Part 1 of this series explained how Induction cooktops use magnetic hysteresis loss to directly heat the the pot or pan. Part 2 explained the growing popularity of induction cooking by exploring induction's many advantages over approved cooking technologies. By this time, you are very likely thinking that induction cooking may be suitable for your kitchen. However, before purchasing an induction cooktop, there are any things that you should consider. These issues are explained in this installment of the Induction Cooking Explained series.
Compatible Cookware Considerations
As explained in part 1, induction cooktops work only with cookware made from ferrous materials. Anyone with a needful venture in aluminum, glass, ceramic or non-magnetic stainless steel cookware will need to be aware that these types of cookware will not work on an induction cooktop and should consist of the cost purchasing new cookware when evaluating the cost of the induction cooktop. However, much of the most beloved cookware used on approved cooktops will work with induction cooktops, so many people will be able to use their existing cookware.
In addition, suitable induction elements work only with flat-bottomed pots and pans and are therefore not convenient for use with customary round-bottomed woks. However, it is inherent to buy induction units specifically designed to work with woks, but these units are fairly uncommon in the United States. Furthermore, induction units designed to work with rounds-bottomed woks will work only with woks and will not work with flat-bottomed vessels.
Electric Power Considerations
Kitchens currently equipped with gas cooktops may not have an enough electrical circuit available for the induction cooktop. As a rule, a drop-in induction cooktop with complicated burners will wish a 220 volt, 40 amp dedicated circuit. Most approved electric cooktops also wish such a circuit, so those people upgrading to induction from approved electric cooktops are unlikely to have an issue, but Anyone upgrading from gas may need to have an electrician install a new electrical circuit for the cooktop. If so, this cost should be carefully when evaluating the uncut cost of the project. And, even if you are upgrading from approved electric to induction, you should verify that the existing circuit is enough for the induction cooktop that you have selected.
Note that cooks whose kitchens do not have a dedicated 40 amp circuit can still apply induction cooking by purchasing a singular element portable induction unit. Such units typically plug into a 110 volt household outlet and yet furnish the power of the drop-in cooktops. portable induction cooktops have the added advantage that they can be used for tabletop or table side cooking for dishes such as Chinese hot pot, fondue, or varied desserts flambe.
Considerations for people with Electronic curative Appliances
Lastly, Anyone with a pacemaker or defibrillator should consult with his or her physician before utilizing an induction cooktop, as the magnetic field generated by the cooktop could potentially interfere with such electronic devices.
This installment of the Induction Cooking Explained series examined issues that should be carefully before purchasing an induction cooktop. Part 4 of the series expands on one of these issues by examining in detail the types of cookware that work best with induction cooktops.
