This is the second article in the series of how to buy an induction range. First article talked about whether you should buy one.
Induction’s faster, and a better simmer and easier to vent. But may not be right for the way you cook, so check out that article as well.
Now let’s get started with the best features, including reliability to consider, as well as features that should not be part of your decision.
Table of Contents
Size
Before we pick a range, let’s narrow down your options.
36 inch ranges are becoming more popular, as some people prefer induction over professional gas. However, 30 inches, by far, the most popular size.
What’s the difference between a 30 and 36 inch? Well, you have a larger oven, but also different burner configurations as well.
For example, Wolf has four burners on their 36 that you can combine into one massive burner.
Style
Freestanding ranges have controls in the back with thinner sides, so you can place them anywhere. They tend to be the least expensive.
Front control ranges have the controls in the front with thinner sides, so you can place them anywhere as well.
Slide-in ranges also have controls on the front with unfinished sides, making them perfect to fit between cabinets. However, you can’t place them anywhere because of the unfinished sides.
Slide-ins fit over the countertop to eliminate the seams on either side, making cleaning much easier.
Between slide-in and front control ranges, front controls are better for replacing an existing range, whereas slide-ins are better for new construction because it’s much easier to clean.
Wattages
All the induction burners will be powerful, but some are better than others.
LG has the most powerful single burner of 4000 watts, while Miele is the most powerful overall with two 3850 watt burners.
However, you have at least one more powerful burner on most ranges.
Stovetop Configurations
You have mostly four burners. A few will have five burners, but that fifth is really only warming at 100 watts.
Bridge burners are another feature to consider, connecting two burners, allowing you to fit an oversized platter to heat evenly.
A few have multiple rings to accommodate larger pots as well.
Controls
Some people are suspicious of electronic or touch controls. It’s understandable to a point. Electronics are costly repairs, but they don’t usually break.
For example, when was the last time your microwave broke? They’re one of the most reliable appliances and are just electronics.
Knobs have more parts behind them and break more as a percentage.
In terms of performance, the electronics are going to be more precise than the 1-10 marked controls.
Smart Features
Half the manufacturers have WiFi functionality, so you can operate your stove from an app on your phone.
The two best are GE with their smart HQ app and LG’s ThinQ app.
GE may be a bit better because they’re always adding modes wirelessly, like their fame Turkey mode, released before Thanksgiving.
However, both are tie-ins to different gourmet apps like Innit or SideChef so you can follow them step by steps. Both now have cameras inside the stove to see the food cooking on your phone.
Service is being tested by both manufacturers as well. The range will eventually diagnose itself and send for repair before the issues arise.
Most ovens found in induction ranges offer better indoor features as well.
Oven Features
Capacity runs the game at from 3.5 cubic feet to 7.1 cubic.
Fisher Paykel is the smallest as a 3.5 cubic. That powerful Miele is on the smaller side of 4.59 cubic. Bertazzoni is 4.6, and Viking at 4.7. KitchenAid and Jennair are 7.1 cubic, Cafe is 6.7, LG is 6.3 cubic and Beko at 5.7 will be your largest options.
You see the feature for convection for True, European and Pure, they all mean the same thing. The heating elements behind the fan with heat blown across to maintain a more even temperature.
Electric most are blown from the back, unlike gas. However, you have several different convection types to choose from.
Blower convection, Wolf has their newer VertiCross blower style convection. Blowers have more heat than fans, so you’ll have a faster, more even distribution.
Beko has their surf convection. Larger fan with slats on the side moves the air through the sides as well as the front for more balanced heat.
Two fans must be better if one fan is good. You’ll see twin convection on Miele and a few other brands.
Now most have it, but some like Bertazzoni and other Italian inspired ranges like Ilve and Hallman do not.
Self-cleaning is a high heat 900 degree three hour cycle. Steam is a 20 to 30 minutes cycle to clean after you cook at a lower temperature to loosen the stains for you to wipe down. But you cannot clean the baked on stains the next day.
Steam self-cleaning is a better option if you remember to use it.
You don’t have the pressure on the oven like a regular 900 degree self-cleaning cycle.
Miele offers up to three bursts of steam. Steam is essential for baking bread. Miele makes it easy with their MasterChef controls. You have 17 recipes on this range.
All you have to do is touch a button. Speaking of which, let’s just dive briefly into guided cooking controls.
Most have some guided cooking like convection conversion or convert your recipe to a convection recipe with the touch of a button.
Other brands like GE, LG and Samsung are compatible with other cooking apps. However, the two best are Miele and Wolf.
You select the type of food weight doneness. The range will calculate time, temperature and even the best rack position. You also have pre-programmed recipes in the range.
The Master Chef will calculate time and temperature like Wolf, but not the rack position. Those are the only companies, as we said, offering steam assist for cooking. They do have 100 different pre-programmed recipes.
You can now buy two ovens in many 30 inch brands. Cafe offers two independent ovens with a small one on top. Samsung has their Flex Duo, which can be two ovens or one larger with the smart divider.
However, you can’t cook in both ovens at many temperatures simultaneously.
In JennAir or KitchenAid induction ranges. You have a larger oven with a smaller baking drawer in these models.
LG and Bosch will have a warming draw to keep food warm up to 3 hours. It’s a good feature to consider with staggered meal times.
Oven Features to Avoid
We still haven’t been able to air fry in a manufacturer. Airfry has high speed, hot air movement so you don’t use oil. It’s healthier.
Our local BGood chain has made a killing selling healthy French fries to people like me for years.
You have the BGood air fryer has a small capacity, probably about one and a half to two cubic feet, while you’re stove will average about five cubic, so air movement is not as concentrated.
Most ranges now have air fry, but I wouldn’t upgrade your current range because you want to air fry, at least not yet.
Sou Vide is precision boiling in a bag interesting, but you need vacuum sealed bags for a two hour cycle. Then you’ll need to finish off on your stove-top for texture.
Reliability
Induction is about the same as appliances at 9.6% versus 9.5%. However, the problems are mostly electrical, not from the unit.
Induction ranges, unlike electric, certainly not like gas max out the amperage in the circuit. This leaves them vulnerable to surges and voltage spikes.
Two of the top problems are units, tripping breakers and no power to the cooktop.
Make sure before you buy an induction range, make sure you have adequate power.
Key Takeaways
So that’s all about features.
To recap:
Check the top for output and burner configuration, look for bridge elements and larger burners, depending on how you cook.
In the oven, you have various convection options and guided cooking to consider as well.
Lastly, look at reliability. Fixing an induction range is not easy, so make sure there’s adequate support in your area.
In part three, we’ll look at the best ranges to consider.