How I Got the Wonderchef Induction Cooktop
I was happy when my husband gifted me a Wonderchef induction cooktop as a Diwali present. I did not really think that I would put it into high use since we were used to cooking using gas.
By the time we relocated, the gas cylinder was depleted, and it took us too much time to obtain a new connection to the new house. And this is why I began to use the Wonderchef, and it turned out to be a lifesaver.
The greatest shock was the fact that it is compatible with a majority of my existing utensils. I imagined that I would have to use special induction cookware; however, my normal steel pots and pans are just fine. That spared me the cost of purchasing a new set when the house was being transferred at a high price.
What You Get with Wonderchef
Power 1400W is a model with 11 preset cooking options. It has a button that serves soups, a button that serves frying, and a particular button that serves Indian meals such as dal.
The top of the glass is smooth as black; it is sleek and glossy with white touch controls. It is lightweight, so one can move around with it, which I did most of the time during our house shift. A portable cooktop can be quite handy when you are unloading boxes and putting together a new kitchen.
The cooktop has auto-shut-off and overheat control. Both were on manual once when I had left it running empty. It spared me a disaster that would have occurred.
The Utensil Surprise
This is what surprised me: my usual steel kadai, my pressure cooker, and my flat-bottomed pans are functioning. I tried all of it at home. The pure aluminum and copper ones were the only ones that did not work; however, I hardly ever use them anyway.
The induction cooktop includes an in-built magnet test. And when your vessel is not that kind, it will not even begin to heat. Simple as that. This helped me to save money that I would have spent on buying new cookware in the costly relocation. Also, like a cooktop, it’s easy to cook with an electric pressure cooker.
How It Performs Daily
Heating Speed
At full power, it takes less than three minutes to boil water. Morning tea occurs faster than on gas. The dual-layer coil technology would distribute heat uniformly at the bottom of the pot.
Cooking Results
The curry preset is also good—it automatically switches among temperatures. My rajma does not need to be checked every now and then. Rice is also fluffy in the end.
Compared to gas, rotis are slower. The level platform does not swell them either.
Energy Efficiency
I saved approximately 200-300 rupees monthly in terms of electricity bills. The IGBT technology is a smart power management technology. It is cheaper to operate daily than expected.
The Annoying Bits
Continuous beeping
Each button press beeps. At the expiry of the timer, it has a ten-second beep. There’s no mute option. This morning, at six, having a cup of coffee seems like the sounding of an alarm.
Slippery glass
The wet surface becomes slippery. Stirring pots may move slightly. It can be wiped down, and it can be dried up; however, you have to be careful. Also if milk falls on the glass it makes a sound and a burning smell occurs.
Durability Concerns
According to some individuals, the glass top breaks. My one has not burst, but with big pots I take pains. It is a two-year warranty, but we need to check with service centers.
What Works Best
Singles and small families: Ideal one or two meals a day. Breakfast, snacks in the evening, and basic dinners.
Preset cooking: Indian modes of cooking are actually effective when it comes to dal, curry, and rice.
Portable backup: Excellent when you need it as a second choice when experiencing a power failure or when your permanent stove is in use.
What Doesn’t Work
Huge families: A single burner does not have the capacity to cook a variety of food at the same time.
High-heat cookery: Tandoori-style foods that require a constant high flame do not fare well.
Warranty claims: Service reliability varies by location. Inquiry has to be made whether there is a service center in your area.
Price vs. Value
The Wonderchef has good value in 2500-3000 rupees. You have quick heat, safety, and average quality. In hundreds of reviews, the ratings are four to four and a half stars on the e-commerce sites.
Wonderchef also possesses superior presets compared to Prestige or Philips at comparable prices.
My Honest Take
The gift that I didn’t know was Diwali turned out to be my main form of cooking. And the Wonderchef, when we changed houses, cooked everything—no gas cylinder.
It happened so that it can be used with my existing steel utensils. I didn’t expect that. I have continued to use the Wonderchef to make quick meals even after acquiring our new gas connection. Quick boiling, reduced electricity expenses, and no dependence on this cylinder.
It isn’t perfect. Beeping is irritating, and I always monitor the glass top following the problem of cracking. It could have been improved with more power in the Swift 2200W model, which would suit better, but this is working.
Should You Buy It?
Buy when: You are a first-time induction user, cook 1 or fewer times per day, have an interest in Indian cooking programs, and are under an estimated cost of 3000 rupees. Bonus: You will not require new utensils in the event that you already own steel or iron cookware.
Skip: You require more than one burner, high heat in the gas style, and you have aluminum or copper vessels only (induction-compatible cookware must be purchased first).
Discounts on Amazon and Flipkart—product prices fluctuate in case of sales. Make sure your city has warranty coverage before making a purchase. That glass cracking issue is real enough to warrant caution.
