Kenmore 43800

The Kenmore 43800 is a 30-inch electric cooktop that heats by induction. Instead of heating the burners, which in turn heat the cookware, it creates an electromagnetic field that produces an electric current directly in the cookware (provided that the cookware is made of a magnetic material, such as cast iron or stainless steel). Induction cooktops use less energy than traditional electric cooktops. They are also safer, since they stay relatively cool to the touch.

In professional tests, the Kenmore induction cooktop does almost as well as the top-rated GE Profile PHP900DMBB (*Est. $1,480). Both cooktops perform superbly on both high and low heat. The cooktop has four heating elements ranging in size from 6 to 10 inches, each with 15 power settings. Like other induction cooktops, it can automatically sense the presence of a magnetic pan and adjust the size of the burner accordingly.

The Kenmore 43800 is one of 10 induction cooktops included in the latest round of testing at ConsumerReports.org. Each cooktop is rated on its speed at boiling water and its ability to gently simmer tomato sauce and melt chocolate without scorching. User reviews for this cooktop are extremely scarce; we found only two at Sears.com, the only retail site that sells Kenmore appliances. However, we did find some useful information about how consumers like Kenmore cooktops in general in the 2012 Home Appliance Survey by J.D. Power and Associates.