My one big disappointment, though, has been the Induction cooktop. I was initially quite set on finally having a gas cooktop, but my husband and the ease-of-cleaning factor convinced me to go with an induction cooktop. The magnetic induction itself works very well (albeit with some buzzing and clicking, of which I was forewarned), and it is fast and instant. The controls, however, are another matter. They are driving me batty!!

I am 5'1" and small, so my fingers are not large, and I can only use my large middle finger at a certain angle on the controls or they are maddeningly unresponsive. I have had numerous instances when either the whole unit or a single burner has spontaneously shut down when something like a lump of paprika or a squirt of garlic from the garlic press, etc., fell on the controls. It has also shut down when my sleeve brushed the controls, which happens a lot because I'm short and I wear long sleeves at least 9 months of the year (these Canadian winters do drag on) and I tend to use the large central burner for sauteing or whatnot pretty much every time I cook. What is even more aggravating, though, is that, on a few occasions, the unit has also spontaneously shut down when I have had a number of pots (4 of the 5 burners) on for a while, which the service technician attributes to probable overheating of the electronics, despite the fact that the unit is installed according the manufacturers' specifications. All of which has led me to the conclusion that this cooktop is best suited to cooks who don't cook much!!

The annoyance with the unit spontaneously shutting down lies in the fact that not only do I need to fiddle with those unresponsive controls for some time before I have things back to just the right simmer for each pot (because I often don't remember to exactly what number each burner had been set), but if I'm busy with food prep on the side, then several minutes can elapse before I notice that the unit is off and nothing is cooking -- which is extremely vexing. I am someone who's always enjoyed cooking, but this cooktop is changing that! And I am now seriously regretting not getting a gas cooktop, despite the ease of cleaning issues.

Anyways, I know this review goes against the grain of most of the opinions out there, but I thought I'd share my experience and present another point of view.

Here's what you do about pressing the pad. Gently put your finger on the pad and slowly add pressure. I, too had probs at the beginning and thought I needed hard pressure to work-well, I was wrong. I was making it too hard. Just gently touch and see. apply more pressure as needed.

Yes, mine too would shut off without my knowledge. Actually, I had been futzing, trying to insure that everything was on, and each on the correct temp. In my futzing, I'd inadvertently shut off hobs.

Be patient, there is a learning curve, not a long one, a baby curve. Patience and a cool head and fingers.

Give yourself another 20 minutes with the manual. Read it slowly.

Also don't waste time trying to get back to the old setting. Think first. What setting should it be on since it may be cooked 20%. Think, think Maybe the same or up or down. Pretend you are the cooking teacher advising a new student.

I recall my learning probs, shutoffs, panics, when I did not read the lights correctly. Esp, when I was working on two or three hobs Wrong temp, on and off, oh my

It's very forgiving. Its very easy. flexible ppl and persistent people will have quicker luck often

Instruction in the form of manuals, or tech helf is needed

Yes, I have gone through the manual -- first thing I do with new electronics. I even went so far as to turn the breaker off to the unit as per the service tech's suggestion, in order for the unit to reset itself to the light conditions. All to no avail. The electronic controls on this Miele induction cooktop continue to be the bane of my cooking.

Just yesterday, while I was making dinner, a grain of rice fell on the "-" of the ON/OFF control and turned the whole unit off. Then a bit later when I stirred the stir-fry, a very small piece of shredded cabbage fell onto the "+" control for the burner on which I was cooking the rice, and turned that burner to high. It's constant!! This happens on an ongoing basis while I cook. I do a lot of stovetop cooking, sauteeing, stir-frying, etc., and I am constantly frustrated by these controls which are both way too sensitive to every little bit of debris which falls their way, and then also annoyingly unresponsive to my touch (large middle finger at a slight angle is best, and still this won't operate the controls half the time).

Is anyone else having these kinds of problems?? Miele have come out to have a look, but are saying that this is how it is!!

Just a heads-up to anyone else considering this unit... If you plan on using your cooktop a lot, or even just on a regular basis, be forewarned that you may find the controls extremely frustrating. As I said before, I really regret not getting a gas cooktop with good old fashioned knob controls -- and I am someone who is very comfortable with electronics.

I would be very upset if the cooktop shut down without warning.

Cheryl

If Miele HQ tells you that "this is how it is," then you would be doing others a service to post reviews on Amazon, AJ Madison, and other consumer sites. My KA makes a lot of clicking and buzzing, and I posted my dissatisfaction about that on a bunch of sites. It's not revenge, it's just fair warning to others.

Good luck!

I love mine, but I sure wouldn't if I had to fight with it. If, after 6 months, you're still frustrated, it's time to get firm with Miele. Perhaps one of the sensors is too sensitive--even Miele can screw up on the rare occastion. :-p Good luck to you, and please do report back and let us know how it's going.

Cj

I use the large central burner (it's the 36" 5-burner model) daily, and continue to be completely frustrated with the fact that simply a brush of my sleeve will shut the whole unit off. We don't eat any prepared or processed foods, so I cook a lot, and yes, vegetable bits spill out of the pan often, also causing the controls to spontaneously turn up, or down or off, sometimes several times during one meal prep. It drives me nuts!! As I've mentioned before, the induction itself works beautifully. But Miele really dropped the ball with the technology used to operate the controls on these cooktops -- those photo sensitive diodes really do not work well in this application. So, I think anyone considering buying a Miele induction cooktop should be aware of this problem, and really take into consideration how much cooking they do. I know I wish I would have stuck with my initial plan of going with gas. And I'm not saying any of this to dis Miele -- I absolutely love my Miele fridge (it's so quiet and food keeps forever), convection oven (amazing roasted vegetables...) and dishwasher (I never pre-rinse, just scrape, and my dishes have never been this clean). The induction cooktop, however, is not working for me.

Best of luck to you,
Cj

I need clarification, Micha. Your cooktop shuts off spontaneously with no touching at all, or shuts off by minor acts which you think should not affect the cooker?

A big blob of rice would not affect any cooker with knobs.

I always thought my favourite Miele appliances were my La Perla dishwasher or my Miele SpeedOven..but I think I could not live without my Miele Induction Cooktop! I will Never, Never, Never, Never own or cook on gas or a regular electric cooktop or range ever again!!! :))