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Comment by jandrese | Hacker News Reader

They aren't as popular in the US because they're considered commercial appliances and it's assumed you are on a business budget if you want to buy one. This means the store carries like 3 models and they cost literally ten times as much as a traditional glass cooktop. $250 vs. $2500.

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> They aren't as popular in the US because they're considered commercial appliances and it's assumed you are on a business budget if you want to buy one.

No, there are plenty of consumer models. But they aren't as popular because the US has significantly more abundant, domestically produced, and (largely, because of that and not taking climate seriously) cheaper natural gas, and has only recently started in some localities having residential electric-only rules for new construction.

Electric stoves are very common even where natural gas is available, and even more common where it isn't.

The only induction stoves I can find are very high end models. I'm thinking about it, but for the cost I can install gas (including plumbing) and save money.

Even on the high end there is often on model with induction so if you want some other option as well you are stuck.

Induction stoves do indeed seem to be more expensive in the U.S, but they don't seem to be entirely out of budget for the average consumer: IKEA sells a few for around $600-800.

IKEA in Sweden where I live has induction stoves for as cheap as $300, and I would assume that similar prices will become available in the U.S in the future.

It's not like they are drop-in replacements for whatever you've got, either.

I was interested in these about 15 years ago when I bought a house. They want a dedicated circuit with a 240V outlet and 40 or 50 amp breaker. My house has a gas range, so I don't already have a 240V outlet there, and I've only got 100 amp service at the panel - which claims 100 amps is the max it's rated for. I decided it was not worth the hassle.

I've had electric stovs with 100 amp service before, not a problem even if the ac was also on. 40 amp is standard for kitchen stoves so it is very common ,but obviously if you have gas they won't install wires for electric.

I bought a newer home (2016) with a gas range and it doesn’t have the wiring either. We desperately want induction plus a outdoor vented range hood, so we are considering a partial remodel to do it. The idea is to bring in an electrician, replace our 150A panel with a 200A one, bring up wiring for induction into the kitchen, and wrap wiring around the house for a level 2 EV charger (another want, might as well knock it out together if we have to get an electrician in anyways).

My house was built 6 years ago but is already outdated in this respect. Replacing the panel is a pain as it requires shutting of electrical service for the day and an inspection from the city when they switch it back on. At least our meter and outdoor wire to the grid are already 200A…I hope.

> replace our 150A panel with a 200A one,

A 150A panel should accommodate both your induction stove and EV charger. The stove's 50A rating assumes you are running all burners are running simultaneously, which is rare. You need 200A if you going fully electric (for hot water, HVAC, oven and clothes dryer).

Also most stoves (at least here) seem to allow de-rating by configuring them to self-limit their current draw to accommodate breakers/circuits not sized large enough to handle their full capacity.

Our hot water is gas, but our HVAC (heat pump), dryer is already electric. The oven would be electric also, but it’s rarely used. Anyways, I would let an electrician make the call, but my feeling is that EV level 2 charging and induction would put us over when a 150A panel could handle.

Yeah, heat pump and dryer can push you over, especially if you are in a colder climate. Miele makes a 115V/20A heat pump dryer that you might consider even if you go to 200A.

Just for reference: IKEA has a countertop model that runs on 240V 10A (2kW; 175mm), sold for 39.90 EUR in Germany. Subtracting VAT and converting to USD, that's a hair under 40 USD pre-tax.

I expect that proper adapters from NEMA 240V to Schuko are legal to operate? If so, you'd be cheaper off just importing these (104.867.94).

Yeah, I know I'm comparing against walk-in store products. Still.

Whoa. Is that an import/export opportunity here? In EU the prices of both are comparable.

Appliances tend to have a lot of regulations around them. The chance you could commercially import a bunch of appliances from the EU into the USA legally and without substantial modifications is very low.

There are more commercial versions available but they do tend to compete at the higher end of the market. Induction is a specific choice you have to make here and people who make uncommon choices tend to be in higher budgets.

It will probably change soon though. A lot of laws are being proposed to not add new gas hookups for new construction. Induction will have to become the higher end default for electric ranges.

it is not just the cost of the unit, there are alot of other costs that would go into converting to elec from gas, including running a new outlet, and if you have an older home could require upgrading your entire electrical service.

There is also good to remember that these units at least higher powered are designed for 3-phase 400V that is 3 230V phases. Which I have understood isn't very common or easily available in households in some places around the world.

I haven't seen a stove yet in Germany (residential at least) that can't cope with all the phase inputs tied to the same phase.

They are just 3-phase because the utility demands 10+ kW loads to be 3-phase loads, and they often exceed that slightly. Check out the install guide on e.g. some IKEA built-in models, specifically regarding the wiring instructions.

And US residential does have 240V single-phase available.

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