Induction cooktops sizzle as next-generation kitchen options

The desire of homeowners for more energy-efficient appliances is pushing manufacturers to launch new models of induction stoves as they imagine the future of American kitchens.

Hundreds of brands debuted new home products last month at the Design & Construction Week trade show in Las Vegas, where innovations in induction cooktops were a prominent theme. Several companies shared industry firsts with powerful heat capabilities and custom cook settings, each attempting to show that induction can stand up to the more familiar natural gas.

For homes without a gas hookup, induction cooktops offer an option different from traditional electric versions. Induction uses an electromagnetic field to transfer currents to cookware, whereas electric burners transfer radiant heat. Pots and pans used in induction cooking have to be magnetic — steel and cast-iron cookware will work while aluminum and copper-clad finishes are not compatible.

Manufacturers say the new induction stoves capitalize on a growing shift toward homeowners valuing energy efficiency and comes as gas bans have been proposed around the country in recent years. A federal court last year blocked a gas ban for new construction homes in Berkeley, California, that passed locally.

“Especially with California and the new regulations coming in, there’s so much coming into the space of rethinking gas and how safer cooking will be in the future,” Olivia Edmundson, director of brand and product marketing at luxury appliance maker JennAir, said in an interview.

A major talking point in the conversation of electrifying kitchens is indoor air quality. A 2024 Stanford University study found that gas ovens emit high levels of nitrogen dioxide, which can intensify asthma attacks and decrease lung development in children over time.

"You're seeing a lot of consumers now more concerned about what's going on with gas cooking and gas appliances in general," said Dean Brindle, head of product for home appliances at LG.

A 2023 Consumer Reports survey suggested that just 3% of homes had induction cooktops, though 69% of respondents said they would consider induction for a future purchase.

Induction also opens up more design possibilities, changing the way kitchens can look and function. A few manufacturers now offer integrated induction cooktops: Dekton, by the Spanish company Cosentino, hides cooktops completely.

Much of the growing interest and knowledge of induction has come by word of mouth, according to Brindle.

“Now that consumers are starting to see more of it online and starting to move that way, they’re finding it’s working quite well,” he said.

Here are some of the brands betting on induction:

Smeg wants to be known for more than its retro-style refrigerators. The brand debuted several product lines, from dishwashers to countertop ovens. It also launched induction ranges and even electric grills for the first time.

The induction option is a move toward sustainability for the brand, said Meredith LoBianco, product team member at Italy-based Smeg.

The launch featured several sizes of ranges, including a compact induction range at 24 inches, which works for high-density areas with small footprints, something that could be increasingly important as homebuilders construct smaller homes to make them more affordable.

The ranges come in two matte colors, which is new territory for Smeg.

“We’re definitely seeing a leaning trend towards mattes,” said LoBianco.

Kitchen appliance brand Thor has partnered with Impulse, an induction cooktop company that’s hitting the market for the first time. Impulse uses a built-in battery pack to power the cooktop, requiring a standard 120-volt outlet.

Impulse CEO Sam D’Amico said it’s more powerful and precise than existing electronic systems used for induction ranges. It allows homeowners to select specific temperatures and uses small sensors to detect the temperature within a pot or pan.

JennAir showcased two induction launches, one including a downdraft vent that replaces an overhead range hood and another offering a custom cooking experience.

The new downdraft model offers a quiet alternative to range hoods, according to JennAir. The other professional option allows homeowners to set burners to exact temperatures or select settings such as sauté or boil. A common argument against induction manufacturers hear is the difficulty of controlling temperature, as most cooktops range between high, medium, and low heat.

“It’s bringing the same precision you get with an oven or sous vide. It produces the same results,” said Edmundson, referring to the low-temperature, long-time cooking method. “If you have kids at home, you’re trying to make pancakes, the first few are a little bit [undercooked] and the last one is a little burnt. You no longer have to choose a favorite kid to get the best pancake — now you have the same results.”

Another appliance manufacturer, Bluestar, debuted a new 48-inch induction cooktop that features a matte top rather than the typical glass sheen.

The matte finish is less reflective but more resistant to scratches and fingerprints, said the brand, addressing another headache for homeowners. The cooktop includes 11-inch cooking zones, which Bluestar said is the largest on the market.

One attraction for homeowners to induction is the cooktop’s flexibility feature. Many brands create cooktops with zones that combine two burners for a larger cooking area that can fit large pans and Dutch ovens easily with even heat transfer.

“Speed is a big story for consumers,” said Brindle of LG, parent company of the SKS brand. “Speed still sells, right? Nobody wants to waste time in the kitchen.”

SKS, formerly known as Signature Kitchen Suite, launched a 36-inch professional range. The appliance comes with an artificial intelligence tool that analyzes ingredients and suggests cooking modes and recipes. The range also has a steam function to help homeowners in the variety of ways they cook.

An innovation from Dacor came in the form of noise-canceling technology. The Samsung subsidiary said it’s common to hear a humming sound when multiple burners are in use. The new technology reduces the volume. Dacor also noted the popularity of convection and air frying in cooking, so it added those features.

To meet indoor air quality concerns, Fotile said, its FreshBake range neutralizes 90% of odors, grease and harmful gases. Technology embedded into the range purifies the air, according to the Chinese brand.