Sadly there are exceptions to every rule and sometimes a certain load presents problems. Sometimes it is worth investigating the problem, other times you have to opt out for changing the load or trying another generator.
Yes, for us changing out the generator with the new Honda "fixed" the problem. The electronics in my wife's induction range have programmable timers and outfits that control the temperature of the cooking vessel by varying the power to the litz coils. I think it is more of a sophisticated computer in that range than anything else. The control panel is all digital and touch screen. And it requires stable power.
Speaking of TV's, we also used to get horizontal lines and "fuzz" on our HDTV with the Generac. That is totally gone with the Honda generator. So there is a difference between generators, and both units were in the same price range (~$4,000).
I am convinced that a "bad" generator can cause damage to certain sensitive electronics. Most of these small generators are made for home standby power in the event of a grid power outage. They are built cheap so they put out "good enough" power, and are true standby units designed to run at 50% rated load. They are designed to only run once in a great while for a few hours.
Off-grid generators have to be rated for prime power applications at continuous full rated load, and that takes a different design generator head, and usually an engine that is de-rated from what the same engine would be rated at for standby power, so it can deliver over rated power for full surge load and still maintain proper voltage and frequency.
After having bad luck with our first generator I did a lot of research, and tried one, before we bought the Honda. The Honda is a true prime power unit, designed to run continuously at its full rated load.
There are some companies out there - Champion Power Equipment is one - that builds a small generator and gives it a 3,000 "running watt" rating and 3,500 "maximum watts". I have one of these too. However, it's maximum continuous power output is only 1,800 watts if you need nominal voltage and freq. It WILL put out 3,000 watts but the voltage is 10% under nominal and the freq is down to 54 Hz. It WILL deliver 3,500 watts surge, but it just about kills the engine to do it. That generator might work for portable power tools and so on, but it will not work for an off-grid system because the inverter will "spit it off" due to being out of spec from a simple thing like the 'fridge kicking in.
So for off-grid standby, with the different requirements from grid standby power, it is wise to try before buying to make sure you know what you're getting, otherwise you could end up being disappointed.
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Chris