Bosch Induction Cooktop Problems and Solutions

• Induction cooktops are great, but even they also have their own problems one has to deal with occasionally, depending on the depth. We’ll be taking you through the different problems you are likely to encounter when you’re using a Bosch induction cooktop.

Bosch is regarded as one of the most reliable electronics brands in the world, and the German brand has rightly earned that. The Gerlingen-based German company has been in existence for over 130 years and any brand could have only survived those years by producing the best appliances. Bosch’s list of production ranges from refrigerators to cooktops and cooking ranges. Speaking of cooktops. It is important to have the necessary information about them before investing in them. They might be fairly priced and cost-effective, but you would also want to know more about the downside instead of just focusing on the positives. Knowing about the Bosch induction cooktop problems will leave you a few steps ahead in terms of the right solutions to solve them.

Solving induction cooktop problems can be daunting; especially if you have no prior knowledge of how you can get it solved. You’ll only realize error codes keep popping up and you’ll have no idea what they mean or how they can be cleared if you have no prior knowledge. A lot of people have experienced this first-hand and one thing they’ve all wished they had was a little knowledge of how to clear these error codes. Having the right information about these problems will help you provide the proper solutions when the problems come up. During the course of this article, we’ll be talking about the different error codes, their meanings, and how to best clear them. However, before we look into that, let’s take a quick look at what an induction cooktop is, how it works, as well its pros and cons.

What is an induction cooktop?

An induction cooktop is regarded as perhaps the safest cooktop type because induction cooking only heats the cookware and not the surface of the cooktop. It doesn’t matter if the induction cooktop is activated or not; as long as there’s no pot on it, the stove surface won’t heat up and that means there’s no harm involved in the process. However, an indicator always comes with it to show if the cooktop is powered on or not. How does it work? An induction cooktop generates its heat through electromagnetism. There’s always a coil made of copper in the cooktop that makes up the magnetic field when powered on. This explains why your cookware must have magnetic elements in them before it can be considered compatible.

Induction cooktops don’t always come with control knobs. Instead, they come with touch controls that give you easy access to the features that come with the cooktop. To know if your cookware can be used on an induction cooktop, place it near a magnet. If it attracts the magnet, then it means the cookware has magnetic properties. If your cookware repels the magnet, then it means you cannot use it on your induction cooktop.

Learn more about induction cooktops here.

Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of an induction cooktop before moving on to the errors codes and their meanings.

PROS

GREAT HEAT CONSISTENCY

The heat level on an induction cooktop is a country mile ahead of the one you’ll get on its gas or electric counterparts. Even on low heat, you’ll still get the perfect cooking results. The good thing about this powerful feat is that an induction cooktop will maintain the same level of heat for as long as you need it to be. That level of consistency is what makes a lot of people turn to it for their cooking practices, no matter how large their meals are. This is so easy on an induction cooktop because it has nothing to do with the heat on the surface of the stove. It transfers heat directly from the magnetic field from the copper coil into the cookware. This is one of the greatest advantages of an induction cooktop over the other cooktop types.

Want to learn more about cooking on an induction cooktop? Click here.

IT IS EASY TO CLEAN

Unlike a gas cooktop, an induction cooktop doesn’t have a griddle, thereby making it very easy to clean. Cleaning is a whole lot easier in case of spills because the surface is not affected by the heat due to the direct heat transfer from the magnetic field to the cookware. The stovetop is very easy to clean. All it needs is a soft wipe and your cooktop will look as clean as new; yet again.

IT IS FRIENDLY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

If you ask anybody which of gas, electric, or induction cooktop is the safest for the environment, an induction cooktop will be the top pick. If you consider the heat efficiency of a gas cooktop, you might not want to switch but induction cooktops are now being built with as much functionality as the gas cooktop. This limits indoor air pollution and also promotes the fight against climate change which has been a major environmental issue. If everybody is urged to switch to an induction cooktop that now has the same functionality as a gas cooktop, maybe even more; then climate change will be reduced to a reasonable point. If you’re on the verge of getting an induction cooktop, then you should be confident that you’re getting a cooktop that is friendly for everybody in your home and even beyond.

Data collected from the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. shows that more carbon dioxide is emitted when using cooking gas than when you’re running an induction cooktop. This is more proof that induction cooktops are safer for the environment.

INDUCTION COOKTOP IS ENERGY EFFICIENT

According to a report by Leaf Score, an induction cooktop is more energy-efficient than any other cooktop types (gas and electric). An induction cooktop is efficient by 84%, an electric cooktop is efficient by 74%, while a gas cooktop is efficient by just 40%. The same research shows that an induction cooktop heats liquids and food (5.8 seconds) faster than a gas cooktop (8.3 seconds).

CONS

INDUCTION COOKTOP IS EXPENSIVE

One of the most obvious drawbacks of an induction cooktop is that it is always more expensive than the other cooktop types. This can sometimes be discouraging but in the end, it is worth all the money spent on it. Although the price tags that come with induction cooktops have come down in recent years, they are still more expensive when you compare them with gas and electric cooktops. An average induction cooktop can range from $800 up to $3000, or even more.

IT DOESN’T WORK WITH ALL TYPES OF COOKWARE

This is the point we’ve been hammering on so far in this article. The heat formation and transfer in an induction cooktop make it only work with cast iron pots or some pots with magnetic stainless steel. The cookware also has to have a flat bottom so there can be sufficient contact with the stovetop.

This is very important if you want to get the best results. Getting a new set of cookware to perfectly work with your induction cooktop might be daunting at first but will be worth the efforts in the end.

The Different Error Codes And What They Mean

E9000:

This error code pops up when something is wrong with the voltage supply. This is usually due to the voltage not being in the recommended range of operation. The cooktop brings this code to notify the user that something is not right with the voltage supply.

SOLUTION

The best thing to do when the error code E9000 pops up is to get in touch with a professional that is very good with induction cooktops. Seeking an expert’s help is the best thing to do when something like this happens as only they can provide the best solution to clear the error code.

F5:

This code appears when the cooking panel appears to be hot. It’s an unusual thing for an induction cooktop because of the heat transfer method which leaves the stovetop always safe to touch. However, if there’s overheating, the panel begins to get hot and this error code will pop up as a result. It’s not a sign you should ignore as overheating is a bad issue for any machine.

SOLUTION

The first action you should take if this error code ever shows up on your induction cooktop is to take off any cookware that is on it. After doing this, the cooktop itself will automatically fix itself after several seconds.

F8:

If your cooktop is working for a long period of time uninterrupted, this error code will show up to let you know that your cooktop needs a rest. Your cooktop might not necessarily need a rest and it might just be the sensor at work here.

SOLUTION

The solution to this error code is pretty simple. Just turn off the function that’s supposed to automatically switch off your cooktop for safety reasons. It’s as easy as that.

F2:

This is the error code that appears when the cooktop overheats, leading to the cooktop shutting itself down. Overheating is not a good issue for any machine as we stated earlier. The cooktop will automatically shut itself down when the overheating becomes too much, and before it damages anything in the cooktop itself.

SOLUTION

Just like every other solution we’ve been highlighting since the start of this section, the solution to clear this error code is simple as well. All you need to do is to turn off the unit, wait for a couple of minutes for it to cool down, and turn it back on again. The error code should clear by the time you turn it on. However, if it refuses to go away, you might have to involve a known expert to proffer the best solution.

0400:

This is one of the most common error codes because it appears when the hob is not properly connected.

SOLUTION

The solution is to connect the induction hob to a power source properly, and if it has already been connected, check for any irregularities in the power source.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I reset a Bosch induction cooktop?

The reset process of a Bosch induction cooktop is quite straightforward. Locate the circuit breaker and stop the power from going into your induction cooktop for at least 30 seconds. This will immediately hard reset your Bosch induction cooktop and you can now begin to reset the functions once you turn it back on.

2. Why does my Bosch induction cooktop keep turning off?

There can be so many reasons why your Bosch induction keeps going off, but mostly, it’s always for safety reasons. This might be as a result of your cooktop panel getting unnecessarily hot which is unusual for an induction cooktop.

3. Can induction cooktops be repaired?

Induction cooktops can be easily fixed if there’s ever a need for a repair.

4. How long do domestic induction cooktops last?

According to an article published by Induction Guide, an induction cooktop that is designed for domestic use usually lasts for about 2500 hours. Although induction cooktops are not meant to be used too often daily, they can still last long.

Final thought

Electronic devices come with problems and it’s only a matter of time before the problems start coming to the forefront. Bosch is one of the most popular and reliable electronics brands in the world but that doesn’t make their induction cooktops immune to common problems. The good thing is that with our guide, you’re already a step ahead of those problems so when they occur, you know the best line of action to take. Although Bosch’s customer care services are one of the best you can get in the industry, it is always helpful to have some sort of technical ‘first aid’ at hand if anything ever goes wrong.

With this guide, you already know what the common errors codes are, what they mean, and the best quick solution you can proffer in the shortest period of time. However, don’t always hesitate to reach out to a technician if the issues seem to be getting out of hands. Stay safe!