Induction hob operation.

Eldi_Dos

Don't know if you are thinking of buying one but they get a big thumbs up here for the practicalities.

Easy to clean.
Responsive to controls.
Now do dishes on hob like casseroles which would previously have done in oven.
Noticeable drop in humidity in cooking area, especially if swapping over from gas.
Good looking.

fenwick458

the only negative thing I can think of about induction hobs is you can't do a good stir fry on them. I have had 2 "induction woks" and both were terrible, the only hot part of the wok is the bottom flat part, the sides are barely warm. woks were designed to be used with fire, not induction hobs. I've got a large flat bottomed casserole dish that I use now but it's not the same..., 
everything else is great. one thing I would say is try and demo one(or failing that check the reviews) first just so you can find out if the controls are easy to use. years ago all the cheap brands had poor touch response so it was clunky to use them, but now that seems to be ok most of the budget ones like lamona, hotpoint are easy to use.
you don't want to get a really fancy one either, I've fitted some top of the range AEG ones that have a large touchscreen computer powered control centre, IMO they just have way too many options and are over complicated and require loads of button pressing

Eldi_Dos

We use a paella type pan for stir fry and works good enough if sides are deep.

Bendy_House

Thanks, Eldi and Fen.

Yes, seriously considering one, hence my curiosity. The controls do appear to be a key issue, as some seem to have small and possibly dull LED displays, but I haven't checked out on in the flesh yet.

Wok use ain't an issue, as haven't used one in decades

FreeBear

Got me a Cook & Lewis one a few years back at half price. Been more than happy with it. Picked up a newer one last Christmas for my niece to replace a nasty Lamona thing.... https://www.diy.com/departments/cooke-lewis-clind60-4-zone-black-glass-induction-hob-w-590mm/1769315_BQ.prd - She is well happy with it (grew up cooking on gas).

If you decide to go B&Q, don't get the CLIND60ERF - It is fitted with a 13A plug which means you won't be able to all four zones at full power (limited to 2.8KW). The manual does give instructions on hard wiring to allow for full power (6.4KW) operation, but I'd still be cautious.

Bendy_House

Thanks, FB.

Interesting about that B&Q model. I did come across a Whirlpool with seemingly a similar feature - you could set the max rating for the hob so it could be installed on different supplies - 7.6kW, 6kW, etc. Sounds as tho' that B&Q jobbie is similar, but a 13A max draw is pants and isn't going to do much cooking!

I'd be looking for a larger - wider - hob for convenience, since we've been used to a 900mm 'range' type cooker (5 ring gas hob), so will likely go 750mm wide at least, although 4 'rings' would be fine.

Any knowledge of silicone mats to use on them to prevent scratching? (My wife is a very messy cook, a lot more so than me...)

Cheers.

FreeBear

Bendy_House said: Any knowledge of silicone mats to use on them to prevent scratching? (My wife is a very messy cook, a lot more so than me...)

One of my party pieces is to put a sheet of paper over the heat zone and then placing the pan on top to cook. I suppose you could use a silicone baking sheet - Needs to be fairly thin. A circle cut to size over each zone could work.

Ultimately, the best solution is to keep your bottoms clean and stop sliding the pan around the hob like a demented Gordon Ramsey.

Bendy_House

FreeBear said:

One of my party pieces is to put a sheet of paper over the heat zone and then placing the pan on top to cook. I suppose you could use a silicone baking sheet - Needs to be fairly thin. A circle cut to size over each zone could work.

Ultimately, the best solution is to keep your bottoms clean and stop sliding the pan around the hob like a demented Gordon Ramsey.

Gordon Ramsey? No. Demented? Let me ask t'wife...

Cheers, FB.

Rodders53

Bendy_House said:but a 13A max draw is pants and isn't going to do much cooking!

My youngest son manages perfectly well with his 13A induction hob and family of four.  60cm width, 4 rings. (Along with his Ninjas, double oven and various outdoor BBQ type stuff).

Remember the rings are all 'modulated' down once things are going... Only time one needs a big current draw is if you try to set 4 pans of cold water on to boil at the same time - and that just takes longer than if a higher current capacity was available.

Most of the better fixed wiring brands have 'current limits' in their settings to suit 13/16/20/32 Amp max draw.

fenwick458

Bendy_House said:

Any knowledge of silicone mats to use on them to prevent scratching? (My wife is a very messy cook, a lot more so than me...)

Cheers.

don't worry about scratching them, you won't be able to. 
A few years ago I fitted one and as soon as I really looked at it I noticed a scratch right across the middle. I normally always lay them face down on the worktop on a block of polystyrene(which comes in the packaging) as wire them up, then test and flip them over and fit into the hole so I was doubtful that I had somehow cause the scratch...
reported it to the kitchen supplier who supplied the hob, in the end the hob manufacturer just sent a new one no questions asked.
there was some doubt as to whether I had cause the scratch, I even doubted myself.  As I am curious, I tried to scratch the corner of my hob at home (same brand) and was amazed at how hard it it is. sharp knifes don't touch it at all no matter how hard you press. all I managed to do was make a slight mark, which could be polished out with a cloth and was barely visible, noting like the scratch I had originally noticed on the original hob
in the end the scratched hob was left in the showroom to be left on demo, and we decided to experiment with it to see what would mark it, and the only thing that marked it was a carbide tipped drill bit and a diamond edge disc. so unless you use those whilst you are cooking I wouldn't worry