A CNET home and kitchen editor, a lifelong gas stove user, opted for an induction stove in her new home due to concerns over indoor air quality and health risks. After over a year of use, she highlights its speed, safety, ease of cleaning, and smart features as key benefits. She has no plans to return to gas.
The editor's decision stemmed from her experience with asthma and awareness of studies linking natural gas stove emissions to respiratory issues, particularly in children. Her new kitchen's limited ventilation amplified these concerns, despite professional chefs often preferring gas in well-ventilated commercial settings.
She chose Samsung's Bespoke smart induction range, which has proven faster than her previous gas stove. For instance, it boils a pot of water in under five minutes, compared to about eight minutes on gas, and preheats the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit in just over nine minutes. This rapid heating aids tasks like searing meats in cast-iron skillets, with temperature adjustments made easily via touchscreen.
A standout feature was the smart app integration through SmartThings. During a long drive, the editor checked the app remotely and confirmed all burners were off, avoiding a unnecessary trip home. The app also allows preheating or adjusting heat from afar, though she uses it infrequently. Additionally, the range's touchscreen can connect to a phone for music or recipe videos, but she rarely employs this.
Cleanup is notably simpler; the scratch-free surface requires only a damp towel wipe, unlike gas stoves with hard-to-clean grates. Cookware compatibility was not an issue, as her stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic items work well, though copper and aluminum do not.
Priced over $2,000, the model includes an in-oven camera and AI modes she finds unnecessary. She recommends the $1,100 version with essential features instead. Overall, the switch has brought peace of mind on air quality and enhanced daily cooking efficiency.
