Nuwave Flex Precision Induction Cooktop, 10.25” Shatter-Proof Ceramic Glass, 6.5” Heating Coil, 45 Temps from 100°F to 500°F, 3 Wattage Settings 600, 900 & 1300 Watts, Black

My first review didn't appear to post so I am doing a horrid job with a second try.UPDATE: Wow! The level of control on this is amazing. I could take something from "boiling" to "not boiling" by using the +/- with the temperature settings with just a five degree difference. Also let something cook on 600w rather than 900w - still boiled. Amazing.Items of note:- Usable "HOT" area in center ring area is a diameter of 6 3/4".- Max recommended pot/pan size if 10.3". Material in the 3.5" zone outside the inner ring will take longer to heat, etc.- PIC Flex is about 10.1" wide. 11 3/4" long, and 2 1/2" inches high.- Does not have an "Off" switch so may (or may not) use Vampire Power.- Can be set for 600w/900w/1300w, but cooking times are obviously "longer" for lower settings.- "Exhaust" vent looks to run from "9-oclock to 1-oclock" position. Air seems to exit around "11-oclock".- "Another vent ("Intake"?) looks to be around the "2-oclock to 3-oclock" position.- 32" cord is permanently attached at comes out "from the right" in between the two vents.- Area around the exhaust vent can get on the toasty side.- Digital thermometers are very useful to keep an eye on the temperature.- Heat does travel to the outer edge of the unit, so if using a larger pan for long periods of time, don't do like the picture on the box and put your hand on the surface.- Looks like it "cools reasonably fast". I wouldn't put my hand on it immediately after use, but it's certainly safer than a conventional stove top. If I had the remodel to do all over again, I could envision stealing the stove top's 40a breaker and instead just having a counter top with outlets for multiple NuWaves. Hmm..... Always The Future...Although it maxes out at 1300 watts, I am on the Paranoid Side so will be running it at 900 watts. Kitchen circuit is 20a, but never hurts to be safe. I like that they include a two quick-reference pages for those who tend to skip reading manuals, but even the "instructions" section of the "manual" is only about nine pages with the rest being recipes. A PDF version of the manual is also available. They list additional "accessories" for purchase in the manual. Ex: if I plan to store the PIC Flex rather than leave it on the counter, I would want to consider getting the Carrying Case (31115) to protect the PIC Flex from being bumped or scraped. One could also purchase an "induction ready cast-iron grill" (with drip tray) to actually "grill" on the PIC Flex (32023). Unfortunately, the carrying case (31115) does not appear to be listed on Amazon :( but the manufacturer sells it for (at present) $14.95 ***PLUS*** another $11.95 in shipping/handling/etc. $27.00 is a bit too much for a bag, so I may try the PIC Gold's slightly larger case (31111) as that is $18.95 and Free Shipping for Prime Members.Set at 900w, It boiled half a quart of water in a short amount of time, and one of the quick start pages also gives examples of times/wattage. Going to assume the temp was set to either "High" (425F) or "Max/Sear" (500F) .1 cup water at: 600W / 900W / 1,300WTime: 4:15m 2:00m 1:30mI finally gave "cooking soup" a try, and that would be about 4.75 quarts of veggies and water and such. The bottom of the pot (usable area) was 7 1/4", so only 1/2" was outside the inner ring. I set the PIC Flex for 380 degrees and after thirty minutes it was showing signs of beginning to boil. I cheated and pushed it to 400 and it started boiling a few minutes later. After that, I turned it down to 360 and it was still bubbling away. I was too much of a coward to try adding the lid as didn't want to risk things spilling over. Everything worked flawlessly. The only issue was User Error - I was unaware of the Countdown Timer which I assume defaults at one hour. I wanted to let it boil for 45 minutes, but my ignoring the timer meant it shut off before this. I switched it back on and let things finish up. I pressed the "clear" button twice to deactivate the unit, and gave it a few more minutes to let the fan run to exhaust any additional heat. Then pressed the "off" switch on the device (rated for 1800w) that I had the PIC Flex plugged into.This unit is smaller than other models, so if one wanted to cook with larger pots/pans, one should opt for a larger NuWave unit. The benefit of this one is the smaller size, so if one is trying to save space and isn't planning to use larger pots/pans - Get This! :)Combined with the ability to choose your wattage (600w/900w/1300w) and temperature, this is a great all-round single burner for environments where space or power is a concern. The Countdown Timer is an added safety feature. Should one get called away, fall asleep, etc, the PIC Flex will shut itself off - less concern of burning food or worse. Where was this when I was in college? Hot Plate = Stone Knives & Bear Skins!Negative Stuff... :(Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Concerns=================================The manual mentions "This appliance emits an electromagnetic field that is STRONGEST within TWO FEET of the cooking surface." The manual also mentions "Do not place devices or objects that are sensitive to magnetic fields on top of or next to the NuWave(tm) PIC Flex. (Eg: credit cards, cell phones, radios, TVs, video recorders, etc.). This may well be "CYA Boilerplate" documentation, but still something to consider. If one exists in the 21st century, then one may have on one's person a cell phone and/or some credit cards. And if one is operating the PIC Flex without Plastic Man Arms (or a long stick) then one is going to be well inside the "electromagnetic field that is STRONGEST within TWO FEET of the cooking surface." So one could interpret the manual to infer that it might be wiser to keep one's wallet and cell phone "elsewhere" when using the PIC Flex.Some Annoyances===============- There is no "off" switch so may be using "Vampire Power". As I don't like things that could be switched on by an accidental touch, will be plugging this into something that will function as an "off" switch (rated for 1800w).- Cord is a bit on the short side and comes out from the "right" so this limits where one might place the PIC Flex. If the cord was centered in the rear or a bit longer, this wouldn't be much of an issue as I want to avoid Stretching the Cord.- Above mentioned concern about "EMI".- The ads state that the unused area "remains cool" and that is not a completely accurate statement. One can't banish physics, and there isn't a vacuum (or a force field) to keep the heat contained inside the 6 3/4" inner ring. Heat will radiate out from the center to the unused area. Not much, but it is noticeable. Ex: I was using a pot with a "contact area" of about 5 1/2" to boil water. When I started, the digital thermometer said the overall surface temp was about 72 degrees. When I took the pot off the PIC Flex later, then "center" area was around 170 degrees and the outer ring was 84 degrees. Obviously the heat will radiate outward from the center, with the points closest to the pot/pan being the hottest. Since humans operate at 98.6 degrees, 84 degrees is nothing to worry about, but just mentioning that heat will radiate out from the center. I assume the bigger the pot/pan, the hotter the temp, and the longer the time, the hotter the outside area will be. Ex: Place a HOT pot/pan on a table, and the surface of the table is going to heat up.. etc. UPDATE: When I was cooking soup, the area of the ring behind the pot was pushing 115 degrees. No force fields, so the heat is going to radiate out from the center.- If one is going to use this with an "off" switch, do NOT turn it "off" immediately after use. The internal fan will be running for at least a minute after you stop using the PIX Flex, so wait at least 90 seconds to allow the fan to dissipate heat from the unit.- The heat has to go SOMEWHERE (physics again). The exhaust vent doubles as a mini space heater. I was measuring temps of 115 degrees coming out the vent, but obviously if the surface of the unit is pushing 360 degrees, the waste heat has to go somewhere. Ex: My Dyson Slim vacuum cleaner has excellent power/suction, but the cost is the heat it puts out the exhaust vent while operating.Minor annoyances aside, this was a GREAT purchase. I currently live in a Gas Stove World, but am eventually moving to an Electric Stove World. The PIC Flex will be excellent for trying out new cookware as I get ready for the transition from Anodized to Stainless Steel. It also never hurts to have an extra - portable - burner on hand and would serve as an excellent backup in case something happens to the main stove. This would work great during a kitchen remodel or even something more mundane like "waiting for the kitchen floor to dry". Grill lovers in confined spacers could get the grill add-on (32023) and have fun.

In Sept. 2024 I purchased a Nuwav induction cooktop for my RV. I was a recent widow and had to make sudden changes to my comfortable life due to the tragic, unexpected death of my husband. Downsizing from 3000sq feet to an RV was paralyzing. I give this history as it relates to my circumstances and state of mind. I used the Nuwav daily sometimes twice daily. Then one morning it did not turn on. Unplugged to possibly reset electronic board. Nothing. Checked circuit breaker but had not been triggered. Reset circuit breaker just in case to no avail. Ordered a second one for delivery the next day as this was my only means besides propane to cook. Called the manufacturer and was pleasantly greeted by quick response. Spoke with a representative named Ruth R. who kindly walked me through the next steps to take. She gave attention to what the problem was as I had prepared and covered all questions she might ask. It is rare to find someone who actually listens yet does not rush you through the process. My fragile state of mind appreciated that courtesy. Ruth was prompt, efficient and knowledgeable in resolving this problem which in itself was not life shattering yet important for me. Nuwav certainly took care of a customer in need and I value their integrity and commitment to sell a product that they can stand behind. I highly recommend Nuwav products. My new replacement is on the way.Respect and praises,Leslie Hensley

I'd often considered giving a try to an inductive cooktop, especially for emergency situations when my traditional burner-coil electric range couldn't be used. However, many of the devices out there had such an extensive list of conflicting reviews that it was hard to figure out what really did and didn't work. Eventually, I settled on the NuWave Flex PIC and picked it up as renewed, simply to have some real experience and to know where to go from here. Now that I've had a few days to give it a real run, here's what I've found for this little cooktop. Please note that my test settings were on Medium heat with the power limited to 900W instead of the full 1300W.* This cooktop uses around 30% to 50% of the energy needed by a traditional range (2200W burner).Example: In a real comparison test using a specified and equal portion of food under conditions of cold start to completion of cooking, the traditional range consumed 458Wh to cook while this cooktop consumed only 200Wh.* This cooktop heats up much faster than the traditional range.Example: An 8" skillet with a pat of butter goes from start to sizzle in 30 seconds on medium. The traditional range takes 5 minutes to do the same at medium.Example: A pan of soup takes roughly the same time to heat up as a microwave, but the microwave is at 100% power (1100W) and the cooktop is only set to Medium. The traditional range would take 2x-3x longer to heat the same amount of soup.* This cooktop can be set quickly and simply, but it can also be fine-adjusted for specific temperatures. The easy settings are slightly more involved than the 'turn it on' of the traditional range, but that's only because you need to remember to press 'start' after setting the heat.The efficiency of the cooktop alone is enough to make me prefer using it over a traditional range. Add the fact that it also cools down faster, takes up minimal space, it's portable, and the max current input is low enough to be handled through any 15A outlet, and it's an easy sell. However, there are a few drawbacks:* It doesn't like when you lift the pan. This is a safety feature, but it goes into alarm rather fast and you need to remember to check it and potentially turn it back on after you've lifted the pan.* Needs "Inductive-ready" cookware. Yes, some of your pots and pans might not work. Thankfully, induction-ready cookware is also readily available and isn't overly expensive.* Noise: The inductive cooktop has a fan to keep the electronics cooled. This means that it needs space around it for airflow and it's noisier than a traditional range.* Timer: I haven't personally used this cooktop for long cooking times, but you need to be aware that there is a default timer on this unit. If you want to use it for something that will take more than an hour, you'll want to reset the timer accordingly or the cooktop will shut off on you.

I've been using it for a while now, but there's always that platic like smell from the exhaust air. It worries me, but so far it hasn't caught on fire so I think it's just part of it. Still, kinda feel like it shouldn't smell like chemicals in the air when I'm using it.