Hamilton Beach 34104 Countertop Burner Review
Our verdict
The Hamilton Beach 34104 is a 1800-watt induction burner with a glass surface and touch controls, priced at $79.95 and rated 4.2 stars across 1,301 buyers. It brings Hamilton Beach's brand reliability to a mid-range induction option for home cooks.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Home cooks who want a trusted brand name on their induction burner, value a slim low-profile design, and already own magnetic cookware.
Skip if
You cook with aluminum or copper pans, prefer physical knob controls, or need a double-burner setup for cooking multiple dishes at once.
- Wattage 1800 W
- Material Glass
- Controls Touch
- Color Black
- Dimensions 11.02 X 14.17 X 2.52 In
- Weight 0.01 lb
- Priced 13% above the category median ($70.99 across 57 tracked models)
- Weight of 0.01 lb - lighter than 96% of the 57 models we track
Pros
- 1800W induction output for fast, efficient heating
- Slim 2.52-inch profile stores easily
- Glass surface does not scorch spills the way radiant elements do
- Hamilton Beach brand offers accessible customer support
- Touch controls with no mechanical wear points
Cons
- Requires induction-compatible (magnetic) cookware
- 1,301 reviews is a moderate sample, less certainty about long-term durability
- Touch panel controls can be less intuitive for quick mid-cook adjustments
Our scorecard
-
Owner rating4.2/5
4.2 average across 1,301 owner ratings
-
Popularity2.5/5
1,301 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other air fryers, deep fryers, indoor grills, griddles and countertop cooking appliances we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Specifications
- Wattage
- 1800 W
- Material
- Glass
- Controls
- Touch
- Color
- Black
- Dimensions
- 11.02 X 14.17 X 2.52 In
- Weight
- 0.01 lb
- Voltage
- 120 Volts
Overview
At $79.95 the Hamilton Beach 34104 positions itself a step above the budget induction tier while staying well below premium models. The 1800-watt output puts it at the top of what standard home induction burners deliver, and the flat glass surface at 11.02 x 14.17 inches gives you a clean, spacious cooking zone. At 2.52 inches tall it is one of the slimmer profiles in the category, which makes it easy to store in a cabinet or slide under a counter.
The touch control interface is standard for induction cooktops and handles power-level adjustment without wear-prone mechanical parts. Running on 120V it plugs into any standard household outlet. Glass surfaces on induction units clean up easily since spills do not burn onto a hot element the way they do on radiant coil burners.
With 1,301 reviews and a 4.2-star average, feedback volume is moderate rather than massive, which means the picture is less complete than heavily reviewed models. The 4.2-star score is respectable without being exceptional in this price range.
Performance notes
With 1800 watts of induction power, this unit heats a pan quickly and responds to power-level changes faster than a radiant element. The glass surface stays cool to the touch outside the cookware's footprint, which reduces burn risk in tight kitchens. The low-profile form factor means a large stockpot sitting on the burner will feel stable without tipping. Best suited for sauteing, searing, simmering, and boiling in standard home cookware.
What buyers say
A 4.2-star average from 1,301 reviews places this burner in the solid-but-not-exceptional range. Buyers at this price point generally expect reliable performance rather than feature richness, and the score suggests the Hamilton Beach 34104 delivers on that expectation for most purchasers.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the Hamilton Beach 34104 work with cast iron cookware?
Yes, cast iron is induction compatible because of its magnetic base. It works well on this burner. Note that cast iron retains heat for a long time, so if you lower the power setting, the pan will stay hot longer than a stainless steel pan would.
What is the largest pan that fits comfortably on this burner?
The cooking surface is 11.02 x 14.17 inches in overall footprint. The active induction heating zone is smaller than that full dimension. A pan up to about 10 to 11 inches in base diameter will sit centered on the zone and heat evenly.
Can this burner be used as a primary cooktop in a small apartment?
It can handle most daily cooking tasks including boiling, frying, simmering, and sauteing. As a single-zone unit it limits you to one pot or pan at a time, which works for solo cooking or simple two-dish meals with careful timing.