Adding a 30-inch induction cooktop to your kitchen will bring the professional and modern touch that you need.
Before you set off to make your purchase though, it is important to investigate what you want out of your cooktop and how you intend to use it.
Once you know exactly what your goals are, you can take the big step of making your purchase. To help you on your way, we will discuss what you should think about when considering the best 30-inch induction cooktop as well as take a look at our top picks that are available on the market today.
Choosing the Best 30″ Induction Cooktop for 2023
Making the decision to replace your old, outdated traditional cooktop with a sleek and modern induction cooktop is a big step. In addition to bringing a new and sophisticated look to your kitchen, it will help you raise the bar and cook like a true professional.
If you are considering this purchase, then you are probably already aware of the benefits of induction cooktop and what it can bring to your cooking life.
However, there is a range of products out there to choose from, so you must know what to look for in a great 30-inch induction stovetop. Factors to consider when making your purchase include size and variety of cooking zones, power level, and safety features.
As with traditional cooktops, induction stovetops come with different size and location of cooking zones. For most people, a cooktop with a bunch of different available sizes is best. This gives you the most versatility and the ability to cook with any size pan.
Depending on how much multi-tasking you are going to be doing in the kitchen, you will want to make sure you have separate zones available. On average, most people find that three or four separate burners is plenty for their needs.
After you know the correct number, size, and variety of burners you want, you will need to take a look at the power level of each zone. When it comes to cooking with an induction cooktop, higher power means faster cooking. The trade-off, however, is that it can be quite expensive to purchase and operate a high-power unit.
Cooktops with a higher power limit tend to cost more upfront. They also use a lot more electricity when compared to traditional electric burners, which is compounded if the power rating is higher or the cooktop is used at the maximum power level. If you do not need all that power, you can save some money by going with a lower power unit.
Lastly, you will want to familiarize yourself with all the different added features you can find. Many of these are related to safety. This includes auto shutoff, safety cut out, auto heating, overflow protection, child locks, and more. The type of features you want to have will mostly depend on your personal preference or situation.
For instance, a child safety lock is great for homes with small children. In some cases, you may even prefer not to have a certain feature.
Some stovetops can automatically shut off if a burner’s temperature has been left unchanged for an extended period of time. While this is a good feature for most people, if you need to cook on a single setting for a long time then this feature may interrupt your cooking.
Reviewing Our Top 4 of the best 30-inch Induction Cooktop
1 – True Induction TI-4B
The True Induction TI-4B induction stovetop is a great place to start for those who are new to induction cooking, or those who are on a tighter budget. It has a unique combination of quality and affordability that has earned it the right to be used in Winnebago RV’s, as well as a few other brands.
It also has True Induction’s own intuitive EZ touch controls that allow for the controls to be easily learned. In addition, it has the ability to automatically sense when a pan has been placed on a cooking zone or removed from a zone. This prevents accidents caused from leaving the cooktop on unintentionally.
In terms of burners, this True Induction TI-4B has four separate burners. These include 2 larger and 2 smaller. This allows you to use pans that range in size from a diameter of just 4.5 inches to as large as 12 inches in diameter. Any cookware that is magnetic will work with the induction burners.
Properly used cookware can achieve the desired temperature you are shooting for in less than a minute. Boiling water can be done in as little as 90 seconds. The time savings here when compared to traditional stovetops is incredible, and certainly more than sufficient for most households.
The surface of the cooktop is made from black ceramic glass and features a beveled edge for safety, strength and durability. This makes it super easy to clean and maintain, requiring only a damp cloth for wiping down after use.
The simple and versatile design allows it to be installed directly into the countertop in your kitchen. Running off a 20-volt outlet and using 700 watts, you can count on all four burners being able to operate simultaneously for even the busiest of mealtimes.
Pros:
- ADA compliant
- 90% energy efficient
- EZ touch controls
- Child Safety features
- UL 858 Listed, built-in safety feature
Cons:
- Requires 240V outlet
- Induction cooktop compatible cookware required
2 – GE Profile PHP9030SJSS
Another great product is this GE Profile Built in Induction Cooktop. One of the main features that sets this unit apart from much of the competition has to do with ease of installation.
If you have a similar cooktop, GE has a FIT guarantee that allows for your new induction cooktop to be installed as a direct replacement of your current unit. On the off chance that it doesn’t fit quite right, GE even offers to pay for modifications to make it work, up to $100 toward renovation/installation costs.
The layout of the burners themselves is a little bit different than the “four corners” type layout of typical stovetops. Instead of four burners in a square formation, with two smaller burners and two larger burners, this cooktop uses a different approach.
The largest burner is a single, 11-inch diameter element located on the right side and center of the cooktop. It then has two medium sized elements at seven inches in diameter that are located on the left side of the cooking area. The fourth burner is a slightly smaller six-inch burner that is located in the center and to the back of the unit.
In addition to having the usual controls for the separate cooking zones, this unit comes with a built-in kitchen timer and the ability to control the lock feature.
Another feature that is not found on all induction cooktops is the ability to sync multiple burners together. This is specifically useful for the griddle accessory that is sold separately from the cooktop and is designed to be placed across the two medium sized elements. With these two zones synced, you can simultaneously control the power of both burners to achieve optimal results.
Pros:
- Installs over the top of some built-in ovens
- Digital setting displays
Intelligent touch screen controls- ADA compliant
- Accessible design
- Included kitchen timer
- Control lock capability
- Pan presence and size sensor
- SyncBurners
Cons:
- Red text of digital screens can be difficult to see
- Burners are a little crowded if you intend to use all four at once
- Must use induction compatible (magnetic) cookware
3 – Frigidaire Professional Cooktop FPIC3095MS
This Frigidaire Professional Cooktop is another great candidate for those looking to take their kitchen and cooking to the next level of professionalism. The stainless-steel trim and black ceramic glass make for a great and modern look that will compliment any home’s interior.
As with our other induction cooktops featured here, it provides superior cooking control and saves a lot of time by being able to quickly and evenly heat induction compatible cookware to the precise temperatures required.
The largest zone is for use with up to ten-inch diameter pans. This element can produce up to 3,400 watts that can be utilized to boil water faster than ever before.
It also has the benefit of being able to precisely control the power of the heat on each burner to ensure professional results in the comfort of your own home.
This includes being able to use a power low enough to melt chocolate, as well as high enough to quickly boil water. In addition, making the transition from lower heat to higher heat, or the other way around, is extremely quick.
Having these capabilities not only allows you to attempt more complex recipes and techniques, but also to quickly and efficiently make a meal in no time.
The four differently sized burners are great for versatile cooking. Laid out in a staggered rectangular pattern, the sizes include a six-inch diameter zone in the rear right corner, a seven-inch zone in the front left corner, 8-inch diameter zone in the rear left corner, and the largest 10 inch diameter zone in the front right corner.
Pros:
- ADA compliant
- UL approved
- Touch controls
- Digital display
- Four differently sized zones
70% more efficient than gas, 20% more efficient than electric- PowerPlus Boost feature for rapid boiling
Cons:
- Works only with magnetic (induction compatible) pots and pans
4 – Ancona AN-2402 Chef Series
The last product in our 30-inch induction cooktop comparison is from Ancona. Like our other options, this Ancona AN-2402 Chef Series has all the makings of a great induction cooktop. The Schott Ceran ceramic glass surface has a 3700-watt power element for rapid heating.
It also has nine different cooking levels so that you can exercise precision in your toughest recipes. The elegant, minimalistic design will integrate seamlessly with any kitchen, providing it with a modern and sophisticated touch.
The heating zones range in size, allowing for the flexibility and versatility of using many different pans. Each zone has a boost function to facilitate rapid boiling of water. The largest burner is located slightly right of center, toward the back of the unit. It then has a medium sized zone located at the front and to the left.
A slightly smaller zone is in the top left corner and the smallest zone is located in the front right corner. This leaves an open area in the back right corner that can be used to set pans that you are not in the process of using at the time. For those interested in a 5-burner induction cooktop, Ancona offers a 36-inch-wide model.
To keep small children from accidentally using the cooktop, the integrated child lock safety feature is key. It also has an indicator light to show you when the cooking surface is still warm from recent use.
In addition, the auto shut off function has a timer that can be set to the desired limit, allowing you to run a zone at a constant temperature for up to 99 minutes without it getting shut off by the safety feature.
Pros:
- Distinct, easy to use touch controls
- Boost function for rapid boiling
- Child safety lock feature
- 1-year limited warranty
- Auto shut off function with adjustable timer, up to 99 minutes
Cons:
- Uses only induction compatible cookware (i.e. magnetic pans)
- Using all four burners simultaneously feels crowded
Conclusion
While it may seem very different from what you are used to with a traditional cooktop, switching to an induction stovetop has a lot of benefits.
Now that you are equipped with the information you need to make a purchase, go ahead and get the best 30-inch induction cooktop for your situation. With a little bit of learning, your new cooking companion will feel as natural as your old, traditional cooktop in no time.
You may also be interested in this post: https://onthegas.org/major-appliances/best-electric-cooktop-with-downdraft
