What's With These Infrared Gas Cooktops?

[beechstreet]

My wife and I were at Homepro yesterday looking at cook tops. We need something temporary until we gear up for the real kitchen (in about a year). So we were thinking of spending a couple thousand baht (hopefully less) on a gas cook top that can just sit on our counter. We are used to cooking with open burners and natural gas in the states so I am unfamiliar with these infrared type burners. The Homepro swarm was of course no help, telling us about all the features that we can readily observe ourselves..."That's a cooktop" "It is stainless steel" and of course telling us to buy whatever model we are NOT looking at.

So do any of you guys have experience with the infrared gas cooktops? I know in theory how they work but want some insight on practice. We have some nice Sitram pots and pans that I would rather not F up. The one thing that a Homepro dude told me, which I want to believe, is that the infrared burns "cleaner"...

Thanks,

David

[trogers]

Could not get my wok working with these high-tech gadgets...

[Artisi]

Are you talking about induction cook top?

[trogers]

Are you talking about induction cook top?

"infrared gas cooktops"

[jerrylee]

They're real easy to clean up.

Edited July 29, 2009 by jerrylee

[rolypie]

we bought a twin burner which is actually very good, but beware of imitations pay full price but get a load of rubbish!

[apetley]

Wifey has one in our Thai kitchen and really likes it. It's a basic one that sits on top of the counter, works as easily as a 'normal' gas burner. Costs slightly more that's all.

[aussimike]

My wife and I were at Homepro yesterday looking at cook tops. We need something temporary until we gear up for the real kitchen (in about a year). So we were thinking of spending a couple thousand baht (hopefully less) on a gas cook top that can just sit on our counter. We are used to cooking with open burners and natural gas in the states so I am unfamiliar with these infrared type burners. The Homepro swarm was of course no help, telling us about all the features that we can readily observe ourselves..."That's a cooktop" "It is stainless steel" and of course telling us to buy whatever model we are NOT looking at.

So do any of you guys have experience with the infrared gas cooktops? I know in theory how they work but want some insight on practice. We have some nice Sitram pots and pans that I would rather not F up. The one thing that a Homepro dude told me, which I want to believe, is that the infrared burns "cleaner"...

Thanks,

David

sorry there is no such thing as an infrared gas cooker - its either one or the other - infra red works with electricity while gas naturally runs off gas -- totally seperate cooking units -- but if i was in the process of buying new cookers i would go for the infra red - safer n cleaner

[rolypie]

Well thats where you are wrong aussimike The gas burns under an element which glows so there is no flame, i can place foods directly on to the element and barbeque if i so desire, i think you need to get your facts updated if your going to comment on the thread mate

[tw25rw]

Explained here.

Seems to use the gas to create radiant heat without directly drying/burning the food.

[Heng]

We have a few of both, both built into the counter though, indoors and outdoors. Be careful that the flame/start up is a bit hard to see if you have an outdoor kitchen. They're better for indoors.

[sibeymai]

We have a two burner on-counter model. Seems to work ok. Supposed to use less gas which might be right. It seems to burn hotter than the normal gas flame units as I have to use the lowest settings with high quality stainless/copper saucepans. These units won't harm your saucepans provided the user realises that much less heat is required than for the usual aliminium saucepans Thais use.

[Gary A]

The first one my wife bought a white colored ceramic element. It lasted about a year and the element started falling apart. The element had tiny square holes. This one has small round holes and is a gray color. It appears to be much more robust. The element glows and there is no visible flame. It works great and she will never go back to a regular open flame burner.

[trogers]

The gas burns under an element which glows so there is no flame, i can place foods directly on to the element and barbeque if i so desire, i think you need to get your facts updated if your going to comment on the thread mate

Sorry, but this is old technology. I remember using this in my high school lab over 40 years ago - bunsen burner heating a white element pad, which heated up the flask of chemicals via conduction and infra radiation.

[Artisi]

Are you talking about induction cook top?

"infrared gas cooktops"

Missed the "gas ".

[jingjingna]

If anyone has got one of these infrared gas cooktops, that they are happy with and would recommend please post a pic and price details..looking for a two burner.

Cheers!