Induction Cooking!

 The old stove that came with our house finally bit the dust last weekend.  It's been going for over a year and I couldn't wait for it to finally kick the bucket.

After much deliberation and cost estimating we decided induction would give us the benefits of gas and electric without the hassles of hooking up new gas lines and a super-vent.   A new vent is in the works, but the microwave/vent combo we have right now will do while we save up for the installation of a new hood.

We managed to score a deal - the last (floor model) Samsung at Lowes.  This puppy retailed at $2300 when it was introduced in 2010 and we paid less than half that.  Wooot!

I don't understand why these stoves aren't more popular.  It works on electro-magnetism, which means the top doesn't get hot like a radiant heat or gas stove.  Okay, so we did have to go out and purchase new cookware since our old (I won't say how old!) cookware (Revereware, Faberware and Macy's Tools of the Trade Professional) didn't pass the magnet test.  Contrary to some internet information, stainless steel pots, particularly older stainless steel with copper, do not work on induction.   If the magnet won't stick, the pot won't work.  That means aluminum, stainless and copper won't work.   Aluminum foil is a bad thing to leave on the stove.  John's cast iron and my Le Crueset work great.   As luck would have it, Macy's was having a cookware sale and we found another bargain in a set of Calphalon Tri-ply Stainless with 2 free bonuses.  Another WooT.

A stroll to one of my favorite stores, Crate and Barrel, also turned up this adorable two person pasta pot.  Just right for us empty nesters.   If a pot can be sexy, with it's sleek curved lines, this one certainly is.  So adorable!

2 Person Pasta Pot in Pieces

2 Person Pasta Pot Together

And just because I had the camera out, I took a picture of my chicken tchotchkes.  Gotta love collectibles!  (Please ignore the dust.)