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.
Advantages
- The main feature and also the advantage of induction panels is that the burner turns on only when a pot or frying pan is placed on it . As soon as you remove the dishes, the stove turns off. It is very convenient and economical. There is no unnecessary energy consumption. Although it is worth remembering: you need special cookware for induction burners.
- The heating rate is significantly higher than that of conventional stoves with heating elements. One and a half liters of water can be boiled on an induction burner in 3-4 minutes, and on a standard electric stove - in 13-14 minutes.
- There is no heat leakage past the cookware, which means that the efficiency of induction cookers is higher than that of electric cookers with conventional heaters and much higher than that of gas ovens.
- In order for the burner to turn on, you need to cover more than half of its area with dishes. This means that a spoon, fork or any other small metal object accidentally placed on its surface does not heat up.
- The surface of an induction cooker does not get very hot just from the hot cookware standing on it. The risk of getting burned is sharply reduced.
- An induction panel is able to maintain the temperature of the cookware more accurately than other types of cookers (accuracy up to 1 degree).
- The burners have a wide range of heating power (from 50 to 3500 W). A large number of programs allow you to smoothly change this indicator. There is also a “booster” function, the meaning of which is to transfer power from one burner to another.
- The glass-ceramic surface of the stoves looks very aesthetically pleasing and will certainly decorate the interior of the kitchen. A similar hob built into a kitchen unit looks especially modern and stylish.
- A big plus of induction hobs is the easy cleaning of glass ceramics and the absence of unpleasant odors. Thanks to the low operating temperature, nothing burns on the surface of the panel. Typically, these surfaces are free of hardened and charred contaminants from oils and other food residues.
Any dirt on the glass-ceramic surface can be removed simply with a soft, damp cloth. Compared to cleaning the grates of gas stoves from cinders and burnt food particles, caring for a glass-ceramic panel is simply an easy and pleasant task.
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.
Criteria for choosing an induction hob
When considering which model to choose, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- built-in or free-standing (dependent or independent);
- shape and size;
- functions;
- design;
- price.
Freestanding - these are usually compact, independent, portable stoves with one or two burners. They are convenient to use in rented housing, in the country or during renovations. Their advantage is that they can be placed on a table in any room. There are also full-size freestanding models connected to the oven, but they are not very popular. It is better to pay attention to built-in independent panels, in which the hob is “recessed” into the countertop. Their range is much more diverse. You can choose the best option for a kitchen of any size, configuration and design, taking into account all the features of the interior.
The shape of a built-in independent hob can be rectangular, square or hexagonal. Dimensions range from a small 30x30 panel to a huge block more than a meter wide. Choose the number and location of burners that is optimal for your family. For one person, two are more than enough, but for a large family it is better to choose four or even six.
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.
Functions of induction hobs
When choosing a kitchen assistant, special attention should be paid to the number of functionalities. And decide which of them are needed and which are not, since the cost will greatly depend on this. Here are the most basic of them:
- the presence of both induction and heating element burners (combined stoves) - for those who do not want to part with their favorite cookware;
- induction burners of different diameters: a wide frying pan requires a large area, a coffee pot needs a small area, consider the size of your cookware (there are models with an expansion zone that allows you to use cookware of different sizes on one burner);
- panel locking – protects against accidental switching on of the device (relevant if there are small children in the house);
- protective shutdown - triggered if liquid spills on the panel;
- timer with sound signal – allows you to set the cooking time, the stove will turn off after a specified period of time;
- heat indicator - will show when the burner has cooled down and you can touch it without fear of getting burned;
- multi-stage temperature control – will allow you to cook different dishes in different modes;
- indicator of the presence of filled dishes - the panel without dishes or with an empty pan will not turn on;
- automatic shutdown if the hob is not used for some time;
- PowerBoost – the ability to increase the power of a burner up to 50% at the expense of the adjacent one (for maximum heating);
- maintaining heat - allows the prepared dish to remain hot for a long time (relevant if all family members come home at different times);
- “induction without boundaries” - there are no clearly marked boundaries, but only a cross, which allows you to easily position the dishes correctly;
- pause – the ability to turn off the hob for a short time (if you need to leave urgently).
It should be noted that such a rich set of functions is not found in any other type of kitchen stove; many consider these advantages to be decisive when choosing the type of hob. Older people consider a large set of functions to be a disadvantage, but the interface of modern independent hobs is as simple and clear as possible.
TOP 3 Electrolux induction hobs
- Electrolux EHH 96340 XK
- Electrolux EHH 56340 FK
- Electrolux EHF 96547 XK
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.
Is induction safe in the home?
There is a hypothesis that the magnetic field adversely affects human health. But the mechanism of operation of induction cookers is not clear to all ordinary people, so concerns about safety are understandable. And this opinion is not without foundation: when an induction cooker operates, a vortex magnetic field is created, theoretically it can be dangerous for people wearing pacemakers; these features should be taken into account and consult a doctor. It may be worth choosing non-induction kitchen appliances.
But manufacturers claim that such a field in their devices is low-frequency and is not capable of harming human health. In addition, eddy currents are limited by the body of the device, and already at a distance of 30 centimeters from it, the effect of the magnetic field is zero. In any case, the harm from stove radiation is no greater than from a mobile phone or computer.
And claims that food cooked on such a hob has harmful properties is nothing more than a myth. Magnetic radiation does not in any way affect the properties, taste and structure of the prepared food; an induction hob is in no way inferior to the good old gas stoves in terms of the quality of the prepared dishes. And if you compare the pros and cons of these devices, gas and electric hobs are inferior in all respects.
TOP 3 MAUNFELD induction hobs
- MAUNFELD EVI 292-BK
- MAUNFELD EVI 594-BK
- MAUNFELD MVI 59.4HZ.2BT BK
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.
Choosing dishes
If you decide to purchase an induction hob, you need to take care of suitable cookware that has ferromagnetic properties. You don’t need to look for it in special stores; the main requirement is that a magnet be attracted to the bottom. You cannot place copper, aluminum, glass, ceramic, or porcelain products on an induction hob. And utensils made of cast iron, stainless steel, even white enameled ones are quite suitable.
If you are in doubt about which pan is best to buy, take a magnet to the store: if it attracts, it means it’s suitable. Also pay attention to the diameter of the bottom (it must correspond to the size of the burner) and the thickness of the bottom (optimally - from 2 to 6 mm). Nowadays there are cookware suitable for induction panels on sale. It is indicated by special symbols.
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.
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.
Advantages and disadvantages of induction panels
Like any other appliance, an induction hob has its pros and cons.
Advantages:
- High heating rate compared to all other types of hobs. The efficiency reaches 90% (for comparison, for a gas stove this figure is 60%).
- Significantly lower energy consumption than traditional electric stoves. To create a magnetic field, much less current is required than to heat the coil.
- Perhaps the most important advantage is safety compared to electric and gas hobs. It is impossible to get burned on it, and there will be no fire if you accidentally forget to turn it off. The surface cools down in just a minute.
- Easy to care for. You don’t have to worry about spilling something on the surface – it can be easily wiped off with a soft cloth.
Flaws:
A feature that often scares away buyers from an induction hob is that it cannot be used with aluminum or glass cookware, or placed above built-in appliances made of metal (for example, an oven). Another important drawback is the high price compared to analogues, as well as expensive repairs in case of problems (although if you use the device correctly, it will last for many years). These disadvantages prevent modern kitchen appliances from displacing conventional gas and electric stoves.
TOP 3 Bosch induction hobs
- Bosch PUE631BB1E
- Bosch PIF672FB1E
- Bosch PIE631FB1E
