Most electric cooktops are incredibly similar, but the 36-inch Bosch NET9652UC's plethora of special features distinguishes it from the rest of the pack.

The best of these features is the Precisionsim control. While many electric cooktops are slow to react and difficult to control at low temperatures, Bosch's Precisionsim system offers ten heat settings in the lowest 25-percent heating range. This variety of settings lets the NET9652UC give you much more control than usual for simmering delicate foods, such as when creating a delicate sauce or melting scorch-prone chocolate. In fact, some of these setting are so low, they allow the elements to be used for warming as well as cooking.

Another feature that helps justify the NET9652UC's somewhat high suggested price is the Powerstart feature. Powerstart immediately sends the maximum amount of wattage to an element when it is turned on, then gradually cools to the selected setting by the time the heat reaches the food. This feature addresses the common problem of slow-to-heat electric elements.

Additional versatility is provided by Bosch's triple-element design. Many cooktops offer dual elements, but the NET9652UC tops this with a choice of three cooking zones in one element. To use this feature effectively, match the pan size to the closest heating size of the corresponding element.

A bridge element is another feature we like to see on a high-end electric cooktop, and the NET9652UC doesn't disappoint here either. The effective bridge function links a front element with a back element, giving you a single control for the combination. This is very effective for oversized pots and Dutch ovens used for preparing slow-cooking soups and stews. Oblong roasting pans also benefit from this combination of elements.

One often overlooked but welcome touch is the built-in countdown timer, which shuts off an element at a preset time. Conveniently enough, it can also be used as a separate kitchen timer for tasks unrelated to the cooktop. Digital touch controls make the NET9652UC one of the most sophisticated cooktops you'll find, and you can activate any of the 17 precise heat controls for each element with just the touch of a button.

We usually don't love cooking with electric unless it's induction, but Bosch's NET9652UC gives us good reason to change our minds.


Pros: Address all the negatives of electric cooktops
Cons: Offered in only one color

Warranty
1 year