36" induction cooktop with unmatched precision and speedWith its CI 491 36-inch induction cooktop, Gaggenau is pairing the benefits of an extra-wide cooktop with the precision and power of induction. The cooktop accommodates large cookware and contains five flexible cooking zones, with the largest zone in the center, enabling the faster preparation of a diverse range of dishes with minimal energy output. The cooktop is available with stainless steel frame or frameless, for flush-mounting into the countertop. The Twist-Pad control, a maneuverable magnetic knob, operates the cooking zones and can be removed for safety and cleaning purposes when not in use.
Note: The CI 491-610 can be installed above an oven. Minimum distance between oven and cooktop has to be 2 9/16". That will leave a toe kick height of about 5 inches with a standard cabinet height.
Induction cooktop
Induction is a heat transmission technology that makes optimum use of energy. Its most important attribute is the precise and above all fast-reacting supply of power through the electromagnetic field – with short quick boiling times, almost as in the case of a gas cooktop. Unused heat is no longer lost because the induction method sees to it that only the bottom of the pan is heated, not the cooktop. Also, the cooktop itself heats up slightly and spilled foods can no longer burn onto it. The induction method detects the size of the pan bottom and heats only the bottom, regardless of its diameter. You will recognize pots and pans suitable for induction heating either by their special marking or if a magnet sticks to the bottom.
Electronic temperature control
Temperature control lets you cook at a precisely defined temperature (water temperature between 113°F and 203°F) or steaming at 212°F. Many delicate dishes, such as fish, are kept from crumbling by using a constant temperature below the boiling point. It is also possible to defrost, warm up, or keep dishes warm over an extended period without any drying out or loss of flavor.
Pan detection
As induction cooking involves heating only of the pot’s or pan’s bottom, you can work on one and the same cooking zone with different sizes of pots or pans. What’s particularly practical: the induction system recognizes the diameter of the pot’s or pan’s bottom and automatically heats up the bottom only. The cooking zone switches off whenever a pot or pan is removed.
Residual heat indication
All cooking zones of Gaggenau glass ceramic electric cooktops feature their own individual residual heat indication. This safety device signals whenever cooking zones are still radiating residual heat.
Safety lock
After running for four hours, the appliance automatically switches itself off if it receives no operator commands during this time.
Booster function
Increases the output of any cooking zone by 50 percent for between two and ten minutes. When using the Booster function, the usage of other zones is limited.
