Considering a portable induction cooktop? It would be handy for entertaining outdoors or to use in a compact kitchen. But are they safe to use? And how energy-efficient are they? Here’s my article on portable induction cookers covering features you’ll most want to know about.
What makes the best portable induction cooker? A lightweight energy-efficient compact cooker that is safe to use around children in small spaces as well as outdoors makes the best portable induction cooker.
How Is Induction cooking Different
Compared to the heating elements of gas burners and electric burners, induction stoves use electromagnetic energy to generate heat. The following image shows the magnetic cookware and the magnetic field generating heat — Learn more in my article on how to use induction cookers.
Induction compatible cookware have a magnetic base. When placed on the induction stovetop, a magnetic field generates heat. This type of cookware also suits traditional electric cooktops and gas stoves and are common in today’s market.
Cast iron pans, being made of iron, and certain stainless steel cookware qualify as induction cookware. You’ll also find suitable nonstick ones in my guides on 1. induction ready cookware sets and 2. choosing the best ceramic cookware.
Benefits: Induction Cooktop Portable
The advantages of portable induction burners are that they are compact enough for transporting to outdoor eating areas and to store when not in use. They are not the ordinary electric stove. They are great for small spaces, compact kitchens, and outdoor entertainment use, with all the features of induction technology.
They generate direct heat and so portable induction cooktops heat up fast and are energy efficient. Heating is fast and cooking is instant, compared to using those classic electric stovetops. You can dial a precise temperature setting as well, which will grant you more confidence when following recipes.
Induction cooking surfaces are glass, making them easy to clean, but you need to take care to avoid scratches to the surface similar to electric ranges with glass ceramic tops. Induction cookers have safety features as well, as I wrote when covering the advantages and disadvantages of induction cooking, but let’s look at the features from the viewpoint of a portable option…
Buying Guide for Best Portable induction cooktop
What to look for when choosing the best induction cooker for your space and portability needs?Apart from the quality and size of the induction cooking plate or burner, a few other design features matter when it comes to choosing the right one for you.
Power settings and precise temperature control
The multiple power settings in these appliances mean you can adjust the wattage, in most cases, up to 1800 W. Precise temperature control is another design feature of induction cooktops, that are portable – the single burner types. I wrote an article on power vs temperature settings in these induction cookers and how they differ, which is worth knowing.
Also, look to see whether or not the markings for the settings are easy to read. Especially, take note of whether they are likely to wear away over time.
Precision is not as easy when the markings are difficult to read or when worn away. I’ve had the latter experience and had to replace a working cooktop with a brand new one because setting the heat became a guessing game.
Quality
You’ll want a quality item that is going to last you for years to come. I’ve already mentioned the permanency of the markings on the control panel. As well, make sure to choose an appliance that sits firmly on the countertop. It’s not safe to have one that wobbles. Any unevenness will create hot spots. And, it’s always worth checking the extent of the warranty.
Cleaning
As well, you might want to look for a control panel that is easy to clean. The newer full glass designs are super easy to wipe down because they don’t have knobs on the control panels or crevices to collect grime. The full ceramic glass is easy to clean and is similar to cleaning the surface on a modern electric range.
Safety
Safety features to check out include:
- pan recognition (it recognizes when a induction compatible pan is on the stove)
- child lock protection (it has a lock so little finger can’t turn it on)
- overheat protection function (shuts off the unit when it reaches a threshold)
Other
An extra burner is handy. If you are looking at two burners, will the unit be compact or light enough to fit your needs? Size up the area where you plan to sit or store your induction cooker and check whether the cooker will fit.
An ability to set the cooking time with an in-built timer is a nice feature to have for convenience. Another is having a feature to keep food warm. A boil function is also a handy automation.
Best Brands of Portable Induction Cooktops
Some popular brands with portable induction technology:
- Duxtop
- Cusimax
- Vivohome
The modern units display the settings on bright LCD screens in the digital control panel, which mean you shouldn’t have to worry about hard to read markings.
Duxtop Portable Induction Range Review
Duxtop is owned by Secura. In this range consider the 9600LS…
Duxtop 9600LS induction cooktop review
This one is also in black with a slanted control panel for ease of reading. It features a timer of up to 10 hours.
Duxtop 9600LS
available at Amazon
Power levels and temperature settings: It has 20 power levels from 100 to 1800 watts covering the same number of temperature level settings from 100 °F to 460 °F.
Safety and other features: This one has a child lock. You’ll notice it also has a keep warm button and a boil button, which are nice features for convenience and automation.
Weight: 7.5 lb.
What you should know
This unit offers finer adjustment of the lower power levels of 0.5 through to 5.5 with 80W intervals compared to power levels 5.5 to 10.0, which have 100W intervals. This finer tuning is rarely a feature found in other brands.
Price
- A good price for this popular unit. Check out the latest price at Amazon — See details.
Cusimax Portable Induction Cooker Review
CUSIMAX 1800W
available at Amazon
This Cusimax single induction burner is an affordable option. It has a digital display with titled panel for ease of reading.
Power levels and temperature settings: This one has 9 power levels 200 to 1800 watts covering the temperature range of 140 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can choose between functions of simmer, deep fry, boil, sear, steam, and slow cook.
Safety features and more: This unit has a child safety lock to prevent children from turning the cooker on and pan recognition (a sensor touch countertop burner). It also comes with a timer and has 10 temperature and 9 power setting.
What you should know
It has pan recognition that requires the pot or pan to be induction compatible but also within a size range, which the company states is 4.7”(12cm) to 10.2″(26cm) in diameter.
Price and where to buy
- Check out the latest price at Amazon — See details.
- Available from the Cusimax company.
Vivohome Multi Functional Portable Induction Cooker
What I love about this one is the preselected cooking modes for making soup, braising meats, to boil, warm milk, and to barbecue, hot pot, fry, and steam, which make meal preparation time super easy.
Multifunctional Induction Cooker
available at Amazon
Power levels and temperature settings: This unit has 18 power settings from 100 to 1800W, so that’s means finer selecting at 100 W increments. You can also choose between 17 temperature levels at 20°F increments between 140°F (60°C) to 460°F (238°C). Better still, the preset buttons take the guess work out of getting the mix right.
Safety features and more: Safety features include a child safety lock and also an overheat protection function that will automatically shut down the heating when the temperature reaches a threshold of 563°F(295°C). It also has a 0-24 hr start timer and up to 3 hr count down timer.
Weight: 5.94 lb.
What you should know
It has pan recognition that requires the pot or pan to be induction compatible but also within a size range, which the company states is 3.5″–9.1″ in diameter. The preset function is tricky if you want to modify the heating in some functions. The unit has no rubber feet underneath to stop it slipping on smooth surfaces (tip is to place it on a nonslip mat).
Price and where to buy
- Check the latest price at Amazon
- Also available from the VivoHome company
Best portable double burner induction cooktop
If you’re wanting an extra burner, check out this one by SECURA, the maker of Duxtop. This company is based in North American and specializes in small appliance manufacturing.
Duxtop LCD Double Induction Cooktop 1800W — Available at Amazon
This portable cooker has two heating zones (left and right) and 8 cooking settings, whether you want to boil water, heat milk, fry eggs, saute, or fry steak. Easy clean surface: It is sleek with an easy-to-clean design of the ceramic glass top surface.
A built-in timer can be set for up to 10 hours.
Size: This unit’s dimensions are 14.2″ x 23.9″ x 2.4″ (36 x 60.7 x 6.1 cm).
Power levels and temperature settings: Has 20 power settings from 100 to 1800 watts in the left burner with 20 temperature settings: 100℉ to 460℉. The right burner provides power up to 1000 watts.
Has a fast boil and a keep warm setting.
Safety features: Has a built-in child safety lock, auto-pan detection, and over-heat protection. Other features include a diagnostic error alert and a low and high voltage warning system.
Price
Having two hot plates makes the price of this one a bit more than the others listed here, but still reasonable for what you get.
FAQs
Bottom line
The features of portable induction cooktops make them an attractive appliance and perhaps an essential kitchen item for some. If you consider child safety locks vital, look at least towards the 9600LS or the Cusimax models, or the Vivohome which has some really attractive features, including child safety lock.