Solid element electric cooktops - why never very popular in the U.S.? (alternatives, heat)

[Pink Jazz]

For those who don't know what a solid element electric cooktop is, they are cooktops with heated solid metal discs. While historically popular in Europe, they were never very popular in the United States.

I know that a few manufacturers offered some models for the U.S. in the late 80s to early 90s, but they were pretty much only offered by high-end appliance manufacturers, and were well out of the price range for the average consumer. By the time smoothtop electric cooktops became available, solid element electric cooktops vanished into obscurity in the United States.

So, why the solid element cooktop never caught on in the United States?

[greg42]

My recollection is they worked less well than a coil element top, as in they took longer to heat up and longer to change temps. Plus, they were quickly superseded by ceramic smooth tops. These at first (and possibly still sometimes) also had those drawbacks, but in exchange you got a completely flat top, whereas the solid elements still didn't make a flat surface.

[CHTransplant]

What advantages did they offer to entice consumers to move away from available alternatives?

[elnina]

Those??

I used to wonder about it too. I did cook on those and had no real complaints. Still popular in Europe and Australia.
Those are not slower than a coil, and cook even, have a longer life, are safe, simple to clean and good to your cook pots.
Now they are outdated. However, I prefer gas for cooking.

http://www.kitchen-emporium.com/welldone.html

OP: here is answer to your question
http://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...g=6667,5762783

[snofarmer]

We have them and I can't wait to get rid of it when we remodel.

Slow to heat up, erratic heat, slow to cool down when changing cooking temps.
then if you get any water on top of the element and your cooking it makes all sorts of noise and the water pits the element as it is boiled off.

[nynraleigh]

My parents had a Jenn-Air cooktop in the late 80's early 90's with those burners...they did a complete kitchen remodel...and purchased all new appliances including a Jenn-Air cooktop, this cooktop was very expensive and it was the worst cooktop ever...my mom would constantly complain on how long it took to cook on those, heck it took almost an hour for a 6-8 quart pot of water to boil{covered}...crazy... The attachments were great, I recall a grill, a wok, and griddle that was interchangeable...those worked great, but the actually burners were horrible.

[LIGuy1202]

Originally Posted by Andros 1337

For those who don't know what a solid element electric cooktop is, they are cooktops with heated solid metal discs. While historically popular in Europe, they were never very popular in the United States.

I know that a few manufacturers offered some models for the U.S. in the late 80s to early 90s, but they were pretty much only offered by high-end appliance manufacturers, and were well out of the price range for the average consumer. By the time smoothtop electric cooktops became available, solid element electric cooktops vanished into obscurity in the United States.

So, why the solid element cooktop never caught on in the United States?

Maybe it was because "...few manufacturers offered some models for the U.S. in the late 80s to early 90s, but they were pretty much only offered by high-end appliance manufacturers, and were well out of the price range for the average consumer."

[glamatomic]

We had these in my house in Australia when I was growing up. I think my mother had them installed sometime in the 1980s. They were okay but difficult as anything to get to the 'right' temperature- even on a 'medium' setting it was either too hot or too cool- they were *very* temperamental to say the least!

I think my mother has had them replaced in recent years with something more modern.

[frewroad]

I'd rather cook on gas. I suspect that most people, given the choice would want the same.

[olechick]

Originally Posted by LIGuy1202

Maybe it was because "...few manufacturers offered some models for the U.S. in the late 80s to early 90s, but they were pretty much only offered by high-end appliance manufacturers, and were well out of the price range for the average consumer."

I have used these for over 25 years, and I am on my 2nd one now. I would love to remodel and have another but cannot find one. These are easy to clean and easy to use, you just cut the burner off about 2-3 minutes earlier than you normally would. It cools down just like a regular electric. You DON'T have all that awful glass to worry about spotting/streaking/scratching, etc. If you burn something on it-all you have to do is cut the burner up to highest for 2-3 minutes and it burns itself off! I don't know why this didn't catch on - I want it to make a come-back! LOL I really have enjoyed both of mine, especially the ease of cleaning since nothing could spill underneath! Glass cooktops are ok when they are brand new-my daughter in law goes half crazy trying to keep hers clean, and all I have to do is burn my off!