Okay, so I’ve spent years battling grumpy gas stoves and electric burners that take forever to heat up. So, naturally, the buzz around induction cooking – you know, the speed, the pinpoint accuracy, the whole energy-saving thing – had me seriously intrigued. I had to see for myself if the Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop (that’s the 9600LS/BT-200DZ model) could actually live up to the hype.
First Look:
Right off the bat, the Duxtop feels like a quality piece of kit. The silver finish? Nice and sleek. The glass top? Looks like a breeze to wipe down – always a win in my book! And the size? Seriously compact (think 11.4″D x 14″W x 2.5″H). This is a huge plus if you’re tight on counter space. I’m talking tiny apartments, dorm rooms, even just needing an extra burner when Thanksgiving rolls around – this thing could be a lifesaver.
Does It Actually Cook?
This is where things get interesting. Power it on, and bam! The touch controls respond like a dream – super intuitive. What I really dig are the 20 different power levels and temperature settings. Whether I was melting chocolate (a delicate operation for a perfect ganache, you know?) or trying to get a good sear on a steak, I felt totally in control.
And that “fast boil” button? Seriously impressive. Water was bubbling away way faster than on my old electric stove. Plus, the keep-warm setting? Genius! I was juggling a few different dishes and it kept my sauce simmering nicely without burning it.
Now, a heads-up: induction cooktops need special cookware – stuff with a magnetic bottom. I already had a set of stainless steel pots and pans that worked great, but it’s worth keeping in mind. The Duxtop does have a safety feature that shuts it off if it doesn’t detect the right kind of pot or pan, which is a nice touch.
My “Road Test”:
I recently hauled the Duxtop along on a weekend getaway to a cabin. The cabin’s stove was, let’s just say, vintage (and not in a good way). The Duxtop saved the day! I whipped up perfect pancakes in the morning and a killer pasta dish at night, all without any kitchen stress. It was so easy to pack, super simple to set up, and made cooking in a less-than-stellar kitchen totally doable.
The Good Stuff:
- Super portable and doesn’t hog space
- Gives you serious control over the heat with tons of settings
- Boils water faster than you can say “mac and cheese”
- Cleans up in seconds
- Packed with safety features
- Saves energy (and who doesn’t want that?)
A Couple of Minor Gripes:
- You need the right kind of pots and pans
- The touch controls might take a tiny bit of getting used to
The Bottom Line:
Honestly, the Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop is a winner. If you want a cooktop that’s easy to move around, gives you amazing control, and doesn’t waste energy, this is it. Whether you’re a total pro in the kitchen or just starting out, this little gadget will make cooking a whole lot more fun. Two thumbs up from me!