Hong Kong’s Consumer Council (CC) has released findings from its latest comparative test on 13 double-head and “full-zone” induction cookers, revealing significant disparities in cooking performance, energy efficiency, and low-heat control among popular models, including those from German Pool, Rasonic, and Panasonic. Published in its monthly magazine Choice (Issue 568), the review highlighted that two models struggled severely with heating power, while nearly 70% failed to meet international standards for gentle simmering, prompting the CC to refer several energy efficiency discrepancies to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) for follow-up.
The comprehensive assessment covered induction cookers with rated inputs ranging from 2,800W to 5,200W and prices spanning from HK$3,680 to HK$21,300. As modern cookers are often favored over traditional gas stoves for their ease of cleaning and minimal ambient heat, the CC focused on key factors for home chefs: cooking speed, heat uniformity, energy consumption, and safety.
Inconsistent Power Hinders High-Temperature Cooking
During a simulated cooking test designed to assess whether dual cooking zones could operate effectively simultaneously, two specific models exhibited troubling limitations in high-heat performance. The test required the main zone to heat cooking oil to 180°C within 45 minutes for deep-frying frozen chips, while the secondary zone maintained a rolling boil.
Two samples—the German Pool GIC-252DB and the Giggas GS-238D—failed to reach the critical 180°C temperature within the allotted time, capping out just above 170°C. While the majority of the remaining ten models heated the oil in a swift 13.7 to 25.3 minutes, the Panasonic KY-C223B was notably slow, taking nearly 40 minutes, which severely limited the time available for the subsequent deep-frying task.
Further enhancing concerns over high-power safety, the German Pool model automatically shut down during the pan-frying assessment, triggering its built-in overheat protection mechanism, suggesting further issues with heat management.
Heat Distribution and Low-Heat Control Deficiencies
Uneven heat distribution was another prevalent issue. In a test simulating pancake cooking, five overall samples produced results where the center of the dough was significantly darker than the edges, confirming non-uniform heat output across the surface.
This unevenness was particularly noticeable in the three “full-zone” models, designed to combine two heating zones. When cooking with a long stovetop implement in full-zone mode, the area between the two coils was consistently cooler, with heat clustering predominantly at the front and back of the pan.
For sophisticated dishes requiring gentle simmering, the results were particularly disappointing. Utilizing chocolate melting to test low-power stability against the IEC 60350-2 international standard, the CC found that nearly 70% of the samples failed to meet the stringent requirements for controlled simmering, often raising the oil temperature too quickly. Only four of the thirteen models successfully maintained the temperature within the narrow band specified for truly slow cooking.
Energy Label Inaccuracies Raise Consumer Concern
The review also spotlighted discrepancies in energy efficiency labeling. Six models exhibited calculated energy consumption ratings that differed from their official public labels, with five showing a rating one level lower than indicated.
Most significantly, the Rasonic RIC-S44E, despite performing well in heating speed tests, registered a standby power consumption exceeding 2.0W. This performance metric automatically pushes the model into the lowest Grade 5 energy efficiency category under the EMSD mandatory scheme, contradicting its displayed Grade 2 label. Standby consumption across all tested models varied drastically, ranging from an efficient 0.13W up to 2.28W.
The CC has submitted all findings related to energy labeling mismatches to the EMSD for immediate investigation, ensuring consumer confidence is managed effectively in the market.
Tips for Safe and Efficient Induction Cooking
In light of the findings, the Consumer Council advised customers to exercise caution when purchasing and utilizing induction cookers. Key recommendations include:
- Dedicated Power Source: Always connect high-wattage induction cookers to an independent electrical socket and never share it with other high-power appliances.
- Check for Damage: Discontinue use immediately if the glass cooktop surface shows any cracks or damage, and contact the supplier for repair.
- Post-Cooking Protocol: Do not switch off the power immediately after cooking. Internal fans often run for a period to cool the electronic components, which is vital for component longevity.
Consumers are encouraged to consult the full test results and high-scoring models published in Choice magazine before making a new purchase, ensuring their chosen cooker meets both their cooking needs and safety standards.