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Short answer. An induction hob heats the pan itself with a magnetic field, so it only works with cookware that has a magnetic base: if a magnet sticks to the base, the pan is generally suitable. When a hob will not start, the usual causes are an unsuitable or too-small pan, an active lock, wet or covered controls, or overheat protection. A qualified electrician must connect the hob, and your supply and the hob’s data plate decide whether it runs on one phase or three.
1. How induction works
Miele explains that an induction coil under each zone creates a magnetic field that reacts directly with the pan base and heats it. The glass-ceramic zone itself is warmed only indirectly, by heat from the pan. Bosch adds that because the heat is generated directly in the pan, spills burn on less and the zone stops supplying heat when the pan is removed.
2. Which cookware works?
The magnet test: hold a magnet to the base of the pan. Miele says that if it sticks, the pan is generally suitable; Bosch gives the same test.
| Works | Does not work | |
|---|---|---|
| Miele | Stainless steel with a magnetic base, enamelled steel, cast iron | Stainless steel without a magnetic base; aluminium or copper; glass, ceramic or earthenware |
| Bosch | Enamelled steel, cast iron, special stainless-steel induction pans | Thin common steel, glass, earthenware, copper, aluminium, diffuser plates |
Pan base size
What matters is the diameter of the base, not the top rim that manufacturers often quote. If the pan is too small, the hob will not recognise it. Miele prints a base-diameter range for each zone, so the smallest zone accepts bases from about 10 cm:
| Miele hob | Base diameter per zone (cm) |
|---|---|
| KM 7679 | 16–22, 10–16, 15–23 (two zones) |
| KM 7629 / 7699 / 7899 | 10–16, 16–22, 18–28, 15–23 (two zones) |
| Bridged pair of zones | 22–23 |
The Bosch manual we checked prints no numeric minimum. Each zone has a minimum detection limit that varies with the pan material, and if a pan is not detected you should try the next smaller zone.
Warped or rough bases
Both brands recommend flat, smooth bases. Bosch says bases that are not flat use much more energy, and Miele notes that the base affects how evenly the pan heats. Neither manual says a warped pan stops the hob working. Both warn that rough bases scratch the glass.
3. Why isn’t my induction hob working?
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The power level flashes, then the zone switches off | Pan missing, too small or not magnetic | Do the magnet test and check the base diameter against the zone. Miele switches the zone off after 3 minutes without a suitable pan; Bosch after 90 seconds. |
| Touching the controls does nothing, or LOC appears | A lock is active | Miele has a system lock (hob off) and a safety lock (hob on). On Bosch, hold the child-lock key symbol for about 4 seconds; an automatic child lock can also be set in the basic settings. |
| Hob switches off by itself, “C” appears or indicators flash | Wet or covered controls | Dry the panel and clear it. Miele switches off if sensors stay covered for more than 10 seconds (a finger, boil-over, oven glove, tea towel). |
| Power drops or the zone cuts out; Err 044, F2, F4, F5, U2 or U3 | Overheat protection | Miele lists an empty pan, fat on high power, blocked ventilation under the hob, and switching on a hot zone after a power cut as triggers (Err 044). Bosch codes F2 and F4 mean the electronics are overheated, F5 a hot pan on the control panel, and U2 and U3 an overheated hotplate. Let the hob cool and remove the cause. |
| Hob switches off after a long time on | Automatic time limit | Miele: for example 10 hours at level 1 and 1 hour at level 9 on the factory setting. Bosch: 1 to 10 hours depending on level. |
Noises that are normal
Miele and Bosch list these noises as normal: humming or buzzing at high power, crackling with layered (“sandwich”) bases, whistling with layered pans at high power (Bosch also names an empty pan), and fan noise. Miele adds clicking from the electronic switches and a fan that keeps running after switch-off.
4. Safety: pacemakers and metal objects
The brands word the pacemaker advice differently, so read the manual for your model:
| Brand | Wording |
|---|---|
| Miele | The area around the hob is electromagnetically charged; it is very unlikely to affect a pacemaker. If in doubt, consult the pacemaker manufacturer or your doctor. |
| Bosch | Exercise caution when using or standing near an induction hob with a pacemaker; consult your doctor or the device manufacturer. |
| Gaggenau | The appliance meets EMC standards, but people with pacemakers or insulin pumps must refrain from using it. Interference with other devices such as hearing aids cannot be excluded. |
None of the manuals we read gives a safe distance. All three brands also warn against leaving knives, forks, spoons or lids on the hob, because metal objects heat up quickly.
5. Electrical connection: one phase or three?
Miele’s wiring diagram shows three arrangements at 200–240 V per phase: three-phase, two-phase and single-phase. Miele also warns that some connection methods are not permitted in every installation location, and that the connection data on the data plate must match the household supply. The hob has a maximum permitted total power: Miele’s KM 7679 and 7689 series are rated 7300 W in total, while the KM 7629, 7699 and 7899 are rated 11,000 W. Power management shifts power between linked zones, with the earlier setting winning.
Elektrilevi, Estonia’s grid operator, offers these supplies:
| Connection | Main fuse | Power |
|---|---|---|
| Single-phase | 16 A | 3.5 kW |
| Single-phase | 20 A | 4.4 kW |
| Single-phase | 25 A | 5.5 kW |
| Three-phase | 16 A to 63 A | 10.5 kW to 41.5 kW |
In a three-phase supply the current is split between the phases, and Elektrilevi says larger appliances should be spread over different phases by an electrical contractor. To see what your hob needs, compare its data plate with your main fuse and ask an electrician.
Who may connect it: the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) states that ordinary people may do only simple tasks such as replacing bulbs and fuses, while connecting or disconnecting fixed household appliances is specialist work. Miele likewise requires a qualified electrician, forbids extension leads and multi-socket adapters, and requires earthing.
6. Cleaning the glass ceramic
- Wipe after each use, once the surface has cooled, with a cleaner made for glass-ceramic. Miele warns that an invisible film can discolour the glass permanently.
- If sugar, plastic or aluminium foil melts onto a hot zone, Miele says to scrape it off immediately while hot with a shielded glass scraper, wearing oven gloves.
- Avoid abrasives, scratchy sponges, oven sprays and steam cleaners, and washing-up liquid (Bosch: undiluted). Miele also excludes glass cleaners and melamine blocks.
7. What we stock
We stock 103 induction hobs in total: Miele (42), Gaggenau (22), TEKA (14), Fulgor Milano (13), CATA (6) and InvisaCook (6). For concealed installations, see our hidden hobs. Browse all induction hobs, the wider range of built-in hobs, or hobs with built-in extractor. Bosch, whose manual we quote above, is not among the brands we stock. We can arrange delivery and installation across Estonia: see delivery and installation.
FAQ
Do I need new pots for an induction hob?
Only if your current ones fail the magnet test. Stainless steel with a magnetic base, enamelled steel and cast iron work; aluminium, copper, glass and ceramic do not.
Can an induction hob run on a single-phase connection?
Miele’s wiring diagram includes a single-phase arrangement, but this depends on the model and the installation. Check the data plate and ask an electrician. The Elektrilevi table above shows what each single-phase fuse size allows.
Is an induction hob safe with a pacemaker?
The brands differ: Miele says interference is very unlikely, Bosch advises caution, and Gaggenau says people with pacemakers must refrain from using it. Ask your doctor or the pacemaker manufacturer.
Why does my induction hob hum?
Humming or buzzing at high power is listed as normal by both Miele and Bosch. Bosch says such noises, including fan noise, are not a sign of malfunction.
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