Stoves are disappearing on the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, at the least to the bare eye. A brand new range idea from SKS, dubbed the “Hidden Induction Range,” debuted right here at KBIS in Orlando, Florida, and transforms an on a regular basis stone countertop into a totally useful induction cooktop.
We noticed the stovetop in motion. Nicely, form of. The pot of water sitting atop the counter gave the impression to be boiling with a gentle circulate of steam rising from inside — no signal of an precise stovetop. Additional inspection revealed that the range wasn’t on and the steam was being produced by a small gadget sitting contained in the pot.
You virtually acquired us, SKS. Nonetheless, we have now questions…
This hidden induction range idea, unveiled at KBIS 2026, turns an extraordinary countertop right into a stovetop.
How will it work?
Slightly merely. Induction heating components are put in beneath the countertop floor so you’ll be able to boil, simmer and sauté proper there. Warmth is transferred by means of the countertop floor and to the cookware above. Dials are mounted on the entrance of the unit, permitting management. It is lovely, leaving clear strains throughout the counter and including worthwhile countertop prep area. It additionally appears to be like like it might be a dream to scrub. However how may one thing so inconspicuous and so sizzling not trigger untold quantities of third-degree burns?
The plain security query
There are apparent security questions and issues a few product like this one.
The idea, as cool as it’s, raised eyebrows but in addition some critical security issues. Michael Magmani, the model’s director of product technique, was giving the pitch to the media and conference company, explaining how this fascinating idea range works in apply.
In response to Magmani, the distinctive options of induction heating allow this idea to work successfully with out turning into a burn hazard. Induction transfers warmth on to the cookware, to not the cooktop floor. “There’s often a little bit of residual warmth,” he explains, “however not something near a conventional glass prime or the cast-iron grates that hover over fuel burners. Induction warmth additionally cools down a lot quicker than different kinds.”
One other burning (sorry) query we had was how the range communicates whether or not the warmth is on. Small indicator lights on the countertop are supposed to present when a burner is on or sizzling, although they weren’t working after we noticed the range on the showroom flooring. Reps from the model had the boiling pot effectively guarded, and company had been requested to not get too shut.
The kind of countertop used is essential
The kind of countertop materials used is essential for the idea range to perform.
There are cautious concerns to be made concerning the countertop materials. In response to Magmani, who walked us by means of the first-of-its-kind stovetop, “Ceramic porcelain makes essentially the most sense for a number of causes, together with correct conduction, materials density and the truth that it is one of many extra scratch-resistant countertop surfaces.”
It is also nonporous, so in idea it might higher stand up to the inevitable hot-food spills and fixed cleansing.
Whereas the promise of a hidden cooktop is compelling, it leaves us with some unanswered questions, and we weren’t allowed close to the “burner” through the second tour of the sales space. Technicians had been busy fixing an issue under, although the specifics of the difficulty had been unclear.
For now, the hidden induction cooktop continues to be in idea, with solely a sneaky smoke-and-mirrors model obtainable to see on the KBIS showroom flooring. The stovetop is probably going a couple of years from coming to market, Magmani informed us, however SKS engineers and product groups are “full-steam forward.”
