Induction is quicker, safer, and more efficient than gas or electric.
Heres what you’re gonna wanna know about this hot topic in kitchen appliances.
Induction cooking is causing a buzz in kitchen design.
Credit: Michael Partenio
Interested in making the switch?
Heres what you should know about induction cooking.
How does an induction stove work?
Credit:Stacey Brandford
While electric and gas burners frequently top these appliances, induction is another common option.
Whats different between induction and traditional electric cooking is how the energy is generated and transferred.
Induction energy is the result of magnetic currents.
Credit:Laurie Black
The agitation creates friction, which in turn creates heat.
The cookware begins to heat up almost instantly.
The magnetic connection behind induction means the pan heats directly.
Stacey Brandford
Induction Cookware
Induction-ready cookwareis a key factor to how this technology works.
Induction cooktops require pots and pans that are magnetic.
This means that materials like copper, aluminum, ceramic, and glass are not compatible with induction.
The size of your cookware matters more with induction cooking, too.
Ideally, induction pots and pans are flat bottomed and match the size of the cooking zone.
Reading the product description before buying online can help.
Overall, though, Saeed says induction is a comparable cooking experience with gas and electric.
There are some noticeable differences.
Taking a pan off heat for too long, for example, causes the cooking element to turn off.
Someone used to cooking by sight with gas flame will have to adjust to induction.
Perhaps the biggest difference is the performance:Induction rangesare generally considered to cook faster and more evenly.
Boiling a pot of water or scrambling has never been so easy, says Saeed.
Induction cooking also tends to be more precise.
When you turn the temperature down, the change is more immediate than with gas or electric.
You also have more control over the temperaturesome models even allow you to set it to an exact degree.
This cuts back on overcooking or boiling over once youve gotten the hang of cooking with induction.
Saeed points out that adjusting to the temperature and speed of induction is part of the learning curve.
This crackdown on gas is due to environmental and human health concerns.
Inductions efficiency reduces energy usage and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
Electric cooking methods like induction also result inbetter indoor air quality.
Heres what to consider if youre looking into induction cooking for your home.
Unlike gas, electric methods dont have an open flame to potentially catch a fire.
Accidentally melting a spatula or singing an oven mitt might be a thing of the past with these models.
Induction also offers more responsive and precise temperature control.
Inductions lack of gas and highly efficient magnetic heating makes itbetter for the environment, too.
Electric energy, on the other hand, eliminates that necessity.
In Northern California, there are financial incentives around the Bay Area to switch to induction, says Saeed.
TheInflation Reduction Actis another opportunity for rebates when you switch to induction.
This can be a substantial additional cost to the purchase of a new appliance.
Learning Curves
Adjusting to the speed, temperature, and technology behind induction is another major consideration.
More Expensive
Induction cooktops and ranges with induction surfaces are often still more expensive than gas or electric models.
This is generally explained as coming from the vibration of the magnetic energy.
Be sure you have the space on your electrical panel to handle the new unit.
It will likely need its own breaker, says Saeed.
This may make you wary of using a beloved but heavy cast-iron pot or pan.
