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A4 Box Induction Cooker

Kerry Beal

By Kerry Beal
in Kitchen Consumer

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Smithy

Smithy

Posted
Posted
31 minutes ago, TdeV said:

@Smithy, I'm finding I don't know what to use it for . . .

 

Truly, I'm simply using it for a small griddle or shallow skillet. I've grilled sandwiches on it, although I prefer my panini press for that purpose. I've cooked bacon on it, to pretty good success using the ridged plate. I've done a quick (again, shallow) stir-fry of chopped ingredients. I haven't tried smashing burgers on it but I'm sure it would work. I'm sure that making potato pancakes would also work, though I'm only thinking of that now after I've finished my last batch of mashed potatoes. Regular pancakes would also work. Stirring up ingredients for, oh, a Philly cheesesteak would work.

 

It has a smaller footprint than most of my skillets, and it presumably uses less electricity than my electric range, and I can put it conveniently atop my kitchen island, under bright lights, as long as I don't need a range hood. (Or I can move it outside, onto my deck, to fry bacon, and hope the crows don't come raid me.) An additional bonus is that the little plate insert is easier to wash than any of my skillets.

 

There's nothing earth-shattering or life-changing about it in my context. It's a small, easily portable, convenient griddle/skillet. That's why I said I'm glad I didn't pay full price. If I did much hotel or dorm living it would be massively useful. In my case, it's a $40 toy. (But I'd still spring for the 3-pan combo package if they offered it. The deep-bowl pan and the 6-holer look especially useful to me.)

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Nancy Smith, aka "Smithy"
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DesertTinker

DesertTinker

Posted
Posted
18 minutes ago, Smithy said:

 

Truly, I'm simply using it for a small griddle or shallow skillet. I've grilled sandwiches on it….

 

There's nothing earth-shattering or life-changing about it in my context. It's a small, easily portable, convenient griddle/skillet. That's why I said I'm glad I didn't pay full price. If I did much hotel or dorm living it would be massively useful. In my case, it's a $40 toy. (But I'd still spring for the 3-pan combo package if they offered it. The deep-bowl pan and the 6-holer look especially useful to me.)

Exactly my experience. I have done low and slow scrambled eggs on it, it was great for that. I think it will likely accompany us on future travels, would be great in a hotel room situation, the pan is small enough to fit in an average hotel lavatory/sink easily. Ditto on the pan set.

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curls

curls

Posted
Posted

Ditto on the pan set.

 

I have only used the griddle. It is great when cooking for 1-2 people. I like it when I want to cook something that won't fit well in an 8" skillet but is too small to bring out and clean my two burner cast iron griddle/grill pan. Great for a small batch of pancakes, steak & eggs, etc..

 

Would also work very well in a hotel.

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JoNorvelleWalker

JoNorvelleWalker

Posted
Posted

I don't make meatballs often, but it is my goto tool for meatballs.

 

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Cooking is cool.  And kitchen gear is even cooler.  -- Chad Ward

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Maison Rustique

Maison Rustique

Posted
Posted

I just realized I should take this to the new house to use until I get all my regular stuff moved. I'll have a couple of months of going back and forth and it would be good to be able to do quick grilled cheese or whatever instead of running out for fast food. Frozen waffles maybe.

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Deb

Liberty, MO

Smithy

Smithy

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Maison Rustique said:

I just realized I should take this to the new house to use until I get all my regular stuff moved. I'll have a couple of months of going back and forth and it would be good to be able to do quick grilled cheese or whatever instead of running out for fast food. Frozen waffles maybe.

 

Yes, absolutely to the use while you move it! Let us know about the frozen waffles. It's decades since I had one, and my head is stuck on "toaster".

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Nancy Smith, aka "Smithy"
Host, eG Forums - nsmith@egstaff.org

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"Every day should be filled with something delicious, because life is too short not to spoil yourself. " -- Ling (with permission)
"There comes a time in every project when you have to shoot the engineer and start production." -- author unknown

Smithy

Smithy

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, Maison Rustique said:

@Smithy I was thinking cook a couple of slices of bacon, , waffle and an egg. Pile egg & bacon on top of waffle. 

 

Now you're cookin'! 

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Nancy Smith, aka "Smithy"
Host, eG Forums - nsmith@egstaff.org

Follow us on social media! Facebook; instagram.com/egulletx

"Every day should be filled with something delicious, because life is too short not to spoil yourself. " -- Ling (with permission)
"There comes a time in every project when you have to shoot the engineer and start production." -- author unknown

lemniscate

lemniscate

Posted
Posted (edited)

I know I've posted about this before, but when I roadtrip, the A4 comes with.  It's light, fairly easy to keep clean, fits on most hotel countertops.  I use it on the patio during pleasant weather for al fresco cooking.  I do have all the accessory pans, I paid full price when the A4 was first offered.   @JoNorvelleWalker makes a good point about the takoyaki pan, it does a good job for meatballs and egg bites.   I am more than satisfied with the device and accessories.  I did order the deal for a second one as a backup or possibly a gift.   

 

That being said, there are very similar appliances like this one (eG-friendly Amazon.com link) that exist.  I don't think it's an unusual cooker appliance in Asia, but in North America, it's a bit of an anomaly.

 

 

Edited by lemniscate (log)
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Vapre

Vapre

Posted
Posted
On 6/14/2025 at 8:53 AM, lemniscate said:

>That being said, there are very similar appliances like this one (eG-friendly Amazon.com link) that exist.  I don't think it's an unusual cooker appliance in Asia, but in North America, it's a bit of an anomaly.

 

Damn, I wish I knew about this before I bid on another A4 off ebay to get the accessory pans. Would have saved a chunk of change.

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gfweb

gfweb

Posted
Posted
On 6/13/2025 at 9:02 PM, JoNorvelleWalker said:

I don't make meatballs often, but it is my goto tool for meatballs.

 

 Nobody makes meatballs enough.

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