The GE Profile PHP9030DJBB induction cooktop includes touch-sensitive controls, a melt setting and a bridge element. It’s also built for safety with a lock to prevent children from turning on the stove on without your knowledge. Additionally, its wide power range allows you to simmer or sear foods easily, securing it a spot in our roundup of the best induction cooktops.
We were disappointed that this induction cooker doesn't feature some of the elements found in cookers of a similar price, such as the KitchenAid KICU509XSS, which features power boost capabilities. The layout of the control panel in the GE Profile PHP9030DJBB induction cooker is also less intuitive than many induction cookers, meaning it could become confusing if you're not accustomed to using it.
GE Profile PHP9030DJBB: Performance
The GE Profile PHP9030DJBB induction cooktop performs right on par with the best models we reviewed. There are four heat elements that range from 1,800 watts to 3,700 watts of power – among the highest we saw on any induction cooker this size. The lower power settings are ideal for simmering foods, while the higher power is best for searing meats and boiling water. There’s even a melting setting, lower than simmer, that provides just enough heat to melt butter or chocolate without burning it. However, we are disappointed there is no power boost feature. This would provide even more power and further decrease cooking time.
This cooktop lets you set a separate built-in timer for each specific burner, allowing you to keep track of how long multiple dishes have been cooking simultaneously. You can adjust the temperatures and settings with GE Profile's touch-sensitive controls; it’s as easy as touching the plus or minus prompts.
The cooktop and controls have a clean, modern look. However, their layout doesn't reflect the layout of the cooking zones themselves, which could get confusing. There are four cooking zones in total, with the smallest induction surface featuring a small 6-inch diameter, perfect for small tasks. The largest surface is 11-inches, which is an impressive size we only found elsewhere in the Bosch FlexInduction NITP068UC, which is significantly more expensive than the GE Profile PHP9030DJBB induction cooktop.
GE Profile PHP9030DJBB induction cooktop: Safety features
The safety features on the GE Profile PHP9030DJBB induction cooktop met our full expectations. There’s a hot-surface indicator light for each heat element, so you know when it’s on. The cooktop can determine if a pan is correctly placed on the burner or if it has been removed.
If a pan with induction cooking capabilities is not detected on an element, the burner automatically turns off after 25 seconds. There are additional control locks that, when activated, prevent all cooktop controls from operating.
Should you buy the GE Profile PHP9030DJBB induction cooktop?
The GE Profile PHP9030DJBB is a powerful induction cooktop with outstanding performance and a handful of extra-useful features. The large power range allows you to melt butter without burning it and to sear and fry foods easily. We are also impressed with its ability to set a timer for each individual burner. We would like to see power boost capabilities to provide even more power, and the layout of the controls in the GE Profile PHP9030DJBB induction cooktop could be improved, but this is a great mid-price cooktop which will save you money in energy-efficiency and provide accurate cooking with ease.
