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Connected Cooking by Candy: hOn Induction Hobs
High-Power Induction Meets IoT: A New Culinary Era
Integrating connectivity into large household appliances is now a strategic goal for Haier Europe. Under its umbrella, the Candy brand offers a smart blend: styling coordinated in Italy paired with power electronics and firmware developed in Asia. This hybrid design comes to life in the hOn induction hob range. The goal is not just remote control, but linking 7400 W of heating power to a global IoT ecosystem, turning a standard stove into a connected terminal.
Technical Architecture & Performance: The Silent /1 Revision
Upgrading to the CTPS63SCTTWIFI/1 brings deep changes to the internal layout. The chassis height goes from 55 mm to 60 mm, requiring a 56 mm cutout depth (up from 51 mm). This extra space optimizes airflow under the cooktop and houses a new power board, improving overall heat dissipation.
On the electrical side, the hob delivers a max load of 7400 W (around 32 A under 230 V), requiring a dedicated line with 6 mm² wires and a 32 A breaker. For older homes, the Power Management module limits total power to four levels: 2500 W, 3000 W, 4500 W, or 7400 W.
Technical Specifications of Cooking Zones
| Zone | Type / Size | Nominal Power | Booster Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Left | Rectangular (180 x 180 mm) | 2000 W | 2600 W |
| Rear Left | Rectangular (180 x 180 mm) | 1500 W | 2000 W |
| Twin Power (Left) | Flexible Zone (400 x 200 mm) | 2800 W | 3500 W |
| Front Right | Circular (280 mm Diameter) | 2500 W | 3500 W |
Connected Experience: hOn Protocols and Network Limits
Connecting the Candy hob relies on a dual-mode chip combining Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for initial handshake and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for status updates.
Connecting to the hOn app requires meeting strict network constraints:
- SSID (network name): no spaces or special symbols like `%` allowed.
- Password: limited to 32 characters.
This password limit protects the network module's buffer RAM. By optimizing string lengths, the microcontroller keeps resources free for vital tasks like monitoring heat sensors, avoiding crashes during cooking.
Real-World Use Case: Cloud Loops and Community Integrations
The app offers step-by-step recipes (Guided Cooking) and Hob-Hood syncing to adjust ventilation based on cooktop power. However, users face a major limitation: the lack of a local API.
The Critical Issue: The MQTT Control Loop
All actions go through a complex Cloud loop. Commands sent from the app use HTTPS to Haier Europe servers, then reach the hob via MQTT protocol. This dependency causes a latency of several seconds between tapping your phone and the actual heating response.
To bypass this, adding the Candy hob to Home Assistant through community integrations provides faster automation, helping sync the hood and centralize end-of-cooking alerts without Cloud lag.
Safety and Maintenance
Safety is managed directly by local firmware, featuring 10 protection levels (including overheat and overflow shut-off). In case of issues, the hob displays error codes:
- E1 / E2: abnormal supply voltage or sensor issue.
- E5: overheating of the IGBT sensor (check venting under the hob).
- F3 / F4: temperature sensor failure inside the heating coils.
Repairability is excellent, with easy access to the main Power Board for technician swaps.
Warranty and Long-Term Value
Candy offers a 10-year spare parts warranty, provided you register the product within 60 days of purchase. From years 2 to 10, only parts are covered; labor and technician call-out fees must be paid by the user (usually a flat fee of €160 to €200).
Our Verdict:
The Candy CTPS63SCTTWIFI/1 hob is physically well-engineered: power is stable, the Twin Power flexible zone is practical, and the new hardware revision (/1) improves heat management. However, we are less convinced by the software setup. Depending on a Cloud loop for cooking tasks adds unnecessary delay. It is great hardware, but its smart features would work better locally.