Of the various induction models available now, the white induction stovetop has most caught the fancy of shoppers with its elegant and trendy look.
Granted induction cooktops are by far the fastest to heat and are great for simmering foods. And, the two important aspects that every induction top owner likes about their stovetop is ease of use and cleaning. The slim and compact design also attracts instant attention.
But even if the shape does differ from one brand to another, all the induction stoves are black in color which is a bit vexing. Then we heard about the white induction cooktop models. These models are a great relief from the monotonous black ones.
The white also adds a vibrant touch to the kitchen and gives the décor more elegance than the black one. No wonder we decided on reviewing it right away.
Does the white induction portable cooktop meet the criteria that homeowners and chefs look for in an induction cooker?
To start with there were not many models available. Of the handful of white induction cooktop models available on the market, we have chosen two of the best models, Morning Star and Paragon Cooking system for our review.
Read on to know how these models fare in terms of performance, convenience, and safety.
How to Choose the Best White Induction Cooktop?
Owning an induction cooktop gives you plenty of benefits. It is efficient, unique looking and provides a clean, trendy and energy efficient cooking experience. In short, it is an essential addition to any modern kitchen.
The drop in the price and improved technological additions have made induction stovetops quite popular. Here are the important features we consider while choosing the best induction cooktop:
- Heating efficiency
- Controls for heating and cooking menus
- Convenience of use
- Safety features like auto shut off, auto pan identification etc.
Products Review
* Morning Star MS-151 Induction Cooktop
Morning Star white induction cooktop is a modern and appealing cooktop that has several technologically advanced features to make cooking an enjoyable and hassle-free task.
It features all the general features found in an induction cooktop and then some. Here are the important features of this white induction burner:
- Ultra slim design
- Rapid heating technology
- Automatic pan detection
- Heating range from 140 degrees to 460 degrees Fahrenheit
- 15 power levels that range from 100 watts to 1500 watts
- Timer that has a 4-hour limit
- Chile safety lock feature
What’s in the package?
With the white induction cooktop is provided a power cord, instruction manual and warranty card.
- Stylish and Sturdy design
The Morning Star white induction plate is designed to meet modern day trends. The white color is a refreshing change from the usual black colored models.
The ultra slim design makes it appear more unique and will add elegance to any kitchen it graces. The cooktop has clean lines and rounded edges. The cooking surface is large and made of a shiny and smooth glass. It is compatible with all cookware that are magnetic based such as stainless steel or cast iron pans and pots.
The controls are clear and easy to see and use. The dimensions of this portable cooktop include 16.2 x 13 x 3.4 inches and the stove weighs 6.46 pounds.
- High on convenience
The controls are designed with advanced touch technology. We were able to control the heating, timer and cooking menu settings with a single touch efficiently.
And the controls were easy to understand, so it is not necessary to be tech-savvy to use the simple but effective controls in this cooktop. The inbuilt timer enables easy tracking of cooking and is adjustable up to 240 minutes (4 hours).
Brightly lit LCD display enables easy viewing. Flashing lights indicate the standby state of the stovetop and that it is ready for use.
The wide temperature range, multiple power levels and responsive sensors make the appliance a breeze to use in the kitchen. Moreover, the white induction stovetop is very efficient too, heating up fast or cooking at temperatures that are ideal for the food type used. The ease of use, appealing look and functional efficiency make it a must-have kitchen accessory.
The stovetop is ideal for use in dinner parties and family gatherings too. It is perfect for keeping food warm all night long. Whether you use it as the main cooking device, or as an extra stove to give you a hand, or you just need more cookers at one time, this stovetop is a good choice to consider.
The compact dimensions make it accommodate any small space including the side counter or the central island in your kitchen.
The portability is another convenient feature. Coupled with the lack of flames, the induction cooktop can be taken along while traveling provided there is an accessible power outlet. The lightweight body and compact design makes it easy to carry wherever you want.
- Performance
The white induction cooker is powerfully built with 10 different temperature levels, each being 30 degrees apart ranging from 140 degrees to 460 degrees Fahrenheit. At 140 degrees and 212 degrees we found the range to be wider which allowed for better simmering.
The power levels are also of a wide range beginning from a low of 100 W to a maximum level of 1500 Watts. This allowed better control over the cooking temperature, which is very important for different forms of cooking like frying, boiling, steaming etc.
The power range ensures cooking is fast and efficient, which we found was better when compared to gas ranges and traditional ovens. Water and milk boiled in less time than with the gas ranges. The white induction stovetop uses electricity of 120 V and 15 amps which is just right for meeting the standards in North American households.
The high heat capacity of the cooktop is well balanced by the turbofan built into the cooktop. The whirring or buzzing noise you hear is due to the fan cooling the device. This ventilation helps avoid overheating of the stovetop and damage to its electronic parts. Part of the noise however may be due to the cooking pan and the induction surface coming into contact.
- Big on safety
Safety is an important aspect you cannot ignore at any cost. We tested the white induction stovetop from Morning star for safety and found the safety features quite solid.
The auto detection sensors turn off the heat automatically when a pan or pot is removed from the induction cooktop.
The child safety lock is another feature that we like in this induction stove. Furthermore, since the cooktop surface does not favor heat transfer, if you have kids in the family you need not worry about the kids touching the surface and getting burnt.
The sensors also detect when you are using non induction compatible cookware and stops working. One easy way to identify whether your cookware is induction friendly is to find out if the pot or pan sticks to the magnet.
If it does, the cookware can be used on the induction cooktop. We found that stainless steel and cast iron cookware worked well while glass, copper and aluminum did not work unless the utensils have a magnetic base attached for working on induction.
The self-diagnostic system present detects the presence of cookware on the surface. The cooktop will move into standby mode when the cookware is removed. The 7 inch cooking surface is capable of handling cookware that has bases ranging from 4.5 inches to 8 inches in diameter.
Pros:
- The design is very appealing with its stylish contours and white color
- Since it is light in weight it is easy to use
- Unit shuts off as soon as pan is removed from the cooking surface
- The LCD display and touch sensitive controls offer ease of use
- Child lock, diagnostic system and auto shut off offer good safety
- The glass surface is durable and cleaning it is easy
- The compact size and slim design makes it easy to store
Heats fast than gas or electric burners
Cons:
- While cooking the pots or pans make a buzzing noise which is annoying
- The induction stove emits whirring noise when heated at high temperatures
- Power settings do not have memory feature so you need to set the time every time
- The settings displayed in the LCD screen are difficult to read when the cooktop is placed under overhead lights
Summing it up
If you are looking for a trendy addition to your elegant kitchen, the Morning Star may be a good choice to consider. The modern design is not limited to the exterior.
It has rapid heat technology, touch dependent controls and safety features that make it a very desirable product. The instant heat, auto shut off feature, convenient handling, easy storage and uniform cooking efficiency ensures the product is worth every penny you shell out for it.
* Paragon Cooking System White Induction Cooktop
The Paragon Cooking System is the second White Induction Cooktop we reviewed. The cooking temperature is a crucial factor that decides the taste, aroma and texture of the food. With the normal stove tops cooking foods like steak can be quite tricky.
If you don’t maintain the temperature right, the steak will either be undercooked or overcooked. or worse, burnt. And simmering foods like chili require maintaining a steady and low temperature.
Regardless of the type of cooktop you use, having a consistent temperature is vital for cooking dishes that taste best. We found the Paragon white induction cooktop takes care of the temperature feature perfectly with the special probe provided.
We have tested the various features of this white induction stovetop and here is a breakdown of them:
Features:
- The induction burner has a high capacity of 1200 Watts allowing instant heating of food to the required temperature
- Direct heating via magnetic energy for controlled and uniform temperature
- Mat and probe are easy to pair with Bluetooth module. This allows you to change cooking temperature instantly.
- Probe is mainly useful for sous vide cooking and for controlling temperature of liquids
- The mat feature allows efficient searing, sautéing, simmering and other cooking methods easily
- Attractive and unique design
The circular design with angled legs is a definite attraction, which is further enhanced with the white color. In fact the shape may have you easily mistake it for a stylish game console. The mat and probe accessories further add chic to the induction cooktop.
Cooking surface of the white induction plate is 12 inches, but when you take the overall cooktop with its angled legs, the diameter will be 5 inches more. The induction cooker weighs 6 pounds so storing it or taking it along while traveling is a breeze. The cooking surface is designed to hold pans and pots that are of diameter ranging from 6 to 11 inches.
Control panel is clearly displayed with six buttons and the display has a white glow. We were able to control the temperature, raise or lower it easily with the down and up buttons.
The Bluetooth Probe helps to regulate the temperature precisely. The probe is made of flexible silicone. It has a small rectangular plate made of gray and black plastic, inside which all electronic components are placed. The probe can be clipped on to the cooking pot with its magnetic feature
- Excellent heating efficiency
Paragon induction cooktop uses advanced temperature control technology.
According to the makers, this allows you to reach the cooking temperature you want consistently. We decided to test this and found that it certainly does maintain the temperature needed. We were able to cook steak medium rare through and through. And we were able to cook a 65 degrees egg as easily.
And the probe need not be used every time you cook. For instance, if you want seared or browned meat, you can use the direct heating mode and pick from the 10 levels of heating.
Level 1 corresponds to 50 watts and 10 denote 1200 watts. You can easily find out which temperature suits you best. It took us some time to adjust the heat to the required temperature but this has to be done for any type of burner.
The probe can be used directly without the app. We submerged its tip in water and switched it on. After setting the temperature needed, we pressed the start button. The cooktop and probe worked together heating water in the pan to the temperature we set.
- Convenient hassle-free cooking
The Bluetooth connectivity of the probe with Android or iOS devices makes monitoring and setting up cooking time and temperature a walk in the park.
Although as we mentioned before, it is possible to use the white induction cooker without the app, having the app will make cooking super easy. You can set different cooking times for the various foods you cook.
After installing the app and connecting it to the probe using the Bluetooth, you can select from the seven cooking categories including fruits, vegetables, eggs, fish, pork, poultry and beef. It is possible to choose the meat thickness and the level of cooking you want done too. We tried cooking sous vide after installing and connecting to Bluetooth.
We picked the meat thickness and chose how cooked we needed the meat to be and pressed the continue option. The pot of water started heating and alerted us when it was time to add the sealed meat. After the meat is cooked to the set level, the app alerts you to the completed state.
In the app, a circle is shown with the water temperature and the time when the food will be prepared displayed. Although the app does not indicate the time elapsed, which we found a bit frustrating, it still is a very handy tool to have.
Other than the app, the controls are easy to use and do not need any technical knowhow. The parameters set for the different cooking forms are right on target so you can easily cook delicious and tasty meals anytime and anywhere with this portable and trendy cooktop.
Pros:
- The cooking surface is versatile and easy to clean in case of spills
- The controls are clearly displayed allowing better control over the cooking temperature and time
- The results are pretty reliable
- Easy to carry while traveling
Cons:
The temperature maintenance needs vast improvement.- The Bluetooth range is very much limited. Only one device can access the site at a time.
- The mat does not withstand heavy heating as it melts
- Support personnel do not respond to queries and complaints regarding the cooktop
Summing it up
The parts of the Paragon system we liked best was the efficient and advanced probe and app feature. It can be used for other induction cooktops too, while you indulge in sous vide cooking. While the features are good, the price is expensive, making you consider other cheaper and more efficient options.
Conclusion
Of the two induction cooktops, Morning Star white induction cooktop scored well comparatively. It was fast, cooked food in less time and had a great look. Other than the annoying noises it emits, while it is working the cooktop is a good choice.
But, if you are tech savvy and want to reduce the time and effort spent on setting the temperature and other features appropriately, the Paragon system is a good choice. When you compare the prices, Morning Star white induction cooktop gives you more value while spending on Paragon seems a bit overboard, especially for small kitchens.
