NuWave Induction Cook Top, Beware!

[wil01]

After reading a lot about induction cook tops, I concluded that the induction heating process is really superior and more efficient than either gas or conventional electric. I took some time to see what was available.

I looked advertisements from many places including ads from Hearthware which seems to be the parent company behind NuWave. The offers seemed fantastic from Heathware – two cook tops + a cooking set + food storage set. Just pay shipping and handling for the free stuff. Well the shipping and handling was very steep, but that isn’t the problem. The standard cook top has a rating of 1300 watts. Somehow, I got the professional 1800 watt version with extra cost, of course. But that isn’t the problem

The stuff arrived in a timely manner in two very large boxes. After seeing the boxes, the shipping and handling didn't seem too bad. After unpacking the stuff, I started to test the cook tops. They are fantastic, and I won’t go into all that, but will get to the problem.

Included in the cook set are two “Non-Stick” covered sauce pans – 9.5” and 10.5”. Here comes the problem!

While the 9.5” sauce pan has the non-stick coating, it isn’t non-stick. In fact, food sticks to it worse than any pan I have ever used. Not to worry, there are instructions about how to season the non-stick pans. After five trials at seasoning, the pan is still not non-stick. It hasn’t changed performance since the beginning.

Not to worry! The company has a guarantee. Just call customer service and all problems will be solved.

During my first call, the customer service person said to try to season it once again in accordance with her instructions, and if it failed, they would replace the pan – just call back and speak to the same person. That seasoning attempt failed just like all the others.

Not to worry! I just called back to get my new pan. Another person answered my call and said he could solve the problem, and I wouldn’t need to speak with the first customer representative. Well, all I would need to do was take a photo of the pan and sent it to another person at a given email address, and they would send me a new pan, and I need not return the old pan.

In a couple of days, I got this email:

“Good afternoon,
Per management, unfortunately, we are unable to replace the 9” pan. Please follow the directions I have provided to you below on how to season your pan. Please note, you may have to re-season the pan a few times before it will not stick anymore.

To Season the Pan:
Before first use, wash the pan then lightly rub cooking oil onto the surface of the pan and set it on medium for 1-3 minutes.

When it cools down to room temperature, sponge it with warm soapy water and rinse clean.”

My goodness, I have now done that almost 20 times and the pan is still not non-stick.

I have had several more email exchanges, but the result is the same. This company will not replace a defective product!

Buy from this company at your own peril! As you can see from the quoted email, this is a management decision which is contrary to what the customer service people said and a direct failure to honor their guarantee.

Wil

[Mac99]

More crap made in China ?

[papaw.1]

Hi Wil,
Sorry about the trouble your having.I bought my wife the 2 cook tops but, we haven't used them yet.I also thought the shipping was very steep thats why I didn't get the other stuff because they say free shipping but, really the shipping is more than what the cook tops is worth.Are you going to continue and try to worry them enough as to where they will finally give in and send you another pan? Maybe you should put them on speed dial.Good Luck and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[Crippsfl]

I almost fell for buying these units. The ads sound GREAT right up to the point where the "shipping and handling charges" rears it's ugly head. Invariably, the cost of the shipping and handling is MORE than the product and makes the deal a LOT less attractive. This always makes me suspicious of the deal. And of course, if you decide to return the product, you have to send it back, Freight prepaid, and they don't refund the "shipping and handling charges. Heads they win, tails you lose.

The only real recourse you have is to contact the credit card company and back charge the payment (assuming you used a credit card). Be ready to document you conversations and responses from the company. Credit card companies usually back the buyer if they present a clear and concise description of the events and they are valid complaints. Yours sounds like that to me. I have done this many times and have never been disappointed. When a company is suddenly faced with the entire charge being held up, they usually want to rectify it. In addition, if a company gets numerous complaints, credit card companies can suspend their accounts which is their worst nightmare.

Sorry for you negative experience - Good Luck

[Melmoses]

Boy you got the bum rush! I have whole shebang including the fry pans. Mine work great and are truly nonstick. I have never seasoned either fry pan and use them nearly every day. I would call again and hope for the best. Pests can get results especially when you Google and find some upper ups in mgmt.

[EDALLSAILS]

They sell Just the single burner induction unit at CW for 89 bucks. No pans or extras with it.

[Gemstone]

"Mine work great and are truly nonstick. I have never seasoned either fry pan and use them nearly every day".....

Likewise, no issues. My advise....escalate your call to a manager.

Regards
Gemstone

[Ed-Sommers]

NuWave Induction Cook Top, Beware!

That is your lead in? When the problem is the seasoning of a pan ? Try seasoning the pan in the oven in the old, tried and true method.

Ed

[FLman2]

Go to Bed, Bath and Beyond with their 20% off coupon and get it. You get the 9" fry pan with it. No sky high shipping charges. Paid 85.00 for mine which included sales tax.

[Fred1609]

I checked the reviews on the Nuwave and the main gripe was that the active area was small. We went with the one Costco sells and absolutely love it for the RV. There are also specific non stick pans you can buy. I wouldn't imagine that Nuwave is giving a premium pan with its cook top......Anytime you hear the magic words in an advertisement "But wait theres more, order now and receive a second widget at no cost, just pay shipping and handling" know that you will be paying more......nothing free in this world. As for the issue with the pans that won't season...isn't there a 30 day money back guarantee? But you probably have to pay shipping and a restock fee.

[hone eagle]

Shipping was $40+ to Canada so I said "no thanks",but thanks for the heads up to other retail options,that or wait until they show up at our 'as seen on TV' shops.
Question- they need magnetic material in cookware to work,no stainless?

[Thebaldeagle]

I have the same set. Have never had a problem. I use Pam on them just as I would any other "non-stick" pan. I cook 90% on the Nuwave to conserve on propane and am 100% satisfied!

[itgeekgal]

I bought my nuwave at Bb&b with 20% off coupon, loved it so much I bought a whole set if pans from them (with another 20% off coupon). We couldn't be happier!

[sadrand]

I also found the pans don't work well as far as the non stick part, but they are good pans otherwise and I just use Pam and they work great that way. The induction cooktop is excellent and I use it all the time.