I tested it
Portable · Single burner
Hamilton Beach single induction cooktop
If someone in your house just wants a burner that turns on and heats up, this is the friendliest one. My teenager figured it out without asking me a single question.
My verdict
My verdict: Buy it if you want the simplest burner for a parent, a dorm or a guest room. Skip it if you want a quiet fan or a steady simmer.
My test results
1 quart boiled in 4 minutes and 55 seconds; simmer drifted about 10°F.
| Boils 1 quart in | 4 min 55 sec |
|---|---|
| Holds a gentle simmer? | Mostly |
| Fan sound | Noticeable |
Quick facts
Power: 1,800 watts, with a fast-heat mode · Controls: A short row of simple buttons
Pros and cons
What I liked
- The controls are very simple.
- The fast-heat mode gets water going quickly.
What I didn't like
- Its fan is louder than most.
- Its low simmer wanders.
My notes
If someone in your house just wants a burner that turns on and heats
up, this is the friendliest one. My teenager figured it out without
asking me a single question. It ranked second in The Barbecue Lab’s
hands-on test. It sits seventh here because its fan was louder than
most, and its lowest settings didn’t hold a steady simmer.
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