Hi,
I am looking to buy an induction hob. I didn't know where to start looking but knew that bosch is often recommended as a good make here, much preferred over hotpoint, zanussi, and electrolux ;)
The bosch web site is not much help. It only seems to show two 600mm hobs and does not go into any great detail about them. However, I downloaded their installation guide, which revealed many more 600mm models (why aren't these on the web site?).
The curious thing is that they seem to have crippled some models so that they can be connected by a 13A plug. The ones installed with fixed wiring are rated at about 7kW but there is a crippled model that is suitable for use with a 13A socket and another model where you can preset it to use up to 13A or 20A. The web site does not explain this and I almost bought a crippled model. I think the web site talks about the four "saucepan positions" (what do you call the areas on an induction hob; if it were gas or electric they would be hotplates or jets or burners or some such).
I read the 2x1.8kW and 2x1.4kW on the web site and assumed that the hob is rated at 1.8+1.8+1.4+1.4=6.4kW whereas if the current is limited to 13A, the reality must be that its maximum power is 3kW. Perhaps taking diversity into account as all will not be drawing full current at the same time you can squeeze a bit more out of it, but it does seem misleading (imho) not to make that clearer.
I am particularly puzzled by the 20A model: why limit it to 20A, why stop at 20A, why not let it "use" the full 7kW? The only reason I can think of is to use the existing wiring but if you are going to the trouble of having a new, expensive hob, why not do the job properly?
I would feel cheated if I bought a 7kW hob and found it was limited to
4kW. Do other makes have similar "features"?Any suggestions on which make/model to buy? I don't have a wok.
TIA