Aroma Housewares AID-513FP
and Aroma AID-506 Induction Hot Plate: these are the two portable induction cooktops that we are going to compare in this article. In the end, I hope you will have a more clear idea of their benefits and features. Also, we are going to refer to their price and see what would be the best buying decision.
Aroma Housewares is a very appreciated and popular manufacturer of induction cooktops for its quality, support and good prices in comparison to other similar items.
At first sight, we observe that these two models are very much alike. However, Aroma AID-506 Induction Hot Plate is the first model launched on the market and it has more ratings and reviews than the newer model, Aroma Housewares AID-513FP Professional Induction Cooktop, which curiously has a lower price and comes with a free induction skillet.
Let’s analyze a little bit closer these two offers for induction appliances from Aroma Housewares.
2. Overview of Aroma Housewares AID-513FP and Frying Pan, Black
There are a lot of things that make this Aroma induction cooktop a good deal. Although it is
a newer model of Aroma it has a better price. And what is also attractive is that it comes
with a free induction pan.
It is very efficient and can cook at a high heat without open flames. It cooks evenly and sets the temperature you want almost immediately. You can programme it (up to 180 minutes) and after the dish is cooked, it will automatically shut off or enter the keeping warm mode (if you keep the pan on the cooking surface).
It can be used in any kitchen, dorm and many more. It will operate only when a compatible induction pan is on the heating element and it will automatically shut off when you remove the pan.
The control panel is digital and it has 8 easy to use controls:
– The power button. When you press it you will hear a sound and the fan will turn on.
– The Saute/ Brown button: use it for searing meats and stir-frying vegetables
– The Boil button: use this to rapidly boil water
– The Slow Cook: use it to slow cook for 1 to 8 hours
– The Warm button for serving and re-heating
– The + and – controls: to increase and decrease the heat and the time
– The Timer allows you to set a specific cooking time
– The Lock button. Activate it and nothing will change if any key on the Control Panel is (accidentally) pushed.
Out of the easy-to-access functions, the temperature can also be set in 8 levels from low to high.
The induction cooktop never gets hot so the accidental spills will be extremely easy to remove from the ceramic cooktop surface.
Its dimensions are 11.4 x 15 x 2.2 inches and it has 7.6 pounds.
In the user manual, you will find the error codes each with its potential cause and possible solution.
Also, there are a few useful and delicious recipes you can cook with this great induction unit.
3. Overview of Product Aroma AID-506 Induction Hot Plate, Black
This is a hot plate, not only an induction cooktop. It is also great for serving food on its low power
setting.
Like Aroma AID-513FP, this is very fast and very safe, because there are no open flames and the surface never gets heated.
Consequently, there is no risk for you to get burnt. The control panel is digital and you can adjust the temperature in 6 levels (in 10-degree increments), from low (1) to high (6), according to every dish and recipe you cook.
It has a pan detection sensor so in case you don’t place any induction pan on it or in case your cookware is not compatible, it will eventually shut itself off after a few minutes. The same, the moment you remove the pan or the pot from the cooking area, the appliance is programmed to detect there is no pan in use and it will automatically shut off. The surface and the control panel are really easy to clean after each use and you can preserve it in good condition for a long time.
The heating surface is about 7.5 inches and you can use a cookware of maximum 15 inches in diameter. The wattage is 1500W with 120 volts.
The air vent is on the up part and the air entry is placed down, on the back. On the glass surface, you will notice a cookware circle that will better guide you how to place the pan on the heating element.
The control panel is at your sight and very easy to access. It has few buttons (from left to right):
– the Timer – to set the time
– Time/ Power down (-)
– Time/ Power up (+)
– the Power button.
There is also a digital display in the middle and a timer indicator light.
Fortunately, in case of minor problems, the cooktop will automatically show some error codes on the display.
These will help you to rapidly understand what is not working properly and what you should do next.
Its dimensions are 4 x 15.8 x 14 inches and it has 6 pounds.
We have to notice that this is a very appreciated model among the customers as they award this rating on Amazon
4.The differences
Now that we have seen the features for each Aroma model we have proposed to compare, it is easy to highlight the differences.
But first I would like to also mention the similarities of these two models:
– both of them have one single burner
– both of them are black, portable, compact, efficient, easy to clean and use
– energy efficient
Here are the differences:
1. Design. Both are black, with heating rings that mark the heating area. But, the control panel for the Aroma AID-506 is a little bit delimitated from the rest of the surface, while the AID-513FP, having more digits looks like a whole integrated surface + control panel. I would say this is modern and subtle.
2. More complex control panel. Aroma AID-513FP has some more keys on the control panel because it has some quick easy to access functions: Boil, Saute/ Brown, Keep Warm, Slow cook, plus the Lock button. So Aroma AID-506 has no locking control and it is more simple and with fewer functions. It is called a Hot plate, but as we can see the Aroma AID-513FP also has this function for Keeping food warm. With 8 power levels (comparing to 6) Aroma AID-513FP is more precise when setting the heating.
3. Dimensions. Aroma AID-513FP is a little bit heavier (7.6 pounds compared to 6 pounds on AID-506) but thinner (it is 2,2 inches high than 4 inches on AID-506)
4. Free pan. Aroma AID-513FP includes a free pan, unlike the Aroma AID-506 that comes with no such accessories.
5. Price. At first sight ironically, although Aroma AID-513FP seems to have more features and benefits than Aroma AID-506, it has a lower price + a free pan includes as we already saw.
5. Summary
After analysing the differences, we could say that Aroma AID-513FP sure sounds like a winner. I would definitely prefer it because of the lower price and the extra features, plus the modern and slimmer aspect.
F.A.Q.
Which is the maximum diameter of a pot allowed for Aroma 513FP cooktop?
In case you wonder about how big your pots can be in order to fit the burner of Aroma 513FP Induction Cooktop, you should know that it is not recommended going any more than 1-2 inches over the circumference of the heating element to prevent tipping or an unbalanced surface.
Items |
Aroma Housewares AID-513FP |
Aroma AID-506 |
|---|---|---|
Destination Use |
Home |
Home |
Power Source |
120 V |
120 V |
Output Power |
1500W |
NA |
Power Levels |
6 |
8 |
Temperature Levels |
NA |
NA |
Programmable Time |
180 minutes |
180 minutes |
Function Lock |
No |
Yes |
Warranty |
1 year |
1 year |
Acoustic Warnings |
Yes |
Yes |
Weight |
7.6 lbs |
6 Lbs |
Dimensions |
11.4 x 15 x 2.2 inches |
4 x 15.8 x 14 inches |
Cord Length |
NA |
8 inches |
Glass Cooktop Size |
NA |
11x14x2.5 |
Safety Sensors |
shuts off automatically if cookware is not detected |
shuts off automatically if cookware is not detected |
Induction Cookware Sensor (E0) |
Yes |
Yes |
Internal Overheat Sensor (E01) |
Yes |
Yes |
Glass Cooktop Overheat (E02) |
Yes |
Yes |
Incorrect Voltage (E 03) |
Yes |
Yes |
Price (Amazon) |
