Induction cooker
Until recently, household stoves were divided only according to the principle of operation – gas or electricity, and when buying, there were no questions about how this or that model works. But today, with the development of new technologies and the improvement of household appliances, manufacturers offer consumers the usual units, and modern modernized designs.
Induction cookers are the result of modernization of familiar household appliances. It is worth laying out the facts in more detail about how they work and what they are. Physical action applies only to the hob, the oven is electric with thermal heating elements.
How an induction cooker works
It may seem strange how this type of equipment works, because during the heating process, the dishes are heated, not the burner. The secret lies in the use of a physical phenomenon in the operation of the equipment.
It uses the technology of inducing eddy currents on an installed metal object. Such a result is created by magnetic fields of frequency from 20 to 100 kHz.
Outwardly, it is a glass-ceramic hob, with touch temperature controls. Cooking timers, panel lock buttons are installed on the equipment.
The use of such a technique involves the purchase of special metal utensils. The stoves also work with the usual metal utensils, but then the energy consumption and cooking time may increase.
What is the secret of dishes designed for use on such equipment? The secret lies in the structure of the bottom of the pots or pans. The bottom of such dishes is thick and a layer of ferromagnetic material is laid in its structure.
The hostess may already have such devices in the house. Modern samples are indicated by a special spiral sign, which means compatibility with induction.
Old-style dishes are also used on such equipment, and if there is no sign, then its suitability is checked by applying a magnet to the bottom. If magnetization occurs, then this instance is suitable for further use.
Pros and cons of induction cookers
Appliances with induction heating technology, on average, are more expensive than heated glass-ceramic surfaces. Is it worth it to overpay? And what benefits will the buyer receive after the acquisition?
Advantages:
- Reduced level of electricity consumption. The heating temperature is set simultaneously with the inclusion of the burner, no preheating is required, all the voltage is given immediately to the dishes.
- The diameter of the dishes is not limited. If for ceramic the selection of dishes depends solely on the diameter of the burners, then here the heating occurs only on the contact surface of the installed object. The handles of the dishes do not heat up, the heat generated by the burners is not wasted.
- Safely. In the turmoil, at least once every person had a situation where he forgot to turn off the stove. After such cases, the burners burned out, considerable numbers ran up on the indicators of electric meters. Cooktops of this kind prevent dangerous situations from occurring. Without the dishes installed on them, they cannot work and turn off. The panel does not heat up during operation, it heats up only from the bottom of the dish.
- Reducing or Enlarging temperature level occurs instantly.
- The plate is covered with glass-ceramic. Care for her is available to any housewife using special cleaning products and scrapers.
In contrast to the advantages of induction heating, there are also negative distinguishing features:
- High price. Yes, such equipment will cost 1.5 – 2 times more when buying, but you should think about the future reduction in electricity consumption. A properly selected stove will pay off in the near future. But choosing expensive samples is also not worth it, the functions stated in the characteristics are not used in everyday life.
- If the house did not find suitable dishes, then you will have to update the entire range – pans, pots, stewpans, etc. Kitchen utensils suitable for this type of household appliances are more expensive, which will incur additional costs.
There are not so many disadvantages, and they all relate to the financial side. But once you invest in a purchase, you can save on electricity for several more years.
Problems
Cookers operating on 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 incorporated in the principle of operation of the equipment can harm the human body. People feared that the magnetic field created during work affects the internal organs. In order to destroy the false opinions that have developed regarding induction panels, manufacturers compared the power of the fields generated from this device and from a household hair dryer, which housewives use quite often.
The results were incredible. The hair dryer 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 trigger 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.
Sensors built into the slab design are set to a minimum diameter of 8-12cm. In the event that the area of the heated surface is less than this indicator, then heating will not be performed.
Metal objects under the stove heat up
It is an erroneous opinion that the installation of a recessed panel cannot be above other devices or any metal surfaces.
Yes, the generated electromagnetic field, in theory, leads to heating of objects on the surface and under 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 bottom of the case.
Therefore, today manufacturers also produce combined models with ovens, and designed for embedding in kitchen furniture above dishwashers or other equipment.
How to choose an induction cooker
Like other household appliances, induction surfaces have characteristics that can affect the choice of a particular product in a store – these are design, functional characteristics, manufacturer’s name and price.
Design features when choosing stoves include: free-standing equipment in combination with an oven, tabletop or built-in models, the size and shape of the equipment.
Free-standing household appliances with induction heating are rarely found in stores today, no more than 20 copies. Such models do not require additional purchase of ovens, are installed in any free space, do not take up space on the table, and are not built into the countertop.
Desktop devices are equipment with one or two burners, no more. They do not require additional installation conditions, in addition, some models are designed to work under 220W voltage.
The range of built-in models of induction appliances presented in stores is incredibly wide. In online stores, the number of models offered is even greater. Built-in models look attractive complete with all kitchen equipment, do not require a separate place for installation.
The shapes of household appliances are the usual square or rectangular, but there are also hexagonal built-in models. Sizes are able to meet the wishes of any consumer. The main condition, before going to the store for a purchase, is to accurately measure the place where the unit will be installed.
Functional characteristics that require attention when choosing:
- the number of burners and their location;
- the presence of a combination in the device, induction burners and with a heating element. For some users, the combined device will have a positive effect, because you won’t have to throw out the old dishes, but for others it will serve as a rejection of this model.
- touchpad lock, a feature that will protect a home with young children from unpleasant consequences;
- safety shutdown, an option in the presence of which the liquid escaping from the pan will provoke the shutdown of the system and burning to the surface will not occur. Shutdown also occurs when foreign objects get on the control panel;
- the shutdown timer will allow you to program the stove for the required time, and be distracted by other things. She herself will turn off the burner and notify with a signal that the program is running;
- The residual heat indicator indicates that the surface has warmed up from the surface of the cookware. It burns as long as the surface cools, and goes out when it becomes safe;
- multi-stage burner power adjustment. a greater number of adjustment steps – makes it possible to more accurately adjust the cooking temperature;
- PowerBoost is a function that will increase the power of the included burner at the expense of the neighboring one by 50%;
- the keep warm function keeps pre-cooked meals at a predetermined temperature;
- the pause function temporarily stops cooking, so that it can be resumed at the touch of a button, keeping all the set cooking modes.
- induction without borders allows the installation of kitchen utensils of any diameter on the surface.
Pricing
The cost of induction cookers is affected by: manufacturer, functionality, size, number of burners, design, construction. Before you go shopping, you need to clearly define the requirements for the future main household appliance in the kitchen.
It is not rational to rely only on the popularity of the manufacturer; equipment manufacturers may not advertise their products. Orientation by price may not be relevant either. Stores set prices according to their desires.
It will be correct to take into account the functionality of the model of interest. Additional features increase the price, so you should consider the need for one or another option in your life.
Precautionary measures
An induction cooker is a device that works by means of power from the mains. And like any other electrical equipment, it must be used with care.
- The connection must be only to the mains, with the appropriate voltage indicated in the characteristics.
- Blocking the air intake panel can cause the equipment to overheat.
- The equipment must be protected from water ingress under the housing.
- To clean such a device, you must first disconnect it from the network.
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