The world of cooking in the kitchen changes year after year. Look to the past: we had wood-burning stoves, then coal stoves, gas stoves, and eventually, electric ranges. Gas and electric have been the big players for almost a century, but soon, they may end up like coal and gas—in the past.
The latest cooking technology is one that changes our perception of heat. How? Read on and explore this beginner’s guide to induction cooktops. Learn what induction is and discover how beneficial it is for our kitchens. You won’t want to miss this step into the future!
Flash back to high school chemistry class. The term “induction” is actually short for “electromagnetic induction,” which defines heat (induction) coming from an electromagnetic current. This current flows through a copper coil, and when we put an induction-compatible pan on top of those copper coils, we start the process of heating our cookware.
The important word to remember here is friction. When we put a pan on top of an electromagnetic current within the stove, that electromagnetic current pulls electrons from the pan. But they don’t want that—they try to resist the current. This creates a consistent back and forth, or push and pull, of electrons, which creates friction inside of the cookware.
This friction builds heat, heating the pots and pans on our stove—and only heating the pots and pans on our stove. It doesn’t heat anything else.
It’s simple—get the right induction cooktops for sale, the right cookware, press a few buttons, and you’re off!
The only way this works is if you have the right cookware. It must be induction-compatible. How do you figure that out? One quick way to determine this is to see if a magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan. If you’re trying to use glass, aluminum, or copper, then it won’t work with an induction stove top unless the base has some sort of magnetic property. Here’s what’s sure to work:
If you’re looking for specific induction-compatible items, flip it over and see if you find a “coil” symbol.
Let’s take a deeper look at the benefits to understand how else these cooktops work!
One of the biggest benefits of induction cooktops comes from the safety aspect. Because of the electromagnetic current, the surface only heats pans and the food within them. Everything else? Cool to the touch! Simply put, these cooktops don’t pose the usual risks and dangers of other cooktops—no flames and no hot surfaces.
Of course, if you were to place your hand on the surface, it would be very hot. But the surface won’t stay hot nearly as long as a gas or electric stove top. This is a great option if you’re worried about any kiddos getting too close in the kitchen!
You don’t have to worry about an uneven sear. An induction cooktop can heat the entire surface of a pan evenly. You don’t have to deal with flames only hitting one part and not the other. This means an even heat for your whole meal.
Speaking of even, consistent heat, these cooktops also provide an immediate temperature response. You know when you use an electric stove and you have to go from a powerful boil to a slight simmer in a matter of seconds? Not the easiest, right? But with an induction cooktop, you get a rapid adjustment. It’s a win for everybody!
Another massive benefit—the cooktops’ efficiency. From the energy savings to the time savings, induction stoves make life much easier for you. Induction stovetops don’t use nearly as much energy as electric ovens and even gas stove tops. Remember, you’re not losing out on any heat; it’s all going directly to the pot or pan.
This also makes your cooking more efficient. We’ve all gotten frustrated with how slowly the water boils on our stove. But that’s not something that will ever happen again. These cooktops heat food quicker and boil water faster than other options.
Cleaning the kitchen can be both calming and irritating, especially when you have to scrub at a dirty stove top. The idea of cleaning the kitchen causes many of us to fall into despair, especially if we haven’t done it in a while. If you have an electric cooktop, then you already see some of the benefits. Usually, they’re smooth and made of glass, so you don’t have to struggle to scrub around corners. But induction cooktops prove even easier to clean.
Since these burners don’t actually heat the surface of the cooktop (just the cookware), then any spills, splatters, or those pesky boil-overs when you’re in the other room won’t burn on the top. Once you turn off the cooktop, the surface will be cool enough to clean any mess!
That’s the end of our beginner’s guide to induction cooktops. From remembering what induction is to exploring the benefits, we’ve provided an in-depth look at what this appliance could do for your kitchen. And if we piqued your interest, keep reading and learn how Town Appliance can help you reach your dream kitchen goals!
At Town Appliance, we have a variety of cooktops for sale. From the typical gas cooktops to the new induction cooktops, you have many options available to you. You’ll find that the majority of our cooktops will boil your water in less than two minutes, come with four burners (we have some with five!), come in different styles, and so much more. If you’re ever curious about how an induction cooktop would work in your home, don’t hesitate to come into our store or ask us questions online. We’re here to make this experience as comfortable and exciting as possible. Check out Town Appliance now!
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