What makes a good choice? A well-documented analysis.
So this is why in this article we are going to compare two portable induction cooktops, Nuwave Titanium PIC 2 and Duxtop 8300ST, that seem to be quite alike at first sight. But stay on, as we are going to dip well and find the differences among them, differences that in the end will help you decide which model is better for your needs.
What is for sure is that both Nuwave Titanium and Duxtop 8300ST are two very appreciated cooktops and extremely popular among the customers who intend to buy a 1-burner portable induction cooktop.
Before highlighting the differences, I would like to write down the main 5 similarities between NuWave Pic Titanium 2015 and Duxtop 8300ST:
1) they have the same power: 1800W
2) they are both portable and compact
3) have a single heating element
4) they have both excellent customers ratings
5) both are efficient, simple to use and clean
Overview of NuWave PIC Titanium 2015
As it name stands (PIC – Precision Induction Cooktop), I would definitely say its main the favourable point is PRECISION. With traditional cooktops, you frequently ask yourself ” How high is high?” What does “medium” exactly stands for? With PIC Titanium 2015 you can forget about these worries.
Do you want 300 degrees? Just set this temperature and you will get exactly 300 degrees.Next, we have to say that there were two other series of NuWave Pic
with 1300 watt and PIC2 with 1600 watt. In 2015, a new improved model was released on the market: this is Pic Titanium with a the greater power of 1800 watts.
Out of the power, there were other new things like a more generous heating surface and a more attractive design that come in the pack. NuWave PIC Titanium 2015 has a larger cooking surface
and it allows you to use larger cookware up to 12.5 inches.
Unlike lots of no-name induction portable cooktops on the market, this unit from NuWave includes complete cooking guide, plus a useful cookbook and an instructional DVD.
It is equipped with accurate temperature controls as you can adjust it in 5 degrees increments (it has a numerous of 94 temperature levels). The delayed turn of feature gives you 10 seconds before shut off, after you remove the cookware from the heating surface. This is very practical as there are moments when you need to take the pan from the hob and replace it with another or add some extra ingredients.
Unlike the majority of portable induction cooktops that are square or rectangle, this one is round and the control panel is somehow protruding. You can safely and easily operate to the controls while a pan is on the cooking surface. It also has an LCD display in the centre.
It is compact, yet not so small because it has a large cooking surface, but is lightweight and you can move it anywhere in the kitchen near to a free outlet. Cleaning its ceramic glass the surface is a piece of cake. It is also programmable. You can set Titanium to cook at a specific the temperature for a specific period of time (can be programmed up to 99 hours and 60 minutes). The temperature can be set from 100 to 575 degrees.
Titanium can be used for boiling, steaming, frying and many more. Customers awarded 4.8 out of 5 stars for it, which is so great.
Overview of Duxtop 8300ST
Its price is a little bit lower in comparison to NuWave PIC Titanium, but let’s see if its features are less beneficial.
First we have to observe that Duxtop 8300ST provides also 1800W. It has a usual aspect for portable induction cooktops, with a rectangle surface and the touch controls integrated on the whole. The ceramic glass surface is black, easy to clean and there is just a few control buttons that are practical and intuitive.
On the control panel, you can find the on/ off button, the + and – controls for increasing and decreasing temperature, the heating button, temperature, timer and the safety lock. There is also an LED display that is easy to read on.
Duxtop 8300ST is equipped with numerous safety sensors such as temperature sensor, voltage sensor, pan detection sensor, high temperature and induction type sensors.
It is lightweight and has small dimensions so you can easily remove it and storage it. The coil is 6 inches in the diameter and the cooking surface allow 8 inches in diameter. The temperature range can be set from 140°F to 460°F and there are 10 power levels on it. Duxtop 8300ST can be programmed up to 170 minutes.
Warranty for this induction cooktop is 1 year, the same as for NuWave PIC Titanium. Customers are happy with their choice and they awarded 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Differences
Now that we have seen the features for each induction cooktop we proposed to compare, we can make some notes and observe some differences among them.
a) Cooking surface diameter. While NuWave Pic Titanium 2015 has a 9-inch diameter cooking area, the Duxtop 8300ST’s surface is a little bit smaller, with only 8 inches diameter. So if you want to use larger pans and pots, I would recommend you opt for the NuWave. But let’s see some other differences between these two efficient portable cooktops.
b) Safety lock button. You will find this feature only on Duxtop 8300ST, as Titanium 2015 lacks it.
c) Design. Duxtop 8300ST has a rectangle, flat surface including the control panel. On the other hand, the NuWave is round and the control panel is well delimited from the cooking surface. It may be safer to use, but we have to admit that Duxtop 8300ST has the touch controls covered by a protective material and they may look more modern and sleek.
d) Control panel. The NuWave seem to have too many controls on it, but if we take into account that it is more precise, we will see this as an advantage. On the other hand, the few touch controls on Duxtop 8300ST seem to be more simple to operate.
e) Precision. This feature is a big plus for Nuwave Titanium because it allows you to set the temperature more accurately. While Duxtop 8300ST has only 10 temperature levels, the NuWave has 94 and the temperature can be set in 5 degrees increments.
f) Delay turn off feature – only with Nuwave Pic Titanium
g) Timer. On Duxtop 8300ST, the timer can be set up to maximum 170 minutes, while on Nuwave Titanium can be set up to 99 hours and 60 minutes.
h) Accessories. Unlike 8300ST, the Nuwave Titanium includes in the pack out of the user manual, also an instructional DVD and a useful cookbook perfect for every induction technology beginner.
i) If we take into account the list price, Duxtop 8300ST is the most expensive from the two. But, Duxtop 8300ST can be found these days on a special price, with a consistent discount in such a way that NuWave Titanium remains the most expensive among them.
j) Dimensions/ weight. Sure they have different sizes but to be sincere we must agree there is very little differences between them. To be more precise, let’s say Duxtop 8300ST is 5 pounds and 14 x 12 x 2.6 inches, while Nuwave PIC Titanium is 6.4 pounds and 16.2 x 14.3 x 3.6 inches (a little bit higher, larger and heavier).
Summary
In my opinion, you should once again look over the differences of the two induction cooktop we referred to in order to establish which cooktop better meet your specific needs.
Want the best price? The safe lock function is vital for your needs (maybe you have a child)? The 170 minutes built in timer is ok for you? Then go with Duxtop 8300ST.
Need an induction cooktop with a larger cooking surface and/or with great accuracy for setting the temperature? Go with Nuwave Titanium.
No matter the choice, you will surely make a good investment in a modern and energy efficient induction cooktop.
Product |
Nuwave Titanium PIC 2 |
Duxtop 8300ST |
|---|---|---|
Destination Use |
Home |
Home |
Power Source |
120 V |
120 V |
Output Power |
120V, 60Hz, 1800W |
120V, 60Hz, 1800W |
Power Levels |
NA |
10 |
Temperature Levels |
94 |
10 |
Programmable Time |
Yes ( 99 hours and 60 minutes) |
Yes (170 minutes) |
Function Lock |
No |
Yes |
Warranty |
1 year |
1 year |
Acoustic Warnings |
Yes |
Yes |
Weight |
6.4 lbs |
5 Lbs |
Dimensions |
16.2 x 14.3 x 3.6 inches |
14 x 12 x 2.6 inches |
Cord Length |
NA |
6 ft |
Cooking Zone Size |
9 inches |
8 inches |
Safety Sensors |
shuts off automatically if cookware is not detected + delayed turn off feature |
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) |
