Vollrath (59500P) Mirage Pro Countertop Induction Range (1800-Watt, 15-Amps, NSF)

I grew up cooking with natural gas and had a natural gas stove for twenty years in my own home before moving to a home without gas. After migrating from a coil burner range (horrible) to a ceramic range (tolerable) I was gifted a NuWave induction hob and bought some good quality tri-ply stainless/aluminum pans to use with it. I was very favorably impressed with the NuWave but eventually wanted better temperature control so I invested in the Vollrath Mirage Pro. For most uses I would now choose induction over gas and the Mirage Pro over the lesser cost portable units that I've used despite the profound difference in price (although the NuWave in particular is a good value and performs well). The quality of the Vollrath unit is excellent and the build is sturdy and strong. The ceramic cooking platen is flush with the stainless body so that cookware with wide bases sit flat and can be moved about. The control knob is a pleasure to use, having indents that exactly match the units of incremental power and temperature. The polymer that covers the three buttons seems also to be sturdy enough to withstand many cycles of pressing without cracking as happened too soon with the NuWave. The placement of buttons, knob and display are exactly correct. There are no nooks or crannys to hold grime or interfere with cleaning. The single improvement that I would like is to have the power level be maintained when switching from temperature mode to power mode; and the current temperature to become the set point when switching back from power mode to temperature mode. Presently, when switching between modes the unit retains the last set point within a given mode rather than dynamically following the changes made in an alternate mode. Thus, for instance, a boiling pot set at, say, 100 degrees C will stop boiling if the mode is changed to power mode within the few moments it takes to hunt for the equivalent power setting to restore the boil (although some might say that such responsiveness is a feature rather than a flaw). The benefits of induction heating are fully realized in this unit. It can deliver energy far more quickly than any other domestic burner, gas or electric, yet the energy can be controlled with exquisite precision and fidelity. There is very little heat loss when cooking although, at higher power levels, the ceramic cooking surface and the cookware do get hotter than with other brands of induction hobs. For instance, a sil-pat placed between vessel and hob will actually 'melt' and stick to the hob and, likewise, parchment paper scorches so that these practices, common with other induction hobs, are best discarded. It must be said that any cooktop is really only half of an overall cooking system, the other part being the cookware. The nature of the Vollrath unit calls for cookware having not only magnetic composition but also being able to take the heat, so to speak. Thin-walled aluminum pans with embedded magnetic bottoms are probably not a good idea because the power of this unit is enough to melt the aluminum under the 'right' circumstances. An investment in a few good quality tri-ply pots and pans will multiply the value of the Vollrath Mirage Pro. I recommend checking out the Vollrath Tribute line in this regard but I also own and like very much some Food Network and Calphalon tri-ply cookware as well.

Updated (June 2018) The Vollrath is a great unit, but when it came time to get another unit, I discovered the Hatco Rapid Cuisine -- it came to market after my initial Vollrath purchase. It bests the Vollrath in every aspect (though it costs a bit more). In a 6 cup water boiling test, it is 6% faster, but that's not the real difference. The real improvement is that the knob is variable speed, so you can quickly flick it or slowly fine tune it; the timer mode lets you change the temperature while in timer mode; and should you need to have a repeatable recipe, you can configure programmable cooking cycles. So, if you're springing the $ for a premium unit like the Vollrath, I suggest you consider the Hatco for a bit more. Previous: (March 2015) This thing heats up superfast -- to be expected. What is surprising is how well it works at the other extreme.... I feel like I can dump my double boiler -- an unexpected surprise!

I’ve been using my vollrath pro for 5 or 6 years daily for every meal and I love it. I like how responsive the heat is and that it goes all the way down to 80 degrees. It’s pretty heat accurate and you will get used to the initial heat surge in the first 60 seconds or so. So I go in a little low and raise up the temp as needed. I’m a former gas stove (55+years) cook and it’s possible I won’t go back. I love love love cooking by temperature . Start my scrambled eggs out at 260 for a minute or so and drop down to 220 to finish. Perfect every single time. Wish i had this when I catered instead of gas burner. Ilove that it doesn’t heat up the kitchen in summer months. Here in Virginia that’s at least 6 mo’s of the year. I love if you forget something in the fridge you can hit the off button and resume at same temp instantly when you return. The knob is harder to clean around but it’s so much easier to turn than repeatedly tapping a button. But rest of the unit really easy to clean. Mine still looks brand new. The bad However is that it has a 6 in coil and will warp larger 10-12 in Teflon pans eventually. Im cooking for 2 so using a little smaller pan 8-10 in for most of the time is working for me. I am looking at the new 8 in coils comming out now. I would stick with 1800 watt units. I had a different brand 1400 watt unit a few years before that I thought was sluggish. This unit has really exceeded my expectations. I bought it to tide me over during a kitchen renovation we were doing ourselves. I have a gas unit that I bought but didn’t install because I’m still enjoying this so . Ps the Glass top has held up terrific Added note from 12 years later. Wow those prices have risen this year. Thanks to the White House I’m sure. The vollrath has been used every day three times a day. I never did install my countertop four burner gas that I bought. It says it’s 12 inch burner but the magnet is only 6 inches. I’ve learned over the years of warping lightweight Teflon pans that it’s better to cook with 8 inch to 10 inch pans with heavy bottoms. My fry pans for the last 8 or 10 months have been the Oxo professional straight sided fry pans and they are working great on the induction. My husband is tough on kitchen things and he hasn’t killed it yet. 10 degree temp is a nice responsive control. I have just this week gotten a crack in the off and on push button ,I will find a repair for to keep it clean and sealed. Otherwise this thing still looks brand new after 12 yrs. All I would change is I’d like a larger magnet to use large stock pots.