SIMPLE – This is how I would describe Open Country PIC-14SK in only one word.
Real cooks appreciate induction cooking mainly because they can adjust the cooking heat immediately and with great precision. The most favorable point of Open Country PIC-14SK Portable Induction Cooktop is its simplicity.
This is the best option for people who want to try the experience of induction cooking, first with a basic-features induction cooktop.
Open Country PIC-14SK
has few buttons on the control panel, 5 precision heat settings, an LED display and 1500 watts. Efficiency, precision and safety are its main benefits. Bonus: it comes with a magnetic strip that will allow you to test your existing cookware and see if they are magnetic and suitable to use with this unit.
1. Controls
The control panel is simple. Here are the functions and controls you will read on it:
A) The On/ Off Button (on the right)
B) Cooking Mode Button – you can use it to set the desired cooking mode as described on the left of the control panel:
– C1 – Melt/ Warm
– C2 – Simmer
– C3 – Boil
– C4 – Fry
– C5 – Sear
C) Up and Down arrows – help you select the cooking mode
D) The LED display on the middle – easy to view
E) indicator lights for Cooking Mode and on/off Buttons
When you want to cook just connect the cooktop to the electrical outlet and once you hear a sound and see all the indicator lights on for 1 second, press the power button to activate the unit. Next you will hear the buzzer and see the on/ Off indicator light on.
When you press the Cooking Mode control you will the “C3” code. Select the desired mode by pressing the up and down arrows. C1 is for low heat and C5 is for high heat. You can change the cooking mode during cooking time.
After cooking press the on/off button once and let the cooling fan run for about a minute more. After that, you can unplug the cooktop from the outlet.
2. Surface
The surface is black, with a white slim ring that marks the cooking area and the manufacturer’s logo in the center.
It is made of ceramic glass, very reliable and extremely easy to clean after each use only with a damp cloth or a sponge (but not abrasive). However, you should never clean it under a running tap water. After using it, let it cool down, unplug it from the outlet and clean the exterior surface. If you want to store it, let it dry well.
3. Heating Elements
The cooktop has a single heating element placed under the cooking zone. The cookware you place on it should have a diameter of maximum 10 inches. Some customers used pots with 12 inches diameter and said the result was good, but take into account that the manufacturer actually recommends a maximum diameter of 10 inches.
The cookware you use should be placed in the center of the heating area while you cook. Otherwise, the bottom of the cookware will not be heated evenly.
The cookware should always remain in the center of the heating zone during cooking or the bottom of the pan will not heat evenly and food in the cookware may not cook as desired.
4. Power/Watts
This induction cooktop provides 1500 watts of cooking power.
5. Sensors
The cooktop is equipped with some sensors that make it easy and safe to use. It has a pan -detection sensor. If you don’t use a suitable induction cookware, with a diameter larger than 4.75 inches it will not work. Also, if there is no pan on the heating element it will not work.
If the main sensor detects disconnection or short circuit you will see on the display the E5 error code.
6. Ventilation
This unit has an internal cooling fan and you should never obstruct the air vents because this may cause overheating. Also, you should place it on a flat and sturdy countertop.
If the cooktop gets overheated it will automatically turn off. You will be able to read an error code on the display: E2. To solve the problem, you should let the cooktop cool and then unplug it. After that check the air vents and remove the obstructions.
An interesting thing about this cooktop and customers highlight it on their reviews is that you should allow the cooktop to cool down before unplugging it from the electrical outlet. Just wait until the cooling fan stops.
7. Safety Features
You should not use empty or unattended cookware in order to avoid overheating. Also, you should not place the cooktop on a metal table or metal countertop because the surface may get heated.
In the user manual, you will find some possible error codes from E0 to E6 that may be read on the LED display if something bad happens. These may help you to solve the problem.
E0 – Circuit error. You must allow the cooktop to cool down and then you should unplug it from the outlet.
E1 – The cooktop doesn’t recognise the cookware. Check the pan you use and see if the bottom is indeed magnetic.
E2 – An internal appliance overheat. The cooktop will automatically switch off.
E3 – The input voltage is over 140 V.a.c.
E4 – The input voltage is less than 95 V.a.c.
E5 – Disconnection or short circuit.
E6 – Heating Zone temperature overheated. As a safety feature, the cooktop will shut off automatically.
8. Accessories
No skillets or other induction cookware included, but from the user manual that is in the pack you will learn how to recognize which pan and pot are suitable to the induction heating element.
Moreover, in the pack you will find a magnetic strip test (it is actually a magnetic card) that will help you test your existing and future cookware.
The manufacturer advice you to use cookware that is made of ferric materials, such as cast iron, carbon steel, and magnetic stainless steel. Pay attention because you can not use cookware from glass, solid copper or aluminum. Also, the manufacturer recommends you not to use cookware with inferior materials.
The cooktop includes a short cord. You can use longer cords, but you have to pay attention not to drape over the tabletop and be pulled on by children or tripped over by accident.
9. Dimensions
The cooktop has small sizes: 18.1 inches length, 13 inches width, and 3.7 inches height, so you can easily store it and transport it if needed. The shipping weight is 6.25 pounds.
10. Pros
– the display is LED
– it has nonslip feet – it is very stable and safe
– easy to clean and consistent surface
– allows you to select the desired heat
– instantly changes the temperature
– very safe to use because you cook without fire
– the atmosphere in the kitchen remains cool
– it includes a test magnet for cookware
– compact size
– 5 quick touch buttons for Melt/Warm, Simmer, Boil, Fry and Sear
– more efficient in comparison to a gas stove
11. Cons
– no timer available!
– lacks fine temperature control (doesn’t allow slow boil)
– only 1-year warranty (compared to similar single cooktops that come with 2 or
even 3 years of warranty)
– you can’t lock the menu (no child-lock function)
– not so powerfull; it has only 1500W (compared to 1800W for instance that can be achieved on others similar models)
– you need qualitative induction cookware
12. Consumer Ratings
Consumers are very happy with their purchase and, in general, they award a maximum of stars for it. They are very impressed on how efficient it is and that it reaches a specific temperature very fast and accurate. Buyers highly recommend this cooktop.
13. Price
Looking for the best price for this portable induction cooker? Find it right on Amazon.
| Open Country PIC-14SK |
|
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Metal Ware Corporation |
| Destination use | Home |
| Controls | On/Off Power; up and down arrows, Cooking Mode |
| Control panel | One Touch Operation |
| Functions | – C1 – Melt/ Warm – C2 – Simmer – C3 – Boil – C4 – Fry – C5 – Sear |
| Surface | Ceramic Glass |
| Color | Black |
| Power Source | 120V , 60 Hz |
| Output Power | 1500W |
| Power levels | 5 |
| Temp Levels | NA |
| Temp step increment | NA |
| Programable Time | NO! |
| Function Lock | NO! |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Acousting warnings | yes |
| Weight | 6.25 pounds |
| Dimensions | 18.1 inches length, 13 inches width, and 3.7 inches height |
| Cord Lengh | NA |
| Led Display | Yes |
| Safety Feature | – over heat protection – automatic shut-off when it does not detect a compatible pan |
| Error Codes | Yes |
| Pan size (bottom diameter) | 4,75 – 10 inches |
| Cookware material | Stainless Steel with a magnetic base .Enameled iron and steel . Cast iron |
| Free pan | NO |
| Around Clearance | NA |
| Made in | USA |
