Nuwave...

[TreasonousBastard]

I have three (don't ask) induction teakettles that boil water about twice as fast as the stovetop one, so was looking for an induction countertop cooker.

Most of them in the stores were around a hundred bucks, if you could find one, and online wasn't much better.

So, I'm watching the Nuwave commercial in the wee hours and they have a BOGO deal-- order one at a hundred bucks, and get another one free. Lots of pots, pans and things in the package, too.

So I ordered.

Stuff showed up in a few days, and the invoice was in the box-- a hundred bucks, but another hundred bucks for SHIPPING on the free one!

And no "free" extra cookware-- just the extra unit and cookware for one unit. Just as well with shipping what it is.

Then I get an email conforming my order, and the three magazine subscriptions I apparently ordered.

The thing does work quite well, so far, and returning it seems to be a costly hassle, with hardly much hope of getting my hundred bucks shipping back, and possibly even getting hit for more, plus restocking fees, plus whatever else they think they can get out of me.

I see in some complaint sites that the units aren't all that great-- don't heat hot enough, break... Mine are OK so far, but seems like there are quality control problems.

Anyway, caveat emptor with these guys. They'll never get another nickel from me, and hopefully precious little from anyone I talk to.

I'm still big on the induction concept, though, and it's really a godsend in hot weather. Just need better suppliers

[Warpy]

1. Thank you. I got shafted many years ago

and learned very quickly never to order anything on TV. They will get you any way they can.

However, a PSA is very timely. I've been tempted, too, but will likely wait until the prices in the stores decline just a tick or two. I want someone I can yell at if it conks out within a couple of months.

[Lucinda]

2. We have a 4 burner induction cooktop and love it.

There is a little learning curve when adjusting recipes, and the glass top can be a pain to clean, but it's worth the effort.
I see that the price on the countertop units has come down quite a bit since we built the house a few years ago.
200 bucks for two units doesn't seem too pricey, as long as the quality is good.

FWIW cast iron rocks on an induction cooktop.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. If I had a choice, I would probably have a good induction cooktop...

but I'm renting and have the old red coils on the stove. Last place had propane, which I prefer to red coils, but had to be careful about getting deliveries before the bottle ran out.

I have a set of good cast iron stuff that I haven't tried on the Nuwave things yet, but my only regret is my Visions glass set that has to be used over the coils. Quite frankly, lately I've been using the microwave, a small toaster oven, and a tiny electric frypan for most things.

And, yeah, adding everything up, it's really not a bad deal for two of them, but it just annoys me the way they pulled that trick.

Will they hold up? Time will tell.

[Lucinda]

4. I've been wondering about the use of a stainless steel diffuser

over the induction burner for glass and other non-induction cookware. I haven't tried it myself yet, but i've heard about it being done. The trick seems to be buying a good quality diffuser. I need to research it more though

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Most of the diffusers I've seen are an aluminum sandwich in the steel...

and that may or may not work well. They seem to be designed primarily to even out the heat from badly behaved gas and electric stoves. Unfortunately, we're light on good cooking supply places around here but I'd rather ask at the store than take some website's word for anything.

As you said, cast iron does work incredibly well for cooking, and I think I'll experiment with it as a "diffuser" for my aluminum and other non-induction pots before trying it on the Visions.

[Lucinda]

6. I found one on amazon earlier today that looks interesting.

Link here at Amazon



They had a few others which cost less, but this one looks well made and I like the heatproof handle.

[TreasonousBastard]

7. I saw a bunch like that at all sorts of prices, but...

if my cast iron griddle or fry pans work, what's the point of more clutter at any price?