Breville Control Freak Review: The Ultimate Induction Cooktop for Chefs

We tested the Breville Control Freak’s probe cooking, intensity control, and temp memory. Learn why it’s the gold standard in induction cooktops.

The Breville Control Freak is the one induction cooktop our team at LivegreenPDX uses daily. We’ve burned sauces, broken creams, and ruined more than a few meals just because of not having a reliable cooktop. 

But we finally found this control freak, and now our cooking is much easier, better, and there are no surprises. 

So whether you’re frying, poaching, or tempering, this tool changes how you control heat. Let’s walk through its build, cooking results, pros and cons, and whether it earns its price.

What Makes the Breville Control Freak So Unique?

Precision in pro kitchens is a necessity. The Control Freak stands out by offering temperature accuracy, stability, and customization that even top-tier gas ranges can’t match. Here’s what makes it a favorite among chefs and serious home cooks alike.

Unmatched Precision Control

Most induction cooktops fluctuate ±10°F or more. The Control Freak doesn’t. It offers 397 exact temperature settings ranging from 86°F to 482°F, with a glass sensor that checks surface temp 20 times per second.
Real-world cooks say it “nails preset temps within 1–2 degrees” and holds it without drift, whether you’re simmering béarnaise or tempering chocolate. That kind of accuracy is unheard of in consumer appliances.

Probe Control Cooking

This isn’t just surface-level sensing. The included Probe Control thermometer can regulate liquid or internal food temps within a ±1.8°F range.

Use it to:

• Keep the oil perfectly hot during deep frying
• Maintain sous vide-style control in water or broth
• Hold custards, sauces, or sugar syrup right at the edge…without burning.

It adapts instantly when you add ingredients…no more temp crashes or boil-overs.

Custom Heat Intensity

The Control Freak’s “Heat Intensity” setting lets you decide how aggressively to ramp up the temperature.
Chocolate melting? Use a slow rise to avoid scorching. 

Need to sear a steak? Fast mode delivers full heat immediately. 

This feature gives you control over how heat is applied, just like gas, but smarter.

Built for Commercial Abuse

Heavy-duty kitchens need machines that keep going. 

This unit features:

• Twin cooling fans to prevent shutdown at high temps
• A 16.2 lb stainless steel body for countertop stability
• NSF certification for commercial durability

Control Freak’s Real-Kitchen Cooking Performance & Versatility

Specs on paper don’t matter unless they hold up in the kitchen. 

We tested the Control Freak through long shifts, delicate recipes, and high-heat applications. Here’s how it performs when real chefs push it.

Precise Frying & Sugar Work

Most burners struggle when cold food drops into hot oil…temps crash, and recovery takes time. Not here. The Control Freak reads surface temp 20 times per second, applies power instantly, and holds oil temp within ±2°F, even mid-fry.
The same control applies to candy-making, sugar syrups, and caramel—you get tight, repeatable results without burning or undercooking.

Delicate Sauce & Chocolate Melting

Emulsified sauces and chocolate are easy to ruin with uneven heat. With this unit, just select your temp (e.g., 110°F for chocolate), set the slow heat ramp, and watch it melt without splitting or scorching.
You don’t need a double boiler or guesswork. The Breville Control Freak handles it. Consistently.

Consistent Simmering & Sous Vide

Leave it on low heat for hours….your sauce won’t reduce too fast or crust. With probe control engaged, it holds broth, custards, or even water baths for sous vide within ±1.8°F. That’s restaurant-grade consistency for long, gentle cooking tasks.

High-Volume Cooking Durability

Long shifts and hot kitchens usually kill portable burners. The Control Freak’s twin cooling fans and stainless steel housing keep it running hour after hour…no thermal cutoffs or shutdowns.
Users report searing, deep-frying, and poaching all day without a hiccup.

What It Excels At:

• Deep frying
• Tempering chocolate
• Poaching and sauce holding
• Cooking custards
• Sous vide / slow simmering

This is a reliable kitchen tool that delivers control under pressure.

Pros and Cons of the Breville Control Freak Induction Cooktop

This portable induction burner is built for chefs who demand control and repeatable results. Whether you’re deep-frying, simmering sauces, or tempering chocolate, the Control Freak does what other burners can’t. 

But like any precision tool, it has trade-offs.

Why Chefs Love the Control Freak

Every feature here exists to solve a real kitchen problem…overheating, lack of control, inconsistent results. For those who rely on accuracy, these benefits matter daily.

• Precision unmatched by other induction cookers (±1.8°F accuracy)
• Probe-based control for ingredient temp, not just surface temp
• Programmable memory for saving and recalling temperature profiles
• Handles deep frying better than most consumer fryers
• Safe to use with flat-bottomed glass or ceramic pans
• Rock-solid stability (16+ lbs) for heavy cookware

Where It Might Fall Short

While it shines in control, it may not suit everyone. It’s designed for pros or enthusiasts, not casual cooks.

• Heavier than expected for a portable burner (over 16 lbs)
• Expensive upfront investment (typically ~$1,500)
• Only works with induction-compatible cookware
• Doesn’t support stockpots larger than 10″ in diameter

If you’re serious about cooking and demand accuracy above all else, the Control Freak is worth the splurge. For precision-based cooking, nothing else comes close.

Loving Breville Control Freak?

Breville Control Freak vs Other Pro-Level Induction Cooktops

With hundreds of induction cooktops available, it’s essential to know how the Breville Control Freak stacks up, especially when you’re paying top dollar. Here’s how it compares to two popular alternatives and even sous vide circulators, based on control, durability, and authentic cooking experience.

Breville Control Freak vs Duxtop 9600LS & Vollrath Mirage Pro

The Duxtop 9600LS and Vollrath Mirage Pro are go-to picks for home cooks and line kitchens. But neither comes close to the Control Freak’s temperature precision or ingredient-focused control.

• Control Freak offers nearly 400 precise settings (±1.8°F), while others provide limited presets.
• It includes probe cooking, which allows direct ingredient temp control—essential for sugar work, poaching, and emulsions.
• The fan cooling system on the Control Freak is designed for continuous commercial use, not just home use.
  

Breville Control Freak vs Sous Vide Circulators

Sous vide circulators are great for precision, but they’re limited to water baths. The Control Freak gives you the same ±1.8°F precision, but with the flexibility of open-pan cooking.

• Simmer sauces, melt chocolate, or deep-fry without switching appliances.
• You get more control over ramp-up heat, pan type, and multi-dish workflows.

Comparison Table

Tips to Get the Best Out of Your Control Freak

To make the most of the Breville Control Freak, a few small habits go a long way. Whether you’re using it for sauces, frying, or sous vide, precision depends on how well you handle the basics.

Here are some essential tips:

• Use cookware heavier than 2 lbs – Lightweight pans may not activate the surface sensor correctly.
• Avoid engraved pan bottoms – These can disrupt direct contact with the glass sensor.
• Use the probe clip properly – Make sure it’s fully submerged in oil, water, or sauce for accurate reading.
• Store your settings – Save frequently used temperatures under named profiles to save time.
• Clean smart – Rinse the probe and wipe the glass with a microfiber cloth after each use.

These steps will help you maintain accuracy, speed, and long-term reliability.

Final Take: If You’re Obsessed with Precision, This Cooktop Is For You

This isn’t a burner for reheating soup. The Breville Control Freak is for cooks who obsess over precision… those perfecting hollandaise, poaching eggs at exact temps, or deep-frying with zero sogginess. 

It gives you lab-grade control without kitchen compromise. Yes, it’s expensive. But it replaces trial and error with repeatable excellence.

👉 Ready to precision-cook like the pros? 

You Might Have These Questions About the Breville Control Freak Induction Cooktop