Everything You Need to Know About Induction Cooking

Induction cooking has been with us a long time – the 'miracle of cool heating' was put on display at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933 – but use of the technology has only grown modestly over the years.

Until recently.....

So what's changed?

Firstly, a whole new generation of induction cooking equipment has been launched in recent years. At the same time, costs to produce the technology have plummeted. Thirdly, and critically, energy costs have rocketed, making induction cooking an even more attractive proposition.

In a nutshell, the equipment is better, it costs less to buy and it saves on running costs.

So it's no surprise that induction cooking is gaining in popularity – but there are still a few myths that need to be debunked.

Myth busters

Induction cooking isn't for me because…

…You need special cookware

No you don't. You just need cookware with a high ferrous content (i.e. magnetic) – many pans are equally at home on induction as on standard gas or electric hobs.

…You can't use your stainless steel cookware

Yes you can. Although, in reality not all stainless steel pans are created equal. If a magnet sticks to it though, you should be fine!

…The magnetic field is dangerous

Only if you have a pacemaker fitted! Otherwise all the research indicates that the magnetic fields created by induction units pose no danger to users. And in fact, the field is only projected about 2-3 cm above the hob's surface.

…Induction hobs are expensive

Induction hobs are more expensive to buy BUT they are so much more efficient than gas or electric hobs that you use much less energy, which means lower fuel bills.

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Why induction?

Speed - It's faster than a standard gas or electric hob.

Precise control - Change temperature instantly and accurately.

Energy efficiency - It uses significantly less power than a standard gas or electric hob.

Cost saving - Lower running costs than gas or standard electric hobs.

Safety - It's safer than a standard hob.

Easy to clean - The flat surface is hygienic and easy to wipe clean, because the heat isn't generated in the hob, food never gets "burnt on".

Choice - A huge range of sizes and applications, from multi-burner island suites to table-top models.

How induction works

Speed

Because the energy goes straight to the pan, it's super-fast. A commercial induction hob can boil a pan of water more quickly than an electric kettle and can heat an empty (induction-compatible) pan up to 200°C in less than a minute.

Safety

The hob or stove top barely gets warm, except directly under the pan (where the latent heat from the pan heats the glass), so its surfaces can be much safer than standard electric or gas hobs.

Energy efficiency

Induction is a very efficient way to heat pans, and because it is so fast there's no need to preheat or have the 'burner' switched on - it delivers instant heat.

And even if you DO leave the element switched on, if there's no pan on the hob then it will only consume approximately .38 watts of power per hour – virtually nothing.

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Which material is best?

Cast iron, steel, some enamelled steel, and stainless steel pans with an iron base or core are suitable, but glass, aluminium and copper generally are not. If in doubt, look for the induction-compatible symbol or try the magnet test.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a popular choice for cookware because it's strong, hard and non-corrosive. In it's magnetic form it is induction compatible, but it's not the best conductor of heat, so is often combined with aluminium in multi-layered bases.

Cast iron

Cast iron cookware can be pricey, but is very durable if looked after properly. It gives very even heat transfer at low settings, but does take longer to heat up and cool down than other types of cookware.

Aluminium

Aluminium conducts heat very well, is lightweight, affordable and doesn't rust – but aluminium alone is incompatible with induction. Manufacturers overcome this by using a magnetic stainless steel plate on the base of an aluminium pan to make it compatible for induction. The plate generates the heat from the induction hob and passes it through to the rest of the pan.

Copper

Copper is an even better heat conductor than aluminium but is eye-wateringly expensive! Top end manufacturers, such as Demeyere and Mauviel, use it because it the most efficient, helping you to produce stunning results.

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