Kitchen Appliances: Cool cooktop

Reviewed by:
Rosemary Thornton

With its vitro-ceramic black glass surface, this induction cooktop not only looks cool, but feels cool to the touch. Induction cooking uses electromagnetic energy to transfer heat directly to cookware. Pots and pans heat up but the cooktop remains cool, eliminating burn hazards and making after-meal clean-up much easier.

With 12 power levels, this cooktop can bring water to a boil in seconds or keep foods warmed with a 50-watt simmer setting. One caveat - this cooktop works only with ferrous (cast iron) pans. A five-piece set of "All-Clad" cookware is included with the unit. Price is $3,995 (December 2004).