Latest news with #TILLREDA
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I thought this budget induction cooktop was just for small spaces — until I found its killer hidden potential
Induction cooktops are known to be expensive, much more so than comparative gas and electric versions, but you can enjoy the thrills of induction cooking at a fraction of the cost you would expect. Because that wonderful Swedish store that goes by the name IKEA has opened up induction cooking to all. For a cent under $60 you can pick up an induction cooktop and benefit from the joys of induction cooking without having to take out a second mortgage. IKEA's budget-friendly induction cooktop is available directly from IKEA for $59. And as an added bonus, you can use it whenever and wherever you want, as it's portable. No fixing needed. Simply plug it into your power source and get cooking. This portable induction cooktop is ideal for small kitchens or whenever you need an extra cooking zone. You can plug it in and start cooking immediately. The cooktop is controlled via touchpad controls, with a lock facility to keep children safe. It measures 10 5/8 (W) x 12 3/4 (D) x 12 3/4 inchs and weights 6lbs. When testing IKEA's TILLREDA portable induction cooktop, I was thrilled with how accessible it made induction cooking for those on a budget. Without the hefty price tag normally associated with induction cooktops, it makes it possible to try before you buy. So, if you're curious about trying induction cooking but hesitant to invest in a built-in version without first experiencing its benefits, opting for a portable version lets you test the waters of induction cooking before making a bigger commitment. And, although IKEA's portable induction cooktop only accommodates one pan, it's enough to give you a feeling for what induction cooking is like. Another great advantage of purchasing a portable induction cooktop is that it's perfect for compact living. Pack it up and take it to your college dorm, and impress your fellow students with the cooktop's touchpad. It even has a hook attached to store it off the countertop when space is tight. And it's perfect for student one-pot dinners or pulling together healthy meals while you're away from home. I'd certainly have invested in one when I packed my sons off to college a good few years ago. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. But it's not just ideal for student living. Anyone with a small kitchen can benefit from its compact dimensions. Pair it with one of the best air fryers for a compact kitchen setup. Although this budget induction cooktop is perfect for small spaces and gives you a feel for induction cooking, I find it offers a much bigger benefit. In fact, I think it's the hidden potential of owning a device like this one. I think of it as the extendible section on my dining table, which I pull up when I'm entertaining and need more space. And, appropriately, it's what I use when I have a houseful of mouths to feed. When my four-ring gas cooktop gets overwhelmed, and I've run out of space for any more pots, IKEA's portable induction cooktop comes to the rescue. All I need to do is clear a small amount of countertop space, plug it in, and I've got myself another cooking spot. So, whenever I'm entertaining a crowd, this extra cooktop makes my life that little bit easier. What's more, when not in use, it's super easy to store, and its portability means it often gets handed to other family members when it's their turn to host. It may be meant as a budget option, but to me it's the extra piece of the cooking puzzle that comes to the rescue whenever I need it. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
07-08-2025
- General
- Tom's Guide
5 IKEA kitchen dorm room essentials that every student needs
Getting ready for college is an exciting time, there's lots to look forward to, from meeting new friends, to communal living and gaining more independence. But, whether you're a freshman, upperclassman, or anxious parent, the experience will be smoother if you have these 5 kitchen essentials to hand. What's more, IKEA is a great place to shop for all those kitchen dorm room essentials, as they won't take a chunk out of a student budget. So, whether you're the one off to college or a parent, here are my top 5 IKEA kitchen dorm room essentials I recommend. Keep your perishable food chilled in this mini TILLREDA refrigerator. It's part of IKEA's range of kitchen appliances and sits alongside the TILLREDA portable induction cooktop I tested earlier this year. This free-standing version, in white, has a 1.54 cubic feet capacity and measures 18 5/8 (W) x 17 3/4 (D) x 19 3/8 (H) inches. However, before you buy, check if your college has any restrictions regarding electrical equipment. This set comprises one single pan and two pans with glass lids. The stainless steel set is perfect for cooking up pasta, sauces, or for simply boiling an egg! They are even suitable to use on an induction cooktop. So, save on takeouts and cook your own fresh and tasty homemade dinners. Add a splash of color to your dining with this pretty 16-piece set of flatware, and impress your new-found friends when you entertain. But you'll have to be quick, as it's a limited edition. Keep your food fresh with the help of this set of five storage containers. The transparent storage is made of glass with multi-colored lids. They are stackable, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe. The set comprises two larger containers and three smaller pots. This 2-piece knife set includes a 10 5/8-inch cook's knife, and a 7-inch paring knife. Each has a stainless steel blade and a polyproylene handle, and you'll have to remember to handwash them as they are not dishwasher safe. One reviewer says the knife set is ideal for beginners, while another says the blades are super sharp. Verified students can also make a 15% one-time saving before September 30, 2025. While IKEA is also offering a 10% discount off 'College Essentials' when 10 or more items are bought in one purchase. (Please refer to IKEA for the full terms and conditions). Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
14-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
Induction cooking is easier than you think: Experts share their 7 top tips for success
I'm an induction cooking fan, and when I get the chance to update my kitchen, an induction cooktop is going to be at the top of my wish list. I used an induction cooktop for the first time at Smeg's test kitchen, and have since tested Smeg's portable induction cooktop and Ikea's TILLREDA portable induction cooktop in my own home, and I haven't changed my mind. However, there's an art to induction cooking that is different from cooking on one of the best electric or gas ranges. But I'm here to say, don't be afraid. If you're curious about induction cooking but nervous about making the switch, feel reassured, as I've gathered some induction experts to share their top tips on induction cooking. If you purchase an induction stove in person, rather than online, you should be informed during the sale that only certain cookware will be compatible with an induction cooktop. However, for those of you who plan to purchase an induction stove online, beware, as heat is transferred differently than when using gas or electric, and the type of pans you use matters. 'Make sure your pots and pans are induction-compatible, usually magnetic stainless steel or cast iron,' advises Chris Demaillet owner of private chef agency, Montclair Chef. Although even chefs make mistakes, with Demaillet admitting, 'I had a bad surprise once after purchasing a set of new frying pans.' Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. To check if your cookware is induction-compatible, he suggests trying the magnet trick — if a magnet sticks to the bottom of your pans, you're in business. With an electric or gas stove, it's easy to see the coil size of the burner, but Tung Vu, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York. says this information is not as clear with an induction stove, as the magnetic coils transferring the heat to your pans are hidden below the glass surface. You may need to dig deep into the product specifications to find the size of the coils. 'Sometimes you'll find an unbelievably good deal for an induction burner, but the catch is that the magnet diameter is too small to effectively heat larger pans,' says Vu. And he adds, 'For instance, if you have a 10 or 12-inch sauté pan or a large 12-quart stockpot, but the magnet diameter of your induction is only six inches, only the center of the pan will get hot. Foods outside of the center will not brown well, and it may be hard to bring water to or maintain a rolling boil.' Therefore, to ensure compatibility with most pan sizes, he recommends checking that the diameter of the magnet on your induction cooktop is almost as large as the largest pan you plan to use on it, which he says will be around eight inches or larger. 'Induction heats much quicker than gas or traditional electric,' says Demaillet, 'It gets hot, really fast!' While this is ideal for searing meat or fish, he warns to stay vigilant, 'Proteins can burn very quickly and get burned fast. I'd suggest trying out at medium/high heat first before searing your steak on the 'boost' settings.' Vu is also in agreement and suggests preheating your pan low and slow if you plan to sauté or sear meat. 'When you heat up a pan too quickly, it's likely to heat up unevenly, resulting in hot and cold spots. Allowing the pan to come up to temperature slowly over a low heat will ensure the pan is heated evenly, leading to a better, more even sear on your steak,' he explains. And he adds, 'This can be true of any cooktop (gas and electric as well), but perhaps most with induction, as it has the potential for extreme heat output very quickly.' With the rapid increase in heat and high output, Mike Williams, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Kenyon, says, 'You should expect to potentially reduce your cook times and be ready for faster responses to heat changes.' And when compared to the company's radiant electric cooktops, Williams says that the induction counterparts boil water in one-third of the time, indicating just how fast induction can be. This 5 burner induction cooktop is designed with a sleek black ceramic surface that's scratch and stain resistant. The digital touch controls are easy to use and reviewers say it's "easy to install". The boost function on an induction cooktop is a great feature that I've experienced firsthand. Williams describes it as being designed to deliver a quick surge of extra power to a burner, allowing it to heat up much faster than in normal mode. 'This can be used for bringing water to a boil more quickly or searing meat, and can cut down on cooking time if you need to,' he explains. However, he adds, 'This is designed only to be used for just a few minutes at a time. If you use it too long, or with empty cookware, you run the risk of damaging both the cooktop and the cookware, not to mention burning your food.' To ensure you use the feature as intended, he says, 'The best plan is to use it like a quick power surge, rather than a continuous setting.' There's a big difference in how you should treat an induction cooktop compared to a gas or electric version, and this is one lesson that I've had to learn. Vu says, 'Don't drag pans across the glass surface: When cooking on a gas or electric cooktop, many people are used to dragging the pan back and forth, invoking a tossing or shaking motion to ensure even cooking and to prevent food from sticking.' However, with an induction stove, you need to be more careful. He adds, 'Even though the glass is tempered and can withstand more weight and temperature fluctuations, you can overdo it and scratch or shatter the glass cooktop.' To avoid damaging the surface, he suggests lifting the pan fully off the cooktop before sautéing or doing other motions that can physically damage the induction burner. Don't wait until tomorrow to clean up cooktop spills, Williams recommends clearing them up right away, because there's the chance they could damage the cooktop. So, what's the worst culprit? 'Sugary spills can etch or pit the surface, and anything that burns onto the surface can potentially cause stains or discoloration. In rare cases, they can even damage the controls. It's best just to wipe them up as soon as the heat has come down and it's safe to do so,' Williams comments. Demaillet also adds that grease and debris, if left on the cooktop, can reduce efficiency. While we might be accustomed to placing a pan on a hot stove to warm it through before adding ingredients, Williams warns against this practice. 'Because induction cooktops heat so quickly, heating an empty pan on high power can damage the cookware, so you'll want to start on low heat and bump the heat up once ingredients are added,' he explains.
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I just tried Ikea's portable induction cooktop — 5 things I like (and 1 I don't)
I first used an induction cooktop at Smeg's test kitchen last year and subsequently tested Smeg's own portable induction cooktop at home for two weeks. Although I haven't been able to swap my trusty gas range for an induction model just yet, I'm an induction convert. Despite the many advantages of using an induction cooktop over a gas or electric range, including its reactive performance, investing in an induction cooktop can be pricey. And because you don't get the chance to try out an induction cooktop before you buy — the closest you'll probably get is seeing a demonstration — you'll want to make sure you're making the right decision. That's why, when I got the chance to test Ikea's TILLREDA portable induction cooktop, I couldn't turn it down. At $59 direct from Ikea, its budget-friendly price makes induction cooking available to all. Here's all the five reasons I'm hooked on this handy kitchen accessory and the one thing I'm not sold on. For a budget price you get the opportunity to out what its like to cook with induction and how it differs to using gas or electric. This is exactly what one reviewer, who was thinking about swapping to an induction stove, explains in their 5-star review. 'The experience we have had with the portable induction stove has made our mind to get a non-portable induction stove for our kitchen at a future date. I would recommend this product to anyone curious about an induction stove.' And it's not just one person who had this thought. According to another reviewer, 'TILLREDA was a great way for us to try out induction cooking at an affordable price point.' When my son first saw Ikea's portable induction cooktop his first reaction was to mention how many media influencers use portable induction cooktops. Unlike a standard cooktop, where you face a wall, (unless your cooktop is positioned on an island unit), a portable induction cooktop can be moved around making it easier to set up a camera to capture your demonstration. This is the perfect solution if you are creating media content in your home. I'm not expecting a whole task force of cooking influencers to hot-foot it over to their local Ikea, but this scenario does highlight the flexibility of using a portable induction cooktop, whether it's an Ikea model or another brand, and how lightweight and easy they are to move about. The TILLEDRA is a featherweight coming in at 6lbs. I made use of Ikea's portable induction cooktop when I had a family party and needed extra cooktop space to slow-cook some onions. I think it's ideal to use when you need an extra cooking zone on occasions, but not everyday. It's almost like having an extendible dining table, which is there when you need extra capacity, but can be neatly tucked away when not in use. And although I used it in my kitchen, there's no reason why you can't move it outside. In fact, one reviewer on Ikea mentions how, in the summer, they 'take it out on the porch for cooking to avoid heating up the house.' My son's second reaction was see see the benefit of using a portable induction cooktop in student accommodation or anywhere with a small kitchen space. If you couple it with one of the best air fryers, you'll be cooking up a feast every night of the week — one sure way to save on takeout. What's more, Ikea's TILLEREDA comes with a hook, so you can hang it up and keep your countertop clear when it's not in use. This portable induction cooktop is ideal for small kitchens or whenever you need an extra cooking zone. You can plug it in and start cooking immediately. The cooktop is controlled via touchpad controls, with a lock facility to keep children safe. It measures 10 5/8 (W) x 12 3/4 (D) x 12 3/4 inchs and weights 6lbs. There's not much to say about the controls because they are simple to use. Apart from holding down the 'unlock' key for a few seconds before you start, the induction cooktop is ready to go. The heat is adjusted by using a '+' and '-' button on the be aware that for heat to be transferred from the cooktop to your pans, your pans must be magnetic, and your pans could be the reason why your induction cooktop might not be working. I don't have a full set of induction compatible pans, but I have a cast iron pan that works a treat. For a small appliance, Ikea's portable induction cooktop is a bit noisy. I expect this is due to the fan kicking in, and I will investigate this further during my full review and monitor the sound level when in use. However, for something that's under $60 and gives you the ability to cook with induction heat, I wouldn't expect it to be perfect. For now it's getting a thumbs up from me.
