Nuwave Induction Cooktop Review Plus 3 Alternatives

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This is a review of the Nuwave Gold Precision Induction Cooktop.

I found the Nuwave Portable Induction Cooktop to be safe, reliable, and efficient. It cooks food by creating a magnetic field that turns the pan into the heating element.

It’s the ideal cooking appliance for those who want an alternative to a gas or electric burner. It’s also perfect for those who need a portable burner.

In this article, you’ll find all the information you need about the Nuwave Precision Induction Cooktop. You’ll learn the most important features and how well it performs. You’ll also read about three solid alternatives.

Ready to get started? Let’s jump right in.

At a Glance

My Pick
Nuwave Gold Precision Induction Cooktop
Best on a Budget Alternative
Hamilton Beach Portable Single Induction Cooktop
Nuwave Gold Precision Induction Cooktop, Portable, Large 8” Heating Coil, 12” Shatter-Proof Ceramic Glass Surface, 3 Wattage Settings 600, 900, and 1500 Watts, 9” Duralon Non-Stick Fry Pan Included
Hamilton Beach Portable Single Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner Hot Plate with Fast Heating Mode, 1800 Watts, 10 Temperature Settings up to 450F, Black (34104)
Whether you need a portable cooktop for an RV or your home kitchen, this Nuwave induction cooktop  has everything you need to make delicious meals. 
This appliance heats 40% faster than an electric range when boiling water. Whether you’re cooking a family meal or warming soup, this burner will heat quickly and efficiently.
My Pick
Nuwave Gold Precision Induction Cooktop
Nuwave Gold Precision Induction Cooktop, Portable, Large 8” Heating Coil, 12” Shatter-Proof Ceramic Glass Surface, 3 Wattage Settings 600, 900, and 1500 Watts, 9” Duralon Non-Stick Fry Pan Included
Whether you need a portable cooktop for an RV or your home kitchen, this Nuwave induction cooktop  has everything you need to make delicious meals. 
Best on a Budget Alternative
Hamilton Beach Portable Single Induction Cooktop
Hamilton Beach Portable Single Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner Hot Plate with Fast Heating Mode, 1800 Watts, 10 Temperature Settings up to 450F, Black (34104)
This appliance heats 40% faster than an electric range when boiling water. Whether you’re cooking a family meal or warming soup, this burner will heat quickly and efficiently.

What to Look For Before Buying an Induction Cooktop

My electric stove quit working a couple of years ago. It was inconvenient, to say the least. With family coming for the holidays, I needed a backup option… fast.

Portable induction cooktops to the rescue! These handy appliances are great for those times when you need an extra burner, plus they offer excellent performance at home or on the go.

Induction cooktops have gained popularity because they heat much faster than traditional cooktops. And with no open flame or hot coils, you reduce the risk of burns.

Induction cooking is ideal for those who want to cook without heating up the entire kitchen.

But before you get an induction cooktop, you must have induction cookware (i.e., magnetic). A cast iron skillet, carbon steel pan, or magnetic stainless steel pan will work.

If you’re unsure whether your pots and pans will work, place a magnet on the bottom of the cookware. If the magnet sticks, your pan is induction-ready.

Before choosing a portable induction cooktop, you should consider the following:

  • Size: Consider whether the cooktop will fit in your kitchen or outdoor cooking space. Also, consider the size of the induction burner and whether it will support your pots and pans.
  • Power: Look for a cooktop with a high power output, typically around 1800 watts or higher, to ensure it can heat up quickly and efficiently. If the cooktop has double burners, it will probably have power-sharing, where the burners split the 1800 watts between them.
  • Temperature Control: Most induction burners offer power and/or temperature settings. Consider whether the range of heat settings will match the cooking you plan to do.
  • Control Panel: A user-friendly control panel is essential. Look for one that allows you to easily adjust the temperature and cooking time.
  • Safety Features: Look for features like a child safety lock, automatic shut-off, and overheat protection.
  • Portability: Plan to use your cooktop in an RV or while camping? Look for an induction cooktop that’s lightweight, easy to move, and easy to store.
  • Price: Obviously, the price is important. Consider your budget and whether a cooktop will offer you the features you need at a price point you can afford.

Nuwave Induction Burner Overview

Nuwave Gold Precision Induction Cooktop

The Nuwave Precision Induction Cooktop is a portable and convenient cooking appliance that uses electromagnetic technology to heat pots and pans directly. It sports a sleek and modern design that would look great on practically any countertop.

Nuwave Gold Precision Induction Cooktop, Portable, Large 8” Heating Coil, 12” Shatter-Proof Ceramic Glass Surface, 3 Wattage Settings 600, 900, and 1500 Watts, 9” Duralon Non-Stick Fry Pan Included

This induction burner has a high power output of 1500 watts. It heats up quickly and efficiently, with a wide temperature range. You’ll have no trouble finding the perfect heat setting for your cooking tasks.

The cooktop has a heating coil that’s 8 inches in diameter (20 cm). It supports most induction cookware. It also features a digital control panel with an LED display for easy programming.

This unit comes with a 9-inch (23 cm) Duralon hard-anodized non-stick fry pan. This pan is induction-ready and large enough to hold enough food to feed two people. It’s the perfect companion to the Nuwave Pic cooktop.

In a nutshell, the Nuwave Induction Cooktop is a reliable and high-performance appliance that can handle a variety of cooking tasks. It’s portable and convenient, perfect for a dorm room, camper, or home kitchen.

It is a great option for those who need a portable cooking appliance or are looking for an alternative to a gas or electric cooktop.

Watch this customer’s honest review of their Nuwave Pic Gold Precision Induction Burner:

Nuwave Induction Cooktop Features

Programming Capabilities

The Nuwave portable induction cooktop allows you to select from six convenient preset temperature settings: low, medium-low, medium, medium-high, high, or max/sear.

For more precise temperature control, you can fine-tune your desired temperature in 10-degree increments. You can choose from one of three power levels: 600, 900, and 1500 watts.

Need to change the total cooking time? No problem. Add or deduct cooking time at any point in the cooking process.

Other portable induction burners require you to restart the cooktop before making adjustments, so the Nuwave is unique in this capability.

The Nuwave Gold has practically unlimited programmable functions. Sear, boil, simmer, fry, deep fry, stir fry, sauté, steam, slow cook, melt, grill, BBQ, warm, or reheat food for up to 100 hours.

The control panel is easy to use. Simple press buttons are easy to see and easy to press. The LED display shows the time, as well as any error codes.

Appearance and Portability

The Nuwave portable induction cooktops feature a shatter-proof ceramic glass top that looks sleek and modern. Buyers liked the design of this unit, as well.

The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice cooking space to get a low-profile cooktop. This burner has an 8-inch diameter, so you can put a standard pan on top with no problem.

While a standard induction stove is great for preparing large meals, a portable induction burner is better for cooking on the go.

Whether you’re vacationing in an Airbnb or camping, Nuwave’s cooktop can go anywhere. It’s perfect for the entertainer who needs an extra cooktop for large parties. All you need is an electrical outlet or a boat with AC power.

The portability is one of the best features of this Nuwave cooktop. It weighs less than five and a half pounds, so it’s easy to take along on road trips or store in a dorm room or studio apartment.

It’s also the perfect solution when your kitchen is undergoing repairs or remodeling.

Heating Performance

The Nuwave Induction Cooktop offers 51 precise temperature settings at your fingertips. With 10-degree increments, you have maximum control over the cooking process.

Keep delicate sauces warm at 100°F (38°C), simmer a bone broth at 200°F (93°C), or grill a juicy steak with grill marks at 575°F (302°C). You can achieve optimal results, regardless of your cooking needs.

The patented induction technology brings the copper coils in the unit closer to the pan’s cooking surface. The result? Fast, even heating.

Energy Efficiency

The Nuwave Gold Precision Induction Cooktop boasts 83% energy efficiency, better than a conventional gas range or electric stove. Induction cooktops cut down on wasted energy by transferring the energy directly into the cookware.

This portable induction range has three wattage settings: 600, 900, and 1500 watts. You can cook anywhere, even with limited power. You’re in charge of how much power you use to cook food.

Safety Features

The Nuwave Precision Cooktop has several safety features so you can cook with peace of mind.

Induction cooking doesn’t require open flames or hot coils, which reduces the risk of burns. And the Nuwave Gold won’t start unless there is cookware on the cooktop surface.

If you forget to turn off your cooktop? You can rest easy. The Nuwave Gold will automatically shut off when the set cooking time is completed.

Price

The Nuwave Pic Gold Precision Induction Cooktop has a lot of value. It’s more affordable than other cooktops with similar specifications.

You’ll sacrifice a larger cooking area and a few bonus features. But if you’re happy with the size of this standard cooktop, you can’t beat the value.

Alternatives to Nuwave Cooktop

Nuwave Pic2 Induction Cooktop: Best NuWave Alternative

The Nuwave Pic2 is another Nuwave model from the Nuwave Pic line. It’s similar to the Nuwave Pic Gold Precision model in that it has the same temperature settings and a lightweight, portable design.

NUWAVE PIC2 Induction Cooktop, Portable, 12” Heat-Resistant Cooking Surface, Safe for Jumbo Stock Pot up to 50 LB., Perfect for RVs, Hotel Rooms, & Cabins, Boil, Simmer, Fry, Deep Fry, Stir Fry, Sauté, Steam, Sear, Slow Cook, BBQ, Melt, Grill, & Warm

The major difference between this version and the other cooktop is the diameter of the cooking surface. This burner is 12 inches in diameter (30 cm), whereas the above Nuwave cooktop is only 8 inches (20 cm).

The Nuwave Pic 2 is efficient, with a power output of 1300 watts. It can work at a lower temperature, making it ideal for melting chocolate or simmering soups.

But this cooktop also heats up to 575°F (302°C), so searing steaks is a snap. Of course, you must use induction-ready cookware on this cooktop. A cast iron grill pan or magnetic stainless steel pots are both great choices.

Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop: Best High-Powered Alternative

If you’re looking for an alternative to Nuwave induction cooktops, you might enjoy this Duxtop Portal Induction Cooktop. With a slim profile, it looks great on the countertop.

Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop, Countertop Burner Induction Hot Plate with LCD Sensor Touch 1800 Watts, Silver 9600LS/BT-200DZ

With rapid heating, you can have cold tap water boiling in a matter of minutes. Choose from a whopping 20 preset power or temperature levels, ranging from 100° to 460°F (38°- 240°C).

With a power output of 1800 watts, you can cook practically any food.

The timer goes from 1 minute to 10 hours for plenty of flexibility in cooking times, while the keep warm function can go for 30 minutes, so you can eat when you’re ready.

The touch control menu is easy to use and very responsive to touch. But use caution. It’s easy to change the settings accidentally.

But there is a child safety lock, so a little one doesn’t accidentally press start. The auto-pan detection will automatically turn off the burner after 60 seconds if no induction-ready cookware is detected.

Plus, the overheat protection helps you not to burn food or cause a fire hazard.

This is a great affordable alternative to the Nuwave models. If you like the Nuwave Pic but need something lighter on the wallet, the Duxtop would be my pick.

Hamilton Beach Induction Cooktop: Best Budget Alternative

Last but not least is the Hamilton Beach Induction Cooktop. This appliance heats 40% faster than an electric range when boiling water. Whether you’re cooking a family meal or warming soup, this burner will heat quickly and efficiently.

Use the flexible cooking control to choose a heat level from 1-10 or cook with an exact temperature, ranging from 180-450°F (82-232°C).

Take water from cold to a rolling boil in seven minutes. You’ll enjoy waiting less time for hot water to use for pasta or beverages. With a power output of 1800 watts, you’ll have no trouble getting sufficient heat.

This burner has plenty of heating area and is compatible with induction cookware 4-10 inches in diameter (10-25 cm). Cast iron, steel pans, or magnetized cookware is best.

Hamilton Beach Portable Single Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner Hot Plate with Fast Heating Mode, 1800 Watts, 10 Temperature Settings up to 450F, Black (34104)

The Hamilton Beach comes with an induction test magnet. If it sticks to your cookware, you’re ready to start cooking. This appliance counts down the time and turns off the induction cooker automatically at the end of the set time.

Customers enjoyed using this cooktop in cabins, hotel rooms, and other places where portability is a high priority. The Hamilton Beach unit is significantly more affordable than other options, so it’s a good bargain pick.

Nuwave Induction Cooking: The Last Word

Whether you need a portable cooktop for an RV or your home kitchen, the Nuwave Pic Gold Precision Induction Cooktop has everything you need to make delicious meals. Save time, use less energy, and keep the kitchen cool with this portable induction cooktop.