Best Single Induction Cooktop For Outdoor Trips Or Small Kitchens

Below is a quick review of each induction cooktop. I composed this information from Amazon and the customer’s feedback section:

1. Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Black 9100MC/BT-M20B

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Very lightweight
• Highly energy-efficient
• Uniform heat distribution
• Clear light indicators layout
• Fifteen levels of adjustable temperature

Cons:

• Synthetic plastic material is not very durable

2. Duxtop Professional Portable Induction Cooktop, 1800 Watts, Sensor Touch and LCD Screen, P961LS/BT-C35-D

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Quick heat-up
• Easy-to-operate digital control
• Stable and solid base construction
• Twenty preset temperature settings
• A 7-blade fan and back tuyere to rapidly dissipate heat

Cons:

• The open space under the base can trap dust particles

3. Hamilton Beach Portable Single Induction Cooktop, 1800 Watts, 10 Temperature Settings, Black (34104)

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Anti-slip rubber feet
• Easy-to-navigate control panel
• Smooth surface for easy cleaning
• Can boil water and stock very quickly
• Clear cookware indication ring on the surface

Cons:

• No simmer setting

4. Bonsenkitchen 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop, LCD Touch Screen Sensor, Digital Timer

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Best price
• High energy efficiency
• Portable space-saving size
• Overheat protection system
• Resilient tempered glass panel

Cons:

• A lack of temperature setting between 180 degrees and 260 degrees

5. COMFEE’ 1800W Digital Portable Induction Cooktop, 8 Power & Temperature Settings, 180 Mins Timer

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Reasonable price
• High-speed heating
• Dry-heat protection
• Relatively lightweight
• Auto shut-off safety function

Cons:

• The safety protection is oversensitive

6. Tenavo 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop, Induction Hot Plate, Sensor Touch, 10 Temperature Levels

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Highly portable
• Children safety lock
• Fast heat dissipation
• Low noise while cooking
• Long timers up to 2.5 hours

Cons:

• Touchpad is unresponsive if the surface is wet

7. VBGK Portable Induction Cooktop, Hot Plate With 2000W Sensor Touch, 9 Temperature & Power Levels

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Thin and lightweight body
• Has automatic pot detection function
• Powerful 2000 Watts max power output
• Child locks and rounded edges provide ultimate safety

Cons:

• The cooling fan is noisy

8. NutriChef Portable Induction Cooktop Cooktop-1500W, Digital Display, Sensor Touch Temperature, NCIT1S

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Energy efficient
• Stain-resistant surface
• Tempered ceramic glass
• Innovative and modern design
• Less residual heat after cooking

Cons:

• Lower-than-average lifespan

9. Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop with 5.7 Quarts Professional Stainless Steel Cooking Pot

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Compact and portable
• Fast temperature build-up
• Easy–to–clean glass surface
• Overheat protection function
• Comes with stainless steel with a heavy gauge induction pot

Cons:

• Make a lot of noises while turning on

10. MegaChef 930110967M MC-1400 Portable 1400W Single Induction Cooktop with Digital Control Panel, Black

View on Amazon

Pros:

• Sleek design
• Uniform heat distribution
• Very good temperature control
• Has resilient ceramic glass surface

Cons:

• The power cord has a short range

There are some details you need to know about induction cooktops before you can choose the most suitable product for your kitchen:

Price

The induction cooktop uses modern technology and material in its making. For this reason, you can expect a costlier price compared to other types of cooktops.

Single-element induction stoves can start at around $70 while higher-end models can cost $250 or more. There are cheaper variants, but they sacrifice performance and durability in exchange for the lower price.

For customers new to this type of cooktop, I recommend products starting at 100$ or $120 for the best experience.

Cooking settings

For the users' convenience, some of the latest induction cooktops come with a pre-set menu of cooking options. Depending on the dish you want to cook, this menu can adjust the temperature accordingly. 

Whether you are boiling stock for a hot pot, steaming rice, stir-frying, or sauteing vegetables, your induction cooktop will set the best settings for perfectly cooked dishes with a single touch.

Auto-pan detection

This feature is the standard safety mechanism of the induction cooktop. You can find it in most modern models of induction cooktops. It detects whether there is cookware placed on top of the induction stove.

Cooking Space

How large is the cooking surface of the induction stove? Even with single induction cooktops, there are varying sizes of the cooking area.

You shouldn’t skimp on money and choose a product that is too small for the cookware you currently have.

Power

A crucial factor you need to consider when looking for an induction cooktop is the power rate. A higher power rate means faster cooking, but it also means higher power consumption. Most induction cooktops have a power rate ranging between 300W-2000W. 

If you only need to cook for yourself, go for models around 300 Wattage as they are more energy efficient and cheaper. 

For people living with roommates or with your partner, you should opt for products with higher wattage because they cook faster, allowing you to cook for more people in the same amount of time.

Do they need specific cookware to use?

Yes, they do. The pans and pots in your kitchen may not be compatible with an induction cooktop.

Induction cooktops are only usable with cookware that contains a magnetic metal at its bottom. You will need to purchase additional cookware if you don’t have suitable equipment.

What are the perks of using an induction cooktop?

• Energy efficiency

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) conducted research in the past. 

They discovered that an induction cooktop transfers up to 80% to 90% of its energy into heat for cooking.

In comparison, this number is only 32% with a gas cooktop and 75% to 80% with an electric cooktop.

• Safer than gas and electric cooktops

There is no open flame or extra radiant heat, your induction stove is unlikely to become hot to the touch, and the cooking surface will cool down quickly after use. Except for where the pot or pan is, the rest of the stove won't be hot.

• Fast heating

The pans and pots on an induction stove will receive direct heat, they heat up much faster than their gas and electric cooktop counterparts. 

This heat transfer method allows you to shorten cooking times. The time you save is an advantage for anyone who needs to prepare something quickly or on a schedule.

• Precise temperature control

An induction cooktop allows its users close monitoring and control over the temperature. Since the stove heats up and cools down so quickly, there’s less chance that you burn or overcook your food.

What is the average lifespan of an induction cooktop?

Usually, manufacturers produce consumer-grade induction cooktops for roughly 10,000 hours of usage. With commercial-grade induction cooktops, this number is three times higher at 30,000 hours.

Are they easy to clean?

The cleaning process of induction cooktops is effortless thanks to their flat and smooth surface. Plus, they don’t have any burners or corners that can trap dirt or accumulate dust particles.

All you need is glass cleaning liquid, a soft rag or sponge, and warm water. Give your induction stove a few wipes, and it will look squeaky clean.

Why do I hear sounds when I start cooking?

You don’t have to worry, and the stove is not malfunctioning. You can expect to hear a rattling, buzzing, or humming noise after you start the induction stove.

Those are the sound of the energy transferring from the metal coil to the bottom of the cookware. This sound often goes away once you start putting ingredients into your cookware.

I hope you learned valuable information. With this knowledge, you will have an easier time choosing the best single induction cooktop for your kitchen.

If possible, please share your opinion in the comment section. It can be helpful to other readers and people will greatly appreciate it.

Thank you for reading!