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Cooking around an open campfire is an attractive idea but in practice, building a fire is time-consuming and not always the most practical way to get your breakfast cooking.
If you are a frequent camper but prefer your morning cup of tea to take a few minutes rather than an hour, a portable induction cooktop could be the missing equipment in your camping collection.
Unlike traditional stovetops, induction cooktops use magnetic induction to heat up the cooking vessel directly. As the heat comes from inside the cooking vessel, induction cooktops heat food up quickly and save both time and energy in the process.
Here are the best portable induction cooktops on the market right now.
Contents
- Best Portable Induction Cooktops
- Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop 9100MC
- Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop 8100MC
- Max Burton #6450 Digital LCD 1800 Watt Induction Cooktop
- Tasty by Cuisinart 842750112707 Top Smart Induction Cooktop
- Breville|PolyScience Commercial Induction Cooking System
- Hamilton Beach 34104 Single Induction 1800 watt Cooktop
- Portable Induction Cooktop, Jeroop 1800-Watt Induction Cooker
- Furrion Portable RV Electric Induction Cooktop FIH1ZEA-BG
- Sandoo Induction Cooktop, 1800W Portable Electric Burner Stove, HA1897
- NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop Flex with 9″ Fry Pan
- Best Portable Induction Cooktop Buyers Guide
- FAQ
Best Portable Induction Cooktops
Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop 9100MC
The Duxtop 1800W boasts thousands of 5* reviews on Amazon. The cooktop is 50% more powerful than gas stoves and has an 83% energy efficiency and 1800 watts. The digital control panel is easy to use and features 15 temperature settings and 15 power levels. It also offers a built-in countdown timer up to 170 minutes.
As it has no open flame, spills will not stick to the cooktop surface so it can be easily cleaned. The safety features include auto-pan detection, overheat protection and a low and high voltage warning system.
The Duxtop heats near instantly and is light and compact for convenient portability.
Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop 8100MC
In a close second is a very similar version of the Duxtop 1800W. The main difference is that this product is a slightly cheaper alternative.
The discount accounts for there being only 10 temperature settings and 10 power levels. For the average cook, this is not a significant loss and so the Gold 8100MC is probably better value for money.
Max Burton #6450 Digital LCD 1800 Watt Induction Cooktop
The Max Burton 6450 Digital Induction Cooktop is impressively lightweight (6 lbs) and easy to use. The cooktop will self-adjust to the size of the cookware being used.
This means the burner is safer to use and more energy efficient. Other safety features include auto shutdown in the event of a short circuit, overheating, incompatible cookware or if it has been operating for over 3 hours.
The digital temperature control goes up in increments of 25 between 100 and 450°F. There is also a digital timer which can be set for up to 180 minutes.
This is a great portable cooktop for outdoor parties, holidays, or just for a backup burner in the home kitchen.
Tasty by Cuisinart 842750112707 Top Smart Induction Cooktop
This next induction cooktop is interesting for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it is uniquely attractive and is designed to look good in your kitchen. Secondly, it connects with your phone to make cooking easy and simple.
If you would rather use control buttons, you can switch to manual model. The app also comes with hundreds of recipes for things you can cook with the cooktop. This model is energy efficient and tracks the surface temperature of your pots and pans.
Breville|PolyScience Commercial Induction Cooking System
The Control Freak induction cooking system is aptly named. It allows you to choose between 397 temperatures, all the way up to 482°F. The cooktop uses a unique sensing system to directly measure the temperature and a probe control thermometer to control the temperature of liquids.
You can also control how quickly your pan heats up. If “precision” and “accuracy” are your cooking buzzwords, this induction system would be a great addition to your kitchen. For everybody else, this model isn’t the best value for money.
Hamilton Beach 34104 Single Induction 1800 watt Cooktop
The Hamilton Beach Cooktop heats quickly and boils 1.5 quarts of water in just 7 minutes. It is compact and stylish meaning it can be proudly stored on your countertop when not in use.
There are ten temperature controls up to 450°F. A nice additional feature is the induction test magnet which tests whether your cookware can be used on an induction cooktop.
Portable Induction Cooktop, Jeroop 1800-Watt Induction Cooker
This speedy cooktop boils water in as little as 50 seconds. It is energy-efficient and gives you the control you need to boil, saute, sear, steam or slow cook your way to the perfect meal.
The cooktop design is compact and lightweight. It weighs less than 6 lbs, making it a great choice for a camping cooktop. The surface is made of high-quality glass which makes it easy to wipe clean after use.
Furrion Portable RV Electric Induction Cooktop FIH1ZEA-BG
This next product is a sleek, black cooktop that is ideal for your RV or trailer. The crystal glass top plate makes it easy to clean and ClimateSmart Technology means you can operate the cooktop in extreme conditions.
The product will resist vibrations on the road and will allow you to cook a meal in all kinds of conditions. There are a bunch of great safety features and the product is so robust that it comes with a 12-month warranty.
Sandoo Induction Cooktop, 1800W Portable Electric Burner Stove, HA1897
The Sandoo induction cooktop delivers 90% of heat to the pan and cooks 50% faster than the traditional electric stove. It includes all of the standard safety features and can operate at fifteen temperature controls.
The downside of this cooktop is that only cast iron or stainless steel pans are suitable. These are typically heavy which means they are not ideal for carrying on camping trips or hikes.
NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop Flex with 9″ Fry Pan
This induction cooktop from NuWave is lightweight, compact, and easily portable. It even comes with an induction-ready non-stick frying pan so you can cook without oil.
The cooktop can reach temperatures of 500°F making it a great choice for searing steak. It also heats quickly and promises to save both time and energy.
Best Portable Induction Cooktop Buyers Guide
If you are searching for a portable induction cooktop, convenience is probably high up on your list. Many induction cooktops are small and compact. Others are a little chunkier and may not be as easily portable if you are planning on camping or hiking with your cooktop.
Although a compact cooktop is preferable, you don’t want to trade in size for power. 1800 Watts is standard for a portable induction cooktop. Most have 10+ power control settings and heat food up to and beyond 400°F. If you cook a lot of red meat, make sure that the cooktop you choose reaches these high temperatures.
One of the key variations between induction cooktops is the precision of the controls. Most utilize a touchpad and LCD display for easy control of the power and temperature. If you are a serious cook, you may feel inclined to pay extra for precise control over the temperature and options to heat slowly or quickly. If you are an amateur cook, a cooktop with around ten or so temperature controls will probably be sufficient.
Finally, you should take into account how much space the cooktop offers. While one or two rings may be enough for some, if you are using your cooktop at home, you might prefer a less compact cooking solution.
FAQ
How does an induction cooktop work?
Induction cooktops contain magnetic induction coils located in the cooking surface. These coils generate magnetic fields that produce a heat reaction in your cookware.
Why are induction cooktops more energy efficient?
The magnetic induction coils produce heat directly in the cookware. This means that there is less residual heat in your kitchen, RV or outdoor camping area. When less heat is wasted, food cooks more efficiently.
Does an induction cooktop need a special pan?
Yes. Induction cooktops operate using a magnetic field. The pan must subsequently be magnetic, otherwise the cooktop will not work. Stainless steel and cast iron pans are both suitable for use on induction cooktops.
Can you cook meats like steak or pork chop on an induction cooker?
Induction cooktops can usually be heated to temperatures of 400°F. This means they are perfectly suited for cooking and searing meats. Most induction cooktops also have controls that allow you to be more precise with your cooking.
What safety features should I look out for?
Induction cooktops can get very hot and so it is important to be safety-conscious. Many cooktop products come with a childlock and automatically shut down in the event of overheating. Some of the products on this list also have a feature that detects incompatible cookware.
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