Induction cooktops are the babies of modern technology.
They come in different aesthetics and may dazzle you with various features, from a simple control panel to having wifi and Alexa as your companion in cooking.
The wide variety is astounding — requiring much more consideration than just wanting to heat something for dinner.
But before you rack your brain over special features, let’s look at a crucial factor first: induction cooktop sizes.
What size do induction cooktops come in?
If you have already done your initial research on induction, you know it’s hard to turn away from its benefits.
It cooks faster, has more precise power and temperature control, is time- and energy-efficient, and is safer with its advanced features and lack of fire hazards.
How does this magic happen without flame?
Induction is just another way of heating. When you have a fluctuating electromagnetic field, ferromagnetic materials vibrate in response. Consequently, this produces heat.
Induction cooktops can be portable, built-in, or kitchen slide-ins (e.g., induction ranges).
Two things come to mind when discussing induction stove sizes: the cooktop’s space and the burner zones.
Induction cooktop dimensions
Let’s discuss the former since you’ll likely have to consider kitchen space first.
FYI: The single dimension used to describe an induction cooktop refers to its width, i.e., a 36-inch model would mean it is 36 inches (36”) wide.
The induction cooktop’s standard size is around 30”- 36”. Keep this in mind!
A portable induction comes with a single burner. It is cheaper and comes in size no different than your single gas and electric stoves. That’s typically 12 inches or 30 centimeters.
A built-in cooktop will fit snugly in your kitchen and is the sleekest option of the three. They often come with multiple heating elements. If you are the type to multi-task, it’s certainly ideal!
You’ll find that built-ins across different brands usually stick to a width of 36”. For example, the Bosch Benchmark NITP660UC (4.44x 37x 21.25) and GE Profile PHP9036SJSS (4.625x 36.125×20.5) have quite similar dimensions (HxWxL), and both have five heating elements.
A smaller built-in would be around 24”, while an impressive size would be 45”. Commercial-type cooktops can even get to 48”!
An induction range would take the most space among the three as it includes an oven (usually a convection one). If you are a baking enthusiast or want to be one, an induction range would fit you!
The standard size of an induction range hovers around 30”. The length and width are almost equal, making it more squarish than rectangular, as observed in built-in inductions. The height or depth may differ with the convection oven’s capacity and other included features such as storage drawers or an extra smaller oven.
A freestanding induction range like Frigidaire Gallery’s 30-in unit would look bulkier than the slide-ins. However, it will not require you to find a space between cabinets to accommodate and support your cooktop, so if you have enough room in your kitchen, you can put it anywhere you want!
Now that you have a slight idea of the typical induction cooktop’s size, you’d want to get acquainted with a crucial feature: the burner zones.
Burner zone sizes
You can detect the burner zone by either a circle or a cross which you can use as a guide to center your pan.
Many cooktops have an average burner zone of 7”-8” in diameter. The smallest can be around 4.5 inches, while the biggest would be an 11-inch burner zone.
Induction ranges and built-ins with multiple heating elements can incorporate burner zones of different sizes. Some even have flexible cooking zones which can adjust to the pan size.
Portable burners often have a minimum 4-5 inches pan base requirement so the burner sensor can detect the pan.
When considering burner zones, choosing a pan that fits your zones or the other way around is of utmost significance.
The heating element, except for flex zones, is only within the circle. Typically a 1-inch difference between your pan base and the burner zone is acceptable.
Does the size of an induction burner matter?
As emphasized above, the size of an induction burner matters— A LOT!
If you already have a set of cookware compatible with induction, the next step is to match your pan’s base to the induction cooktop burner size.
A pan that’s too small (more than 1.2-1.3 inches difference from the zone) may not activate the heating element altogether. Meanwhile, if you use a large pan on a small burner zone, you’d get inefficient heating and may consume more cooking time than intended.
Remember that pan size, material, and positioning are crucial to unlocking the induction’s efficiency.
If you already chose an induction cooktop and realized too late that your burner zone/s does not match your pan’s base, you can follow these tips to get the most out of your money.
- Use an interface disk. A converter or interface disk not only makes it possible for non-compatible cookware to work in an induction cooktop but also enables bigger zones to detect smaller pans. This magnetic stainless steel plate can become a medium to transfer heat from the cooktop to cookware directly.
- For larger pans, ensure that it doesn’t intrude on the control panel area and interfere with electronics or cause heat damage. Moreover, it should be positioned at the center as much as possible without going over to other burner zones as it may trigger the sensor, and you’d end up heating one pan on two zones.
- To keep a larger pan’s temperature as uniform as possible, choose a pan with conductive material to distribute the heat evenly, e.g., a multi-clad pan with an internal copper layer. Additionally, stir the contents regularly to redistribute heat and compensate for heat and cold zones.
How to measure cooktop size
Installation is another step that will need your attention. A professional can also help you in this process so that once your built-in or slide-in range finally comes home, it will fit easily into your home.
A cooktop’s size is readily available to you. Again, the dimensions found in induction cooktops refer to the width, e.g., a 36-inch unit. You can clarify the length and depth (height) through a salesperson or the manual.
When installing, however, you must be aware of the term “cutout dimensions”.
The cutout dimension refers to the width and length of the opening on the countertop required to fit the built-in appliance. A built-in cooktop sits atop the countertop to provide that seamless look. Hence, a cutout dimension is always smaller than the cooktop dimension.
To prepare for an installation, follow these steps as a guide.
- Refer to the cooktop size in the manual. If you want to replace a cooktop with a same-size newer model, uninstall the old cooktop first, then measure the width by going from the right to the left outer edge, respectively. Afterward, measure from the front to the back outer edge.
- Cutting out is best left to the professional. In the case of an existing cutout, measure the width of the front and back. Use the right-to-left method. To measure the length, take a front-to-back measurement from both the left and right outer edges. In both cases, use the smaller measurement in case of differences.
- For slide-in ranges, note that old models overlap with the countertop while newer ones may not. They may also have a gap at the back to accommodate a countertop filler, as can be expected in kitchen islands.
- The height of the slide-in is vital if you are matching it to the existing cabinets at home so take time to include this parameter as well when purchasing. The height of the range is usually 35.5-36.5 inches.
- Induction doesn’t present a fire hazard. The manual may require zero clearance between the unit wall and adjacent combustibles in your kitchen space (like this Bosch freestanding range). Be that as it may, still take note of other required minimum clearance to avoid accidents.
A guide to cooktop sizes of some brands
If you don’t know where to start, here are three trusted brands in the induction industry you can refer to when it comes to sizes.
Bosch induction cooktop sizes
Bosch induction cooktops are certainly one you would consider a worthy splurge.
The simple 500 series that’s only 24” wide also offers an 11” cooking zone perfect for large gatherings.
The Benchmark series stands out most among the product lines with its 30” and 36” options. Bosch’s FlexInduction technology allows combining two cooking zones to accommodate large pans.
Miele induction cooktop sizes
If you want a larger induction cooktop, Miele offers a 42” induction (KM 6377) that houses four cooking zones with 2 PowerFlex zones— a technology similar to FlexInduction by Bosch.
Miele also has 24”, 30”, and 36” options. Like Bosch, they also have 3,4, and 5-burner zones available for you.
Nuwave induction cooktop sizes
With a price range of up to $3000, it may be hard to love induction cooktops, as seen in Miele and Bosch.
But don’t give up yet! You can start small with the portable options, and when you are sure, you can look forward to built-ins and slide-ins.
Nuwave offers you a no-nonsense, cheaper selection with its Precision Induction Cooktops made up of single and double burners with approximately 8-in burner zone. The single burners range from 12.5”- 13.5” in width. Meanwhile, the dual burners are 24 inches wide.
Bottomline
Transitioning to induction may seem like a hassle, but good planning makes the journey easier. Start with the most apparent parameters, such as cooktop sizes, then climb your way to the particular features your wallet and your kitchen would agree on!
Good luck!
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