Induction cookers continue to gain popularity. While some housewives take pride of place in the kitchen, others shrug their shoulders skeptically and talk about the unsafety of their use. Let's try to figure out whose side is right and whether it is worth changing the usual electric or gas stove to a new induction one.
Principle of operation
The main difference between such a stove and a classic electric or gas stove is the principle of operation. WITH gas stove everything is obvious: the combustion of gas causes a flame that heats the dishes and food in it. A classic electric stove works by releasing thermal energy when an electric current passes through a metal heating element.
An induction cooker cooks using induction current. Electric current, when passing through the turns of a copper coil located under the hob, is converted into an alternating electromagnetic field. It creates an eddy induction current, which sets in motion the electrons in the bottom and heats it.
Features of choosing dishes
An induction cooker requires the use of special cookware. This is directly related to the principle of induction: the device of the stove is similar to a transformer from physics lessons, only the primary winding is a coil, and the secondary winding is a cookware.
Cooking on an induction hob can only be done in containers with a ferromagnetic bottom.
Manufacturers mark it with a special sign in the form of a spiral, and today a set of induction cookware can be purchased in almost any specialized store.
You can check whether your pan is suitable for an induction hob using a magnet: if it sticks to the bottom, then you can safely use it.
If you place the wrong container on the burner, the stove simply will not work. During cooking, only the bottom of the pan and, accordingly, the food in it are heated, but not the cooking surface. Therefore, if a piece of food falls on the burner, it’s okay. The whites won't curdle, the onions won't burn, and you won't have to struggle to scrape off the coals.
When choosing dishes, you should definitely pay attention to its bottom, which should be smooth, without dents or bulges. Manufacturers recommend selecting cookware so that the diameter of the bottom matches the diameter of the burner: the smaller the pot or frying pan, the less power it will have.
What if you are used to drinking Turkish coffee freshly brewed in the morning? Then you will have to additionally purchase a special adapter - a metal adapter disk that will cover the surface of the burner.
duhovka.vyborkuhni.ru This disc allows you to cook food in regular cookware not intended for induction cookers. However, it is hardly convenient to use it on an ongoing basis. Firstly, adapter manufacturers do not recommend turning on the stove at maximum power, which already limits you. Secondly, you still won’t have enough of one disk to simultaneously cook several dishes on different burners. It is advisable to think about purchasing it if you really have a need to use small cookware at low or medium power. For example, for brewing coffee or heating milk.
Economical
In induction, energy is not consumed to heat the contacting surfaces and air. Heat loss is eliminated because all efforts are devoted to heating the food.
Food cooks faster: there is no need to preheat the frying pan, the heating process begins instantly, and the heat is distributed strictly along the diameter of the bottom of the pan, optimizing What is Induction Cooking electricity consumption.
On the other hand, there is a possibility that you will have to replace the dishes with new ones.
Variety of designs and functions
Like classic cookers, induction cookers are available in different versions:
- Full size- free-standing stove with oven and burners.
- Hob- a built-in panel that can be installed directly into the countertop.
- Portable- mobile stove with one or two burners.
- Combined- equipped with both induction and classic burners.
Choose any option depending on your kitchen.
To make the cooking process even easier and more comfortable, manufacturers are not skimping and are introducing more and more additional functions, some of which may actually turn out to be unnecessary.
- Booster(Booster or Power Boost) - a function of transferring power from one burner to another. You simply borrow a little power from a free burner for a while if you need to cook a dish very quickly. Almost all models are equipped with it.
- Fast start(Quick Start) - you turn on the stove and it automatically detects which burner has dishes on it.
- Keep warm mode- with this function enabled, you can leave cooked food on the stove without it getting cold.
- Timer with and without automatic shutdown- you set the cooking time, after which a signal will sound and the burner will either turn off (automatic shutdown) or continue to work (without automatic shutdown).
- Safety shutdown- will work if liquid gets on the hob: all burners will automatically turn off.
- Power and temperature adjustment- you create optimal conditions for preparing specific dishes. Some cookers offer a choice of the appropriate cooking method, such as frying, boiling or stewing.
- Pause- if you need to be distracted for a short time, just press pause and do your thing. In this case, previously installed settings will not be reset.
When choosing a stove, pay attention to those functions that you really need. The more variations they offer, the higher the price will be. But will you use them all in practice?
Safety
The operating principle of an induction cooker causes mistrust and fear among some housewives. Manufacturers assure that it is safe and nothing to worry about. Is it really?
Various studies have been conducted on the safety of induction cookers. Fact sheet - Induction hobs, their results are slightly different, but agree that at a distance of less than 30 cm from the stove, the electromagnetic field still exceeds the standards SanPiN 2.1.8/2.2.4.1383-03 Hygienic requirements for the placement and operation of transmitting radio engineering facilities. Also, if you place a cookware with a smaller diameter than the burner on the panel, or place it slightly unevenly, the electromagnetic radiation will become stronger and the radius of influence will increase.
Vadim Rukavitsyn, environmental consultant
However, the expert clarifies that all this matters if you spend more than two hours a day at the stove. In other cases, the standards become less strict, which allows you to cook without any harm to health.
Compliance with instructions and safety precautions with any electrical appliances extremly necessary. An induction cooker is no exception. As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to pay special attention to the diameter of the pan and the type of its bottom.
The electromagnetic field from an induction cooker does not affect food, since this radiation is not ionizing and acts mainly on the dishes, heating them. If we talk about the effect on the body, it strongly depends on the frequency of radiation, its power and exposure time.
In addition, it is especially important for people with pacemakers to follow safety guidelines. It is recommended to consult with before using your induction cooker.
There is a high probability that if you approach more than 0.5 meters to the switched on stove, the pacemaker may fail.
Vadim Rukavitsyn, environmental consultant
Majority household appliances and gadgets that we use every day, one way or another have an impact on our body. To ensure comfortable use of the devices to which we are so accustomed, it is important to comply with all safety requirements, not neglect the instructions and strictly follow all instructions. This way, first of all, you will protect yourself, and, of course, extend the life of your equipment.
Results
Advantages
- Food cooks faster.
- Energy consumption is optimized.
- The arsenal has very useful functions.
- The hob is easy to clean.
- Less chance of getting burned.
Flaws
- The price will be higher than for similar stoves (gas or electric).
- You may have to replace all your cooking utensils.
- Additional adapters may also be useful to use containers with a small bottom diameter. For example, Turk for .
- Some models may seem noisy compared to the usual classic stoves.
- Strict operating requirements due to the peculiarities of the cooking method.
The plate is the key element household appliances, without which it is impossible to do in any kitchen. And if previously electric and gas stoves were housewives’ assistants, now induction stoves are gaining popularity. And this is justified, because they have a lot of undeniable advantages: fire safety, efficiency, high speed of heating and cooking.
Induction furnaces- the most modern household appliances for the kitchen
Working principle of induction furnace
The induction oven appeared on the household appliances market in the 80s of the last century, but the invention was treated with distrust due to the high cost and unclear operating principle. Only after restaurateurs began to use the induction hob and experienced its advantages, housewives who wanted to simplify and speed up cooking followed their example.
The operating principle of induction cookers is based on the use of magnetic field energy. Glass ceramic underneath copper coil, when passing through the turns of which the electric current is converted into induction. When a cookware with a magnetic bottom is placed on a burner, the current acts on the electrons of its ferromagnetic material, causing them to move. As a result of this process, heat is released, due to which the cookware heats up and the contents in it enter the cooking stage.
To cook on an induction hob you need special cookware
Induction hobs are fundamentally different from electric and gas ones in the following aspects:
- Heating the coating. In traditional stoves, the burner heats up first and then transfers the heat to the cookware sitting on it. Induction heating involves heating the bottom of a frying pan or pan directly. The glass-ceramic panel heats up from the dishes, and after removing them cools down within 5 minutes.
- Coefficient useful action. Induction electric stoves have an efficiency of 90% due to the fact that energy is not wasted on heating the burner, but acts on the bottom of the pan.
- Energy saving. The temperature adjustment of the induction furnace occurs almost instantly, which leads to rational energy consumption.
- Safety. When the stove is operating, the panel itself does not heat up, so you don’t have to worry about getting burned.
Features of cooking
Housewives often deliberately refuse to purchase electric induction stoves because they are afraid of difficulties when turning on and cooking. In fact, there is nothing difficult about turning on an induction cooker.
After connecting the device to the power source, a signal will sound indicating that the hob can be turned on. Each zone has a power regulator and a customizable timer.
Unusual design induction cooker
How to cook on an induction hob is described in detail in the instructions for its use. There are marked temperature conditions and power parameters required for a specific cooking process of a particular dish. For example, boiling water occurs at levels 7-9, extinguishing - 5 or 6.
Types of slabs
The household appliances market offers ovens of varying functionality and cost. Users can purchase both inexpensive induction cookers for the kitchen and multifunctional systems installed in cafes and restaurants.
The main types of this equipment include:
- compact tabletop induction cookers with one or more burners;
- built-in appliances or separate hobs;
- combined stoves - combine elements operating on the principle of magnetic induction and electric heating burners.
Combined induction-gas stove
When choosing a stove based on magnetic field energy, you should pay attention to the power capabilities and the number of modes. Intensive heating function allows you to cook food faster .
Infrared sensors control the maximum heating of the bottom of the pan and prevent food from burning: in my opinion, this function is necessary in the device.
It’s also worth thinking about the shape of the burner: it can be flat or recessed. The possibility of using dishes with different bottoms will depend on this. Multifunctional devices, such as induction cookers with an oven and a large number of burners, allow you to cook several dishes at the same time.
Specifications
Depending on the type and cost, electric induction furnaces have the following technical characteristics:
- maximum heating temperature is 60 degrees Celsius;
- power ranges from 50-3500 W;
- the number of adjustment modes varies from 12 to 20 depending on the type of device;
- devices are equipped with a touch panel;
- the heating element operates on the basis of induction;
- The device is equipped with a timer.
Like any equipment, this one is not immune to breakdowns, but finding spare parts for induction cookers is not difficult. In addition, people who understand the laws of physics can easily make an induction cooker with their own hands. However, remember that you should take on this matter only if you have the necessary knowledge and experience.
Selecting cookware for an induction cooker
Many housewives are sure that they will have to buy all the cookware for the induction cooker again, since the existing one will not fit. This is not entirely true.
To put an induction hob into operation, you must use cookware that has ferromagnetic properties. Checking this is quite simple: you need to attach a magnet to the bottom. If it sticks, the pan is suitable for use on the stovetop.
Iron, enameled and cast iron pans have ferromagnetic properties. Glass, ceramic, porcelain and copper containers are not suitable for ovens that use magnetic field energy.
If there are no suitable pots and pans available, choosing cookware for induction cookers will not be difficult if you use a few tips:
- the bottom of the induction cookware must have a diameter of at least 12 cm to ensure optimal contact area with the surface of the stove;
- the thickness of the bottom of a grill pan for an induction cooker or other container must be at least 2 and no more than 6 mm;
- the bottom surface should be smooth, without bends;
- The symbol on the cookware for induction cookers, which looks like a horizontal spiral and indicates the use of ferromagnetic material, can help in choosing the right container.
There are many companies producing pots, frying pans, stewpans, fryers and even Turks for induction cookers. Therefore, buying them will not be difficult.
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If it is not possible to purchase a full set of special cookware, you can use an adapter for an induction cooker. It is a disk 2-3 mm thick with different diameters depending on the size of pots and pans. The principle of operation is as follows: the coil transfers heat to the adapter for the induction cooker, which, in turn, heats the cookware standing on it. When using such a device, it is not necessary to buy a special kettle for an induction cooker; you can easily use your favorite ceramic one.
Appliances built into kitchen furniture are becoming increasingly popular: compactly arranged interior items free up space. Every housewife strives to make the kitchen a place as comfortable as possible and, whenever possible, spacious. The use of new equipment with modern technology sometimes raises the issue of safe compatibility in close proximity. One example is the concern regarding installing an induction hob over an oven. Can such a neighborhood really lead to negative consequences- let's look at it further.
A new generation device is an invention that combines the action of magnetic and electric current— makes the cooking process quick and safe. During operation, the cooker generates a high-frequency magnetic field, heating the cookware by induced eddy currents. The glass ceramic coating of the oven heats up only from hot dishes at the point of contact. Therefore, for the housewife, the risk of food residues burning on the stove is reduced to “0”.
By following all operating rules, new generation equipment will allow you to experience all the comfort and ease of the cooking process. This device provides maximum output of thermal energy - efficiency is up to 90%. The technology allows you to speed up the heating time of a certain oven element with which the dishes come into contact. There is also significant saving energy resources.
Features of work
The induction hob and built-in oven are functional and look stylish in the kitchen. When installing these kitchen appliances, the operating features must be taken into account.
Rules for installing an induction cooker
In the design of any induction model, there are thermal plugs located below the coils that prevent the transfer of magnetic radiation and heat from the stove down.
The rules for installing an induction panel take into account the negative effects of radiation. Existing regulations must be strictly adhered to.
Important nuances when installing a stove over an oven Electrical appliances are selected according to the power corresponding to the electrical wiring in residential premises
so that you don’t have to deal with replacing communications in the house.
- During installation, avoid any contact of the supply cable with the body of the stove and oven. For safe operation of appliances when installing the hob above the oven in a classic manner, the following important requirements should be taken into account:
- choose an oven
with cooling and ventilation system; There should be a gap of 2-3 cm between the built-in oven and the induction panel for air circulation. There is an opinion that the magnetic waves of the stove can have a negative effect on the operation of the oven underneath it. However, these fears are unfounded. As mentioned above, the stove is equipped without fail
catch plugs , and beyond 3 cm the effect of the induction field does not extend. Therefore, an electric oven can be built under the type of panel in question. Important! However, an induction cooker may have
Negative influence on mobile gadgets and TV antenna. The impact of heat flows from an induction panel does not affect the performance of other equipment and does not exceed the performance indicators
We all love to eat delicious food. I really want the cooked food to not only please with its taste, but also to be beneficial. Oven-cooked food is considered healthier and more dietary. How to choose an induction oven for cooking delicious dishes Let's talk further.
Ovens on the market are very popular, especially with an induction control system. Induction ovens will delight their owners not only with their beautiful appearance, but also ease of use.
The choice should be approached responsibly, because each technique has its pros and cons. Considering the kitchen area, placement kitchen cabinets, the location of the hob, although now the variety of built-in appliances makes it possible to place induction hobs and ovens in a place convenient for you, as in the photo.
In the consumer market there is a huge selection of manufacturing companies that specialize in the production of household appliances. The main brands that are in demand are bosch, bauknecht, siemens, electrolux. By reading reviews before purchasing equipment, it will be easier for you to choose the oven model you are interested in.
How to choose
Induction ovens come in different capacities, depending on which the electricity consumption will vary. Considering the power, it is necessary to ensure the correct location of the connection system and its safety properties. Before purchasing an oven you need to consider:
- Dimensions – depending on the size, you can cook large dishes. For example, if the oven width is 45 centimeters, you will not be able to cook a large pie. The small dimensions of the ovens are designed for families of 2-3 people. Accordingly, when the width of the oven is 60 and 90 cm, this makes it possible to prepare dinner for a large number of people;
- Number of functions - thanks to these characteristics, a variety of cooking methods will give the dish its own zest and unsurpassed taste;
- What functions do ovens have? The oven must perform specific functions, namely: defrosting, grilling, golden brown, quick cooking, microwave and others;
- Ease of use is the main argument for purchasing induction cookers. It is very important for the housewife that the equipment is convenient and does not cause any particular difficulties in operation;
- Design – a wide selection of equipment allows you to choose induction cookers to suit any kitchen interior;
- It is necessary to check the number of baking sheets, racks, skewers, so that the quantity corresponds to the description when purchasing.
Heating system
Before buying an induction oven, you need to consider the possible options, which have their pros and cons.
The heating system (convection) will make it possible to cook dishes on several levels without spoiling the dish. Induction ovens must have a sufficient number of heating modes:
- Conventional cooking with top and bottom heat is great for baking pies or roasting meat;
- Fast cooking using top and bottom heat and a fan. This way you can cook several dishes at the same time. This is evidenced by positive consumer reviews;
- Accelerated cooking using a ring heater and fan makes it possible to cook on three baking sheets at once. Some manufacturers such as Bosch, Zanussi classify this mode with pizza cooking;
- Defrosting will be possible if you use the principle of lower heat with a fan. This way you can not only defrost food, but also dry herbs, vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms.
Other options
Thanks to the grill option, the dish will get an appetizing crust, while maintaining its juiciness and piquancy.
Ovens that have a spit will allow you to cook shish kebab or large pieces of meat or fish, baking them on all sides, as shown in the video.
If induction ovens have the option microwave oven, this will ensure not only quick heating of the dish, but also make it possible to simultaneously perform several functions.
With the help of retractable runners, you can monitor the baking sheet without removing it from the built-in ones. There are also induction ovens where the baking tray automatically comes out when the door is opened.
Having a timer, ovens will not let you forget about cooking, which gives you a chance to avoid burning the prepared food.
If there is a tangential mechanism, the cooling fan operates. Its operating principle will help protect kitchen set from temperature damage.
Thanks to special cleaning systems, ovens facilitate easy cleaning of the surface. In some models, using pyrolytic cleaning, you can clean the oven without using special detergents.
Advantages
Induction hob and oven – great choice for every housewife. Studying reviews, electric ovens have a number of advantages.
- Mobility. You can place electronic ovens in a convenient place; you just need to move the socket;
- Convenient temperature control;
- Uniform heating;
- Some induction ovens have an auto-off feature, which is a great option for cooking.
The induction panel located above the oven will add individuality design solution kitchen decoration.
To refute or confirm this myth often mentioned in the media, we need to understand the working principle of an induction hob.
Let's pay attention to Fig. 1 and we will understand how cookware is heated on an induction surface. So. In the production of induction hobs, the same glass ceramics are used that are used in traditional ceramic hobs. The main difference between induction is “stored inside”... And what’s “hidden” inside is not the traditional HiLight tape heating element, but an electromagnetic coil.
Place the dishes on the hob and turn it on. In this case, the coil creates an electromagnetic field, which generates heat not in the cooker, as in a conventional hob, but in the cookware itself. That is, in other words, glass ceramics acts as a stand for dishes. Heat in the dish is generated when molecules in the bottom of the dish begin to move at high speed due to the action of the magnetic field.
However, if we raise the dishes 1 cm from the glass ceramics, the magnetic field immediately disappears and the generation of heat in the dishes stops. That is, as you and I understand, there are limits to the propagation of the magnetic field. How strong is the magnetic field? Can it really harm human health? A magnetic field measuring device will help us answer this question.
Let's give an example from life. We all blow dry our hair after we shower in the morning. Have you ever wondered if it is harmful to health? Probably not, because we don’t tend to think about bad things. However, when measuring the level of magnetic field strength, a surprise awaited us. The voltage level of the hair dryer at a distance of 3 cm from it was 2000 μT (Miklo Tesla). At the same distance, the voltage level of the induction hob was 22 µT. Surprised? We, too!
An induction hob is 91 times safer than a regular household hair dryer! Measurements at a distance of 30 cm were also in favor of the safety of induction: 0.65 versus 7 for a hair dryer.
Well, the myth has been completely refuted: an induction hob cannot harm your health and the health of your children!
Myth 2. To use induction you need to change all the dishes at home
This myth is exactly as old as induction hobs have existed on the household appliances market in Russia. Fear of something new always gives rise to myths like this one. Many of those who purchased an induction hob and had no idea that, for example, their old enamel cookware, which is 15-20 years old, has ferromagnetic properties and is suitable for an induction hob.
How can one not remember the story about aluminum cookware and the housewife who threw it away without thinking that the bottom of such a cookware could be made of another ferromagnetic material and it could be suitable for cooking on an induction hob? There are many stories and even more than you can imagine. That is why this myth is very easy to refute.
In order not to throw out all the old dishes that you are used to cooking with, you need to check its bottom for ferromagnetic properties and this is done very simply: remove the magnet from the refrigerator and attach it to the bottom of the dish from the outside. If the bottom is magnetic and the magnet “sticks” to the dish, then this means only one thing: this saucepan/frying pan is suitable for “induction” cooking. The myth will be refuted again, and your old favorite dishes will be able to please you again and again!
Myth 3. Induction heats up like a regular glass ceramic cooker (with Hi Light elements)
One of the most common myths, although the induction hob was created so that the glass ceramics do not heat up to high temperatures, but the dish was still being prepared. Well, to the delight of those who doubt the purchase of an induction hob, the following attempt is dedicated to refuting this myth...
So. As we already found out in myth No. 1 about the “safety of induction hobs,” an induction hob makes the food hot by heating the cookware through an induction coil. Those. heat is initially generated in the bottom of the cookware, and only then this heat is transferred to the glass ceramics. In a conventional hob with Hi-Light heating elements, everything is exactly the same, but in reverse: heat is created by a tape heater, from this heat the glass ceramics are heated, and only then the heat is transferred from the glass ceramics to the dishes.
In Fig. 4 and 5 show the experiments conducted by our company to refute this myth. Try the same at home on a hob with Hi-Light heating elements... *Afraid? Right! Because if food, water or other objects get on a regular working glass-ceramic hob, they will immediately burn. This will not happen with an induction hob due to a different operating principle.
Of course, glass ceramics on “induction” will heat up from hot dishes during cooking, but burning will not happen and the glass ceramics will not. The glass ceramic induction hob will continue to delight you with its advantages! Another myth has been destroyed and it goes to the collection of completed refutations of “Hansa MythBusters”!
* Hansa LLC warns about the dangers of such an experience and does not recommend doing it
Myth 4. Any object that comes into contact with a working induction cooker will become very hot.
Oh, how those manufacturers who did not produce induction at the moment it appeared on the market loved this myth. What could you hear from such “experts”: “If you hold your hand with a ring on your finger on the hob, it will heat up and your finger will burn”; “Any metal object that hits it will heat up,” etc.
Hansa induction surfaces have a minimum cookware diameter of 8 cm. If this diameter is lower, or the total heating area is small, the induction hob will not turn on. This is very important parameter the safety of your health and the health of your family. It should also be noted that if the cookware is not suitable for use on a given surface, then it will not heat up.
Hansa induction hobs have a sensor for detecting the presence of cookware, and if you try to turn it on without using the cookware, you will not be able to do this. No, no, and no again: it won’t work, just like your children, who want, for example, to “press” the buttons of a new object in the house. Myths, myths... how much they “eat into” our consciousness, although they have no compelling arguments for this... Another myth was destroyed by Hansa specialists!
Myth 5: Induction cooktops and cooktops cannot be installed above ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, freezers and other appliances with metal surfaces.
Oh yeah! Our favorite myth, which at one time was a stumbling block for the consumer who chose for himself classic scheme location of the built-in and wanted to install a hob above the oven. There were also those who installed these items separately: the cabinet in a column, and the surface on the countertop. “But why waste space under the hob?” - the consumer thought - “I’ll put a drawer under it to store cutlery!”
And at this point the most interesting thing began: kitchen salons and studios, not having Hansa induction surfaces, convinced the consumer of the need for such a surface and argued with all the myths that we had already refuted, including this myth. “Your forks will heat up!” - said the kitchen salon employee...
Well. It's time to refute this myth. Go! So, what is a magnetic field and how is it formed? The magnetic field manifests itself in the effect on the magnetic moments of particles and bodies, on moving charged particles (or current-carrying conductors (Fig. 10)). In this case, the current passes through an electromagnetic coil hidden under glass ceramics, and the second important component of the process of generating an electromagnetic field is a ferromagnet - in this case, a cookware suitable for induction heating. Electromagnetic coils are located parallel to the tabletop. In this case, theoretically, the magnetic field should act both on objects located above the hob and on those located under it. And this is absolutely true based on theory, if not for one BUT.
There is one caveat regarding Hansa induction hobs. Our surfaces use a special magnetic field insulating component called a heat sink (Figure 11). It just prevents the magnetic floor from affecting forks, spoons and knives located in the drawer under the hob. In addition, there is a belief that you cannot place a cabinet under an induction surface. Do you already understand that this can be done? :-) The distance from the hob to the cabinet is approximately 20 cm, and the magnetic field is located at a distance of 1 cm above the hob. The above-mentioned heat sink is responsible for the absence of this field at the bottom of the induction surface.
Well, the 6th myth is crumbling like confetti in New Year. It is destroyed in the same way that the legend that storks bring children was destroyed. This myth, very popular among many, will finally remain a myth and will not disturb the minds of those consumers who have made their choice in favor of induction hobs!