Being Conscious in the Kitchen: Start with the Stove
Forget those glowing, raised orange coils; these are not your parents’ electric stoves. Welcome to today’s induction cooktops.
Courtesy of Bertazzoni and Aga
Gas stoves typically account for about 2 percent of a household’s total gas usage, but the fumes they produce are proven to be dangerous. When you’re cooking with one, use that vent! And when it’s time to buy a new range or cooktop, be ready to go electric. Induction ovens and burners are more evolved, savvier relatives to lazy electric coil burners, and higher powered than electric radiant heated options. And now that 48 American cities (and counting) have banned natural-gas-powered appliances in newly built homes, buildings, and restaurants, cooks who are not yet sold on induction—the engineering marvel that boils water in under two minutes, with magnets—will have to adapt.
Here are a few top-performing induction ranges and cooktops that will clean up your kitchen. Sadly, they don’t do dishes.
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Bertazzoni Induction
The 140-year-old Italian range and cooktop brand Bertazzoni offers a luxury induction range in poppy colors at a slightly more affordable price point. Available in two sizes, 30 and 36 inches wide, its simple, straightforward knobs and controls are intuitive for the user. And induction naysayers will be impressed by the even baking and surprisingly effective electric broiler.
Aga Induction Elise
Even the luxury European gas-stove giant AGA, popular since the 1930s and known for staying hot at all times, is getting onboard the induction train. The AGA Elise has a ceramic cooktop that allows pots to capture 90 percent of the energy output, compared to 55 percent on a gas flame. And since it’s available in five colors plus stainless steel, it doesn’t compromise its classic good looks.
GE Profile 30″ Smart Slide-in Front-Control Induction Fingerprint-Resistant Range with in-Oven Camera Model
GE Induction ranges offer many of the top-rated, mid-priced induction options to date. This newest version features an in-oven camera, precision sensor on the cooktop that regulates pan temperature and holds it at a set degree (no more guessing at low, medium, or high), Air Fry technology, and built-in WiFi.
Bosch Series 36″ Induction Cooktop
It’ll take you longer to read the manual of this professional-feeling Bosch than it would to slow-cook chili on the 36-inch cooktop. Once you get the hang of it, you may never burn dinner again. It has power-boosts to boil water quickly, precise temperature controls, a wide control panel to explain which burner is doing what, and a gentle keep-warm setting that won’t scorch butter.
