Thor Induction Range and Cooktop Guide: XRI30E, XRI36E, PIH30 and PIH36

A Thor induction range or cooktop heats the pan itself instead of a burner or a glowing coil, which is why it boils water fast, holds a low simmer steadily and wipes clean in seconds. Thor sells induction two ways: the X Series freestanding induction ranges (XRI30E and XRI36E), with an air fry convection oven below the glass, and the PIH30 and PIH36 induction cooktops, which drop into a countertop above a wall oven or drawers. This guide compares every Thor induction model we carry, shows how they differ from Thor's radiant electric cooktops, and covers the wiring and cookware checks to make before you order.

Thor Induction Range and Cooktop Lineup at a Glance

Every model below runs on a 240V circuit. The ranges include a full convection oven; the cooktops are surface-only and pair with a separate wall oven. The two TEC models use radiant elements rather than induction and are included because shoppers often compare them with the PIH cooktops.

You can compare all of them side by side in our Thor Kitchen cooktops and rangetops collection and our Thor Kitchen electric ranges collection.

How Induction Cooking Works and Why It Is So Efficient

Under the glass of an induction cooktop sits a copper coil. When you turn a zone on, the coil creates a magnetic field, and a magnetic pan sitting on the glass heats up internally. The glass is not the heat source; it only gets warm from contact with the hot pan, which is why Thor's PIH cooktops include individual residual heat indicators for each zone.

Because the energy goes straight into the pan, very little is lost to the air around it. ENERGY STAR puts induction at about 85% efficient, compared with roughly 75 to 80% for conventional electric resistance cooktops and about 32% for gas, which makes induction about 5 to 10% more efficient than a standard smooth-top electric and about three times more efficient than gas. In a real kitchen that shows up as faster boils, less heat pouring off the cooktop and a surface that is easier to keep clean, since spills do not bake onto a red-hot element.

Thor X Series Induction Ranges: XRI30E vs XRI36E

The two Thor induction ranges share the same X Series design and differ mainly in width, zone count and oven size. The XRI30E has four induction zones and a 4.8 cu. ft. oven. The XRI36E has five induction zones and a 6.0 cu. ft. oven. Both include bridge element cooking, which combines two zones into one long zone for a griddle, grill pan or oversized pot.

The ovens on both models use a true convection fan behind a 1,300W heating element and offer eight modes: Bake, Roast, Broil, Keep Warm, Proof, Pizza, Self-Clean and Air Fry. Controls sit on a tilt panel touch screen that angles up for easier reading. Thor adds LuxGlide telescopic racks on ball-bearing guides, a soft-close oven door, built-in casters with leveling legs for sliding the range into place, and a frameless glass top that sits flush with the countertop. A broiler pan, an air fry basket and a meat probe come in the box.

For planning the opening, the XRI30E measures 29.88 inches wide and 24.75 inches deep (back panel to side panel front), with a height adjustable from 36 to 39 inches, and Thor lists a 30-inch-wide, 24-inch-deep cutout at 36 inches high. It weighs 214 pounds net, so plan for two people on delivery day. If you are still deciding between widths, our guide to Thor Kitchen ranges at 30 vs 36 vs 48 inches walks through how much cooktop and oven space each size really buys you.

Thor Induction Cooktops: PIH30 and PIH36

If you want induction on an island or above a wall oven, the PIH cooktops are the Thor induction option. The PIH30 has four induction elements and the PIH36 has five, both under a smooth black glass top with slide touch controls. Each offers nine power levels, a Booster function for rapid heat on one zone, a Keep Warm setting, a 1 to 99 minute timer, a Child Lock, individual residual heat indicators and an automatic safety switch-off after 120 minutes.

The electrical difference matters when you plan the circuit. Thor rates the PIH30 at 7,700W on 240V (6,700W on 208V) on a 40A breaker, and the PIH36 at 11,100W on 240V (9,600W on 208V) on a 50A breaker. Both ship without a plug, using a 39-7/8-inch flexible three-wire lead that your electrician connects at a junction box. Thor lists both as able to install over a built-in oven, which makes a PIH cooktop above a Thor wall oven a clean way to split cooking between counter and cabinet; confirm the clearances in both installation manuals before the cabinets are built.

Thor Induction Cooktop vs Radiant Electric Cooktop

Thor's TEC30 and TEC36 cooktops are radiant electric: elements under black vitroceramic glass that glow and heat the glass, which then heats the pan. They work with any flat-bottomed cookware, which is their biggest advantage over induction. Both have nine power levels, a Tri-Zone LightningBoil center element made of three rings you can run individually or together, and a Sync feature that links the two left elements into one zone of up to 3,800 watts for a griddle or Dutch oven. Each zone's timer shuts that zone off automatically when it runs out.

Choose induction if you want the fastest response and the easiest cleanup and your cookware passes the magnet test. Choose radiant electric if you cook with aluminum, copper or glass pans you do not want to replace. Our cooktop buying guide covers gas, electric and induction cooktops across every brand we sell.

Cookware and Wiring Checklist Before You Buy a Thor Induction Range

Do the magnet test. Induction only works with cookware a magnet will stick to on the bottom: cast iron, enameled cast iron and most magnetic stainless steel. Plain aluminum, copper and glass pans will not heat unless they have a magnetic base.

Check the circuit. Both XRI ranges and the PIH36 need a 50A, 240V circuit, while the PIH30 and both TEC cooktops call for 40A. If you are replacing a gas range, budget for a new electrical run; our Thor gas vs dual fuel vs electric ranges guide lists the hookup each Thor range type needs.

Plan the cord on an XRI range. The XRI30E and XRI36E use a NEMA 14-50 plug type, and Thor notes the power cord is included only in Canada, not in the USA. Have a four-wire range cord and a matching NEMA 14-50 receptacle ready on installation day.

Do not skip the hood. Induction puts less heat into the room, but searing and frying still produce smoke, steam and grease. Our Thor range hood CFM sizing guide matches a hood to each Thor range width, and you can shop every option in our Thor range hoods collection.

Which Thor Induction Model Should You Buy?

For a 30-inch opening with one appliance doing everything, the XRI30E gives you induction, convection and air fry in a single freestanding range. For a 36-inch opening or a cook who runs four pans at once, the XRI36E adds a fifth zone and 1.2 cu. ft. more oven space. For an island or a wall-oven layout, the PIH30 or PIH36 keeps induction on the counter and the oven at eye level. If you are not ready to replace your cookware, the TEC30 or TEC36 radiant cooktop is the Thor electric option that works with any flat-bottomed pan. To see where the X Series sits among Thor's other lines, read our Thor Kitchen range series comparison.

Shop Thor Induction Ranges and Cooktops at Urban Supply Inc

Urban Supply Inc is an authorized Thor Kitchen dealer, so every Thor induction range and cooktop ships new with Thor's full manufacturer warranty. Browse our induction ranges and induction cooktops, compare the Thor lineup in our Thor cooktops and rangetops collection, or see everything on our Thor Kitchen brand page. Free shipping on orders over $299 (certain exclusions apply), and our US-based team at 917-540-6070 can confirm your circuit, cutout and cookware questions before you order.

Related reading: Thor Kitchen Range Series Compared · Thor Gas vs Dual Fuel vs Electric Ranges · Electric Range Buying Guide · Is Thor Kitchen a Good Brand?