Stoves are disappearing at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, at least to the naked eye. A new stove concept from SKS, dubbed the “Hidden Induction Stove,” debuted here at KBIS in Orlando, Florida, and transforms an everyday stone countertop into a fully functional induction cooktop.
We saw the stovetop in action. Well, sort of. The pot of water sitting atop the counter appeared to be boiling with a steady flow of steam rising from within — no sign of an actual stovetop. Further inspection revealed that the stove wasn’t on and the steam was being produced by a small device sitting inside the pot.
You almost got us, SKS. Still, we have questions…
This hidden induction stove concept, unveiled at KBIS 2026, turns an ordinary countertop into a stovetop.
How will it work?
Rather simply. Induction heating elements are installed under the countertop surface so you can boil, simmer and sauté right there. Heat is transferred through the countertop surface and to the cookware above. Dials are mounted on the front of the unit, allowing control. It’s beautiful, leaving clean lines across the counter and adding valuable countertop prep space. It also looks like it would be a dream to clean. But how could something so inconspicuous and so hot not cause untold amounts of third-degree burns?
The obvious safety question
There are obvious safety questions and concerns about a product like this one.
The concept, as cool as it is, raised eyebrows but also some serious safety concerns. Michael Magmani, the brand’s director of product strategy, was giving the pitch to the media and convention guests, explaining how this fascinating concept stove works in practice.
According to Magmani, the unique features of induction heating enable this concept to work effectively without becoming a burn hazard. Induction transfers heat directly to the cookware, not to the cooktop surface. “There’s usually a bit of residual heat,” he explains, “but not anything close to a traditional glass top or the cast-iron grates that hover over gas burners. Induction heat also cools down much faster than other forms.”
Another burning (sorry) question we had was how the stove communicates whether the heat is on. Small indicator lights on the countertop are meant to show when a burner is on or hot, though they weren’t working when we saw the stove on the showroom floor. Reps from the brand had the boiling pot well guarded, and guests were asked not to get too close.
The type of countertop used is critical
The type of countertop material used is critical for the concept stove to function.
There are careful considerations to be made regarding the countertop material. According to Magmani, who walked us through the first-of-its-kind stovetop, “Ceramic porcelain makes the most sense for several reasons, including proper conduction, material density and the fact that it’s one of the more scratch-resistant countertop surfaces.”
It’s also nonporous, so in theory it can better withstand the inevitable hot-food spills and constant cleaning.
While the promise of a hidden cooktop is compelling, it leaves us with some unanswered questions, and we weren’t allowed near the “burner” during the second tour of the booth. Technicians were busy fixing a problem below, though the specifics of the issue were unclear.
For now, the hidden induction cooktop is still in concept, with only a sneaky smoke-and-mirrors version available to see on the KBIS showroom floor. The stovetop is likely a few years from coming to market, Magmani told us, but SKS engineers and product teams are “full-steam ahead.”
