In connection with the trend of energy savings observed around the world, there are more and more innovative technologies. So, the main elements consuming energy are all kinds of heaters, without which it is impossible to do for modern man. The fact is that part of the energy called to do useful work is wasted. Electric stoves, for example, heat not only dishes with food, but also the very surface of the stove. To reduce these losses, an induction cooker was developed , the power consumption of which is saved due to the features of its functioning.
Induction Cooker
An induction cooker for cooking is a device that has a completely different heating principle. It does not contain a heating spiral. Instead, it uses a high-frequency magnetic field that excites induction currents in the metal surface. The flow of these currents is already doing useful work, warming up the dishes, and with it the food. Therefore, the induction cooker spends power as intended.
Not all dishes are suitable for use on induction cookers. It must have magnetic permeability and a specific value of resistivity, otherwise the furnace simply will not work. Steel is most suitable for these purposes.
Device and principle of operation
The heating plate is based on high-frequency coils made of copper. They operate at frequencies in the range of 20.0-60.0 kHz - this is significantly higher than the frequency of a regular network of 50 Hz. The alternating current in the conductor according to the law of magnetic induction creates an alternating magnetic flux in the space surrounding it, and that in turn is the EMF in the conductors falling into this field. This is how an ordinary transformer works, which is an induction cooker, transmitting power to the secondary winding, which is the utensil with food. Most importantly, there is no loss in heating the glass-ceramic surface covering the coils, because ceramics do not have electrical conductivity. Consequently, the losses are minimal, and heating occurs many times faster, which significantly increases the efficiency of such a burner.
All control over the process is carried out by the electronic unit. It turns the coils on and off, recognizes the material of the dishes and its presence on the stove, sets the operating modes of the device. The unit is equipped with a power and cooling system. Therefore, when installing an induction cooker, it is imperative to follow the rules and leave the necessary clearance for ventilation.
Energy consumption on induction cooker
Different companies produce induction cookers of different capacities, but if you take the average indicator, then basically one burner consumes up to 2 kW per hour. At first glance, this seems a lot, given the fact that there are two- and four-burner stoves. And it turns out that stoves with tens consume the same amount. Then the question arises, what is the saving here?
However, the efficiency of induction cookers is 90%, and on heaters no more than 70% - why is that? Everything is very simple. Efficiency increases due to the fact that the induction cooker heats the metal surface of the dishes, and the process occurs instantly. Tena, on the other hand, first warms up their case, then the air gap between the dishes and the heater, and then the cooking container itself. All this is a loss of time, and therefore, electricity.
As a result, it turns out that a powerful 3.5 kW induction panel heats two liters of water to a boil in 6 minutes, and the same heating power in 30 minutes! The difference is impressive. Now calculate where the energy consumption is greater, and multiply this by the number of cooking operations per day. So it turns out that the induction cooker has a large capacity, and the energy consumption is negligible.
Some features of induction cookers
World manufacturers of household electrical appliances did not fail to include induction cooker models in their product line and endowed them with exclusive features:
- BSH Siemens Siemens cookers are designed for large kitchen areas. They are equipped with four burners and a system of infrared sensors that control cooking. A separate sensor for cooking and frying plus a multimedia display does not allow burning products and ignition of the working parts.
- CATA hobs are presented with a large selection of sizes and the presence of all the basic functions, including the “booster” function (power transfer to the adjacent burner). In addition, the touch screen has a protection lock from possible attempts to turn on children.
- Electrolux along with full functionality offers a reinforced ceramic surface, an unusual design and the absence of strictly established working areas - the surface can heat up at any point in the installation of devices.
- WOK has developed an induction cooker whose power can vary over a wide range. Unusually implemented work surface, in which there are special recesses for the concentration of heat. The minimum heat transfer capacity allows delicate operations such as melting chocolate, for example.
- Some manufacturers combine conventional ceramic heating elements and induction hobs on the same stove.
Advantages and disadvantages of the device
- Convenience of installation on any surface of the countertop.
- The fastest heating compared to gas burners and ceramic type heaters .
- Automation of the system for turning on and off the burner - sensors detect the presence of dishes on the surface of the panel.
- Target heating of only the working surface of the dishes, everything else: a burner, indoor air, objects nearby, remain cold.
- Do not think about how powerful the induction cooker is, because they are all powerful, but very economical due to the electronics and the principle of operation.
- Serious functionality that allows you to use many cooking programs for every taste and lifestyle.
- Smooth surface is easy to clean.
- One hundred percent safety: burns, fires and damage to property are excluded.
In addition to all of the above, induction panels have a modern design and are an adornment of any kitchen. The power adjustment of the induction cooker is smooth and fully automated.
The disadvantages of induction cookers include the fact that they do not work with surfaces such as aluminum or heat-resistant glass, although there are a lot of such dishes. In addition, the power of the induction cooker in kW is not so small: from 1.5 to 3, or even higher.
Conclusion
The new generation induction cookers are designed for profitability, a high rhythm of life and providing maximum comfort for consumers. Of course, they will not replace cooking on a live fire, because such food turns out to be the most delicious. But they can save a lot of time, and then it will definitely turn out to go with friends for the weekend and enjoy chatting around the fire.