Last Updated on October 24, 2019
Induction cooktops are a lesser-known but efficient way to cook. They are not the same as a hot plate, and they use magnetic energy to heat food faster than a traditional gas or electric stovetop. They’re more common in Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, but Aldi in the United States occasionally sells a portable induction cooktop.
What We Know:
Aldi’s Ambiano Portable Induction Cooktop (product code 99163) is an ALDI Find, meaning it’s only in stores for a limited time. In 2019, it ran for $44.99.
Aldi previously sold the portable induction cooktop for $39.99 in 2018 and for $34.99 in 2017. So this appliance has seen a steady and not insignificant increase in price at Aldi over the years.
The 2019 model’s features include:
- Ability to use with cooking pots up to 10.2″ in diameter
- The ability to heat and cook faster than gas or electric stove tops.
- Seven settings
- A cooking plate that automatically identifies the size of the pot
- LED display that shows the timer, power setting, and temperature
- “Sensor touch” buttons
- Black crystal glass cooking plate
- Preset programs: cook, heat milk, stew, stir fry, deep fry, soup, boil water
- The capability to work with cooking pans containing iron (not suitable for copper, aluminum, or glass cookware)
- Nonslip feet
Here is a link to the manual for the 2018 model and contact information for service through Fusion Fulfillment. The 2019 model comes with a 3-year warranty serviced by Protel.
Here’s a little more information about how how induction cooktops work:
Induction cooktops can be portable or built into a kitchen counter, and rather than creating a heat source to cook with, they heat food using magnetic technology. Explain That Stuff states: “When you turn on the power, you make a current flow through the coil and it produces a magnetic field all around it and (most importantly) directly above it … you have to use an alternating current (one that keeps reversing direction) to make a fluctuating magnetic field that will, indirectly, produce heat. And that’s all that an induction hob does: it generates a constantly changing magnetic field. It does not generate heat directly.”
Induction cooktops don’t get hot unless they have a pan sitting on them, so you can touch one and not burn your hand, but be sure not to touch a cooktop after it’s had a pan cooking on it because it will still be hot. They’re considered to be fast, efficient, and safer because there is no open flame, and portable induction cooktops like what Aldi is selling may be good options for campers, RVs, or possibly dorm rooms (check their rules first).
We did find some reviews of an Ambiano Induction Cooktop from Aldi, but most appear to be from outside of the U.S., so we can’t speak to how they compare to the unit sold through Aldi U.S.
What We Don’t Know:
We don’t have experience with Aldi’s portable induction cooktop, so we don’t know how well it works. Also, since this model has a different warranty provider from years past, we don’t know how it compares to previous years.
Do you have experience with Aldi’s Ambiano Portable Induction Cooktop? Share your thoughts in the comments.
My sister in law has an induction cooktop and the biggest issue is finding the right pot or pan to use. She can’t use any of the expensive pans with copper bottom. Non of the corningware oven pots work.
Unless you are a fan of induction cooking and don’t have a vast collection of copper bottom or aluminum pans it is not practical.
Works beautifully with my AllClad Stainless. So fast to bring water to boil. Three year guarantee but copy receipt as they fade and then put in safe place. Light weight to put away. Great also for when you need an extra burner when cooking for larger dinners.
To add:
1. The 2019 model has a 3 Year Warranty.
2. I purchased one this month and it is the third induction cooktop I have purchased over the past nine years. The first one lost power after about three years and I recently cracked the glass top on the second one by carelessly hitting the edge of it with a heavy pot of water.
This is the first one that has had a sensor that actually changes the power of the cooktop to maintain temperature and power settings at a constant level instead of cycling the power off and on to approximate a steady power level. I thought that this was available only on much more expensive models. So far it seems to work very well.
I have the 2017 model but have only started to use it regularly in the past few months. Using it rendered most of my pots and pans useless as they aren’t induction capable. However my precious cast iron works wonderfully. The 2 major problems I have with this is:
1. 6 temp setting buttons but only 4 actual preset temperatures. 3 of the buttons come on at the highest 464 degree setting.
2. The Lock button doesn’t seem to work. I often have to reduce the temperature from the preset. But after 10 minutes or so, the temperature goes right back to the preset. I have to monitor it and reset constantly.
A cooking guide would also be very help full as I have no idea what temperature to set to fry eggs, or fish, or braise a roast.
To be honest nothing beats the good old fashioned gas flame. I have tried electric and it just does not give the same satisfaction!
I am able to boil a pot of water without the lid on in about five minutes with this using a Circulon brand pot that says it is induction ready. I think that is impressive. Our regular stove/range takes 12 minutes covered. The only reason we tried uncovered with the induction was to measure the temperature rise.
We purchased an Ambiano cooker dated 10/2019 on 12/5/19 for $32.99. All our cookware is rendered useless without our new heat transfer plate.
Purchased a Circulon Symmetry saucepan which is much faster heating than using the heat transfer plate.
Still getting acquainted with how to cook using induction heating.
When the unit is on, the always-on internal cooling fan is noisy.
I will report on my cooking experiences as I accumulate them.
This unit very closely resembles the “Duxtop” model.
I am delighted with the speed of my Abiano cooktop. I now use it in preference to my stove cooktop even though I have cracked the glass top it still works well. Would buy another if Aldi still had them
I have the 2019 model and love it, the only is that it will not low simmer, 300w is far too high to simmer.
I am very happy with the performance of Ambiano cooker
I like it BUT it likes to get EO errors with some pans. Pans that I used on my previous induction cooktop and pans that came in the same set as others who don’t get the error. I’ve found out I have to FAKE IT OUT by putting a different pan on it that doesn’t get the error, then slowly sliding both over until the pan I intend to use is on the designated circle.
I have the ambiano portable induction cooktop. I have had it for years, and as an apartment dweller I find it most useful in apartments with electric stoves and on camping trips. My lone problem with it is getting the tempariture low enough to ‘simmer’ without boiling when going from a high temperature to the lowest setting of 140 degrees. It could take as long as the recipe for simmering to cool down for the ‘simmering’