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