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Comment by 10x-dev | Hacker News Reader

I bought an induction stove 5 years ago. I cook 3-5 times a week and I love it. I will never go back to gas stoves. At this point, I see them as a fire hazard.

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Induction is a game changer, just got one and also will never go back. I love showing friends that it can boil water in less than 2 mins.

So can my $10 water cooker.

I'm guessing that you're not in the US on 110v

Two phase power hookup in US has 220volts between the different phases.

Those are generally meant for single devices, hence aren't going to be on the kitchen counter. Instead you'd have to have a dedicated plug, circuit, and associated costs with that.

Can induction stoves just be set up in any kitchen that has electricity, or is there some kind of other "infrastructure" needed?

Yes, but they usually need their own electric circuit because their peak current draw is very high. That's generally not that hard to install though.

One and two burner models seem to use ordinary 120V @15 amp power. I've tested two single burner models, they both top out at 1440 watts. I think the two burner models divide the 1440 watts total between the two burners.

Larger ones need 240VAC at 30amps.

I appreciate the information, but referring to an induction set-up as a “burner” makes me die inside, and I don’t even know why. It just feels wrong. Isn’t there a better term we can use?

British vernacular here: We used the word "hob"

I'm british too (proper, innit?) - I always thought that "hob" refers to the entire unit (a "range" or "stovetop" in en-US), not each unit-of-heating.

Don't forget that "Hobbs" can also refer to one's kettle

Mine requires a 240V outlet.

You'll need special pots and pans - and not wear a pacemaker.

Where "special" just means that the pan has to be of a magnetic material. Cast iron yes, stainless steel maybe, copper no.

Looks like the Scanpans I have (and love) now might not work, but the same manufacturer does offer an induction-compatible line. Replacing them all wouldn't be cheap, but certainly justifiable if I'm already buying a house and/or new stove.

I have a few Scanpans. They work on my stove just fine.

Also, good old enamel pots work very well, and they're awesome to cook with.

Depends on a stove. My can only detect proper induction-capable pots, enameled pots don't work, stove shows "F" (like f*ck this?).

I wouldn't say so. I still use some of my old pans. Lots of new pots and pans even in cheap stores have the induction symbol on them.

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