Advantages, disadvantages and features of choosing an induction cooker

When buying a built-in hob in the kitchen, many people are faced with a huge assortment in the store, not only in the choice of the company, but also in the principle of operation. In this article, you will learn in detail what an induction cooker is, the principle of its operation, the pros and cons, whether it is worth stopping your choice on it, which one is better to choose and how it differs from the rest.

What is an induction hob

The induction hob is perhaps the most modern hob that came to us from Europe today. The main feature of such a stove is that its surface remains absolutely cold, only the dishes standing on it are heated. How this happens and how it works, see below.

Principle of operation

Instead of a heating element inside the induction cooker, there is an induction coil consisting of a copper wire, which creates a magnetic field between the surface of the cooker and the cookware when an electric current is applied in the range of 20 to 100 kHz. The magnetic field, in turn, directs its vortex flows through the glass-ceramic surface of the cookware with a magnetic bottom, which in this case acts as a closed-loop conductor. As a result of the movement of electrons, heat is released, due to which the dishes and their contents are heated.

Induction hob - pros and cons

The main advantages of an induction hob:

• The efficiency of such stoves tends to 90%, which is significantly higher than standard hobs, their efficiency is on average from 50 to 60%.
• Significant energy savings: the surface heats up very quickly and when the dishes are removed from the stove, it automatically turns off.
• The risk of using an induction surface is minimized due to the fact that the surface remains cold during use.
• Due to the fact that the panel itself does not heat up, pieces of food do not stick to it and there is no burning smell, which greatly simplifies cleaning the kitchen.
• The choice of programs is very diverse and gives a wide range of possibilities for preparing complex dishes.

The main disadvantages of an induction cooker:

• For this type of stove, it is necessary to purchase special dishes, since the induction surface reacts only to pots and pans with a magnetic bottom.
• Operation of induction cookers is possible only with new wiring due to the fact that operation from the network gives a considerable load to the electrical wires and with old wiring there is a danger of a short circuit.
• The cost of such stoves is significantly higher by about 3-4 times of conventional electrical options, but here one should take into account the fact that energy is saved, which can recoup the high cost of the stove.
• There is little noise when cooking on an induction hob.
• If a frequency generator is installed on the induction cooker, and these are the most budgetary options, then when all the burners are turned on, the efficiency drops (power reduction).
• Scientists have not yet fully studied the harm caused by the electromagnetic field to the central nervous system of a person. But with numerous studies it has been proven that in the process of using such stoves, the harm is minimal and in everyday life there are devices with the same effect on the body (for example, microwave ovens).

When using an induction hob:

1. Do not use non-metallic cutlery.
2. Do not use crockery with a curved (convex) bottom or damaged.
3. Cookware should be placed exactly in the center of the heating element area and cover the entire work surface.
4. Stay away from the induction hob when cooking and do not touch the surface with your hands.
5. When purchasing cookware, pay attention to the marks that indicate that it can be used on an induction hob.

On average, the power consumption of one burner is 2-3 kW per hour, it seems a lot. But the economy lies in the fact that an induction cooker will bring the same pot of water with the same power to a boil 5 times faster than a conventional heating element. An induction cooker heats the dishes instantly, while an electric cooker is forced to first warm up the burner body, then the air gap, then the pan itself. All this takes up to half an hour, unlike induction, it will cope in 6 minutes. The difference is obvious.

Having studied a large number of reviews from consumers of induction cookers, we can say that the impact of any negative factor of such surfaces on human health has not manifested itself in any way for several years. However, any negative impact may not appear immediately, but after tens of years.

Therefore, whether it is worth buying an induction hob or not is up to you.

How to choose an induction hob

In order to easily decide on the choice of an induction hob, it is worth determining for yourself such parameters as the style of kitchen design, the number of family members, the functionality required to use.

Specifications, which also influence the correct choice, are presented below:

1. The required number of cooking zones.
2. The maximum power - 2 kW / h must have high energy efficiency, such brands are marked with a special sign A + and A ++.
3. Switching elements can be both sensory and mechanical.
4. Induction cookers can be large, built-in, four-, five-burner, width from 55 to 80 cm and narrow two-burner - from 30 to 52 cm.There are also free-standing with one burner - these are the most compact and spacious cookers, their dimensions are 29 cm wide and 32 deep, which saves space in the best possible way, they can also be installed on a table without allocating a lot of free space.
5. The number of additional options plays a decisive role in the pricing policy, so it is worthwhile to determine in advance which of the functions you exactly need (for example, child protection, automatic shutdown, delayed cooking time, moving the heating power of the burners, expanding heating area, etc.)

Previously, no one had even heard of induction cookers in household use. Manufacturers produced this kind of hob only for professional use in cafes, restaurants, etc. But now they began to produce a home series of plates.The best of them are presented below, the rating of the most popular in terms of price-quality ratio.

Electrolux IPE 6453 KF

Frameless with four burners (diameter 14.5 - 21 cm), has an oval shape, the function of blocking and auto-off. Simple operation and quick heating, but 4 cooking zones cannot be turned on at the same time.

Bosch PIE631FB1E

Premium panel, 17 power levels, economical, pauseable, cookware recognition function. Has 4 burners with a touch surface. German build quality, high cost, great functionality.

The following brands of plates are no less popular:

1. Hotpoint-Ariston IKIA 640 C
2. Siemens EH675MV17E
3. Zanussi ZEI 5680 FB
4. AEG HK 634200 XB
5. Gorenje ECT 330 CSC
6. LG KVN6403AF

Electric hobs with ceramic hobs

Just like the induction hob, the electric hob with hobs is also covered with glass ceramics. But the main distinguishing feature is that the “glass ceramic hob” contains a heating element in the form of halogens, tape or spirals. In induction, it is absent.

Glass-ceramic is a perfectly smooth surface, under which heating elements or magnetic field converters, in the case of an induction type, are hidden. The glass-ceramic surface is highly durable and shock-resistant. And the thermal expansion is so insignificant that there will be no cracks when cold water is poured onto a hot stove. The static load can withstand up to 23 kg / cm. sq., and a service life of at least 10 years.

A more detailed comparison of the two hobs is presented below:

1. Glass-ceramic boils the same volume of water twice as long as induction, which significantly saves cooking time, and therefore electricity.
2. The induction version is much safer than the electromagnetic one in that in the first case, the cooking zone does not transfer heat when removing the dishes.
3. When using an induction hob, you do not need to worry about something "running out" from the pan during cooking, since the automatic device itself turns off the electric power supply, you only need to set the correct cooking time.

Which one is better to choose

The induction hob does not need much maintenance, it is less dirty and easier to clean. But at a cost, it is several times more expensive than electric, and special dishes with a thick bottom are needed. But the time for cooking will be reduced by 2 times due to the high efficiency, and the price will pay off within 1 year due to the saved electricity. In safety, glass-ceramic loses much to induction.

When choosing a stove, you should also pay attention to the manufacturer and the class of electricity consumed. Induction cookers are becoming more and more popular in the Russian markets, as they have fewer drawbacks compared to their competitors. But the choice is yours!

VIDEO: Induction cooker or electric - how to choose.