expensive induction cooktop on this list but it does offer some great additional features. Another thing we like is that you can heat the pan on a very low setting, which is great for melting chocolate without burning. There is also a power boost setting if you wish to heat up the pan even faster.
You can also program the burners to heat for a certain amount of time and then turn themselves off automatically.
Best 36-inch Induction Cooktop Buyers Guide
When choosing your 36-inch induction cooktop, the first thing to consider is whether it can be installed in your kitchen. If you buy an Empava model, for example, you must install the cooktop over an Empava oven. Before you make a purchase, check whether the cooktop is compatible and whether it will fit in your kitchen.
Most of the differences between the 36” induction burners on this list are small. It may be the difference between the burners being controlled by an LED light pad or knobs or whether there are four burners or five.
One of the most important differences is the quality of the glass that the induction cooktop is made from. Lower quality glass scratches easily and is harder to maintain. If you want to keep your cooktop looking shiny and new, consider investing in a higher-quality product.
You should also consider the temperature controls. You will likely only use a few of the temperature controls when you are cooking but it can be handy to note the high and low temperatures. Some burners cannot handle the lower temperatures, making it hard to keep your pans warm without overcooking.
Finally, if you have children in the house, make sure that the cooktop has the correct safety features. It can be easy to turn on induction cooktops by mistake and with children running around, this can be dangerous. Fortunately, all the products on this list come with a child-lock feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my induction cooktop noisy?
It is quite normal for your induction cooktop to make a humming or buzzing sound when boiling or cooking. This is due to the way the magnetic fields operate and is most likely nothing to worry about.
The noise usually increases when cooking using a particularly low or high heat setting. It may also be louder when adjacent elements are used simultaneously.
It could also be down to the pans that you are using. When you use high-quality induction cookware, there tends to be less humming and buzzing while you are cooking.
How do you clean an induction cooktop?
One of the benefits of choosing an induction cooktop over a traditional open-flame cooktop is that cleanup is generally much easier. As the surface is smooth and flat, you can easily wipe down the surface without having to temporarily remove anything.
What’s more, as it is the pots and pans that heat up rather than the elements, if there is a spillage, it won’t char or melt onto the surface. You can quickly and easily wipe spillages up once the heat has been turned off.
As induction cooktops are made of glass, we do not recommend using a steel scourer to clean the surface as this might leave scratches. Instead, use a soft sponge with a good glass-top cleaner to leave the surface looking shiny and new after each use. You can also use a kitchen wipe to quicky wipe down the surface after use if you are in a hurry.
Do induction cooktops break easily?
Induction cooktops are made from a glass-ceramic surface which means that you do need to be a little more careful than you would be with a metal cooktop.
The glass surface is still very strong and is built to be durable. It is unlikely to break with everyday use. That said, some glass cooktops are prone to scratching and can even crack if they are used roughly.
If you are worried about the condition of your cooktop, avoid cast iron pans and make sure that you are gentle when moving and removing pots and pans.
Why does my induction cooktop shut off when I’m cooking?
If your cooktop shuts off when you are cooking, it is likely because one of the automatic safety features has been triggered. Induction cooktops usually have a maximum cooking time limit and when this is reached, they will shut off automatically.
Your cooktop may also shut off if it detects a high internal temperature. If this happens, wait for your pan to cool down slightly before you continue cooking.
Another reason your cooktop might shut off is if you are using the incorrect cookware. Most induction cooktops automatically turn off if something other than induction-friendly cookware is detected. Some models will also turn off if they detect liquid or an object on the burners.
Why do chefs like induction cooking?
Chefs tend to prefer induction cooking over traditional cooking because induction cooktops enable more precise heat control due to the energy-efficiency and accurate control settings.
It is also much faster to cook with an induction cooktop. You can increase or decrease the temperature very quickly which is time-saving and energy-efficient.
For chefs that cook in commercial kitchens, the energy efficiency and easy clean-up are also factors. Induction cooktops can easily be wiped down and the burners turn off automatically when not in use.
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