The induction cooktop: modern & effective.
The induction cooktop is a modern hob. Energy-saving and effective. What you should consider when buying.
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If you are looking for a new cooktop, you will not be able to avoid the term induction. Induction cooktop are currently in vogue as they offer a number of advantages over gas and electric cooktop. Energy efficiency, for example. With an induction cooktop, you use around 20% less energy than with simple glass ceramic cooktop. However, they are also a lot more expensive. Read more about the comparison of cooktop in our article "cooktops. Self-sufficient. Safe. Intelligent".
There are many myths about induction on the Internet. You can charge a cell phone with an induction cooktop. Cooking interacts with radio-controlled clocks and pacemakers. And pets, with their sensitive ears, hear the basic frequency of the magnetic forces twice as loudly as humans. Is that right? We went in search of answers and had our cooktop expert Brian explain the function and handling of induction cooktop.
What is induction?
However, induction is not really new. The English naturalist Michael Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction in 1831 when he tried to reverse the way a magnet works.
In the kitchen, induction ensures efficient heat supply. This is made possible by a coil made of copper wire that sits under the ceramic plate of the hob, explains Brian. This coil generates a magnetic field. If you now place suitable dishes, such as a pot, on the hob, the pot is heated by the magnetic field. And only where it comes into contact with the plate. This not only saves energy, but is also much safer in terms of burns.
Advantages and disadvantages of induction cooktop
Induction cooktop have even more advantages over their competitors, electric and gas cooktop. But of course they also have disadvantages. So that you know the most important aspects when buying an induction cooktop, we have put together a pros and cons list.
Induction cooktop advantages 👍
- Uses less energy
- Large selection of accessories
- Lots of extra functions
- Fast cooking times
- Easy to clean
Induction cooktop disadvantages 👎
- More expensive than electric hobs
- Requires cookware for induction
Low power consumption
A big advantage is the energy efficiency. An induction cooktop uses around 20% less energy than a simple glass ceramic cooktop. This is mainly because the energy is used efficiently and not "wasted". This is because heat is only generated when suitable cookware is on the cooktop.
Flexible cooking zones
An advantage of the induction cooktop is the relatively large number of special functions. For example, flexible cooking zones (flex or vario zones) that can be connected to one another and expanded to form a large plate. This means that a large roasting pan or grill plate can also fit on the cooktop.
With the full-surface induction cooktop (surface induction), fixed cooking zones are a thing of the past. It has a single large surface for cooking and frying. No matter where you put the pot or pan, the cooktop recognizes it and heats it up.
Pots & pans suitable for induction
The biggest disadvantage of induction cooktop: You need (new) induction-compatible pots and pans that react to the hob's magnetic field. Unfortunately, this is not the case with all cookware.
A widely used tip for checking compatibility is the magnet test: simply hold a magnet under the pot or pan. If it sticks to the cookware, it could be induction-compatible. However, this trick is not a guarantee, says our expert.
Induction or electric cooktop?
Do I absolutely need induction or will a simple electric cooktop do? Everyone should answer this question for themselves. And honestly. Ask yourself: What type of cook am I? Are you a frequent cook who cooks for family and friends (several times) a day? Are you a hobby cook with professional tools who likes to try out new and unusual recipes? Or are you somewhere between an everyday cook and a functional cook?
An induction cooktop can be the best choice, especially for families. It allows you to cook quickly and in an energy-saving way. Aspects that are always a topic in everyday family life. The cooktop also scores points for safety. No hot hotplates without a pot means no more burning fingers. The stove only heats up where a pot or pan is currently standing. You also benefit from the latest technologies. The latest models not only have a touch pad, which is now almost standard on modern hobs. They also have an image display and cooking assistants to help you choose cooking time and temperature.
Cooking with induction: Which foods are suitable for an induction cooktop?
So much for the theory. I wonder: are there certain foods that are better prepared with induction? Basically, you can cook (almost) anything on an induction cooktop, says Brian. Because the heat is generated quickly, it is ideal for boiling water. For example, for pasta, potatoes and rice. Even more complicated dishes, such as roasts, are easy to prepare thanks to the combinable cooking zones. And with the help of a grill plate, you can even grill meat and vegetables.
Induction myths: Is induction really dangerous to your health?
But what about the myths surrounding induction? We clarify the most common questions about induction and take a closer look at the most popular induction myths.
Can you really charge a cell phone with an induction cooktop?
Unfortunately not, says Brian. Wireless charging of smartphones via induction works in a similar way. However, the devices, smartphone and cooktop, are not compatible with each other. And if you don't want your cell phone to be destroyed in the attempt, you should use an appropriate induction charger for smartphones to charge it.
Are pets at risk from induction?
The sensitivity of pets is also not to be considered serious. After all, the basic principle of induction is nothing new in the home. Accordingly, animals should also react to other electromagnetic fields, our expert points out. And I can confirm to you: My cat does not react to my electric toothbrush.
Is an induction hob harmful to your health?
A health risk cannot be confirmed either. This is because there are strict guidelines that every manufacturer must adhere to. There is one exception, however: if you have a pacemaker installed, you should consult your doctor before purchasing your new device. This is because interactions can actually occur if the hob and pacemaker transmit on the same frequency.
Popular induction cooktop online in the shop
Discover popular induction cooktop online in our shop!
Miele induction cooktop
A Miele induction cooktop is modern, scratch-resistant (Miele Diamond) and can sometimes even be set and controlled to the exact temperature (Miele TempControl). Modern Miele hobs are available from around €400.
Siemens induction cooktop
A Siemens induction cooktop is elegant, innovative and modern. Modern induction hobs from Siemens have built-in frying sensors (Siemens frying sensor Plus) that monitor the temperature while cooking. They are scratch-resistant (Siemens diamondProtect cooktop) and can also be controlled smartly via Home Connect.
