29 March 2010

Lookie what KitchenAid's selling in Europe

Posted by Paul Anater at 9:04 AM


It's not fair. KitchenAid's selling this gas/ induction combination cooktop in Europe but not in North America.


It has three gas burners and two induction burners and it's the perfect hybrid. Gas plus electric means that nobody converting to induction needs to buy new pots and pans. Cross the Atlantic with that thing already!

Step 90cm by KitchenAid
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15 comments:

  1. It took forever for induction to get to the US in the first place so good luck with that. But I have to ask, why bother? Induction is faster, cleaner and safer - if you get too close to the induction cooktop while sauteeing you don't risk singed eyebrows or burnt bangs:)
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  2. You don't need to convince me, I think induction's the ultimate cooking technology. Some people need to have their hands held and this cooktop is the perfect bridge.
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  3. Looking at that photo, all I can think is those would have to be VERY SMALL pots and pans to fit on the induction hobs! Pans will have an especial problem, because the lower height handle will probably whack into the grates of the gas grills.

    My second thought is -- if I had to choose a ratio, I would rather two gas and three induction. I don't think they had much choice there, though, as it would be silly to reach over a messy gas hob to get to the lower induction hob behind it. A side-by-side split would be a better configuration I think, though.

    Nonetheless, I applaud Kitchenaid (Whirlpool?) in offering this transitional cooktop.
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  4. Well, things are smaller in Europe... Ummmm I still think it's an interesting idea.
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  5. We need more "small kitchen stuff" here in the US! Wonder who and why they put the kabosh on it here? I can't think of a safety reason by looking at the appliance.
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  6. I agree and the reason that sort of stuff doesn't show up in the US is that you can't sell sell it in suburbia. So I say anyhow.
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  7. I agree that there is no way one could sell that product to a typical suburban American household. But that said, I checked and the front induction hobs are 5.5" in diameter (just the heating element). I can't find a dimension guide for the actual space to the grates, but I am guessing about 8"? So you could fry eggs or other things in small frypans, or do things like soups in small saucepots, on the front hobs. One of the significant benefits of induction, however, is how quickly you can boil water. It's a shame that you wouldn't be able to use a stockpot for your pasta, on the induction hobs of this cooktop!

    It's a great idea but I really wish they had configured the gas and induction side by side, vs front and back.
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  8. On a continent where everything looks apartment sized to American eyes, having five burners must be the very embodiment of luxury. I wonder if I can scare up somebody at KitchenAid to explain the thinking that went into this appliance.
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  9. In a tiny apartment, I would rather have at 24" cooktop with three hobs of varying sizes that allow freer use of my pots (split two induction, one gas), than a wider cooktop with five hobs of limited use. I am willing to bet that Europeans do not like to crowd their skillets when browning or searing, etc (which, in addition to boiling water, is another function at which induction does excel).

    If anyone can elicit an explanation from KA, I would guess it's you. :)
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  10. I'm already shaking the PR tree for a connection who can talk about this thing from KA's perspective. I wonder if any of my Italian readers have an opinion...
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  11. I love induction! Have cooked on it for over 25 years. (Right now I have gas though) A few years back Viking introduced their 24 inch commercial look cook top in Induction. I thought it was a wonderful idea because I could link it with their gas cook top and get the best of both worlds when trying to do a higher end commercial look kitchen. It must not have taken off, because I just noticed it is no longer in their brochures. ( the electric one was there and a freestanding range.)Sure didn't last long. these manufacturers need to give something a chance to catch on and learn how to market this stuff. The pan thing is no big deal , but people make to much of it. Most people find they have pans that will work.

    I am really bummed by this because I am just planning a new house for hubby and me and had planned on using this induction cooktop.
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  12. Sue: With Rachele's prodding, I've been in contact with KitchenAid's PR agency already today. I'm working on a post about appliance product development with their help and maybe we can address some of your (and my) gripes.
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  13. Just had a client in the other day, and we had this very discussion over gas or induction. He had mentioned if they had a "dual fuel" available for both induction and gas, it would be perfect. I agreed. When will we stop chasing after the Europeans when it comes to great kitchen design ideas?!? Who knows though, they say with a recession comes innovation.
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  14. Scott: Thanks for stopping in, I appreciate you comment. I feel your pain as well. I often wonder the same thing and KitchenAid doesn't seem to want to talk about it. Apparently, they're not the only game in town. This post was picked up by a Japanese website yesterday and at the end of it are a handful of Japanese hybrid models. Let me see if I can't find that link.
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  15. Here's that link Scott: http://kitchendesigners.weblogs.jp/365/2010/04/
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