Pros and cons of induction hobs: how the devices operate and a review of popular models

Distinctive features

The induction panel is a new generation kitchen stove . Essentially, this is the same electric hob, the only difference is the heating principle. You can cook any food on it, with the exception of oven dishes.

Induction cookers operate on a standard 220 W network . The power of the device for 4 burners is maximum 7 kW.

Manufacturers offer a large selection of models with both basic functionality and advanced options.

Safety rules when working with an induction cooker

An induction furnace is an electrical device and, accordingly, its operation must be carried out in accordance with safety measures for working with electrical appliances.

1. The connection must only be made to a network that meets the requirements specified in the operating instructions.
2. It is unacceptable to cover the panel through which the internal cavity of the device is ventilated.
3. The equipment must be protected from moisture entering the housing.
4. Cleaning and maintenance of an inductive device can only be carried out after disconnecting the device from the electrical network.

By following these tips, you can easily use your induction hob and it will last for a long time.

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Principle of operation

In traditional stoves and hobs, the heat source is a gas burner or an electric heater.

They transfer heat to the cookware, thereby heating its contents. The body of the stove itself often gets hot.

During induction cooking, only the bottom of the cookware heats up . The burner itself does not participate in heat exchange. The heat is supplied from an induction coil, which is located directly under the glass-ceramic coating.

Thanks to the small heating zone, the device consumes little electricity compared to electric stoves. During long-term use, housewives note significant energy savings.

Almost all modern panels are equipped with the option of automatic recognition of dishes.

As soon as the pan is removed from the burner, the appliance turns off . Accordingly, electricity consumption stops.

Also, the device will not work without utensils . For comparison, on gas and electric hobs, an empty burner works and heats up.

Types of devices

Induction panels practically do not differ in appearance. The key characteristics for buyers are the power of the device and the number of burners.

There are options for 1-2 burners, which are purchased mainly for the garden or for occasional use . There are models with 3-5 burners for large families.

The working surface of induction cookers is made of glass ceramics, with rare exceptions. This is an expensive, high-strength material that is not afraid of high temperatures and retains its original appearance for many years.

There are 4 types of hobs:

1. Built-in is a classic type of hob that is mounted into the kitchen countertop. The range allows you to select a device in accordance with the parameters of the furniture.
2. Portable - a portable option for 1-2 burners. To use, simply install the device on a flat surface and plug it into a power outlet. Such models are much cheaper than built-in panels. They are suitable for the garden, as well as for people who do little cooking at home.
3. Combined - the device has induction and electric (gas) burners. They cost 2-3 times more than pure induction models with similar functions, and are almost not in demand.
4. Without burners - the newest models that do not have separate burners. The device automatically recognizes the area where the dishes are placed. It is possible to use two or more pans at the same time with the ability to individually adjust the parameters for each of them.

Manufacturers are also introducing additional functions. They do not affect the quality of the dishes, but make the cooking process more comfortable.

Useful additional options:

• Power Boost is an accelerated heating function available on almost all models.
• Quick Start - the device automatically detects which burner the cookware is on.
• Keep warm mode - the finished dish can be left on the stove without it getting cold.
• Timer - allows you to set the cooking time and go about your business.
• Safety shutdown - if liquid is spilled on the surface, the device turns off.

Innovative features of the induction cooker:

Innovation is the feature responsible for popularizing plates made using induction technology . They are amazingly comfortable and can be tailored to suit your needs. Knowing the features offered will make it easier for you to choose the perfect stove for your family.

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It is worth paying attention to the slider-type touch controls, separate for each field, which are more intuitive and useful in everyday use. The hob can be integrated with a hood - the ventilation turns on when you start cooking. You're used to automatic programs in ovens, but you can also find them in cooktops.

For example, modern cooktops from Franke and Mythos have 3 automatic programs, such as defrosting (42°C), keeping warm (70°C), cooking potatoes or pasta (94°C). In addition, there are functions such as boost (increases the power of the burner for 10 minutes), pause (stop and extinguish) and high power zones that can be used for cooking in large pans.

Device structure

There are no protruding elements on the surface of the induction hob. All working units are hidden under a glass-ceramic coating.

The device structure includes the following elements:

1. The induction coil is the main element of the hob and is responsible for heating the cookware. Located under each burner.
2. Control panel - with its help you can adjust the temperature and heating power, as well as set additional settings.
3. Temperature sensor - is responsible for the correspondence between the set and actual temperature.
4. Insulating heat conductor - protects nearby equipment from heating. Found in almost all modern models.

Pros of induction cooktops

Many buyers are still skeptical about induction cooktops.

The device speeds up food preparation and fits perfectly into the interior of any kitchen.

Manufacturers offer various design solutions; you can always choose a device to match the style of your kitchen set.

Advantages:

• Instant heating - in terms of the speed of boiling water, induction cookers surpassed their gas and electric counterparts.
• Efficient operation - fast heating, automatic pan recognition, timer and other functions make the cooking process easier.
• Energy savings - induction models have energy consumption class A. Although the power of induction and electric stoves is the same, energy savings are achieved due to rapid heating.
• Touch control - instead of the usual rotary switches, an electronic display is provided. To change the mode, just press the desired button, or slide your finger along the scale left/right (slider control).
• Easy care - to maintain cleanliness, just wipe the surface with a damp sponge without aggressive detergents. There are no protruding elements on the panel, so grease and dirt do not accumulate anywhere.
• Bridge function - on many models, you can combine two burners into one, and for a specified time they will work synchronously. This allows you to cook food in non-standard dishes (duck pan, roaster).
• The air does not heat up - during operation of a gas or electric appliance, the air temperature in the room rises, especially in summer. The induction hob only heats the bottom of the cookware.
• Safety - the working surface practically does not heat up during operation, so it is impossible to get burned if you accidentally touch it. Also, many models have a locking function, which is important for families with small children.

Problems

Cookers using induction heating technology have not been in demand for a long time in the household appliances market. And the reason is not only the high price, but also myths and prejudices.

Harm to the human body

The opinion that the technology underlying the operating principle of the equipment can cause harm to the human body. People were afraid that the magnetic field created during work would affect internal organs. In order to destroy the false opinions that have developed regarding induction panels, manufacturers compared the power of the resulting fields from this device and from a household hair dryer, which housewives use quite often.

The results were incredible. The hairdryer creates a field with an indicator of 2000 micro Tesla, and the hob - 22 micro Tesla - this is almost 10 times less! The strength of such a magnetic field cannot affect human health in any way!

Turning on the stove from any metal object

People believe that any metal object can cause the burner to turn on and will heat up. This statement is not true.

As already mentioned, for work you need dishes that can be attracted by a magnet, but not all metal kitchen appliances have such qualities.

The sensors built into the slab design are set to a minimum diameter of 8-12cm. If the area of ​​the heated surface is less than this indicator, then heating will not occur.

Metal objects under the stove heat up

It is a misconception that the installation of a built-in panel cannot be above other devices or any metal surfaces.

Yes, the electromagnetic field created, in theory, leads to heating of objects on the surface and below it. This statement took place at a time when induction cookers were just beginning to be produced.

Modern models are equipped with a magnetic heat sink located at the bottom of the hob body. Its purpose is to block the penetration of magnetic fields through the lower part of the case.

Therefore, today manufacturers produce combined models with ovens and those designed for installation in kitchen furniture above dishwashers or other equipment.

Cons of induction cooktops

Many users prefer induction hobs due to their fast heating time . But before purchasing, it is recommended to consider some nuances.

First of all, the house or apartment must have new wiring.

An induction cooker is a powerful device, and old wiring may simply not withstand the load.

There are objective disadvantages that you should familiarize yourself with before purchasing equipment.:

• Cost - the average price of an induction panel is 3-5 times higher than the cost of gas and electric appliances. Not all consumers can afford such a new product.
• Increased noise - especially when the device is operating at maximum power.
• The impact of electromagnetic radiation - its effect on the body has not been fully studied. But it is possible that unpleasant consequences will make themselves felt in a few decades.
• Requirements for cookware - due to the specific nature of the induction panel, special cookware with ferromagnetic properties is required. Often the housewife has to change her arsenal of pots and pans, and this is an extra expense.

TEST No. 6: cooking rice on autopilot

We check the preset cooking mode - cook a handful of rice.

Place the saucepan on the panel, select the “Rice” cooking mode, the display shows an operating power of 1000 W. The water boils quickly, and after a while it begins to seem to me that I urgently need to turn down the heat. But then everything calms down, and the rice begins to behave very quietly, gradually swelling.

Then the situation escalates again, but here we decide that it’s time to check the readiness, and it turns out that the rice is cooked. Turn off the heating.

The entire preparation took about 5 minutes.

Rating of the TOP 5 best models

The best induction cooktops

Almost all manufacturers of household appliances have induction hobs in their range. Below are the characteristics and features of models from popular brands.

Electrolux IPE 6453 KF

The hob made in Sweden is popular among buyers . Powerful device for 4

burners.

This model provides slider control - modes are adjusted using a scale on the control panel.

The noise during operation is almost unnoticeable, with the exception of Boost mode.

pros

• Neat appearance.
• Compact dimensions.
• Child lock function.
• Convenient slider control.
• Automatic shutdown in case of liquid spill on the work surface.
• Timer for each burner.
• Can be used together with a special hood.
• Function of combining two burners.

Minuses

• The fan makes a lot of noise during heating.

Bosch PUE612FF1J

Stylish white hob with 4 burners . Intuitive controls

The touch panel is located at the front of the device.

Despite the white color, the surface is easy to keep clean.

Just wipe it with a damp sponge; you can do this right while cooking.

pros

• Very fast heating.
• Instant response to temperature changes.
• Timer with auto shut off.
• It works almost silently.
• Residual heat indicator.
• Convenient control panel.
• Protection from children and animals.

Minuses

• High price.
• Due to the low power, it is impossible to operate all burners at the same time.

Bosch PIF645FB1E

Modern four-burner hob for the family . Black color matches any

room design.

The model is equipped with a metal frame along the entire perimeter.

If liquid spills during cooking, it will not spread beyond the stove.

A burner with an oval extension makes it possible to use roasting pans, roasting pans, fish frying pans and other non-standard cookware.

pros

• Quick response to mode changes.
• Clear controls.
• Fast heating.
• Auto shut-off function.
• Timer for each burner.
• It works almost silently.
• Easy care.
• Wide temperature range.

Minuses

• High price.
• Some dishes leave marks on the surface.
• The slightest scratches and drips are noticeable on the black surface.

Beko HII 64400 ATX

The modern four-burner panel includes 9 heating levels . You can always

choose the optimal mode for each dish.

At the front of the panel there is a touch screen for controlling the device.

The turbo heating function ensures instant boiling of water.

pros

• Acceptable price.
• Clear controls.
• Child protection.
• Auto shut-off function.
• Burners for different diameters of dishes.

Minuses

• Common switch for all burners.

Weissgauff HI 641 BS

Stylish four-burner hob for the family . The working surface is made of

glass ceramic, black.

If something spills, you don’t need to worry about burning and long cleaning of the panel.

It is enough to walk with a damp sponge even without detergents.

Slider control allows you to adjust modes by moving your finger to the right/left.

pros

• Instant boiling of water.
• Affordable price.
• Several power levels allow you to choose the optimal mode.
• Intuitive controls.
• Accurate adherence to the set temperature.
• Sensitive sensor.

Minuses

• It is not possible to use all hotplates at the same time.
• After 1.5 hours the panel automatically turns off due to overheating.
• There is no key lock indicator.

Tips for choosing the optimal stove

If you decide to try out the benefits of an innovative approach to cooking, then recommendations on how to choose an assistant will help.

What to look for and how not to make mistakes when buying an induction cooker for the kitchen:

1. Manufacturer.

   The quality and reliability of the product largely depends on the manufacturer. The price of their products is much higher, so to save money you can choose stoves from lesser-known brands.

2. Number of burners.

   This indicator is purely individual; for some, one hob is enough, but for culinary specialists, even 4 will not be enough.

   There are combination-type induction cookers that combine several types of heating for simultaneous use.

   It is important to remember that the more burners, the more expensive the product will be and will take up more space in the kitchen.

   For a family of one or two people, a hob with two heating zones is sufficient. The larger the family, the more burners there should be on the induction hob. Some models are equipped with an enlarged heating zone, allowing you to place several pans in it.

3. Temperature regime.

   The peculiarity of cookers based on electromagnetic induction is that it helps to accurately set the temperature and maintain it until the end of cooking.

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   The more modes the appliance has, the more interesting it becomes to prepare dishes; for example, you can achieve different degrees of roasting and caramelization. The best option for a family would be a stove with 16 settings; more powerful settings are reserved for a professional kitchen.

4. Additional functions.

   The touch display and the presence of a turbo heating mode make creating culinary masterpieces more efficient and comfortable.

   Models with a timer, auto-start after a time and saving settings for certain recipes are also sold. For each additional feature of the equipment, you will have to pay extra, so you need to think about the requirements for the stove and your budget in advance.

5. Design.

   Modern induction hobs are made of capricious glass-ceramics (and this is one of their disadvantages), but some models are made of more expensive tempered glass, which looks very stylish and exclusive, while being extremely practical to use.

   The design of the stove is designed in a high-tech style, and the hob in black, gray or white, often decorated with fancy patterns or ornaments, fits into any interior, giving it warmth and comfort. Heating zones are indicated by circles, ovals or polygons of different sizes.

When choosing the optimal model of an induction hob, you often come across an accessory such as a stove adapter. This device will be extremely useful when using any type of cookware made from various materials that were not originally intended for this type of stove.

The advantage of the accessory is that such a solution for an induction hob will allow you to save on the purchase of a set of special cookware or make it possible to use familiar ceramic or glass kitchen utensils for cooking.

In this case, the efficiency will be the same 90%, and there is also no heat loss, and, consequently, excessive energy consumption.

For many users, purchasing an adapter will be an excellent alternative to changing kitchen utensils.

Free-standing induction stoves, which have both a hob and an oven, are still a rarity in our market.

And if the range of built-in stoves is simply breathtaking with its diversity, it is already more difficult to purchase multifunctional equipment that will meet all the owners’ requirements.

Nevertheless, there are options, which means you need to navigate the features of the presented stoves with ovens.

The consumer is offered various induction equipment. Its differences are in design and concept: tabletop induction cookers and stationary floor-standing ones, which can be used as part of a thermal technological line.

For establishments specializing in ethnic cuisine, the range of induction cookers includes special equipment for the oriental cuisine segment - wok induction cookers. The peculiarity of preparing oriental dishes is high temperature, cooking technology and special utensils (wok frying pans with a spherical bottom).

Experts note that wok induction cookers, which are capable of reproducing the effect of cooking over a “live” fire, are more in demand on the market. They are indispensable in democratic establishments that have chosen the direction of oriental cuisine.