Induction cooktops are revolutionary cooking devices. They help to cook food faster and better. According to reports, the global market for induction hobs was $11.1 billion in 2020.
Are you planning to start cooking on an induction stove, but have no idea how it works? Here is some information about an induction hob and whether induction is a good choice for your kitchen or not.
What is induction cooking?
There are three types of heating elements for kitchen appliances:
- Gas (like a traditional stove)
- Electricity (usually in the form of metal coils)
- Induction
Each type of cooking medium heats and cooks your food but in a different way. For example, an induction cooktop provides scrumptious cooking without any dangerous open flames or hot plates.
Induction cooking involves running a current through a coil of copper wire within the base unit of an induction hob. The resulting magnetic field causes the particles to heat up. Most modern cookware is compatible with this cooking medium because it involves temperature through an electric current and not through heat from gas or electricity.
Which utensils can be used with induction?
To use an induction hob, you need induction-compatible cookware. Most pots and pans are electric stovetop safe but should have a flat bottom. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- The surface of your particulars needs to be made of metal. This includes stainless steel, cast iron, copper, or aluminum. If you use particular items with a non-metallic material, such as glass or ceramic, the stove will not detect it, and it will not heat up. If you have a flat stovetop, the ideal pot or pan should be about 3mm to 4mm thick.
- If you buy new appliances, make sure your pots and pans are compatible with induction stovetops. You can only use induction pans on an induction hob. Try not to use them on standard cooktops.
- Larger pans may not heat as intensely as smaller ones, so it’s a good idea to keep pots and pans between 10 and 12 inches or smaller for best results.
- In some cases, the enamel on your parts can be scratched if you use extremely high heat. This can damage your food or make your pots and pans non-functional.
What are the advantages of using an induction stovetop?
Compared to other types of stoves, induction cooking provides several advantages:
1. You can cook faster
Most induction burners heat up in minutes and bring a pot of water or oil to a boil. When cooking something particularly greasy like bacon, the non-stick properties of many induction-compatible pots and pans make cleanup much more effortless.
2. They are safer to use
Induction burners are one of the safest types of cooktops around. Since there are no open flames or hot plates, you don’t have to worry about burning yourself if you accidentally brush against a hot surface. In addition, it is safer to touch an induction stovetop when it is turned off.
3. They are energy efficient
The heat coming from the burner only affects the particulars of the particulars sitting on top, not your entire kitchen or home. It means you save a lot of energy by heating just one pot. Induction is designed to cook food very quickly. Therefore, if you compare the cooking time in induction with the cooking time on a gas stove, you will notice that food on induction cooks faster.
4. They are easy to clean
Almost all induction stoves are flat and smooth, so many types of dirt and spills are easily wiped with a damp cloth or paper towel. It makes it easy to keep your fireplace looking pristine.
Induction cooktops are beneficial for every home. They help to reduce cooking time as well as energy consumption. If you can buy particular items that favor induction, then your experience of cooking on induction will increase.
