Induction cooktops have grown in popularity within the past decade due to their instant heating capability and energy-saving potential. Induction technology uses spinning magnets to transfer the heat directly to the cooking utensil, without heating the cooktop surface. Induction cooktops seem to have the potential to become the preferred cooking device type in both commercial and home kitchens.
How Does Induction Hob Work
Induction cooking uses a high-frequency electromagnet that produces a magnetic field under a ceramic glass surface when the appliance is turned on. The heat is delivered into the pan while the ceramic glass surface remains cool. When placed over a magnetic field, a ferromagnetic piece of cookware heats up. The heat generated within the utensil cooks the food in it. Since energy is concentrated on the cookware and transferred to the food, the cooking process is fast, safe, and cost-effective.
Benefits of Induction Cooking:
- Fast heating: The pot heats up instantly which can cut cooking times in half.
- Safety: There are no flames. Since the heat is generated only into the cookware, you can touch the cooktop surface without the risk of burning yourself. There is also no risk of gas leakage.
- Energy savings: Induction cooktops heat directly into the pot, which efficiently saves energy.
- Cleaning: Cleaning is easy because there is no burnt food in the pan or liquids spilled onto the cooktop surface.
- Low-fat meals: The food doesn’t stick on the cooking surface, allowing for low-fat cooking.
- Eye-appealing design: Induction cooktops look sleek and beautiful and perfectly fit into modern kitchen decor.
- Instant heat control: Induction ranges respond much faster to changes in temperature settings. The pan heats up fast or cools down immediately once you dial the temperature.
Drawbacks:
- Induction stoves are more expensive than other cooking surfaces.
- Induction cooktops only work with induction-compatible cookware.
- Some brands of induction cookware can make a humming noise when in use. Swiss Diamond company claims that their induction-ready line never produces a buzzing sound thanks to a unique manufacturing process.
- Once the glass surface is scratched, it cannot be repaired.
- An induction cooktop requires a dedicated 220V electrical circuit.
What Types of Cookware Are Compatible With Induction Cooktops?
Induction-compatible cookware must be made from metal that supports a magnetic field. Utensils for induction cooking are usually made of cast iron, enamel-coated cast iron, a magnetic alloy of stainless steel, or any ferromagnetic metal.
Induction-compatible pots and pans also must have a flat bottom. The button that is not perfectly flat would reduce the surface area that comes in contact with the cooktop. Consequently, this will reduce the efficiency of the entire cooking process.
Cookware made from copper, aluminum, or glass will not work on induction cooktops since these materials are non-magnetic.
How to Determine if Your Cookware is Induction-Ready?
The most common method to determine if your pan is induction-friendly is to perform the magnet test. Place a magnet on the bottom of your cookware. If the magnet sticks to the base, the pan works with an induction cooktop. The newer cookware utensils have an induction symbol on the packaging or on the bottom to indicate compatibility with induction cooktops.
How to Use a Non-Induction Cookware with an Induction Cooktop?
To be able to use your existing non-ferrous cookware with an induction cooktop, you need to purchase an induction converter disc. When placed on the induction cooktop, the Induction Converter Disc becomes a hot cooking surface. You can then place a non-magnetic piece of cookware on the hot disk and cook the same way you cook on an electric stovetop.
