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PaperclipPerfector  5d ago (text post)   2300 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for May 25, 2025

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The last place I rented had an expensive-ish Smeg induction hob. Italian so inevitably it had reliability issues, but when it worked it worked very well, and in fact much better than gas (normally my preference) at certain things.

What do I mean by that? Heating up water especially. It had a ‘power’ mode that could, in less than 2 minutes, bring a large pot of water to the boil. I presume this took a great amount of electricity (although I don’t remember a measurable impact on bills) but it was extremely convenient when making pasta or boiling potatoes or whatever.

The downside is, as @sarker suggests, that it constantly beeps at you when water or utensils are on the stovetop. The upside is, I imagine especially if you have kids, that you can touch it even when it’s ‘hot’ and it’s fine.

Smeg

https://youtube.com/watch?v=NTMINrFtPlU&pp=ygUOcmVkIGR3YXJmIHNtZWc%3D

I presume this took a great amount of electricity (although I don’t remember a measurable impact on bills) but it was extremely convenient when making pasta or boiling potatoes or whatever.

Induction stovetops are as efficient as electric kettles at boiling water. Probably more so if you cover the pot.

I presume this took a great amount of electricity (although I don’t remember a measurable impact on bills)

It shouldn't take any more than any other type of electric heat. In fact, I'd suspect it's negligibly cheaper to heat water in two minutes instead of 20: You have to add the same amount of net thermal energy to the pot, but you aren't losing heat from a 20-99C pot for the other 18 minutes.

Yes, I guess you’re right. I imagined there might be some kind of additional inefficiency, but probably not.

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