Who loves cooking knows? The cooking tops are not all the same. Different solutions meet every home appliance and network store need, from a traditional gas stove to a more modern electric one. The latest evolution is an induction cooktop, which cooks extremely efficiently without fire and flames.
On average, they are more expensive than other cooktops, but the high energy yield and its benefits largely justify the price.
But how does it work? What advantages does it bring to the kitchen? And how to choose the best induction cooktop? Here is a complete guide to understanding features, operations, and factors to consider when buying.
Table of Contents
How does an induction cooktop work, and what are the main advantages
The induction cooktop does not work on gas but electricity and consists of a ceramic hob under which the pulsating heart of the entire plant is located: coils.
Powered by an electric current, they generate a magnetic field directly to the pots, heating them and producing the heat necessary to cook the food. Unlike the other hob types in the induction cooktop, the heat is generated inside pans, and heat loss is considerably lower.
Most of the flame’s heat is dispersed in the surrounding air in the classic gas hobs, yielding around 40%. On the other hand, the induction system is incredibly efficient: almost 90% of the energy produced is transformed into heat to cook food.
The induction cooktop is very fast and uniform, and it takes only a few minutes to bring a pot of water to a boil. The heat is transmitted only to a pot and not to the floor, avoiding heat loss and reducing the risk of burns.
In summary, the main advantages of the induction plan are:
- Greater efficiency and efficiency.
- Warm up faster and evenly.
- Greater security thanks to low temperatures on the floor.
- Practical to use and easy to clean.
How to choose an induction cooktop: Types and Characteristics
What are the factors to consider when choosing the best induction cooktop?
- Size and number of burners: Consider buying a larger or smaller model based on your needs. Plans with more fires are generally more expensive, but a model with one or two fires could be limited even for a single person with a passion for cooking.
- Costs: as we said, the prices of induction cooktops are very high, and they vary according to size, materials, and functionality. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the need for a more powerful meter than the average and a consequent increase in electricity bills.
- Cooking times: one of the first things to understand is how long the plate takes to bring the water to 90°. The best models need about 6-8 minutes for two liters of water.
- Power regulation: an important aspect of the choice is functions regulating heat in the different cooking zones. Some models also have a boost function to increase the maximum limit’s power for a certain period.
- Safety devices: a good induction cooktop is equipped with a system to block random ignition, a function against spills to prevent liquids from spilling onto the plate, and quickly cool the cooking zones.
How to use an induction cooktop
The induction cooktop is convenient to use and, above all, easy to clean. However, there are some precautions to remember for the correct plates’ functioning.
First, you must use special pots made of ferrous material (which activates the magnetic field) and a flat bottom. Copper, aluminum, and terracotta are not good, and you have to consider replacing the pots you already own with others suitable for induction.
On the market, some adapters allow you to use any pot but are not recommended because they increase the cooking time and, consequently, the costs. Moreover, for optimal yield, the pot must be positioned in the center of a plate and cover the entire surface.
Duration and Maintenance
The induction cooktop is usually very resistant but must consider certain aspects to ensure long life and correct operation. As we have seen, certified pots are essential, and we must take care not to drag them on the plane to avoid scratching them.
To keep the surface smooth and functional, it must be cleaned regularly with specific products. Before cleaning, ensure the plate is switched off and cold to avoid getting burned. A soft sponge or a microfibre cloth will be fine, while abrasive sponges or scouring pads that could scratch should avoid the top.
The best quality/price induction cooktop for safety, efficiency, and cooking times
After seeing all the fundamental aspects to consider when choosing the best induction cooktop, we can finally determine which top 10 best induction cooktop is currently on the market.
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