Koolatron TCXU-24 Total Chef Automatic Coffee and Wine Urn 24-Cup Capacity, Silver Review

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(More customer reviews)I have owned two (2) of these 24-cup coffee urn products, over the past 3+ years. The first one began leaking at about the end of the first year, so we liked the product enough to locate and purchase our second unit. The second urn worked well for about ten (10) months, but, this past week the device that controls the flow of liquid from the urn broke. Although we can still make our coffee, we must now LADDLE IT OUT OF THE URN. Not the best way to start one's day, I'm very sure.
I've had the device completely disassembled and attempted to repair the faulty item (it is a clear plastic unit, rather barrel-shaped, with a slot that allows the fliud to be discharged when the barrel is turned to the opening. The shaft that connects to the lever on the outside of the urn has snapped off and will not accept any of the glueing products that I've tried, attempting to repair it (even tried to re-enforce the device, inside, to no avail).
Since this is my second urn, and the problem is NOT A REPEAT OF THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST URN, I feel the consumer should be aware that the life expectancy of these products seems to be far less than the average consumer might expect, for an in-home electronic appliance, and incredibly short for any possible commercial use.
When working, the product was more than satisfactory, but, the unexpectedly short projected life of the product should be noted on the product, and/or these faults should be reflected in the pricing of the unit(s). If I could have found a parts supplier, I might not be so negative about the product either, but, having to purchase a new unit EVERY YEAR seems totally unfair to the consumer likely to purchase this product.

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Total Chef 24-cup coffeemaker Versatile coffee machine prepares coffee, tea, mulled wine, and keeps them warm too. This Coffeemaker/wine urn is great for parties.

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Fagor 670040610 Eco-Friendly Portable Induction Cooktop Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this product for $99 at a local Kitchen wears store. I have used All Clad and Cast Iron cookwear with no problems. I found using a silicon baking mat when I use the cast iron, allows me not to worry about scratching the glass surface. This product has 3 function settings -
1. Power settings(1-10)
#1(300W 2 secs. on 3 sec. off) LOW
#2(300W 3 secs on 2 secs off) LOW
#3 (560W) Med-LOW
on up to
#10 (1600W) High
2. Temp. settings (150,180,210,240,270,300,330,360,390)
3. Timer settings (0-150 mins)
I use the Temp. setting mostly. The Power and Temp. functions do work independently from one another. This product seems well made and has made cooking faster and my apartment does not heat up like it used to when using the stove. It is made by Fagor a well known name in the induction equipment business. For me the price was right I am very happy with the purchase.

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Revolutionary Casa Essentials Portable Induction Cooktop is an energy - efficient mealtime marvel! SAVE NOW! Heats only where you want! Unlike gas or other electric burners, the Casa Essentials Induction Cooktop actually "senses" the size of the pan placed on it, and heats only the correct-size area! This places 90% of the heat energy directly into the cooking, versus 50% with less-direct methods, saving you time and energy cost. Use indoors, outdoors, as a centerpiece or backup burner. No matter what, you'll bump up your kitchen versatility and bump DOWN the energy bill! Concentrated cookery: Heat-resistant glass surface is cool to the touch when not in use, a breeze to clean; Precision soft-touch digital controls; Built-in timer; Lightweight and compact for easy storage; Safety feature will not generate heat unless an iron pan is detected on surface; Rubberized feet for stability; 10 power settings; Also perfect for fondue and warming applications. 8" diam. cooking surface, Measures 12 1/2 x 13 3/4 x 2 3/8"h. overall. ETL-listed. Order yours today and get cookin'! Casa Essentials Portable Induction Cooktop

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iPortable Induction Cooker Review

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(More customer reviews)Having owned a 5 zone induction cooktop imported from the UK in my previous home, I was already spoiled and no stranger to the responsiveness, efficiency, and pure power of induction cooking as well as the different brand units out there. I was a tad nervous about plunking down $500 for a single induction burner, however, this little workhorse has proven to be one of the most joyously hard working appliances in this old kitchen being used exclusively now while the archaic smooth top stove sits cool and idle.
The heat settings on this unit are spontaneous and responsive with a range that will shame your pro-gas stove or cooktop for putting a perfect sear on a roast and boiling a large pot of water lightening fast, plus all settings in between that are dead on accurate as well as a setting low enough to be used as a hot plate. And all this can be done anywhere, even outdoors. What a concept!
I highly recommend this Viking cooker if you are considering bringing induction into your home and would like a test drive a unit that is truly top notch and representative of the genre.
***Important to remember with all induction cooktops is your cookware must be ferrous or magnetic. You can test your pots and pan bottoms with an ordinary kitchen magnet. Cast iron and enameled steel work wonderfully on induction and now there are many cookware manufacturers producing lines of stainless steel that are induction capable.

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VICC120SS -MagneQuick induction power generator -Burner- 8''/1,800 watt -Easy to clean glass ceramic surface -Extremely durable, wear-resistant surface. -Portable countertop cooking -Metal knobs with childproof, push-to-turn safety feature -Stainless steel / black exterior featuring black glass and knobs -1 year full warranty -Dimensions: 3.25'' H x 12'' W x 15'' D -Not all cookware is induction capable -Must be a flat bottomed cookware with a magnetic component This easy to use induction cooker creates an additional cooktop in your kitchen, office, or anywhere it's useful. The exceptionally responsive MagneQuick power generator used magnetic energy to cook quickly and efficiently. A glass ceramic surface is extremely durable and allows for easy cleanup.

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Regal Ware 3-Piece Induction Cooktop/Cookware Set Review

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(More customer reviews)I had read other reviews on the stand alone cooktops for this brand and the others prior to my purchase. When it arrived I tested it out for myself. It would not operate with my cookware which is expensive but not magnetic. It was a good thing I purchased it with the magnetic pan and lid which were made to work with the cooktop. The pan was heavy and made well enough.
My first experiment was to boil water and to try out the different heat settings. I noticed when I boiled the water that although the cooktop had two circles on the top which made me think that the heat would come from the outer circle if I turned up the heat, this was not the case. Turning up the heat makes the magnetics in the system whirl faster, but the heat source comes directly from the smaller ring. The pan burns hotter where the small circle is on the cooktop.
My next experiment was with food. I sprayed cooking oil inside the pan coating the bottom and the sides. I turned the heat to medium and heated up partially frozen mac and cheese that I had taken out of the freezer and had nuked for 1 minute to get it out of it's container. As the mac defrosted I added in some previously cooked hamburger from the fridge, frozen peas and frozen corn. I noticed that the mac was sticking to the pan so I added about 1/2 cup of cold water. I put the lid on the pan to help things heat up.
When I saw the liquid start to bubble, I took the lid off and stirred. The bottom was still trying to stick. It did not heat evenly and I had to stir the food towards the center to get it all heated. End result - food did not burn, heated up quickly, but I had to shift food to the heat source to get it hot. I think a teflon coated pan would work better.
The inner cooktop was hot when the pan was removed but it cooled down quicker than my glass top stove. I think with a little practice I can get more comfortable with it's use. I will be taking this to school with me to teach my students cooking on Fridays so they can apply their math and reading skills. I hope they will get excited about the science of how it works as well.

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The new Regal Ware 3 piece induction set includes a 10 Inch tri-ply stainless steel covered fry pan and a single induction cooktop. This will make an incredible addition to any kitchen. Induction Cooktops utilize over 90% of the energy they create. Compare this to electric coil cooktops (around 50%) and gas cooktops (around 40%) and you will see why induction cooktops are incredibly efficient. Because induction cooktops utilize such a high percentage of the energy created, they heat food almost twice as fast as either gas or electric. The Induction Cooktop works with any standard kitchen outlet, and has 6 separate power settings and a timer. It also features an auto shut off, as well as a built in sensor that will shut the unit off if the temperature becomes too high. The 10 inch tri-ply stainless steel fry pan features two sating finished sheets of stainless steel surrounding a pure aluminum core. The aluminum core extends all the way up the sides to provide perfectly even heat with a cooking surface of 18/10 304 stainless steel. The 10 inch fry pan features a unique welded handle design which allows a perfectly clean interior cooking surface. The fry pan includes a tempered glass cover. Dishwasher safe and oven safe to 500 degrees. The cover is oven safe to 400 degrees.

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Magneflux Portable Induction Cooktop Includes non-stick finish pan(ENERGY EFFICIENT) Review

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(More customer reviews)An induction cooker is different from a standard electric coil since the cooking surface remains relatively cool, being largely heated by the pan; the surrounding surface will remain cool to the touch. Instead of the heat loss we recognize as a warm or hot kitchen, the heat is 70-90% efficiently directed to the pan and little heat is lost to the air except from the hot pan. The cooker requires ferrous (metal)cookware that a magnet will stick to; aluminum or glass will not work unless a special heating plate is put on the cooktop that will transfer the heat to the non-ferrous material. The reason for this is that the cooker has an electromagnetic coil that creates an electrical field, which in turn causes the pot to heat up by the induced current since the cookware will not be as good a conductor as the copper coil in the cooktop. All instructions make particular note for those with a pacemaker or defibrillator to not use this sort of cooking method since it could potentially interfere with the devices.
This induction cooker is 1800 watts, which to my understanding is the most powerful that can be used on a 110V circuit. There are actually 2 models; they have the same feature set, but this one has stainless steel trim and comes with a non-stick pan, and the other is an all black finish and no pan. It doesn't have a built in timer, but comes with a battery powered digital timer. This, in some ways, is better since you can keep the timer near you in other rooms as a reminder. It has 9 power levels arranged in 3 groups: low, medium and high; each having 3 sets of temperatures. The temperature settings range from 150 degrees F to a high of 500 degrees F. The controls are true touch type, not blister type press pads, and are sensitive to a light touch. There are, as in most, 2 circles indicated for pan placement and it is supposed to sense the correct pan size, the minimum being a 5 inch diameter, the maximum being about 9 inches. The unit looks and feels like a quality item. The glass top is easily cleaned with the included microfiber cloth. Like most units the cooling fan can be heard and remains on for a minute or so after it is off for cooling the coils.
It seems to have even heat and is every bit as responsive as gas. It is different cooking with however. At the lowest heat it pulses to keep the temperature constant, which can take some getting used to. Again, all units do this; it's the nature of the beast. The cooktop remains cool to the touch and heats very quickly. No, I have not done the boiling water test, but my stir fry turned out fine with no drama.
I got this as an introduction to this type of cooking, so I can't comment on other units. I am very happy with the build quality and would purchase it again.
UPDATE 9 September: I've had more of a chance to use this unit and while I still like it and feel that it is well worth the money, there are a few caveats:
The low temperature settings are 150, 175 and 200, and the medium begins with 250. For something like rice that depends upon steaming, 200 is too low and 250 tends to be just a bit too high. By finessing the controls a well cooked rice can be done, but it would be easier if there were more control over the temperature. On the other hand, I continue to be impressed with the immediate control of temperature and its power to take on things like browning meat. It was easy to make golden translucent sauteed onions and brown meat for an excellent goulash; but because of the power I had to be careful to watch the liquid level. Although there is definitely a learning curve, all meals prepared thus far have been quite good. The pan that comes with this unit is a very nice non-stick one. It does not come with a lid, but a Calphalon 12 inch glass lid fits it perfectly. For some reason the bottom isn't flat so oil tends to run to the sides. This hasn't been an issue with most things since not much oil is needed with non-stick, and sauces have been fine.
The only unit that I have seen that has infinite settings is the Viking, which is also 1800 watts, but costs $500. It is also the only one that I have seen that has a rotary control, which is far more precise and faster to use. Before you get put off from a touch pad though,it has its virtues, such as ease of clean up and no mechanical components to fail, but is a bit slower to change things quickly, such as changing quickly when something is boiling over. I hope that this information will be useful to those trying to sort things out.
As a final note, I also bought a Viking unit and have found it to be easier to manage the heat with the rotary control knob. Although the noise from the fan in the magneflux didn't bother me, the Viking is also much quieter if that is a consideration for you. Other than boiling water or heating oil perhaps, don't be misled by cooking speed claims. Once the pot/pan is at the right temperature it will take as long to cook as any other conventional method. Its strength is with the immediate responsiveness to control and the area surrounding it remaining relatively cool.

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Sunpentown SR-1881S 1200-Watt Countertop Induction Cooktop, Silver Review

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(More customer reviews)This induction hob is a great addition to any kitchen with Electric, Gas or Halogen cooktops. The hob does not heat up the kitchen as it cooks, cools quickly when you are finished and cooks quickly with instantaneous changes of cooking temperatures.
If you use a skillet to cook your steaks and then move the skillet to the oven to finish the meal, you can sear the steak(s) outside leaving the smoke behind and then move inside to the oven to finish cooking the meal.
If you are looking to cook anywhere, even outside, you can plug into any 110 outlet (2 prong) and start cooking.
The hob comes with a non-stick skillet which is geared to the induction cooking style which works very well.
Buy this and you will never look at your "older" style cooktop / stove the same way.


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Electric induction elements provide best cook top performance, safety and efficiency. Unlike other electric elements, induction elements provide the precise temperature control of gas burners for gourmet cooking. Turning the dial down, the heat energy to the pan immediately decreases. Magnetic waves have no effect on skin or anything other than iron or steel. If the pan is accidentally removed from the cook top, no more heat is produced. Features ceramic glass surface made in Japan.

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Circulon Infinite Induction Cooker Review

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(More customer reviews)[UPDATE TO THE REVIEW BELOW - after using the cooker about 10 times (10 hours over a 5 month period) it has quit working. The fan runs and the display indicates all is well, but no heat is generated in the pot (and yes, it is an induction-compatible pot).]
ORIGINAL REVIEW: I couldn't find the power rating of this device anywhere on the web. I decided to risk buying it because the device looked well thought-out. The label on the underside rates it at 1500 Watts max. I measured around 1430 Watts (active power) and around 1530 VA (apparent power) using a Kill-A-Watt meter with the burner running at max power. It has 9 power settings down to a 100 W simmer.
In a large-diameter pan it brought 2 qts of water from room temperature to a boil in 10 minutes. Based on the pattern of the boiling activity the device seems to have an active heating area 5-6 inches in diameter, which is consistent with the recommended minimum pot diameter of 5 inches.
The 3-star rating is due to the small diameter of the active heating area. I bought this thing in part to cook down garden produce like tomatoes in broad shallow pans prior to freezing or canning, and it doesn't seem very good for that. I'm used to cooking with gas, and a gas burner spreads the heat across the bottom of the pan (much of it escaping around the sides, unfortunately). The induction burner focuses the heat much more precisely, so if you cook in smaller diameter pans it may suit you well. BTW, it has a fan that is not exactly whisper quiet but wouldn't bother me.


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Induction is a method of cooking whereby a magnetic coil produces a high-frequency electromagnetic field. Magnetism then penetrates the magnetic material of a pan, setting up a circulating electric current which generates heat. The heat produced in the pan is then transferred to the contents. Instead of heating the area under and around a pan like a traditional gas or electric burner, an induction burner turns your pan into the heat source. Induction cooking is extremely efficient. 90% of the energy generated by induction goes directly into the pan, compared with only about 55% efficiency for gas and electric ranges. Induction cooking is fast - water boils nearly twice as fast with induction cooking than with traditional stovetops so you use less energy making it environmentally friendly. Cookware made of magnetic metal such as 18/0 stainless steel, carbon steel and cast iron is induction suitable.Infinite Circulon, along with a number of other brands of cookware are ideally suited for induction cook tops.

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Max Burton 6200 Deluxe 1800-Watt Induction Cooktop Review

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(More customer reviews)
... for your learning dollars, that is.
Had this for a month; free-shipped, it arrived intact and within a very reasonable time. Manual is brief and to the point.
Works fabulously with simple time-proven cast iron cookware, but don't expect omelets to come off whole easily - might do with enameled cast iron which I do not have. It is great to have minimal heat dumped into the house when you are paying for your air conditioning and it is 90°+ outside. That it worked just fine with some of my older - cheaper stainless steel pots that didn't pass the magnet test was a pleasant surprise. I plan to move it to the back porch before I try my heavy-flavored grill-pan fried fish!
Took away the 5th star since (a) heat is so localized over the center that it charred stir-fry veggies and burnt the thin-gauge pan when I got a bit over zealous with the power settings and (b) the temperature preset increments are too far apart for my liking. It shouldn't be a big deal to have more numbers of and more uniformly spaced steps since the controls are all electronic. I would use cast iron cookware exclusively unless heating a liquid, -the thickness helps distribute heat more quickly and evenly- but you will want to be extra careful of the delicate-looking ceramic cooktop surface.
All in all, a great inexpensive tool to learn induction cooking and what to look for before you plonk your money down for that big-bucks 4 or 5 element full size induction cooktop kitchen upgrade. I am happy with the purchase.

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Sleek and energy efficient, this high-quality cooktop brings the comfort and health benefits of home-cooked foods to the office, dorm room, catered affair, or anywhere in need of a portable heat source. Unlike standard electric elements, it supplies an induction heating element, which delivers the same precise control over the heat as with a gas burner, but without the danger of an open flame. The single burner provides 10 power levels from 500 to 1800 watts and 10 temperature settings that range from 140 to 450 degrees F--perfect for everything from gently soft-boiled eggs to hearty soups, stews, and more. Its user-friendly push-button control panel features an easy-to-read digital display and a 180-minute timer with auto shut-off that aids in properly cooking all dishes, reducing the risks of overcooking, burning, and waste. The cooktop delivers instant heat to induction-compatible cookware; it can also accommodate non-induction cookware with the use of an induction interface disk (model 6010; sold separately). For added safety and convenience, the appliance comes with an in-line fuse, overheat sensor, an unsuitable-cookware detector, and a smooth design that wipes clean easily. Attractively housed in durable stainless steel, the induction cooktop measures 13-2/7 by 12-1/2 by 2-3/5 inches.

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Max Burton 6000 1800-Watt Portable Induction Cooktop Review

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(More customer reviews)There's good news and bad news. I bought this unit as a training unit to check out the technology and have a good extra hob on hand for times when we strain our kitchen resources. The intent is to eventually equip our kitchen with an induction cooktop for energy efficiency.
The good news is that the technology works as advertised. It's remarkably quick and has plenty of power despite running off a normal power outlet. The bad news is that on this unit the heating element (if that is the correct terminology) is only about 7 to 8 inches across. It worked fine when we made soups, though we did notice that only the middle boiled or simmered. However, when frying, the limitation of the element size became a problem. We used a lodge 12" cast iron skillet to fry fish. The center of the pan put a beautiful tan on the panko, but the outside of the pan was relatively cool, requiring that each piece of fish be flipped to four positions before it was properly cooked.
We tested the unit by wetting the bottom of a cold pan and watching how it dried. The center bubbled and dried, but the outer bottom was only warm to the touch. I thought perhaps it was defective, but other reviewers have commented on the problem.
I notice that most of the units on the market do not specify the size of the heating element. Whether this exposes a problem with the technology or is just marketing avoiding a problem with inexpensive units I can't tell.
I am hopeful of the technology, but returned this unit because of it's limitations. If you only use smaller pans, or rarely, if ever, fry, I recommend it.
As has been mentioned before the first unit arrived broken.

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Sleek and efficient, this induction-powered cooktop brings the comfort and health benefits of home-cooked foods to the office, dorm room, cabin, or anywhere in need of a portable heat source. The 1800-watt appliance features a large burner and adjustable heat settings, with a temperature capacity that ranges from 140 to 450 degrees F--perfect for everything from gently soft-boiled eggs to hearty soups, stews, and more. Convenient to transport and simple to use, the unit heats instantly when needed, while its cookware detection and overheat sensors prevent scorching, heat-related injury, and damage to pots and pans. Even more, the appliance provides a 180-minute timer that aids in properly cooking all dishes, reducing the risks of overcooking, burning, and waste. For added safety and less excess heat in the kitchen, the cooktop stays cool except where it comes in contact with the pan. Other details include a user-friendly push-button control panel with an LED display, a compact design, and short legs for secure placement on a countertop or table. Please note that the unit only works with cast iron, carbon steel, magnetic stainless steel, and other stainless steel with magnetic properties. It does not work with aluminum, glass, 18/8 or 18/10 stainless, or copper cookware. The ETL-listed induction cooktop measures approximately 14 by 12-3/5 by 2-1/2 inches.

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