NuWave Induction Cooktop Review – 3 Reasons You Should Have It

Last Updated on October 13, 2021 by Boniface Muriuki

Cooking from your kitchen can be monotonous, right? You’d need to try outdoor recipes with your family as you bond. But there is a problem:

You only own a heavy electric cooktop!

If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, then you should consider investing in a portable NuWave induction cooktop.

Before you purchase one, read this comprehensive NuWave induction cooktop review to make an informed decision.

Unique Features of Nuwave Induction Cooktop – Summary

This simple, lightweight, and highly efficient kitchen appliance offers unmatched convenience. You can carry it to any location of choice. 

Read on as we tell you about our first-hand experience with the appliance. We’ll highlight all the hits and the misses to ensure that you make an informed decision. 

What is NuWave Induction Cooktop?

NuWave induction cooktop is a lightweight burner cooktop that’s highly portable. It has diverse settings that help you cook food and keep it warm for some time.

These unique NuWave cooktop features make it ideal for outdoor cooking. Additionally, the burner has an LCD control panel that makes it easy to program your cooking.

Benefits of Owning a Nuwave Induction Cooktop

Several advantages make using a NuWave induction cooktop more fulfilling than using other conventional cooktops. These benefits include:

Unique Programming Capabilities 

When using the NuWave cooktop, you’ll be able to achieve precise temperatures with a simple touch of a button. It has an easy-to-use LCD control panel that allows you to set the temperature and the cooking duration of your meals. 

Even better, the cookware has a delay & sear function, which allows you to set all the cooking requirements but start the cooking at your convenient time. 

Saves Energy

The Nuwave Precision Cooktop (PIC) is designed to save 70%-90% energy compared to traditional electric or gas stovetops. 

As such, this cooktop is economical and practical. It allows you to adjust the wattage, enabling you to determine energy consumption. For example, when using the NUWAVE Lightweight Induction Cooktop, you will have the option to use 600 watts, 900 watts, or 1500 watts. 

High Portability 

If you own a standard induction cooktop, it won’t be easy to use it outdoors. As such, you’ll need the lightweight and highly portable NuWave induction cooktop to enjoy outdoor escapades with your family. 

The NuWave cooktop weighs between 5 and 9 pounds, an ideal weight to allow ease of movement. You can use it anywhere as long as you have AC power. 

Dynamic Settings

This cooktop has features that enable you to keep your meals warm, sear your meat, grill, or undertake any other cooking escapade. PIC2 and PIC Gold NuWave models allow you to use 52 different temperature settings.

On the other hand, the PIC Pro and PIC Platinum have 94 temperature settings. This allows you to cook different meals using specific temperatures and keep your food warm for any given time. 

Even better, temperature adjustability is a breeze! The LCD control panel has (+) and (-) buttons that allow you to adjust the temperature in increments/ decrements of 5-10 degrees. 

Relatively Small-Sized

On top of being lightweight, these portable NuWave cooktops are relatively small. As such, they occupy less space, making traveling with them simple. 

Each of the NuWave cooktops has an ideal cooking surface of approximately 12 inches. Its base is broad, thus ensuring stability and eliminating any chance of spillage accidents. 

Easy to Clean

The NuWave cooktops have a flat and smooth cooking surface. Even when food spills on it, it does not stick. 

As such, you will only require a kitchen towel to wipe off the mess in seconds! 

Enhanced Security Features

These cooktops use magnetic fields to achieve the heating effect. As such, it cannot heat unless you place an induction-ready pan on it. Here is a summary of the security features associated with NuWave induction cooktops:

• Only the pan surface gets heated up. Other parts of the cooking surface remain cold, thus eliminating the chance of accidental burns. 
• Focused heating ensures that the burner cools almost immediately after removing the pan.
• Automatic shut-off. Once you remove the pan from the burner, the heating process stops immediately. As such, you can walk away after removing the pan without the worry that you’ll burn your kitchen. 
• No open flames. These cooktops have no open flames that guarantee safety, even when you have children and pets around. 

While the LCD panel will remain lit when plugged in, the cooktop does not heat unless the pan is in place. As such, you do not have to unplug it every time, thus adding another layer of unmatched convenience. 

3 Best Nuwave Induction Cooktop Review

1. NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop 1300 Watts – Our Best Pick

This NuWave PIC is ideal for use with any induction-ready cookware (any pan with a magnetic bottom). It has six different pre-programmed temperature settings to allow you to adjust the temperature based on your recipe.

The cookware can cook using 52 different temperatures that range from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 575 degrees Fahrenheit (adjustable in 10 degrees units)

Additionally, this cooktop has an automatic shut-off feature. Whenever you remove the pan from the cooktop, it will stop heating until you place another induction-ready cookware on it.

The cooktop is lightweight, and you can carry it whenever you want. You can use it for various functions, including deep-frying, sautéing, boiling, simmering, slow cooking, and grilling. Even better, the cooktop uses 70% less energy, thus economical.

2. NUWAVE Lightweight Induction Cooktop With 10.5 in Fry Pan

This NuWave Induction cooktop weighs 9 pounds, approximately 3 pounds more than our number one pick. Here is its box inclusion:

• 10.5 inches hard anodized fry pan
• 36 inches power cord
• Nuwave induction cooktop 
• User manual & instructional DVD
• Cooking guide & a cookbook

Its settings allow you to adjust the wattage: you can choose to use 600 watts, 900 watts, or 1500 watts. Its 12-inch cook surface is heat-resistant, and it has 8 inches heating coil for a premium cooking experience. 

The 10.5 inches fry pan is not nonstick per se. It would be best if you season it before you start cooking.

This NuWave cooktop has 52 temperature settings that allow you to cook at temperatures ranging from 100°F to 575°F. It has 10 degrees increment to guarantee ease of temperature control.

Additionally, the cooktop has six pre-programmed temperature settings ideal for different menus. It also has delay and sear functions, enabling you to enjoy warm meals long after you finish cooking. 

3. NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop Pro Chef Commercial-Grade

This 1800-watt NuWave PIC Pro Chef cooktop has a series of magnetic induction coils in its 8 inches cooking surface. These coils will generate enough magnetic fields to heat your best induction cookware, and cook your meals fast. 

It is NSF-certified due to its top-notch functionality and durability standards. The cooktop glass is hardened enough and will not shatter, unless extreme force is exerted (it passed a drop test that had an impact of 1.5 ft-lbs)

When using this NuWave cooktop, you will enjoy precise temperature control. You will be able to use the exact temperature that you need for a specific recipe. It can cook from as low as 140°F to as high as 575°F. Its highly intuitive digital LCD allows you to adjust the temperature in 5 degrees increment. 

Additionally, this cooktop has smart cooking features that make cooking fun. It has 100 hours of memory that enables you to set a program for your favorite cooking procedures. Its delay function allows you to initiate the cooking at your convenient time. You can also adjust the wattage to save on power!

Disadvantages of Using NuWave Induction Cooktop

• Cookware Compatibility Challenge. You can only use the induction cooktop if you have induction-ready cookware. These are cookware made from a magnetic material (some of the cookware may only be magnetic on the base, and they will work fine with the cooktop).
• It can be Noisy. Cooking using the NuWave induction cooktop can be noisy. The process generates manageable buzzing noises. It is worse when you’re using relatively lightweight pans. 
• Relatively Pricey. These cooktops may set you back several hundred dollars. However, the investment is worth it. 

Induction Cookware Guide

Not all cookware will be compatible with your induction cooktop. The compatibility will depend on the magnetic properties of the material used.

For the cookware to be induction-compatible, it must be made from a magnetic material such as cast iron and stainless steel.

If a cookware is made from other materials but has a magnetic base, then it will work well with an induction cooktop. For example, a ceramic pan with an iron base.

Best Alternatives of NuWave Induction Cooktops

1. Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop

Duxtop Cooktops are among the best sellers in Amazon and other online stores. They are lightweight and highly effective when you need an outdoor cooking experience. 

Features that make Duxtop more Dynamic than Nuwave

• The Duxtop portable induction cooktop uses 120V/15 amp electrical outlet and has a digital control panel for easy operation.
•  The cooktop has a digital timer that allows a 1-minute increment, allowing you to set a cook time of up to 170 minutes.
• You can set the temperature using a 10-degrees increment to set the cooking temperature of 140 °F to 460 °F. 
• To ensure that control power consumption, the cooktop allows ten power levels ranging from 200 to 1800 watts.
• The cooktops have a durable 7-blade fan that helps in dissipating heat, thus guaranteeing longevity.
• Auto-pan detection feature. The cooktop shuts down automatically if no pan is placed on the cooking surface within 60 seconds. 

3 Duxtop Induction Cooktops to Consider

> Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Gold 8100MC/BT-180G3

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

> Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Black 9100MC/BT-M20B

2. CUSIMAX Induction Cooktop 1800W Portable Induction Burner

This induction cooktop has uniformly distributed electromagnetic coils, which allows even heat distribution. It has nine power (ranging from 200 to 1800w)  and ten temperature (140℉ to 464℉) settings, which gives you the flexibility to set the heat you need depending on your menu. 

You will require magnetic cookware to use this burner. If your cookware is not ideal, the cooktop will show an E0 error. Cast iron, stainless steel, and enameled cast iron are perfect cookware. You can also use other cookware as long as they have a base made of a magnetic material. 

Additionally, this cooktop has a Child Lock feature for guaranteed safety. No open flame will be visible, further making it ideal for the elderly, children, and pet lovers. 

Read a comprehensive guide on other induction cooktops you can consider

NuWave Induction Cooktop Review – The Bottom Line

NuWave induction cooktop uses magnetic fields to heat induction-ready pans. It is lightweight and small-sized, allowing you to use it outdoors. 

Additionally, this cooktop has several SMART features that make it better than traditional electric and gas cooktops. For example, the Nuwave induction cooktop does not get hot on the cooking surface, thus guaranteeing safety.

These cooktops offer LCD control panels for ease of control. You can adjust cooking temperatures and timings, enabling you to undertake different functions such as searing, warming, boiling, and grilling. 

This NuWave induction cooktop review offers a comprehensive analysis of this appliance. Read through it before deciding which induction cooktop to buy. 

NuWave Induction Cooktop Frequently Asked Questions