Electrolux cooktop boils water in a flash

Electrolux's 36-inch electric hybrid induction cooktop's selling points are its speed, flexibility, and sophisticated design.

With five burners--three electric and two induction--the cooktop can boil or simmer multiple pots in a hurry, delivering between 750 watts to 3,200 watts to heat the food. The 10-inch induction element on this cooktop will boil water in just 90 seconds.

This Electrolux cooktop uses induction and electric heat.

(Credit: Electrolux via Best Buy)

Induction cooktops generally cost more than their all-electric counterparts do, and this one costs about $1,999.

You must also use pots and pans made of magnetic material such as stainless steel or cast iron on induction burners. You can check your pots by sticking a magnet on them. If the magnet sticks, you're good to go. (Of course, any type of pan can be used on this cooktop's electric burners.)

Despite the higher cost of this cooktop and the pan constraints, induction cooking, which relies on a magnetic energy field to heat the pot, boils up to 50 percent faster than an electric burner. This cooktop has a "power assist" feature that generates heat rapidly for a quick boil.

This ceramic cooktop is intuitive. The two induction elements, which measure 6 inches and 10 inches, automatically detect the presence of a magnetic pot, adjusting the heat to cover its size and shape.

Dual-size elements on this cooktop also create a more flexible cooking area by providing a choice of using a 6-inch or 9-inch or a 5-inch or 7-inch space if you need to accommodate a bigger skillet, fry pan, or Dutch oven.

A Sabbath mode on this model helps users comply with kosher cooking practices by keeping food warm long-term without turning the cooktop on or off. A "keep warm" feature is standard, along with a hot surface indicator light. A cleaning sponge is included.

Reviews of this model are scarce online; however, both Electrolux induction and electric cooktops have ranked at the top of Consumer Reports' recent ratings. (password required)

This model is available in stainless steel, black, or white.