Electrolux Induction Cooktops

• 

  drsmithy on 11/10/2022 - 12:31

  +4

  The EHI667BD got 91% and "Recommended".

  Good points
  • Flex zone can be used as up to 4 independent zones or as one single zone to accommodate a rectangular / oval cooking pan. Cookware with a smaller diameter can be placed on 1 of 4 positions on the flex zone.
  • Flex zone may have better heat distribution when used as one cooking zone, due to 4 heating zones instead of 2.
  • Four separate controls for each cooking zone.
  • Hob2Hood feature - compatible rangehood automatically turns on when using cooktop.

  Bad points
  • Touch controls are within 2cm of the front cooking zone.
  • Saucepan/pan larger than 21cm in diameter may not be efficient.
  • Need to touch or slide finger along numerical power selector to select setting, may be difficult for larger finger. Guessing required as only some number settings are displayed on grading.

  Test results
  The CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of cooking performance (60%) and ease of use (40%).

  91%
  Cooking performance score
  Cooking performance is calculated using simmering, turn-down and high-heat scores, weighted equally.

  98%
  Ease of use score
  We rate how easy it is to use the controls, the size, type and positioning of cooking zones as well as ease of cleaning.

  80%
  Low heat setting score
  We assess how well the induction cooktop heats a white sauce on low heat setting.

  95%
  High heat setting score
  We assess how well the cooktop cooks a stir-fry on high heat setting for a short time.

  100%
  Turn down score
  We cook boiled rice on the induction cooktop to assess turn-down capacity.

  100%
  Boil time
  Time taken to boil water in power boost mode, where available. For models with no boost, the highest setting is used.
  2 min 34 sec

  We bought an EHI645BB (80% on Choice) about 5 years ago and I've been less than impressed. Though it was the first induction cooktop I've ever had so I have nothing similar to compare it to.

  In particular, the heating is uneven across the base of the saucepans and pans. It's particularly noticeable when frying steaks as in the same pan one piece of meat will be getting a nice sear and another will be barely past grey, depending on where they are in the pan, and also with pancakes when literally half will end up browned and the other barely booked. It happens with both my Ikea non-stick and Lodge cast iron frypans, and is also noticeable just boiling water in a big pot when most of the bubbles are forming in a small area on the bottom. It's a bit better using the shared zone rather than the individuals, but still noticeable.

  That said, it's an older model - newer ones are probably better ?

• 

  JimB on 11/10/2022 - 12:42

  +3

  AEG are owned by Electrolux anyway.

  You should also consider Ikea induction cooktops. They are made by Electrolux and come with a 5 year warranty. No fancy badge though.

  I considered all the above and ended up with a Bosch 900mm serie 8 induction.. was best bang for your buck at the time (Ebay/Paypal/Appliance Online cash back promo + Bosch $200 cashback promo certainly helped).. $1,400.

• 

  SydStrand on 11/10/2022 - 16:32

  Induction cooktops are one of the few kitchen appliances I have zero problem saving money on. As long as the wiring is solid, the cheapies will last as long as the expensive ones since there are zero moving parts, etc. Your cookware will have a much greater influence on how evenly your food cooks.

• 

  altomic on 12/10/2022 - 11:25

  have you considered an ikea induction cooktop?
  aldi also recently had them in stock.

  i bought a brand new ikea induction 4 burner cooktop off market place for $25.

  it had been shipped to the seller, seller reported issue with crack, ikea told him to keep the cracked one and sent a replacement.

  had a small chip (size of 20cent piece) on the back right corner glass (doesn't both me at all).

  i really like the cook top. super fast heating, no residual heat after turning off, even heating on burners,