Any housewife spends a lot of time in the kitchen. Facilitate and speed up the cooking process can modern household appliances. The main attribute of any kitchen is no exception - the stove, which should still be safe and preferably beautiful. Therefore, many manufacturers of modern kitchen appliances pay attention to technical innovations specifically for creating new types of cooking appliances. The latest developments are induction hobs.
The principle of operation of the induction panel
Electromagnetic induction is not a new technical solution. It was discovered back in the 19th century by Michael Faraday and has been used in technology for a long time and successfully, including in everyday life. In kitchen appliances, contactless induction of current began to be used in the last twenty years of the twentieth century. Induction-electric panel works as a source of electric current. The voltage is supplied to a copper inductive coil, which is under a glass-ceramic coating. A powerful electromagnetic field arises between the coil and the metal bottom of the dishes, eddy currents are created at the bottom , which are accompanied by the release of heat, heating the very bottom, and the wall of the dishes, and the food that is in it. In this case, neither the burner nor the surface of the stove around it is heated.
Since thermal energy is released only in the space limited by the diameter of the dishes, it is spent only on cooking, so the efficiency of the induction hob is unusually high - more than 90%, while just electric - only 50%.
Harm to the induction panel
Induction panels during operation create electromagnetic fields and eddy currents. This is what causes a lot of sense and a negative reaction from housewives, because it is believed that electromagnetic radiation is harmful to humans.
The question of harm is most often asked on forums on the Internet by users who choose induction hobs. Owner reviews are clear - no harm. Even women who cooked on induction cookers throughout their pregnancy confirm that eddy currents had no effect on either their condition or the health of the baby.
The magnetic field that is created in the process of cooking, firstly, low-frequency, and secondly, acts no further than thirty centimeters from the surface.
Only people with pacemakers are not recommended close contact with a working induction cooker.
Advantages of the induction panel
High efficiency, minimal energy consumption, fire safety are the main advantages that distinguish induction panels. Since the hob does not heat up, it is impossible to get burned, and the food that accidentally gets on it does not burn, which greatly facilitates the care of the stove. You can even remove the stain with a paper towel, without waiting for the dish to cook and the stove to cool.
Since heat is generated in the cookware itself, the heating rate is very high. In addition, the speed of preheating and further cooking can be effectively controlled using a modern electronic unit. The electronics very precisely regulate the power of the hob using the Quick Rapid (or Par Boil, Heat Up depending on the manufacturer) function on the fast heating burner.
Attractive design with such an impressive list of advantages is already just a nice bonus.
The disadvantages of the induction panel
Induction panels, possessing significant advantages, are also distinguished by a high price against the background of very similar externally electric ceramic-ceramic hobs.
In addition, the built-in induction panel cannot be mounted over metal appliances, such as over an oven or a dishwasher, which may be critical for some kitchens.
Often, the restriction on the use of dishes is also uncomfortable. Induction cooker will not work with glass, ceramic, porcelain, copper or aluminum cookware.
Additional functions of induction panels
Different models of induction surfaces have convenient additional functions.
For example, they can change the diameter of the heating zone in accordance with the diameter of the bottom of the cookware within the diameter of the burner or give a light signal if the diameter of the pan is much smaller than the diameter of the burner.
In some models, there is a FlexInduction function, when the entire surface of the induction cooker becomes a single heating zone. This is convenient in families where food is cooked in large containers (pans or oval stewpan).
An additional convenience is provided by the PowerBoost express heating function for each individual burner, the power of which can be increased one and a half times due to the power of another burner to reduce the cooking time.
The burners can be so powerful that the one with which the energy is transmitted can continue to work on the remainder of its own power.
Many models have a Stop & Go stop and start function.
Induction Panel Manufacturers
Today, all manufacturers of household kitchen appliances also produce induction hobs. Reviews note the optimal price-performance ratio of Bosch, Zanussi, Hansa, Electrolux, Hotpoint-Ariston and Gorenje devices.
The induction surface of the Bosch model PIB651N14E remembers and maintains the temperature of the dishes needed by the hostess using the constant temperature adjustment function. The hob is equipped with a PowerBoost function for each heating zone, and the DirectSelect function sets the power level of any burner and activates the expansion zone of the oval burner.
Stainless steel side profiles and a polished leading edge - the integrated Gorenje IT642AXC induction panel looks great in any kitchen countertop.
Each of the four burners is equipped with a timer on which you can set the desired cooking time. The set heating mode and the entire device can be blocked. Burners recognize the presence of dishes, can acquire additional power. The stove can turn off when the burner overheats, it is equipped with an error indication system.
For the Hotpoint-Ariston KIO632CC induction hob, selective operation is of interest. The magnetic field does not turn on if metal objects with a diameter of less than 110 mm are on the surface, that is, nothing will happen with a large spoon forgotten on it. Three heating zones can be automatically switched off after the set cooking time. If there are any irregularities in the surface, a sound signal is given.
Original solutions for induction panels
The Gorenje IT641KR induction surface is of unusual white color with curving lines on the glass instead of the usual designation of four rings, each of which is equipped with its own separate timer, in addition to the PowerBoost and Stop & Go functions, it can defrost frozen foods, has a child lock, an audible signal and an alarm clock.
This is an expensive but popular induction panel. Reviews about it are noted first of all by a chic design, and then very fast heating, power adjustment, the absence of residual heating after a shutdown, as is characteristic of electric stoves.
Hansa INARI BHI69307 induction hob is made of completely black glass without any images on it. In the touch control zone there are recesses for the fingers in the form of symbols that allow you to change the operating settings of the device. The function "Bridge" is used in this hob, which allows you to combine two into one large heating zone. Another useful solution is the function of maintaining heat, which allows you to keep the dish warm after cooking.
The best induction panels
The expensive premium induction hob Gaggenau CX 480 is a continuous heating zone, the area of ββwhich is almost three square meters.
You can install on it in any place simultaneously four items of utensils, the size and shape of which do not matter. The dishes are displayed on a large touch TFT display, and for each item you can set the cooking time and one of seventeen levels of heating intensity.
For each of the zones where the pan or pan was standing, there is an indication of the residual heat of the surface. There is child protection and display protection for the safety of surface care.
In the induction surface Neff T44T43N0, the FlexInduction function is implemented: on the left, the heating zones are combined into one, which, if necessary, can work separately. In addition to the fairly usual functions of PowerBoost and Power Management (energy saving), there is also a Cleaning-pause mode, when the heaters stop working for 20 seconds, so that, for example, crumbling cereals can be removed.
This induction panel features an unusual control system with a magnetic switch. If it is removed from the surface, the panel turns off.
Single burner induction panels
Compact induction cookers include a single burner, but have all the positive qualities of a multi-burner induction panel.
According to customer reviews, the best induction hob with one burner is OURSSON IP1200T / S. It is usually purchased in addition to the main plate, but then, as a rule, is used instead of it. A wide range of settings allows you to set different temperatures, starting from 60 Β° C. It quickly heats up, is easy to maintain and manage, and has the ability to switch off protectively.
There is a domestic electric induction hob Darina, it is cheaper and simpler than OURSSON. It is equipped with a protective shutdown device, a timer with a preset and has seven operating modes, including universal, for boiling water and milk, preparing soup, stewing, frying, barbecue.
Today, induction heating is the most advanced technology in everyday cooking. High efficiency, safety, saving time and energy, easy maintenance, a wide range of sizes and number of burners, attractive design are the advantages of induction hobs that look so organically in modern kitchen interiors.