Hamilton Beach (34104) Single Induction Cooktop Reviews

Very good for making hotpot. Heats the water very fast. Includes a magnet to test the pans. The only downside is that the cord's little short, but any extension cords would fix it.

Great cooktop! Really efficient. However, it doesn't work at all with my older Farberware pots. They are stainless steel with an aluminum-clad bottom. The old pots don't have a ferrous core, so induction can't occur. Be sure a magnet will stick to the bottom of your existing pots before buying. Otherwise, you'll need to buy new pots as well.

The three things I don't like is that the temperatures start at 175° and only increase by 25 degrees and that my 10.25" dutch oven pot will not work with it. I use that pot 90% of the time I cook. My Nuwave works with my pot. I hope my NuWave works forever because of that and because it starts at 100° and I can melt chocolate without scorching it.

I am in love with this induction cooktop. First I have a glass top stove and I had no idea that I couldn’t use my castiron cookware. This has affected so many of my recipes. This cooktop has let me enjoy my castiron cook ware, the heating is even. I am in love with induction cooking as the heat covers the entire pan used. Plus it was fun to be-able to take with it outside and use it there too! It has been a wonderful addition to my cooking life. Wish I could give it more stars, as it was very easy to use!

This doesn't work with my calphalon-style cookware, which I honestly didn't even think to check before ordering it. I have a single cast iron skillet and it works with that just fine, just be aware that it doesn't work with all types of pots/pans. And while that's not a huge drawback in and of itself, for me it was a bit more frustrating as I was hoping to use this for traveling. The cooktop itself is a good size/weight to bring along on a road trip, but having to either cart my very heavy cast iron skillet around or buy some new pots/pans to use with it...meh, no thanks. If you already have what you need to use this, though, it works as described and is easy to clean (along with, as I said before, being easy enough to transport).

I was right to choose this Hamilton Beach cooking product. The smooth metal is easy to clean up and cooks food fast. I'm happy to have it.

This is very lightweight for easy transport. It is perfect for a little cabin we like to visit that has electricity but no big stoves etc. Might also work well for tent camping if there is an electrical outlet nearby. Heats up quickly. User friendly. I like the versatility of pan sizes. Cooks thoroughly. Not as fast as a microwave, but efficient. Easy to read displays are helpful. Really simple to clean too. It has a timer with an auto shutoff. Choices of several heating levels. Good gift for someone in an efficiency apartment.

I wanted a electric burner for my trailer as a backup and to conserve fuel when out for long trips, but I was not happy with regular electric range tops. They take too long and there is no real way to adjust temperature accurately for me. So, when I say this induction unit, I ordered it. Here is what.I found:

1. This is a substantial unit that appears to be well made! It is very steady and the controls are easy to understand.

2. I was surprised at how to test to see if your pans are induction ready. Just use a magnet (one included to test with) and if the magnet sticks to the bottom of your pan, it will work. I have a set of Rachel Ray pans that I was sure would not work, but they do. I also had a set of Cuisanart pans that I thought would work, but they do not!! So, test first to see if your pans will work.

3. I was skeptical of the 7 minute claim to boil water, but it turns out to be true!!! I actually had a boil going in six and a half minutes.

4. There is a nice feature that allows you to use a high setting for 30 seconds to get things going and it will then drop down to whatever setting you used. It is called a boast feature and it is nice.

5. This unit allows you to use a 1-10 scale for heating or it allows you to actually pick a temperature that you want!!!! Wow, I might have stuck with an electric range if it could have done all of this!!! I still love my gas range though!!! LOL ?

6. This takes up a bit more space than I had thought it would in the trailer, but I love it and it works well on the counter tops that I have. Gives me a good option for winter camping where I want to conceive on the propane in the trailer tanks.

I would recommend this unit!

Traditional hotplates simply can't compare to inductive hotplates for versatility and speed, but this hotplate takes it a step further by allowing you to cook via temperature ranges or specific temperatures with a clear read out. And the added peace of mind knowing if you forget to turn it off, it won't be a hot surface waiting to be inadvertently touched by the unsuspecting. Once the pan is removed the plate starts cooling off immediately and is safe to touch within a minute or two instead of 5-10. Also, if you forge to shut it off, it still cools down. These are the features that make inductive stove tops so popular today, and this just brings all that to a very convenient and portable size great for camping, a small apartment, dorm room, or if you just need an extra burner.