How to choose induction cooktop manufacturer?

When looking for a qualified ODM supplier, what key factors do you care about? Are factory scale, quality control, or R&D (Research and Development) ability the most important?

In my opinion, if you are a big brand with strong RD capabilities, it is important to find a supplier that has a large-scale production facility and good quality control abilities. However, if you do not have strong RD capabilities yourself, it is better to find a supplier with the highest RD ability to become your qualified supplier. This is because, in the beginning, you will have an advantage over competitors in the market.

Why do I say this? Most quality problems are feedback from the market, and the root cause is usually design-related rather than production or supply chain issues. In particular, complex products that involve a combination of mechanical and electronic technologies carry a huge risk if they are not thoroughly designed and adequately tested before entering the market. Such risks can potentially cause significant damage to a new brand.

However, most of the time, new brands or new trading companies, or those engaged in a new field, tend to focus more on lower prices rather than RD capabilities and quality. They often prioritize factories with large-scale facilities. However, many of these factories only have the ability to produce OEM orders for big brands and lack design and RD capabilities. If you do not have a mature design and collaborate with such factories, you will face significant potential risks, and it may even lead to the collapse of your brand.

At Shenzhen H-one Electrical Appliances CO., LTD, we are a professional manufacturer with an experienced team specializing in RD control systems for induction heat, temperature control, and movement control. We design and manufacture induction cooktops, ceramic cooktops, Sous vide immersion circulators, smart curtains, and related controllers for our ODM customers. We are committed to helping our customers establish a competitive advantage in the market, not only in terms of price but also in terms of quality and performance. Together, we can create a win-win situation for both our customers and end users.

Induction cooktop differences that ODM customers must know.

“If you are new to this field, please read the following information in detail.

Until now, induction hobs have become increasingly popular in the market, with more and more people recognizing their advantages in terms of easy cleaning, energy efficiency, and convenience. However, only a few companies truly possess the core technology behind these high-tech products.

Furthermore, induction cook systems employ different technical configurations. Typically, there are single-ending drive systems for low power, half-bridge drive systems for medium to high power, and full-bridge drive systems for extremely high power. In most cases, portable induction cookers utilize single-ending drive systems. In these systems, the IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) must withstand high voltage shocks from the inverter circuit, making them high voltage components. On the other hand, half-bridge drive systems involve 2 IGBTs working in the inverter circuit, requiring isolated drive signals to prevent short circuit risks. Additionally, pot detection methods differ between the two systems. From a technical perspective, the half-bridge system is more complex compared to the single-ending system. However, the IGBTs in the half-bridge system do not require high voltage. For single-phase power supply, the half-bridge drive system’s IGBTs only need 600 Volts, while the single-ending drive system requires at least 1200 Volts, with the voltage increasing as the output power increases. Therefore, if the half-bridge system is well-designed and has excellent software, it will function very stably.

I have provided some photos below to illustrate these differences.

The full bridge system is very similar to the half bridge system and is commonly used in industrial applications.

Therefore, it is important to inquire whether your supplier provides an induction cooktop with a half bridge or single ending drive system, as the cost difference between them is nearly threefold.

The cooktop system typically consists of a wired coil, panel, chassis, main control board, keyboard, fan, and other components.

It is worth mentioning that the main control board can be designed with either a single ending or bridge configuration.

The PCB material also varies between paper and fiber. It is not advisable to use paper material as it is prone to moisture absorption, deformation, and subsequent damage. However, it does cost only one-third of fiber board.

There is a distinction between copper and aluminum coil materials, with aluminum being only one-third of the cost of copper. Aluminum coils generate more heat during operation. If the coil does not require cooling during operation, it indicates a better coil design. Portable induction cookers often utilize coils with cooling mechanisms, whereas H one’s built-in induction cooktops do not require cooling and instead use an aluminum plate for electromagnetic induction and heat dissipation, albeit at a slightly higher cost.

The choice of cooling fan also differs in induction cook systems. Portable induction cookers typically use impeller fans that draw air from the outside in all directions, effectively cooling all internal components but also potentially drawing in dust. Over time, dust accumulation can lead to pollution of the PCBA and circuit short-circuits. In contrast, Hone recommends using turbo fans for built-in induction cooktops. Turbo fans intake air and blow it in a specific direction, allowing for targeted cooling of components and minimizing the risk of pollution with prolonged use.

Induction cooktops also vary in terms of the manufacturer brand for the cook panel. The most renowned brands include Schott and Eurokero, with Chinese brand Kanger also well-regarded. Schott glass from Germany is the most expensive, while Kanger glass is the most cost-effective option and has shorter delivery times.

After reviewing all the information above, I believe you now have a better understanding of induction cooktops. I hope this article helps you make an informed decision when selecting a suitable supplier and purchasing induction hobs.