With rapid modernisation, most of the appliances we use for cooking have changed drastically and become more efficient with time. Currently, most families across the globe use gas and electric stoves since it is more cost-effective and environment-friendly. The last decade has also seen the surge of a new way of cooking our food using the device called the induction stove. An induction stove uses electricity to operate; however, it is by no means the same as a typical electric stove. In this article, we will be discussing in detail the history of induction stoves for our readers benefit in case they are considering getting one in the near future.
How does Induction Stove Work?
Induction stoves work through a process whereby electric current is passed through a coiled copper wire which is underneath the cooking surface. This creates a magnetic current throughout the cooking pan to produce heat. The heat generated is transferred directly to the utensil. This form of cooking is more efficient and consumes much lesser energy in comparison to traditional gas or electric cooking.
Readers, please note, the utensils used while using an induction stove must contain ferromagnetic metal such as cast iron or stainless steel. Copper or aluminium utensils will not work unless the bottom has an additional magnetic layer.
Pros and Cons
Like any other product, induction stove has their share of challenges and benefits. However, these challenges are not a deal-breaker considering the fact that its benefits outweigh the challenges by a mile.
Related reading: 5 Best Induction Cooktops In India
The Pros
- An induction stove can heat up the cookware almost instantly since very little heat is wasted and this allows the pan to be heated much faster compared to gas or electric cooktops.
- One of the major advantages of an induction stove is being able to control the temperature as per our preference. This allows you to cook your food the way you see fit instead of making guesses and ending up over or under-cooking the food.
- It’s easy to clean an induction cookstove since its surface is even and smooth. All you have to do is wipe it with a wet cloth a couple of times instead of trying to reach the edges and corners of your gas stove unsuccessfully.
- Induction stoves do not generate flame which means you can cook your food safely without worrying about any accidents unlike gas stoves and certain variants of an electric stove. But, be warned, the surface will still be hot as any other cookstove. Just mind your fingers.
- Unless you put a utensil on the induction stove, the device will not operate. This saves electricity and unnecessary heating of the stove when not in use.
- Induction stoves also come with timers and pre-set control that you can use as per your convenience. You will not have to worry about spilt milk ever again now.
- This appliance also comes with auto-off and overheating sensors. In case the stove gets heated because of a malfunction or if you are not using the device for a long period, the device shuts off on its own.
- There is no installation required for this device since it’s essentially a stand-alone product. All you need to do is plug it and put it on an even surface. However, there are costlier and bigger variants in the market which might require more work to get it up and running.
The Cons
- The initial set-up cost is higher since the device is on the expensive side. Although its cost has definitely gone down over the recent years, it still involves a little more consideration.
- It requires a whole new set of utensils since the regular utensils used on gas and electric stove may not work on induction stoves. This will be a bit of an investment on top of the stove itself.
- It tends to make a humming sound which is generated as a result of the built-in fan which can be annoying after a point especially if you are sensitive to sound being generated on a single frequency.
- It consumes more electricity than most electrical appliances present at any home.
- Heat conduction is not even. So, food at centre tends to get burnt while the ones at edges remain uncooked.
As mentioned earlier, the benefits far outweigh the challenges if you are looking to completely overhaul your kitchen. However, we strongly suggest keeping your options handy in case of any contingency.
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Induction Compatible Cookware
One of the major challenges of using an induction stove lies in getting the right utensils for the device. Thankfully, with the rising popularity of induction stoves over the recent years, getting the right cookware is no more a difficult task. All you have to do is go to a supermarket and look for ones that are induction compatible. Just pick the one that works best for you. For our readers benefit, we will share a few details on the working of these utensils anyway.
The induction stove works only on utensils that contain iron at its base. Iron is the only metal that produces electrical currents and heat from the magnetic fields. So, if your cookware is made entirely of copper, aluminium or glass, chances are it won’t work on an induction stove. If you are still not sure about getting the right cookware, all you have to do is check if a magnet sticks to the cookware. If it sticks, it’s good to go.
Points To Consider
When it comes to purchasing a new cooktop for your kitchen, you will need to first consider what exactly you are trying to accomplish. If you are looking to opt for an energy-efficient, convenient, increased safety, and feature-rich cooking device, an induction stove is a no-brainer.
Be warned, while induction stoves are effective in terms of using energy efficiently to cook your food, they will also put a significant bump in your monthly energy consumption. We hope this article will allow our readers to consider their options accordingly to make the right choice for themselves. Happy cooking!