Faulty Induction Hob

Steveruk

I've treated myself to a nice new kitchen which is not quite complete but the appliances / electrics are all in. I've never had an induction hob before but have heard great things so have gone for a Fagor 64r. I actually had a different model in mind but the retailer didn't stock it and advised I get this one, which I think looked nicer and did the same things.

I tried it out for the first time yesterday and my first thought was how noisy it was. The Electrical buzzing sounds and clicking (from the pans?) were quite unnerving, I thought a bolt of lightning was going to shoot out the pan handle. I turned it up to full blast and it boiled 500ml of water in less than a minute, v. Pleased! I then turned it down to discover that on every temperature setting it can't maintain a steady temperature. It cycles on/off depending on the setting. The lowest setting it stays off for longer. In the middle it's on for a second and off for a second. So rather than have a steady simmer you observe a still pan of water for a second, then the start of a boil for a second.... Constantly. Each time the pan makes a very loud irritating click that can be heard the other side of the house. The buzzing doesn't seem as loud now though which suggests I've either gotten used to it or there was a problem on first operation maybe.

I video'd the phenomenon on my phone and immediately went to the retailer to ask advice. My pans are induction and I brought along one as proof. They recognised me as I made my purchase so recently. I asked if someone could demonstrate their induction hob as I believe mine isn't working as it should. They asked about the pan, the pans are ok. I showed the video and they all agreed it's not right..... So the item is faulty and can be returned, right? Wrong, they say that because the item has been fitted and wired into the wall (which nearly all inductions would be) that a specialist must come and inspect the installation from Fagor and that my issue is with them. I've found only one post on a seperate site where a lady reported the same fault to fagor and she was told it was normal and didn't get anywhere. I know my consumer rights to an extent and understand my contract is with the seller, but can see their logic that it may be due to installation although I genuinely don't believe it is. Bearing in mind I can't just pick it up and take it back as it is wired in I'm at a loss what to do. Do I arrange for Fagor to come or do I get the electrician to take it back out and return it to the shop. If so what do I say? Tricky one.

somethingcorporate

I am not sure you have much of a choice here.

It is up to them to prove that the item was not inherently faulty but stopping them from coming to see the item (given it has been fitted) would be denying them this opportunity and any future claim under SOGA could be hindered as a result.

Exhaust their process first before worrying about what your legal rights actually are, you may find they come out, agree and fit a brand new one that works the following day without coming within a hundred miles of any legal stuff.

bris

http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/treating-customers-fairly/sogahome/sogaexplained
Number 7 covers installed goods. If the retailer arranged the installation they take responsibility for it. They do have the right to confirm the fault though, so coming to see it is part of the process.

neilmcl

Steveruk wrote: »

I tried it out for the first time yesterday and my first thought was how noisy it was. The Electrical buzzing sounds and clicking (from the pans?) were quite unnerving, I thought a bolt of lightning was going to shoot out the pan handle. I turned it up to full blast and it boiled 500ml of water in less than a minute, v. Pleased! I then turned it down to discover that on every temperature setting it can't maintain a steady temperature. It cycles on/off depending on the setting. The lowest setting it stays off for longer. In the middle it's on for a second and off for a second. So rather than have a steady simmer you observe a still pan of water for a second, then the start of a boil for a second.... Constantly. Each time the pan makes a very loud irritating click that can be heard the other side of the house. The buzzing doesn't seem as loud now though which suggests I've either gotten used to it or there was a problem on first operation maybe.

This is how all induction hobs work I'm afraid. They pulse, the higher the power setting then the power is on constant, the lower the setting the power will pulse at a slower rate. If your pans are making a loud clicking sound make sure the pans aren't wet underneath because this could be just boiling water escaping from under the pan. Also the buzzing is completely as expected, its just the oscillating magnetic field.

I can't see why you can't maintain a steady temperature, mine works perfectly.

Hintza

neilmcl wrote: »

I can't see why you can't maintain a steady temperature, mine works perfectly.

As do ours, great bit of kit.

wealdroam

OP, you asked the retailer "if someone could demonstrate their induction hob as I believe mine isn't working as it should".

A reasonable request. What was the result of that?

bazster

neilmcl wrote: »

I can't see why you can't maintain a steady temperature, mine works perfectly.

So does mine, installed a few weeks ago, I love it. It buzzes, but not very loudly.

Steveruk

Thanks for the speedy replies.

I'll be honest, if induction cooking is controlled by constant 'pulsing' then this isn't how I interpreted precision cooking. With the energy supply being electricity I expected the intensity of the electromagnetic waves to be easily controllable, like a light on a dimmer switch... Why would it pulse?

The shop didn't fit the kit, I had a professional electrician carry this out having checked my switch board beforehand. I think point 7 in the link above (Bris) is an interesting one but if the fault isn't installation related but a manufacturing defect I'd still expect the retailer be responsible first and foremost, otherwise every electric appliance they sell without a plug may as well be broke as there can never be any comeback on them other than the bad name they'd develop.

I didn't get to see their demo as having shown them the video of the pulsing simmer the staff agreed it shouldn't happen like this.

I totally agree that they should have the right to inspect it but it is Fagor who have been contacted to do this and the shop said the issue is with Fagor, if not the installation. I feel I'm being railroaded to accept whatever Fagor come up with and the timelines they propose to fix it... How about if I no longer trust Fagor and would like an alternative or my money back?

It will be as Something Corporate says, I have no choice but to exhaust whatever road they wish to go down, unless it is how neilmcl says and all Inductions do work in this way... Anyone got an Induction that works how I'd interpreted with a gradual increase in power to the pan? The buzzing seems no issue at all now btw.

neilmcl

Steveruk wrote: »

Anyone got an Induction that works how I'd interpreted with a gradual increase in power to the pan? The buzzing seems no issue at all now btw.

When I mentioned the "pulsing" (perhaps that's the wrong the term), this only happens around power setting 6 and below (mine goes up to 15), above this it isn't noticeable as the power seems to be on all the time and it's completely gradual, even on the lower settings.

Without actually seeing your video I couldn't tell what you're experiencing is normal or not.

Steveruk

I would describe it as power being on..... Off....... On....... Off....... On........ Off.......... And so on

neilmcl

Steveruk wrote: »

I would describe it as power being on..... Off....... On....... Off....... On........ Off.......... And so on

That's exactly what mine does from around power level 6 downwards, the lower the power the quicker the interval and it's what I'd expect to happen if you understand the technology behind it, but as I say it doesn't have a negative effect on the actual cooking, at least not with mine. The temperature remains stable and extremely controllable even at these low settings.

Maybe you should try testing it with a thermometer.