Cooking with Technology: Induction Cooktops are Here to Stay

Technology is making it possible to get more done in less time, touching all aspects of our lives, including time spent in the kitchen. Induction cooktops are one such appliance, using advanced technology to save you both time and energy. Already popular throughout Europe where high electricity costs demand energy efficiency, induction is finally breaking into the North American market at a tremendous pace.

Direct Heating

Induction is essentially unique in that it uses electromagnetic energy to directly heat pots and pans. In comparison, gas and electric cooktops heat indirectly using either a burner or heating element to heat cookware from underneath. That radiant energy is then passed on to your food. Induction cooktops don’t use burners or heating elements underneath the pan but instead utilize a series of magnets that energize the iron atoms in a pan to generate heat. This type of heating is why induction cooking requires a magnetic based cooking material such as cast iron or magnetic stainless steel.

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No Wasted Heat

Induction is capable of delivering approximately 80-90% of its electromagnetic energy to the food in the pan, compared to gas, which converts approximately 38% of its energy. That is quite a bit of lost energy. Induction cooktops only heat the cookware you’re using and nothing else. The heat generated from the cooktop is kept to a minimum so your kitchen won’t heat up and the chance to burn yourself or catch something on fire is close to nil.

Time Saver

With induction, it takes far less time to get liquids to a boil (approximately 40% quicker than gas) and the cooktop surface remains cool throughout use. The technology in these cooktops not only decreases the amount of time you spend boiling and heating your food, but it also provides advanced safety measures that prevent burns and other injuries.

When looking at various cooktops for your new kitchen, know that there is more than gas and electric available and see if induction is right for you and your family.