What is Induction Heating?

Induction cooking is the latest and greatest technology for your kitchen stove top. Though it's been used in Europe for decades it has made its way to the states within only the past few years. Let me tell you (from a layman's perspective) how it works.

When a pan (of ferrous material, aka. magnetic) is placed on the induction surface, an electromagnetic field is created. ONLY the pan gets hot. Look at this demonstration by Fagor, a pioneer in bringing induction cooking to the United States.

As you can see, it is not the element but the pan that gets hot. When the pan is removed no more heat is generated. This is a great safety feature for parents who's kids enjoy helping in the kitchen. It's also convenient for sloppy chefs... spills won't cook into the glass surface leaving them easy to wipe up :).

Induction cooktops are also energy and time efficient. Because energy is produced only where the pan is in direct contact, induction cooking uses 85-90% of the energy produced where as a gas cooktop is only about 30-40% efficient and electric, about 70% efficient. Because heat is produced instantly, water can be boiling in less than half the time it takes on a gas or electric cooktop and a pan can be ready for sauteing your veggies within seconds. Due to it's speed and even cooking, induction has become a favorite method of cooking for professional chefs and home makers alike.

Several kitchen appliance manufacturers carry induction cooktops. One of the major draw backs to this technology is cost, so now some companies are coming up with ways to make induction more affordable, available, and flexible.

Meile's Combisets are a modular design allowing clients to mix-and-match cooking surfaces to suite their cooking preferences (the induction cooktop is used in the middle of this configuration). You can put together any number of surfaces too which is great for small spaces and/or families where all you may need is two burners for a functional kitchen.

Fagor's portable induction cooktops provide this technology where it wasn't previously available. Now you can cook with induction in a dorm room, on a boat, or in the back yard. With a retail value of $250, Fagor has made induction cooking affordable to most consumers.

If you use induction cooking, let us know what you think!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


Image Credits: Image 1 - Gillian MacLeod for House Beautiful, Image 2 - fagoramerica.com, Image 3 - Meile, Appliances Catalog, Image 4 - macys.com

Sources:
www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/how-to-use/induction-cooking-troubleshooting?click=main_sr
Fagor; www.whatisinductioncooking.com
Meile; Appliances Catalog

A Chef-Style Kitchen

As a new employee at the Kitchen and Bath People I have been flooding myself with images, articles, blogs, websites, and magazines relating to kitchen and bathroom design with the goal to inspire and educate myself so I might share these new discoveries with you. With the guidance of Phyllis and Les to point me in the right direction, so far I have made some exciting discoveries from innovative projects to fabulous designers.

One telling of the times trend is our increased time spent at home. The "economic crisis" has had some positive repercussions if one can think optimistically. More time at home, especially at meal time as we tighten our financial belt, leads to quality time with loved ones as we help in the kitchen and share meals around the table. Cooking for yourself and family is nourishing for the body and soul and allows a real appreciation (and awareness!) for what we are putting into our bodies. Maybe we'll take more time to savor and enjoy, allowing a slower paced and healthier lifestyle.

With a movement leading us to spend more time in the kitchen, kitchen design is leading towards an efficient, "chef-style" space with open shelves, utensils sitting right out on the counter, and keeping everything used often visible and easy to access. I love this style! In a way it seems to add softness and personality to the space. The kitchen is an open book!

Here are some ideas to make your kitchen more user friendly:

Julia Child's peg board wall of cookware is genius! If you have nice pots and pans, why not show them off? And what about this simple idea my husband once pointed out to me in a Crate and Barrel catalog...Don't know where to store those lids to your pots and pans? Just slip the handle for the lid right onto the handle of the pan and voila, problem solved!

A photo from Ina Garten's barn kitchen, designed by Robert Stilin and House Beautiful's "Kitchen of the Year," shows that separating wood and stainless utensils in separate containers keeps them organized and identifiable.

These wall racks by Fagor are fabulous! They keep everything you might need in site but off the counter space. Being ultra flexible, you can easily add and take away what you decide to hang from these racks.Here is an installation shot of a Sachen Kuchen kitchen. As you can see, there are many options out there, including some with integrated under cabinet lighting!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com

Photo Credits
Photo 2: Crate and Barrel online, Photo 3: Julian Wass for House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year, Photo 4: Fagor catalog, Photo 5: Sachsen Kuchen-USA website