What are induction cookers - pros and cons, technical characteristics and owner reviews

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.

Principle of operation

An induction cooker works on the principle of electromagnetic induction by physicist Michael Faraday - an electric current arises in a closed circuit after a change in the magnetic flux that passes through this circuit. We can say that an induction hob is a transformer.

Under the glass-ceramic panel there is an induction coil, under which an electric current flows.

The coil is the primary winding, the cooking utensil is the secondary winding, induction currents are sent to its bottom. This heats up the pans and pots, as well as the food in them. The glass-ceramic surface becomes hotter just from the dishes.

Since the efficiency of a gas stove is 60%, an electric stove is 50%, and an induction stove is 90%, it can be assumed that the latter cooks food faster. It is important to note that not all utensils are suitable for cooking - they must have ferromagnetic properties.

Induction hob pros and cons

The operating principle of an induction cooker is based on the property of induction heating.

I won’t hold your attention for long, many of us are not at all interested in how a mobile phone works, what’s important is that it rings.

It’s the same with the stove, as long as it cooks.

In a nutshell, this comes from the interaction of eddy currents that create a magnetic field; it heats the dishes, and at the same time the products that are there.

That is, something transmitted by a copper coil located under the hob rotates at enormous speed in the bottom of the pan and heats it with its energy.

The process will not begin without dishes; they are one of the most important and indispensable participants.

In the late 80s, the AEG company (then still a team from Germany, which later became part of the Swedish concern Electrolux) proposed a new product that would join the ranks of developments that were ahead of their time, but never took their rightful place in everyday life.

The popularization of induction cookers was facilitated by the chefs of fashionable restaurants, who had to observe the process of preparing dishes from their Western colleagues.

Then such surfaces appeared in their homes, in the homes of friends, and a little later in the homes of acquaintances, and off we go, users tried the new product and liked it.

The main argument against it was the rather high cost and small assortment; the number of models in Russian stores could be counted on one hand.

How to choose cookware for an induction cooker? Interesting facts and useful tips for you.

Which stove should I choose, electric or induction? Practical advice and practical recommendations.

Rational Europeans have long considered all the advantages of an induction cooker, for example, in France, 90% of buyers choose induction, in Russia this figure is still at 10%, a third of the market is for electric models and more than 50% prefer gas.

There is no doubt that induction panels are the technology of the future, extremely efficient, because only the dishes are heated, and this is important in the context of regular increases in electricity tariffs, and safe, the likelihood of burns is extremely low.

The photo shows a highly efficient induction hob with the “Flex” function, the key advantages of which are: 5 heating zones, intuitive controls and reduced cooking time.

You can find out more information about Gaggenau premium kitchen appliances on the website: https://www.gaggenau.com

One of the leading specialists of the Electrolux company, H. Otto, when asked to name an outstanding event in the field of household appliances, replied: “There cannot be two opinions, undoubtedly, the induction panel.”

Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of devices of this type, it is easy to see that there are still more of the former.

So, induction hob pros and cons.

• Economical.

Mathematics is an exact science, the efficiency of induction cookers is 90%, electric – 70%, gas – 50%, payment for electricity is directly dependent on its consumption, since energy is not spent on heating the surface, which means the efficiency of gadgets working on this principle , higher.

• Safety.

The likelihood of getting burned by accidentally touching a hot surface is minimized; only the dishes are hot.

How many women have jumped out of transport on the way to work, assuming that they forgot to turn off the stove or iron. Common situation?

The surface of the stove is heated by the cookware, that is, secondary heating takes place, and its temperature is low.

Just like other glass-ceramic surfaces, a residual heat indicator is installed on induction.

You don’t have to worry about the safety of your kids and your pets, who are always poking their noses wherever there’s a delicious smell.

• Save time.

Heating occurs instantly, immediately after activation, just like in gas stoves.

Some models have a special function (booster) that allows you to transfer power from one burner to another if, for example, you need to quickly bring a kettle or water to a boil for dumplings or pasta.

• Ergonomics.

In front of the heating zone there is a row of icons corresponding to modes and temperature ranges; it is possible to set the temperature to a degree, and it changes very quickly.

You can cook a large pot of compote, spending very little time, or simmer vegetables over low heat without fear that they will burn.

All models without exception have an automatic shut-off function if the water in the pan has boiled away and the container has become very hot.

Another convenience is the ability to use dishes of different diameters without thinking, as in the case of electric stoves, about the size of the burner.

• Environmentally friendly.

Due to the fact that the hob does not heat up, there is no release of excess heat into the atmosphere, and it is not hot in the kitchen.

• Purity.

Keeping your induction surface tidy is easy. Escaped porridge or milk is not baked because the surface is not hot.

As you can see, the list of advantages of an induction hob is quite extensive.

Some negative aspects cannot spoil the impression.

• 1. Such a stove cannot work quietly, noises of various types are heard, this can become an unpleasant surprise for the housewife. A strong hum is heard when working at high power, a whistle - if there is an empty dish on the stove, after you pour water into it, the sound will stop. Under the hob there is a fan designed to cool the unit; its noise will also not go unnoticed.
• 2. Special cookware (for more information about the nuances that need to be taken into account when purchasing pots and pans, read our article What cookware is needed for induction cookers?).

Only the natural intelligence of many of my friends kept them from making the characteristic gesture at their temples when they heard that we had decided to buy an induction cooker.

Knowing my love for cooking and all sorts of interesting kitchen gadgets (pots of different sizes, ladles, frying pans), we were surprised - all this beauty in the cold?

Do I need to completely change the dishes? I would like to dwell on this point in a little more detail.

The principle of induction suggests that you can use anything that has the property of being magnetized, and, therefore, metal pots and pans, welcome to a new life.

There is one thing here, special cookware works more efficiently.

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.

Induction hob disc

Induction cookers have another safety element that we haven't covered yet.

Logically speaking, does any metal object that hits the surface heat up? But no.

Manufacturers have established the minimum diameter of the container that the stove can recognize; it is 12 cm.

An ordinary Turk has a slightly smaller diameter, and in this case, how can I make coffee in the morning, despite the jumps in blood pressure, I can’t live without it?

Cunning capitalists also foresaw this moment; they came up with a disc adapter adapter for an induction cooker, this is a kind of metal pancake with a non-heating handle .

You can place a Turk or your favorite pan from the previous stove on the adapter for an induction cooker and get the desired result.

A significant increase in demand for induction cookers has generated supply in different price segments, and today high cost can no longer be a disadvantage of such equipment.

In the product line of many manufacturers, budget options occupy a significant place.

the installation of induction panels into furniture and connection to communications to specialists; there are special service departments at the stores of large retail chains.

Why can't you install an induction hob above the oven?

“You can’t” is a rather harsh wording, I would say “not recommended” not only over the oven, but also over other household appliances; there is a possibility that induction can cause interruptions in the operation of any equipment made of metal.

For the same reason, people who have a pacemaker should not use induction technology; in this case, it is better to choose another type of device.

Is an induction cooker harmful to health? Some opponents of induction cookers argue that devices whose operation is based on the principle of electromagnetic interaction are harmful to health.

Firstly, its level is negligible, and secondly, we spend much less time at the stove than when communicating on a mobile phone or working at a computer.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's look at the main advantages of induction cookers over gas and electric:

• Instant heating . Thanks to the electromagnetic field, only frying pans, pots and other utensils are heated in induction technology. You don’t have to be afraid to touch the stove with your hands, and if the soup runs away, it won’t stick to the hob so that it’s impossible to wipe it off with a sponge. Do not touch the burner on which food is being cooked, much less hot dishes.
• Efficiency . Induction cookers have high efficiency, because food is heated by as much as 90% of the total heat generated. This greatly increases work efficiency and reduces cooking time: the dishes heat up very quickly, and accordingly, the food also cooks faster. In terms of cooking time, gas and electric stoves are significantly inferior to induction.
• Economical energy consumption . Based on the fact that an induction cooker works faster than an electric cooker, you can understand that it consumes less electricity. The current is not consumed to heat the coil, but only to create a magnetic field in the induction coil.
• Automation . An important advantage of induction cookers is that the system works automatically: the burners heat up when pots or pans are placed on them. It is worth noting that the hob does not heat objects with a diameter below a certain parameter. This means that if you accidentally leave a spoon on the burner, the stove will not turn on. Induction cookers have many cooking programs and automatic adjustment of the desired temperature. If strong heating is required (for example, to boil water), you should choose a model with the Power Booster option. It will help the main burner attract the power of all the others.
• Touch control . Touch switches are a more technologically advanced and complex solution for a device; they look expensive and stylish. Their advantage is that they do not take up much space, and to control it you just need to touch the desired burner with your finger. Using the touch panel, you can intuitively guess how to adjust the temperature or cooking mode. The touch switches are easy to clean - since they are located under a glass-ceramic surface, they just need to be wiped with a damp cloth. Typically, touch-controlled hobs are equipped with a timer option, residual heat indicators, accidental start blocking and other useful functions.
• Embedding in a headset . An undoubted plus for any household equipment is the ability to integrate it into a set, because saving space and a neat interior never hurt anyone. Embedding an induction hob into furniture is very important for small kitchen spaces. You can install a drawer under the hob to store utensils.
• Easy care . The stove has a beautiful appearance and is easy to keep clean. If food falls on the hob, it will not burn; it will be enough to remove it with a soft cloth. For an induction cooker, you do not need to purchase special aggressive cleaning products - the panel can be wiped every time after cooking and the cooker will look like new.
• Safety . Due to the fact that the stove only turns on if you place the dishes on the burners, it is safe for both children and animals. In addition, the hob remains cold during cooking, which means that the risk of getting burned remains minimal. It is worth noting that there is no risk of inhaling harmful gas substances, as well as its leakage. An induction cooker will not allow you to start a fire, even if you forget to remove the frying pan from it.

Food cooked on an induction cooker is not radioactive, since the eddy currents generated during operation of the induction surface are limited from the person by the panel body. The impact of electromagnetic radiation becomes zero already at a distance of 30 cm from the surface of the stove, so its use does not harm human health.

Let's look at the main disadvantages of an induction cooker:

• Price. It's no secret that the cost of induction cookers is higher than gas or electric. Ordinary average buyers will not be able to afford such a device. However, it is worth noting that against the backdrop of an increase in prices during the crisis period, the difference in the cost of electric and induction cookers became minimal. The price depends on the built-in functionality, which can be abandoned in favor of new technology.
• Exposure to electromagnetic radiation . A large percentage of people’s refusal to innovate in the field of cooking is based on the opinion that the electromagnetic field has a bad effect on human health. Undoubtedly, when the equipment operates, a vortex magnetic field is created. But the harm from it is absolutely the same as when using a mobile phone. Manufacturers themselves claim that it is better for patients who wear pacemakers to stay half a meter away from the induction cooker , or not use it at all.
• Increased noise . Unfortunately, the induction cooker does not work silently - when cooking you can hear a humming noise, which appears due to the interaction of the induction coils with the cookware. This may irritate some cooks, but it is worth remembering that any cooking produces a certain amount of noise. Every year, household appliance manufacturers produce stoves with lower noise levels. There are also special dishes on sale with a perfectly flat bottom, which allows you to minimize buzzing. Of course, it is not cheap, but it eliminates the buzzing and also improves thermal conductivity.
• Increased requirements for dishes . When purchasing an induction cooker, it is important to consider that not all cookware is suitable for it. For heating from a magnetic field to occur, pans and pans must have ferromagnetic properties. As a rule, ceramics, glass and aluminum definitely do not have them. If the aluminum pan has a mixture of copper or steel, it can be used on an induction cooker. Another option is to buy removable attachments for the bottom of the cookware, these can be purchased at any store that sells stoves. To find out whether a dish is compatible with a magnetic field, simply hold a magnet close to it. If it attracts you, you can safely buy it.
• Automatic shutdown . Quite a few models have a function that turns off the burner after three hours. When buying a stove with induction technology, it is important to take this point into account if you plan to simmer jam, broth, or, for example, jellied meat over low heat for a long time.
• Impossibility of installation above household appliances . Manufacturers of hobs do not recommend installing the stove above other built-in metal appliances. Thus, the equipment cannot be installed even above an oven, dishwasher, or microwave.

Induction electric stove: pros and cons

A stove is a household appliance that is used every day, so it is extremely important to know whether an induction stove is harmful to health because it uses inductive coils instead of a heater? Products cooked on an induction cooker practically do not change their properties, since the device does not emit “harmful” radiation.

Let's look at what other advantages of this device are:

• The operating efficiency of an induction cooker is higher than that of traditionally used cookers. The efficiency when heating it is 90%, despite the fact that for a gas stove the figure is 60%, for a glass-ceramic stove it is less than 50%, and for an electric stove it is even 30%;
• the cooking process begins immediately after placing the dishes on the stove, so less time is spent;
• an induction cooker consumes significantly less electricity, which means it is more economical;
• the electrical device heats the bottom of the pan, not the stove, so if food particles get on the panel during the cooking process, they do not burn and are easily eliminated;
• there is no release of excess heat, so the room does not become hot;
• The cooker has more adjustment modes than traditional cookers. This allows, for example, to quickly boil water or slowly simmer a second dish;
• The stove does not function without utensils. If the pan is removed, the device automatically turns off;
• caring for the stove is extremely simple and consists of wiping its surface with a napkin or soft sponge;
• The household appliance is completely safe. It is impossible to get burned as a result of contact with the panel, which is especially important if the family has small children or pets;
• modern design makes the stove not only a functional appliance, but also a stylish piece of kitchen design.

Comparison of induction and electric cookers

Based on the above table, we can conclude that a modern induction cooker is a choice in the direction of convenience, safety and functionality.

Of course, an electric hob is also suitable for use, but it will not save the time and patience of housewives as much as an induction cooker will.

Why do we choose induction cooker?

“Induction” appeared on the kitchen equipment market relatively recently. At first, (European) ordinary consumers were wary of them, and the prices were too high.

Restaurateurs were the first to appreciate such stoves . In large restaurant kitchens, where stoves must operate in different modes all day long, it is the induction stove that has proven to be the most suitable, functional and convenient.

Experts say this technology is the future.

Working principle of induction electric cooker

This is an electric stove with induction burners . Without going into the physical subtleties of the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, let's say that an induction electric stove allows you to heat the bottom of a pot or pan, unlike conventional stoves, where the burner itself is heated first.

Cookware with magnetic properties, placed on the burner and covering at least 70% of its area, starts the heating process. There are no dishes on the stove - the stove does not heat up.

Let's talk separately about operating mode . It allows you to “transfer” power from one burner to another when you need, say, to quickly bring water to a boil in one of the containers on the stove. In other words, this is a function of intense heating of one of the burners for several minutes. Implemented in almost all modern induction electric stoves.

Popular manufacturing brands

Induction hobs are most often available in four-burner versions.

However, in a variety of household appliance stores, you can find devices with one, two, three, or five burners. There is also equipment with a WOK burner; it can be a separate element of an induction cooker.

All of the above equipment can be found from different companies:

• In the household appliances market, the most popular manufacturers of induction cookers are the German company Bosch. The company has the largest number of positive reviews and thanks.
• Electrolux is the second most popular brand. The cost of the company’s induction equipment practically does not differ from the prices of the sales leader.
• Hansa induction cookers also received positive reviews . These are the most affordable hobs, priced from 13 thousand rubles.
• In addition to the above, in Russia you can purchase induction cookers from AEG, Whirpool, Neff, Gorenje, Siemens, Samsung , etc.