If you’ve
ever shopped for a new cooktop, you may have seen high-end induction cooktops
and like many people, wondered exactly how they work. The process of induction is when a changing
electrical field produces a changing magnetic field, and vice versa.
Beneath the
cooking surface is a coiled wire through which an alternating current is
passed. This causes a changing magnetic
field in the vicinity of the wire coil. When a pot or pan made of a
ferromagnetic material is placed on the cooking surface, the changing magnetic
field below it causes an electrical current in the bottom of the pot. The pot’s
material resists the current, which generates the heat used in cooking.
Induction
cooktops are very efficient, as the heat is generated inside the pot, instead
of being lost and wasted in the transfer between the cooktop and the pot. The stovetop itself remains relatively cool,
resulting in a safer cooking environment.
In addition, clean-up is simpler, as any spilled food does not end up
baked on the surface. Cooks who enjoy
the instant temperature control of gas cooktops will find that induction
cooktops can provide a similar level of control.
Know that
the right kind of cookware must be used on an induction cooktop, or it will not
work. Cookware made of glass or with a
copper or aluminum bottom will not have the necessary properties to cook
effectively on an induction cooktop. Many manufacturers make excellent
stainless steel or cast iron cookware suitable for this use. Try a magnet test to see if your cookware is
composed of the right material: if the magnet sticks to the bottom of your pot,
chances are good it will be suitable.
Cooking
with changing magnetic fields may seem foreign, but the electrical efficiency,
safety, easy clean-up, and instant temperature control of an induction cooktop
are definitely attractive.
Read the
following articles for more information about cooking appliances:
Appliance
Parts Today opened in March of 2003 to provide area residents and local
service technicians a large line of replacement parts for home
appliances and air conditioning units.
The local appliance parts
store is the DIY’s favorite resource for appliance repair advice and
parts. The friendly staff will help
homeowners locate the appliance parts
and air conditioning parts they need.
They will also provide troubleshooting and technical advice to ensure a
successful DIY appliance
repair task.