What Is Induction Cooking?

While induction cooking has been used in commercial kitchens for many years, mainly in Europe, it is only now gaining acceptance in household kitchens. In the past, induction cooktop technology was too expensive for household use, and there were problems of cooktop durability and longevity. Advancements have been made, and household induction cooktops may be purchased in the $200-$300 range.

So what is induction cooking? An induction cooktop does not produce heat as would a traditional gas or electric burner. Instead, the induction cooktop creates an oscillating high-frequency electromagnetic field that induces electric currents inside the cookpot or pan itself, and the natural resistance by the metal to the electric currents results in immediate heating. This heat is then transfered to the food inside the cookpot or pan for the cooking process.

Not every kitchen pot or pan is induction compatible. In order for the induction cooktop to induce electric currents within the cooking vessel, it must contain ferromagnetic metal (i.e. attracted to a magnet), such as cast iron. Stainless steel (18/10) by itself is NOT ferromagnetic, but premium brands of stainless steel cookpots and pans, such as Demeyere cookware, make use of an external or internal layer of chrome steel which is ferromagnetic for induction cooktops. Aluminum is not ferromagnetic.

There are significant advantages of induction cooking versus established heating methods. First of all, up to 90% of the power used in operating an induction cooktop goes into the heating of food versus 40% heating efficiency by traditional methods. This results in substantial energy savings while keeping the kitchen cooler without unused heat filling the room. Another significant benefit of induction cooking is its instant, exact, and speedy heat control. Under a minute, you can bring a saucepan of water to a boil.

Safe. Since the induction cooktop does not make heat, a person, even a child, can touch the cooktop surface before, during, or after cooking without injury. Modern induction cooktops also use sensors to sense whether a ferromagnetic cooking vessel is in on the cooktop or not, and if not, it turns off the unit’s electromagnetic field.

Portable and versatile. Single cooktop units weigh under than 10 lbs and operate from any normal 120 volt outlet. Not only for the kitchen, induction cooktops are ideal for cooking at the workplace, in a dorm room, or on your boat.