Induction hob - pros and cons of hobs, reviews

An induction cooker is the optimal solution for safe cooking in the kitchen and saving energy.

Her choice often raises a number of questions that should be sorted out before going to the store.

Pay attention to the ratings of various induction cookers presented on our website, there is a detailed overview of the models with characteristics, pros and cons:

• the best models for moonshine brewing;
• tabletop with 1 burner;
• tabletop with 2 burners;
• hob with 2 burners;
• a large rating of different categories of hobs.

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Working principle of an induction cooker

Keep in mind! The operating principle is based on electromagnetic induction, that is, on the flow of electric current when the magnetic flux changes.

An induction coil is located under the glass-ceramic surface, and a current with a frequency of 20 to 100 kHz flows through it.

The induction coil plays the role of the primary winding, and the cookware that is placed on the surface is the secondary winding .

When pots and pans are placed on a work surface, induction currents appear that heat them. The glass-ceramic surface of the tile also heats up, but from the dishes, and not from the work area.

The power of the burner is regulated by two methods - impulsive or continuous.

In the first case, the operation of the device will periodically stop. The operating frequency depends on the installed power.

The areas not involved in the direct heating of the cookware are made in such a way that they always remain cold, so the possibility of getting a burn is significantly reduced.

Heating elements of the working area are divided into several types:

• Spiral . They look like a twisted spiral and heat up within 15 seconds.
• Tape. They look like a ribbon coiled like springs. Heats up in 8 seconds.
• Induction. They create a high-frequency field that heats the bottom of the dish.
• Halogen. They are made in the form of a tube filled with halogen gas. The current passes through the heater located inside. Maximum heating is achieved almost instantly, in a maximum of 3 seconds.

Operating principle

Induction cooktops are distinguished by the way they transfer heat to the cookware. Typically, in electric stoves, the burner heats up, transferring heat to the pot or pan sitting on it. With induction everything is different. The surface itself remains cold, but the bottom of the pan heats up directly. This is made possible by an induction coil located under the glass-ceramic surface. The coil creates a high-frequency magnetic field that heats the bottom of the metal cookware.

The induction operating principle of the hob provides minimal heat loss, while significantly reducing the heating time of pots and pans. In terms of heating speed, induction panels surpass even the “fastest” electric stoves with halogen heaters, and this advantage is difficult to dispute, since it can be easily compared.

On average, it takes 10-12 minutes to boil 2 liters of water on a regular electric stove. Induction ones solve this problem in 5-7 minutes, without spending more electricity. The “Fast heating” mode, which many models are equipped with, allows you to further speed up heating. By turning on the function, the power of the free burner will be transferred to the activated one, which will speed up the heating process.

Tests carried out by specialists have shown that induction hobs have the highest efficiency, which is close to 90%. For example, for a gas burner this figure does not exceed 65%, and for glass-ceramic burners it is 60%. The advantage of induction panels is not only the high heating speed, there are others.

pros

It is worth noting! Induction cookers have a lot of advantages and disadvantages over other options on the market. Among them:

• Automatic shut-off when cookware is removed from the burner.
• Do not provoke unpleasant odors.
• Easy to maintain . The models have a glass surface that is easy to clean. Cooking utensils also do not stick.
• Low risk of burns , since the non-working surface remains cold and can only be heated by the utensils being used.
• Protection against utensils that are not suitable for cooking. The stove will not work if the pot or pan does not have a magnetic bottom.
• Maintaining the desired temperature at the same level.
• Stable power , independent of network voltage.
• Large selection of cooking programs.
• Saves electricity , since maximum heating occurs in a matter of seconds.

Pros of induction cooktops

Induction cooktops have perhaps more advantages than household cooktops with other types of heating. They are more energy efficient, easier to use and more functional.

Low power consumption

Compared to other types of heating elements, an induction panel uses the energy it consumes very efficiently. The heat is not generated inside the burner, but directly in the bottom of the cookware, resulting in minimal thermal energy loss. If we compare induction burners with Hi-Light, the former are 20-30% more economical, and this is quite a significant difference.

Of all the hobs used today, induction ones are characterized by the highest efficiency - 90-93% (for electric hobs with cast iron burners this value is 53-56%, and for gas burners even 49-52%).

Induction hob - efficiency - 90-93%

Hob with cast iron burners - efficiency - 53-56%

Hob with gas burners - efficiency - 49-52%

Fast heating

An equally significant advantage of induction panels for many buyers is the high speed of heating pots and their contents. Practice shows that they surpass even good gas burners in terms of heating speed, let alone electric stoves with ordinary cast iron “pancakes”. It's not even speed, it's super speed.

This feature of induction panels is explained quite simply. When a traditional burner is operating, the heating element first heats up, from which the surface of the burner itself heats up, the latter already gives off its heat to the pot or frying pan standing on it.

With the induction heating method, there is no such multi-stage process: the cookware is heated not due to heat transfer, but due to the appearance of eddy currents in its bottom when an electromagnetic field is applied. It is this direct, “targeted” effect that ensures rapid heating. In addition, the induction hob is characterized by a lightning-fast reaction to any change in mode, which housewives really like, since this creates ideal conditions for preparing various dishes.

Low heating of the hob

Since an induction hob does not have heating elements, its surface temperature during operation does not rise as much as other types of household stoves. The glass-ceramic surface heats up, but only from the bottom of the pot or pan standing on it.

To evaluate, let's give a few numbers: cast iron burners heat up to 250-280°C or more during operation, Hi-Light - to almost 500°C, and the surface temperature of a working induction panel does not exceed 80°C. (At such low values, the residual heat indication seems a bit of a redundant function, however, almost all modern hobs provide it.)

As you can imagine, this makes working with an induction cooker much safer. You will not get burned if you accidentally touch the work surface while cooking. This quality will certainly be appreciated by families with small children.

Low surface heating.

Easy to care for

Due to the low temperature of the hob, food accidentally placed on it will not burn. In addition, to wipe the burner, you won’t have to wait long for it to cool down. This greatly simplifies the process of polishing up after finishing the work, which means that the “escaped” milk will not upset you so much.

You can wipe off escaped milk without turning off the panel.

Ease of preparation

All housewives who have tried induction cookers are unanimous in their opinion that cooking on them is very convenient. And we are talking not only and not so much about high heating speed and accuracy. Due to the absence of thermal inertia, induction cookers react very sensitively to any changes in settings, including a decrease in power: when adjustments are made to the mode, the temperature changes almost instantly. The presence of many very useful functions turns cooking into a fun and easy process.

Technical advancement

The undoubted advantage of induction hobs is their technical advancement. They can do much more than their “ancestors” with cast iron burners, and have a number of functions that are not available for other types of hobs.

Would you like some examples to support these words? Please…

An induction hob can detect the size and shape of the bottom of a pot or pan placed on it. Current will be supplied only to those coils that are located directly under the bottom of the dish. In other words, the size of the heating zone automatically adjusts to the area of ​​the cookware. This increases the heating efficiency and efficiency of the device.

In some models, it is no longer necessary to precisely align the dishes along the contour of the burner - it will be quite enough to simply block the cross in its center. That is why some of the heating zones are designated quite arbitrarily, for example, by a large rectangular field.

The PowerMove or PowerSlide function allows you to change the heat intensity by simply moving the cookware across the hob surface.

This is not all that induction cooktops can do. But you will still have the opportunity to become more fully acquainted with the functionality of the average induction cooker.

Manufacturers are constantly improving the control system for induction hobs to make it as easy as possible for the user to enter settings and make this process more intuitive. Some models, for example, have separate buttons for each power level, which allows settings to be made in one or two touches. Other models have touch sliders that allow you to select an operating mode by simply sliding your finger along the scale.

Relatively recently, circular sliders have appeared that imitate the operation of the rotary controls familiar to everyone. There are, however, more unusual solutions, such as, for example, a control unit with a magnetic removable Twist Pad element.

Most induction hobs have the ability to lock the control buttons - a useful option if there are small children in the house. But so far only a few premium-class induction cookers are equipped with touch displays that reflect the operating mode of the device, the settings of individual zones, the location and shape of the cookware, etc.

Connectable heating zones

For many models of induction hobs, heating zones (burners) can be combined if necessary. This means that they will temporarily work together as one, and accordingly have common settings. This allows you to cook not only in standard-sized pots and pans, but also in large-sized dishes (grill pans, roasting pans, etc.), as well as in irregularly shaped dishes (for example, a duck pot). A similar function is called Bridge.

Determining the presence of dishes

Almost all modern models of induction panels have a function for recognizing the presence of cookware: the burner will not work if there is no cookware on it. Housewives now do not have to worry that they will forget to turn off the stove after finishing cooking dinner - it will turn off itself as soon as the pan is removed from its surface.

By the way, the panel will not work even if the area of ​​contact of the dishes with the hob is too small. This means that you can safely leave a spoon or knife on it - the stove will not turn on and start heating them.

Stop&Go function

The Stop&Go function, which has also become quite common, allows you to pause the cooking process for a while by turning off a working burner or turning it to the minimum power level. The housewife can now easily leave the kitchen if necessary, without fear that a dish that requires attention will be spoiled. By pressing the Stop&Go button again, it will resume the process with the settings in effect before the stop being restored.

Pause

The “Cleaning-pause” function allows you to stop the operation of the induction coils for 20-30 seconds so that the user can wipe the control panel or collect spilled cereal or spilled liquid from the hob. This function has not yet received mass distribution and is found only in a few models.

But blocking the panel from unauthorized changes to settings, in other words “child protection,” is in great demand, and therefore is found on almost all induction cookers.

Intense heating

If you need to heat the contents of the pan even faster than an induction hob usually does, you can use the intensive heating function (different manufacturers call it differently - Power, Booster, Powerboost). In this case, the power supply to this burner will be increased at the expense of the adjacent burner (of course, the power of the “assistant” will be temporarily greatly reduced).

In some models, electricity can be removed not even from one, but from two adjacent burners (Twin Booster). The amount of power on the “powered” burner, as a rule, increases to 2.5-3.5 kW, and for some models to a previously unimaginable 4.5 kW. For security reasons, this function is time limited (usually no more than 10 minutes).

Cooking control functions

Control functions, which, unfortunately, are not available on all induction cookers, significantly simplify the cooking process. For example, the “Boiling Control” function will allow the housewife not to wait near the stove for the contents of the pan that has just been placed on the stove to warm up. After activating this function and selecting the main cooking mode, you can calmly go about other things: the hob itself will start working at maximum power, and when the water boils, it will switch to the set mode.

Many housewives will appreciate the “Keep Warm” function. The induction hob will maintain the temperature at 40-70°C. As a result, the finished dish will not burn or dry out, but will remain warm until the household finally gathers at the dinner table.

Some induction cookers have automatic programs for maintaining optimal temperature conditions for preparing various foods and dishes (eggs, fish, vegetables, soup, etc.).

The timer, which until recently was a rarity, is now found in 80% of manufactured induction panels. At the same time, you can increasingly see a more advanced version of it - a timer with automatic shutdown of the device. There are even economical timers that turn off the heat a little earlier than the appointed time in order to complete cooking using the residual heat.

Is there any harm to health?

The use of electromagnetic fields in the product may confuse the untrained user.

However, there is no need to worry about this.

Scientists have conducted many studies on the effect of a working induction cooker on the health of a person located in close proximity to the device during cooking.

Here are the conclusions drawn:

• The electromagnetic field affects exclusively the bottom of the cookware, which is located directly on the burner.
• The field itself is minimal; it will not harm a person, all other things being equal.
• Induction cookers are equipped with an absorption function. It will not have a negative effect on the user.

Cons of induction cooktops

Many users recognize the benefits of induction as a more efficient heating method. However, induction panels, which have a huge number of undeniable advantages, are not yet very popular among Russian buyers. What is the reason?

Firstly, induction is an unusual thing for the average person, and therefore causes some caution. Secondly, the induction hob also has its disadvantages.

Higher cost

The main disadvantage of induction hobs from the point of view of the average buyer is their high cost. Technically more advanced, more “advanced” induction panels are indeed more expensive than stoves with Hi Light burners, and even more expensive than conventional electric stoves. Having just appeared on the market, they scared off many potential buyers precisely because of their price. But time passes, and induction is gradually becoming a more accessible pleasure.

In order not to be unfounded, we will present a few numbers. The cost of an average induction hob from a well-known manufacturer today is about 20 thousand rubles. There are models that will cost you even less – 10-15 thousand. (Of course, we are not talking about slabs in the premium price segment, the price of which is comparable to the cost of a budget car.) For comparison: a glass-ceramic panel can be purchased for 15-18 thousand. As you can see, there is no reason to break spears.

The difference in price between induction panels and electric stoves with cast iron burners is, of course, somewhat larger. However, it is worth taking into account that if you “overpay” at the stage of purchasing a stove, you will very soon compensate for this difference due to more economical energy consumption.

Cookware with ferromagnetic properties is required

The housewife who has become the owner of an induction hob will have to reconsider her “fleet” of kitchen utensils. Not every pot or pan will work. The fact is that when using this panel, heating occurs directly in the bottom of the cookware due to the occurrence of induction currents in it. It is clear that this dish must be special.

A cook does not necessarily need to know the intricacies of physics. Simply, you should remember that you can only use dishes whose bottom is made of a material with ferromagnetic properties. Such products are today produced by almost all manufacturers of kitchenware and are designated with a special sign.

Designation of cookware for induction hobs.

But what about old dishes? Do you really have to give up your favorite saucepan or saucepan? Not at all. Steel and cast iron utensils will still serve you well. But, alas, you will have to give up aluminum, copper, brass, glass, ceramic cookware, as well as cookware made from thin-walled steel or layered materials. In addition, the bottom of the vessel must be perfectly flat: differences of more than 1 mm are unacceptable.

It’s quite easy to check whether your old cookware, which does not have special markings, is suitable for the induction panel: just attach a regular magnet to the bottom. If it holds, it means everything is in order, the dishes will “remain in service.”

In fact, you don't even have to do this simple procedure with a magnet. Most models of induction cookers have a cookware recognition function and will tell you whether a particular cookware is suitable for them or not. If the pot or pan does not have a ferromagnetic bottom, the panel simply will not start working. As you understand, it is impossible to damage an induction hob by putting something wrong on it: in this case, the device simply will not turn on.

Installation restrictions

The installation of an induction hob has some peculiarities, and we advise those who like to install household appliances solely in accordance with their own ideas about physics and life to look at the instructions.

It is not allowed to install the panel above other household appliances (the only exception is an oven manufactured by the same manufacturer and having a built-in cooling fan). It is very important to comply with all clearances specified in the operating instructions.

It is strongly recommended not to store aerosols and other flammable materials, as well as foil and metal objects near the induction hob, including in the drawer located underneath it.

Do not place metal objects on the surface

The induction hob reacts to objects made of ferromagnetic materials, so you should not place metal objects on its surface. Many modern models are able to estimate the area of ​​contact with the cookware, and if during the cooking process you place a small object, such as a knife or spoon, on the hob, nothing will happen - the stove simply will not react to the appearance of such “small things”. But you will have to get out of the habit of storing empty pots or pans on the hob that have no place in the cabinet.

Limited uptime

The induction hob is designed for continuous operation for only 3 hours. After this time, it will automatically turn off and, if you need it, you will have to turn it on again. This limitation will create some inconvenience for lovers of jellied meat, which, as you know, needs to be cooked for 6-8 hours.

The impact of induction hobs on the human body

Another barrier to purchasing an induction hob for many potential buyers is the fear of electromagnetic radiation. At the same time, this category of especially wary citizens for some reason forgets about microwave ovens, televisions, computers and other electrical appliances, the level of electromagnetic radiation of which is no less, and sometimes more, than that of induction cookers.

When talking about the dangers of induction hobs, they do not try to give up mobile phones, which can cause much greater harm to health, since many people do not part with their gadgets even for a second.

Modern science’s understanding of the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the human body can be considered more than limited. The age of electronics, in fact, has just begun, and scientists are not yet able to predict all the adverse consequences of this impact on human health in the long term.

That is why WHO adheres to a precautionary policy in this matter. It is not recommended to get too close to the induction hob. This will significantly reduce the risk, because exposure to electromagnetic fields decreases as distance increases. True, users inevitably have a question: how to cook a dish remotely?

Manufacturers themselves speak about the need to maintain a distance of 10-30 cm. This applies, however, not to all users, but to people with pacemakers. In general, the instructions for use recommend that people with such implantable medical devices seek the advice of a physician. But do doctors know how induction panels work and how their work affects medical devices?

Features of cooking on the stove

Important! The operation of an induction cooker has its own characteristics that you should pay attention to before you start cooking:

• Do not cook on cookware with a convex bottom or if it is clearly damaged.
• During cooking, do not touch the glass-ceramic surface to avoid possible burns.
• Place the pan exactly in the middle of the burner.
• Stir food using non-metallic kitchen utensils.
• Cook in a pan that completely covers the heating surface.
• When purchasing cookware, pay attention to the marking that indicates the product can be used on an induction hob.

Parameters to pay attention to when choosing

Let's look at the main parameters that you need to pay attention to before buying an induction cooker.

Dimensions and type of construction

For your information! There are three types of induction cookers, depending on their size and type of construction:

1. Freestanding. These are relatively large products that combine a hob and oven. As a rule, there are 4 burners on it. In a small kitchen, such stoves take up a lot of space and require special powerful wiring.
2. Built-in. The hob is equipped with a control unit and is built into the kitchen unit. There is no oven; if desired, it can be built in separately. The size and appearance of the slab can be anything, not necessarily square.
3. Compact. These are portable small surfaces that have -2 burners. Typically no longer required for cooking, they are widely popular. Despite their small size, they have all the same functionality as larger models.

Number of temperature modes

The number of temperature settings on advanced models can reach 20 options, while in conventional models there are approximately 10-12.

The wider the possibilities for adjusting the heating power, the better, because you can achieve exactly the temperature needed to prepare a specific dish.

Number of burners

Traditionally, stoves have 4 burners , but most families never use that many surfaces.

For cooking for a family of 1-2 people, 2 burners will be enough. Even for a large family, no more than 3 pieces are usually used.

It is useful to have burners of different diameters so that both small and large diameter cookware can be heated well.

Panel material

Cooking surfaces are made of two materials - glass ceramics and tempered glass .

Outwardly, they are almost no different, but they have different quality. Tempered glass requires less maintenance and is more difficult to damage.

If the surface does break, it will not shatter into small pieces, but will become covered with cracks. You will have to pay more for such material than for glass ceramics.

Energy consumption

Despite the fact that induction cookers have more power, unlike electric and gas appliances, they consume the least amount of electricity.

Need to know! This occurs due to the fact that the work surface quickly heats the dishes, and accordingly, the cooking time is significantly reduced.

The more powerful the induction cooker, the less electricity it will use.

Electric and gas stoves need time to heat up their working surfaces, then the air between the stove and the cookware, and then the cookware itself.

Bosch

The equipment is produced by a group of German companies. Hobs for built-in kitchens are supplied to Russia. Bosch induction cooker models:

1. Bosch PIC 645F17E

• price – RUB 26,090;
• characteristics - built-in combined hob, 4 burners, 2 of them induction, with touch switches, dimensions 58.4x51.4 cm;
• pros - touch control, quick setup of modes, high efficiency;
• cons - not found.

2. Bosch pia 611f18e

• price – RUB 23,990;
• characteristics - hob with 4 induction burners, touch control type, dimensions 59.2x52.2x5.7 cm;
• pros - easy switching of modes, possibility of different dishes on the burners;
• Cons: It buzzes loudly during operation.

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Additional functionality worth paying attention to

An important point to pay attention to when choosing a device is the security system.

Emergency shutdown, child protection, operation only when there is dishes on the panel, shutdown in case of liquid penetration - all these are necessary details that are better provided for further safe operation.

It is also worth studying the capabilities and functions of the device.

Convenience in cooking will be provided by a time indicator, a temperature maintenance function, sound notification of ongoing processes and the ability to quickly heat up.

Top companies of tabletop induction cookers

Let's look at the leading manufacturers in the kitchen appliances market.

Kitfort

The company produces the best 1 and 2 burner surfaces on the market.

They are made of high-quality glass ceramics, which hardly heats up when cooking.

All products have an affordable price, clear controls, stylish appearance and good functionality.

The most popular models:

• KT-101,
• KT-104,
• KT-105,
• KT-107.

Gemlux

The manufacturer specializes in single-burner appliances .

All of them have a compact size, safe operation and efficiency.

They are used both for home and garden purposes, as well as for professional kitchens.

The best products from the manufacturer:

• GL-IP20A,
• GL-IP20ULTRA,
• GL-IP212,
• GL-IC220HP.

Endever

Reliable and stylish devices at reasonable prices.

The models are equipped with clear controls, are usually made of tempered glass, and are protected from power surges and overheating.

Best models:

• IP-32,
• IP-42,
• IP-28,

• IP-36.

FAQ

How to turn on an induction cooker?

Note! When the panel is connected to the network, some models may signal that they can be turned on.

You should find the “start/stop” button on the panel and press it , after which the device will work.

Before you start cooking on the device, you should clean its surface from various substances and traces that remain after production and delivery .

If in the first minutes of work you smell rubber, then there is nothing to worry about.

Connection features

To connect the device to the network, you will need a screwdriver and a certain amount of three-core power cable.

Typically a cable with a cross-section of 4 to 6 square meters is used. mm. Its length should be sufficient to reach the panel connection point.

A 4-wire cable is usually included in the package. 2 wires, black and brown are phases, the blue wire is “0”, and the yellow-green is ground.

The ends of the wires need to be stripped. On the back of the device there is a comb into which the stripped wires are installed. The free end must be connected to the electrical network.

What is the best way to clean and how to care for the stove?

Know! General recommendations to follow when using the product:

• Start cleaning only when the work surface is completely cool , otherwise marks will remain on it.
• For cleaning, use only soft cloths and sponges . Hard sponges and iron scrapers will ruin the surface.
• All carbon deposits and greasy marks must be removed before you start cooking again , otherwise they will only penetrate deeper into the material.
• If sugar, jam or a piece of polyethylene gets on the surface during cooking, it should be turned off immediately and the surface cleaned.

How much electricity does the stove consume?

The power of the device depends on its manufacturer. On average, this figure is 2 kW per hour . Powerful models can reach 10 kW per hour .

In total, there are three power divisions of the burners:

• Small, 1 kW, used for slow cooking of food such as meat or porridge.
• Medium, with a power of 1.5-2 kW, for side dishes and soups.
• Large, with a power of up to 3 kW, they cook in large-volume containers.

What is a non-pulse induction cooker?

For reference! This is a product with smooth (continuous) power control.

Induction cookers, as a rule, cannot provide continuous heating of the burner at a power of less than 1 kW, so heating is supplied in pulses.

A plate has appeared that solves this issue.

It has a continuous heating function, starting with a power of 0.4 kW.