Take a run of the mill electric cooktop, add a cup of Star Trek technology and a dash of European ergonomics and you have a recipe for the Diva DDP-5 induction cooktop, the coolest cooktop ever designed for the US market.
Really -- It's Cool!
When it comes to induction technology the word cool is appropriate because instead of an external heat source like gas or electric elements that also heat the surrounding air, an induction cooktop heats the pan alone. While the food in the cookware heats up, the cooktop surface does not! In other words, whether the cooktop is turned off or on, the cooktop surface remains cool, and the surface in contact with the cookware is just warm. A cool cooktop eliminates the danger of burns, particularly with young children. Induction cooking also means the end of overheated kitchens, a real plus for avid chefs who spend hours in their kitchens. In addition, the need for overpowered ventilation systems is eliminated because gas vapors and excess heat no longer needs to be vented. For this reason, induction cooking is popular on state-of-the-art cruise ships and some avant-garde restaurants.
And, since the cooktop surface never heats up, it's a breeze to clean: food will never stick or burn and a quick wipe with a damp sponge is all that's required to clean up even the messiest spill.
How Does it Work?
How does induction cooking actually work? It starts with very powerful electromagnetic energy. An alternating current is created by the induction coil underneath the glass top, in turn, creating a magnetic field that transfers to the cookware which excites the metal molecules creating heat. In short, only the cookware heats up. Take an egg, for example: when the frying pan is in contact with the induction zone, the egg cooks. But the egg will not cook on the glass surface, which remains cold. Induction cooktops can be used for all types of cooking methods: boiling, frying, saut?ing, simmering and melting chocolate. By merely pressing the control panel, you can choose power levels starting at 50W. The range of power and control is the same as with gas, but unlike with most gas cooktops, you can simmer chocolate all day with the DDP-5 because it will always maintain a constant temperature.
Efficiency and Speed
With an efficiency of 90%, compared to 50% for gas or 55-60% for other electric technologies, induction heats incredibly fast. Even when compared to a microwave, nothing can match the speed or safety of an induction cooktop. Power and efficiency, combined with the fact that energy consumption is proportional to the size of the cookware, result in substantial energy savings, 17-30% less than the energy consumed by standard cooking technologies.
The DDP-5 allows you to adjust from a maximum 2800 watts to just a mere 50 watts to simmer, or bring a simmer back to a roaring boil in seconds, instead of waiting minutes.
The Fine Print
There is one caveat regarding induction cooking: you must use a magnetically sensitive pot or pan. Specifically, any cast iron or porcelain over iron pan or magnetic stainless steel cookware will work. All the popular aluminum or copper-clad cookware is incompatible with induction technology. Fortunately, one of the highest rated brands of stainless steel cookware from the folks at All-Clad works beautifully with this cooktop. In fact, the Diva DDP-5 comes with a free All-Clad Metalcrafters Stainless 9 Piece Cookware Set. The set includes a 10" fry pan, a 2 qt. Saucepan with lid, a 3 qt. Saut? pan with lid, a 3 qt. Casserole pan with lid and a 6 qt. Stockpot with lid. Here's a useful tip when shopping for pots and pans: take a refrigerator magnet with you. If it sticks to the bottom of a pan it will work with your cooktop.
I've been a huge fan of induction cooking since purchasing a GE induction cooktop several years ago. Unfortunately, GE discontinued the product and there are no longer any other manufacturers producing induction cooktops for the US market. Ironically, induction cooktops are wildly popular and can be found all over Europe, yet none of the high-end European appliance companies such as Miele, Bosch, or Gaggenau have brought the technology to the States. Diva has changed all that.
At a price of $3,995 the 5 burner 36-inch Diva DDP-5 is at the upper end of the appliance price spectrum, but if you can afford it, you won't find a better cooktop anywhere else on the planet.
EFFECTIVE JAN 31ST, 2006, DIVA DE PROVENCE WILL BE DISCONTINUING THE ALL-CLAD COOKWARE PROMOTION. ELIGIBLE CONSUMERS MUST SUBMIT THE PRODUCT REGISTRATION CARD WITH A SALES RECEIPT DATED NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM, JAN 31ST, 2006. REGISTRATION CARDS AND SALES RECEIPTS WILL BE ACCEPTED NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM, MARCH 31st, 2006.
