What is an Induction Cooktop?

Say hello to Café induction cooktops. Induction cooking helps you cook smarter, faster, and cooler (literally). Available in 30” and 36” sizes with your choice of Stainless Steel or Black trim, these cooktops are designed to bring sophistication to your kitchen—and your cooking.

If you’re new to induction cooking, no worries. We’ll give you the details on how it works. It’s not just cooking, it’s a whole new kitchen vibe. And once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it.

How Do Induction Cooktops Work?

At first glance, an induction stove top looks like your everyday electric cooktop. But under that smooth glass surface? A whole different world. Instead of using direct heat, an induction cooktop creates a magnetic field that heats your pan directly—while the induction cooktop itself stays cool to the touch.

That means faster heating, better control, and no more scorched spills stuck to the glass surface. It’s high-tech “magic” that makes cooking easier and less messy.

Checking Your Cookware: All You Need Is a Magnet

Because induction uses magnetism, not all cookware will work. Here's the easy pan test: grab a magnet and stick it to the bottom of your pan. If it sticks, you’re good to go. Anything with an iron core is perfect. If you're investing in new induction cookware, just look for "induction-compatible" on the label.

Why Induction? So Many Reasons.

Let’s count the ways induction cooking makes life easier:

1. Precision heat: Make perfectly seared scallops or delicate sauces—no guesswork.

2. Speed: Boil water in a flash. Dinner = done.

3. Cooler kitchen: The heat goes to the pan, not the air.

4. Polished design: Smooth glass surface with intuitive touch controls—no knobs, no clutter.

5. Easy cleanup: Since the cooktop doesn’t get hot, spills won’t burn on. So, you can just wipe and go.

Induction vs. Gas: The New Flame

Sure, gas has been the cook’s go-to for years. But induction is catching up—and for good reason. Café induction cooktops are ENERGY STAR® rated, so they save on energy, which is good for your bill and the planet. They also heat up faster than a gas stove and give you more precise control over your cooking. They keep your kitchen cooler, too.  

Induction vs. Electric: The Clear Winner

Already love your glass-top electric cooktop? You’ll really love our induction cooktops. They look just as smooth and clean up just as easily—but they’re way more efficient. Since the pan gets all the heat (and not the air around it or the actual cooktop), your food cooks faster, your water boils quicker, and you use less energy doing it.