Induction Cookers - How Do They Work?

If you love cooking then you must have heard of induction technology, it is the next step in the evolution of cooking technology.

Induction hobs use electromagnetism, which in simple terms refers to the use of magnetism to generate electricity. Instead of using burners under the pan, induction cookers use a series of magnets to stimulate the atoms inside the cookware thereby heating only the pot or pan.

If safety is one of your concerns then induction cookers should be an easy choice, it does not require you to go through the hassle of using gas neither does it heat the surface, as is the case with electric cookers.

Since induction cookers use magnetism, any utensil that does not interact with magnets will not work, so you if you're thinking of moving away from electric or gas cooker then your utensils will have to change as well. Only cast iron and stainless-steel pans are compatible with induction cookers, it will not work with copper or aluminum. To test if the pot/pan will work with an induction cooker, simply bring a magnet close to the surface of the utensil, if it sticks, it is compatible.

How Safe Is Induction Cooking?

It is the safest way to cook, because unlike an electric or gas cooker it does not heat the surface so even if your induction cooker is turned on, you can place your hand on it and you wouldn't feel a thing but as soon as you place a pan/pot on it, it will start heating it up.

You will not feel a thing unless your hand is made of steel or iron.

How does Induction compare to Gas or Electric Cookers?

Gas cookers have been around for ages and people still prefer them, familiarity with the technology makes it seem convenient. The flame can be controlled with a knob and they require no electricity since it uses natural gas. It comes with its baggage of risks and inconveniences, from the risk of gas leaks to dirty stove tops that are a nightmare to clean.

Electric cookers, on the other hand, are slightly safer since they do not use gas but unlike induction, they heat up the surface, not just the pan. They also heat up quite slow compared to Gas and Induction cookers so cooking food in large pots will take a long time.

Induction cookers have outlined surface to indicate where to place your pots/pans, magnetism is only conducted is those specified regions so if your pan is in between two regions it will cook unevenly. Bosch's Flex induction cooker aims to solve this problem by dividing the entire cooktop into two larger vertical regions - the entirely of both these regions is magnetized so even if you have any pots/pans next to each other, it will cook just as well.

Although Induction cookers are slightly expensive but the convenience it brings to your kitchen outweighs the additional cost. It is energy efficient, cooks faster and brings a modern look to your kitchen. If you're looking to upgrade from a gas or electric cooker, induction is the way to go.