Induction cooktops are not as popular as conventional stoves. As a result, people have many different opinions about them. Some of them are often unfounded and largely absurd. The most common opinions are:
- induction heats up like a simple glass-ceramic surface, so what’s the point in overpaying;
- induction hobs are harmful to health;
- In addition to the induction panel, you need to buy special cookware;
- difficult to connect and cannot be installed above other household appliances, for example, an oven;
- unreasonably high price for the device.
Understanding how an induction hob works will help you understand which of this is a myth and which is reality and what the pros and cons are.
Operating principle
Induction cooktops are distinguished by the way they transfer heat to the cookware. Typically, in electric stoves, the burner heats up, transferring heat to the pot or pan sitting on it. With induction everything is different. The surface itself remains cold, but the bottom of the pan heats up directly. This is made possible by an induction coil located under the glass-ceramic surface. The coil creates a high-frequency magnetic field that heats the bottom of the metal cookware.
The induction operating principle of the hob provides minimal heat loss, while significantly reducing the heating time of pots and pans. In terms of heating speed, induction panels surpass even the “fastest” electric stoves with halogen heaters, and this advantage is difficult to dispute, since it can be easily compared.
On average, it takes 10-12 minutes to boil 2 liters of water on a regular electric stove. Induction ones solve this problem in 5-7 minutes, without spending more electricity. The “Fast heating” mode, which many models are equipped with, allows you to further speed up heating. By turning on the function, the power of the free burner will be transferred to the activated one, which will speed up the heating process.
Tests carried out by specialists have shown that induction hobs have the highest efficiency, which is close to 90%. For example, for a gas burner this figure does not exceed 65%, and for glass-ceramic burners it is 60%. The advantage of induction panels is not only the high heating speed, there are others.
Variety of designs and functions
Like classic cookers, induction cookers are available in different versions:
- Full-size - freestanding stove with oven and burners.
- The hob is a built-in panel that can be installed directly into the countertop.
- Portable - a mobile stove with one or two burners.
- Combined - equipped with both induction and classic burners.
Choose any option depending on your kitchen.
To make the cooking process even easier and more comfortable, manufacturers are not skimping and are introducing more and more additional functions, some of which may actually be useful.
- Booster (Booster or Power Boost) is a function of transferring power from one burner to another. You simply borrow a little power from a free burner for a while if you need to cook a dish very quickly. Almost all models are equipped with it.
- Quick Start - you turn on the stove and it automatically detects which burner has dishes on it.
- Keep warm mode - with this function enabled, you can leave cooked food on the stove without it getting cold.
- Timer with and without automatic shut-off - you set the cooking time, after which an alarm will sound and the burner will either turn off (automatic shut-off) or continue to work (without automatic shut-off).
- Safety shutdown - will work if liquid gets on the hob: all burners will automatically turn off.
- Adjusting power and temperature - you create optimal conditions for cooking specific dishes. Some cookers offer a choice of the appropriate cooking method, such as frying, boiling or stewing.
- Pause - If you need to be distracted for a short time, just press pause and do your thing. In this case, previously installed settings will not be reset.
When choosing a stove, pay attention to those functions that you really need. The more variations they offer, the higher the price will be. But will you use them all in practice?
Pros of induction cooktops
The good level of safety of the hob can be considered an advantage. The main qualities that make an induction hob safe:
- heating does not occur if there is no cookware on the burner;
- even with cookware, the edges of the burner will not be hot, which reduces the risk of accidentally getting burned;
- If splashes get on the panel during cooking, after removing the cooked food, you can immediately wipe the surface, since the burners will not be hot;
- food falling out of the frying pan will not start to burn and create smoke, and you won’t accidentally burn an oven mitt or kitchen towel;
- During the cooking process, you can conveniently place a spoon on the surface to stir the dish without fear that it will become hot, since small objects on the induction panel do not heat up.
The advantages include easy cleaning of the induction hob. You will not encounter the familiar problem of burnt fat when using this type of household appliance. Most dirt can be easily removed with a damp sponge, thanks to the perfectly smooth surface of the panel. Heavy contamination can be removed using similar actions as when cleaning a glass-ceramic stove using special products and devices. Do not use abrasive cleaning powders, sponges, or metal objects to remove dirt.
An induction hob has an advantage over other electric cookers in lower energy consumption. After all, the burner itself does not heat up and, as a result, energy consumption is low. Due to the lack of heating of the induction panel itself, another plus emerges. While cooking, the kitchen will not be as stuffy as when using conventional electric stoves.
The presence of preset programs in induction hobs will provide good assistance in preparing various dishes. The ability to adjust and smoothly regulate the temperature during the cooking process with an accuracy of one degree, coupled with a high heating rate, will allow you to solve many culinary problems.
There are models of equipment with induction heating in the form of a tabletop electric stove. Their small size is a definite plus for small kitchens. If necessary, the device can even be put away in a cabinet, freeing up work space. Also, thanks to its compact size, it is convenient to take an induction cooker with you to the country house or on a business trip.
Types of induction cookers
There are several types of induction cookers:
- Tabletop. These portable cooktops have one or two burners. A good option for small kitchens where you need to save space; and also at the dacha. Main advantages: mobility, multifunctionality, presence of a timer, maintaining a constant temperature, accelerated operation mode. The surface of the plates is glass-ceramic or tempered glass; such coatings are not destroyed by strong heat or impacts. A tabletop induction cooker is more economical than others, as it consumes much less current. In addition, its design cannot but please the eye, as it corresponds to modern trends and colors.
- Built-in. Such devices are appreciated by professional chefs and practical housewives. The stove is highly efficient, as it has 4 burners and an oven. The device has many temperature options, a timer, and cooking options. Built-in stoves are well suited for private houses, or in apartments with a large area.
- Combined. The whole secret is that two burners operate in induction mode, and the other two use electricity.
Cons of induction panels
Like most household appliances, in addition to their advantages, induction hobs have disadvantages that you need to know about before choosing. The main disadvantages are several things:
- when the hob is operating, a humming noise occurs, which can cause some discomfort to someone;
- heating does not occur if the radius of the dish is less than 6 cm, which causes inconvenience when using the panel, for example, it will not be possible to brew coffee in a Turk;
- The fragile glass-ceramic surface requires only careful and careful handling; accidentally dropping a heavy vessel can significantly damage the hob.
Quite a few disadvantages of induction panels are associated with three more things: harm to health, the need to use special cookware and the peculiarities of installing equipment.
Principle of operation
Externally, such a device looks standard for any built-in hobs. An induction hob, the pros and cons of which will be discussed below, has a smooth glass-ceramic surface, but there is no heating element underneath it. Electromagnetic coils are located under the burners. They are responsible for creating a magnetic field, which in turn provokes the occurrence of induced currents. Due to changes in the power lines, currents are formed that pass through the bottom of the dish and heat the food. This is the main feature of the induction cooker, because the hob itself does not heat up. Thanks to its operating principle, the burner transmits currents that heat only the dishes and the food located in them .
Heating occurs very quickly, and this is a big plus, since electricity consumption is minimal.
Another good feature of this type of cooker is that it has a unique safety feature. The manufacturer provides a minimum diameter of an object that can heat up. Most often it is 12 cm.
Is induction hob harmful to health?
There are a lot of reviews about the dangers of induction hobs. This is largely due to the non-standard heating principle and the lack of understanding of the operating principle of the stove by those who leave such reviews. Manufacturers and most experts assure that induction in hobs is not dangerous if the operating rules and basic common sense are followed. The low-frequency magnetic field created by the coil is no more harmful than the radiation of a mobile phone, but people with pacemakers should better refuse to choose an induction cooker or take extra care when moving at least 0.5 meters away from a working hob.
Reviews often write that induction irradiates the prepared food, making it harmful. The created magnetic field does not have a negative impact on the prepared products. For these reasons, high-quality induction hobs will not cause harm to your health. In normal models, the magnetic field does not extend beyond the body of the device by more than 30 cm, which is more than enough for comfortable cooking.
What is an induction cooker?
Induction cooker is the most innovative cooking equipment. The innovation lies in the fact that only the dishes heat up, the hob itself remains cold - this happens due to the electromagnetic field.
Undoubtedly, an induction cooker is the best option for housewives with small children, because the risk of burns is minimized. The device is much safer than stoves with glass ceramics or standard cast iron pancakes.
What cookware is suitable for induction hobs?
There is an opinion that if you choose an induction panel for your kitchen, you will have to change all the cookware to special ones. Actually this is not true. Instructional heating is possible if the dishes, or at least the bottom, are made of ferromagnetic alloys. Behind the obscure word lies the simple ability of pots and pans to interact with a magnetic field. You can check this, for example, with a refrigerator magnet. If it is magnetic to the bottom of the pan, it is suitable for an induction cooker.
Surely most of the dishes in your kitchen will be suitable. Suitable dishes from:
- cast iron;
- steel coated with enamel;
- of stainless steel.
For many, the inability to use ceramic and glassware can be a disadvantage. True, a minus can easily be turned into a plus, thanks to a special metal disk made of a ferromagnetic alloy. Using the disk is very convenient; for example, you can heat up stewed food right in the pot. As a result, the myth about special cookware for induction cookers is completely dispelled, but do not forget about the 6 cm radius mentioned for the cookware.
Installation and connection
In many ways, the disadvantage of the installation features and complexity of connecting an induction hob is exaggerated. Restrictions on placement are expressed in recommendations not to install the hob above an oven, dishwasher or washing machine. Also, it is better to initially design the kitchen so that the refrigerator is located at a distance from the hob, and not only because of the induction effect. Hot dishes near the refrigerator increase the temperature inside the chambers.
Another feature of the installation is the greater degree of care shown by the technician who will perform the work. The glass-ceramic surface is quite fragile and careless actions can ruin both the appearance and performance of the hob.
To connect the induction panel, experts advise connecting a separate power cable with a separate circuit breaker to the installation site from the electrical panel. For convenience, it is better to connect the wire to a separate outlet and connect the hob to it, rather than connecting directly. The seat in the countertop for the hobs is cut out with a jigsaw. It is worth sticking a “furniture edge” on the end cuts or treating them with silicone sealant. This measure will protect the chipboard countertop from moisture, which leads to swelling and destruction of the material.
The panel is carefully inserted into the resulting cutout, leveled using a level and secured using special fasteners, which usually come with hobs. When the equipment is built-in, you can turn it on and check the operation of the panel.
Criterias of choice
The kitchen stove is used very often, because everyone has meals several times a day, and if the family is large, then the time that the housewife spends at the stove is very long. That is why it is important to take into account all the nuances when choosing technology. Before purchasing a particular model, you need to check it for compliance with all the necessary parameters and criteria.
Before purchasing an induction cooker, you need to decide on the required dimensions and desired functions.
Of course, it is better to choose a unit that is convenient to use, easy to care for, and also economical to use. Induction hobs meet these requirements. For example, you can save energy by:
- instant heating;
- heat consumption only for heating food;
- functions of automatically turning off the stove after removing dishes from the surface.
Also, in accordance with individual wishes, you need to take into account the price category, appearance and characteristics of power and ease of use.
Useful tips for choosing
When choosing an induction hob, be sure to consider your personal needs. For example, if one person lives in an apartment, then his needs will be very different from the needs of a large family, and therefore the requirements for the hob will be completely different.
For a large family, large induction hobs are convenient, on which you can cook several dishes at the same time.
- You should start your choice by searching for information and choosing a specific house model. Only after this you need to go to the store, knowing exactly what you need.
- You first need to take measurements to understand what size the hob should be.
- If you don’t have utensils specially designed for such models at home, you can use any utensils, with the exception of glass, aluminum and ceramic. You can also purchase a specialized kit immediately upon purchase; stores often give discounts on them when purchasing equipment.
It is beneficial to purchase special dishes immediately when purchasing equipment. Stores often provide discounts on pots and pans to their customers.
If you have decided to purchase an induction furnace, then the recommendations from this article will help you make the right choice! When using new equipment, it is important to know all the features of its operation so that the cooking process is as convenient as possible. Before you start using it, you need to study all the characteristics, parameters and capabilities of the new unit!
Cost of induction hobs
The impressive price of induction panels can be a significant disadvantage for some, which will force them to refuse to choose a hob. True, if you look at it more broadly, then in the end the disadvantage of a high price will bring benefits over time due to lower electricity consumption by the device.
The price range varies from 15-17 to 100 or more thousand rubles. The cost of different models differs for many reasons. Brand awareness, country of manufacture, and the number of additional functions affect the price. As a result, it is possible to optimize purchasing costs. Give up the abundance of options, choose an unadvertised brand, and in the end you will acquire decent equipment that will make cooking simple and convenient, and also decorate the interior of the kitchen.
If you are currently choosing a hob for your kitchen, weigh all the pros and cons of induction hobs and decide whether it is right for you. In general, this panel has more advantages than disadvantages, but perhaps some negative aspects will be unacceptable to you. In this case, you can choose a decent option from other types of hobs that will triple you the most.
