An induction electric stove (or panel) is no longer news in a modern kitchen. This miracle cooker is a smooth glass-ceramic panel with "burners" drawn on it and a temperature sensor. It does not heat up and, nevertheless, dishes are cooked on it much faster than on its relatives - gas and electric stoves! What is the secret of this miracle of high technology, what is the principle of work, and what is the benefit and harm for housewives.
Principle of operation
The induction cooker is based on the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, which the world learned about thanks to the famous physicist Michael Faraday. In simple terms, an electric current arises between two magnetic fluxes, as in transformers. In our case, one of the transformer windings is an induction coil located under the glass-ceramic panel, and the second "transformer winding" is the dishes on the stove. Between them there is an electric current that heats the bottom of the dishes, and the surface of the stove remains cold. Well, of course, if cooking lasts quite a while, the stove heats up from the dishes themselves. But the surface temperature of the stove is still lower than the temperature of the pots - pans, and the stove cools down in a matter of seconds.
The advantage of the induction cooker is that heat loss is minimal, and the dishes heat up much faster than on other types of stoves. For comparison, consider the efficiency of heating various plates:
Glass-ceramic - 50-60%;
· Gas - 60-65%;
· Induction - about 90%.
The greater the efficiency and the shorter the cooking time, the less the amount of energy consumed - this is also one of the useful qualities of induction panels. In addition, since only the dishes are heated directly, and not the panel, there is no additional heat loss.
The main advantages of the miracle panel
Undoubtedly, any devices manufactured using new technologies always have a lot of advantages and advantages over the usual, but outdated. Induction cooker is a vivid example and proof of this. In addition to the high speed of heating and cooking products, as well as saving energy, the following positive qualities and useful properties for housewives can be distinguished:
· Security. Even if water in the pan boils on the stove, the panel outside the cookware remains cold, since an electric field arises only between the bottom of the cookware and the induction coil. You can lean your hand on the panel, put a wooden spatula, spoon or fork next to it - they won’t even heat up, because to make contact with the stove it is necessary that the bottom of the dishes is of a certain size.
If you removed the dishes from the stove and forgot to turn it off - it does not matter, the stove will turn itself off if there is no contact.
· Ease of leaving. This, perhaps, is one of the most useful qualities of an induction cooker - its surface is always cold and therefore even if during cooking some piece falls onto the surface, it will not burn out and the liquid will not stick tightly to the surface. Simply wipe the panel and it will always have a perfectly clean look. Today induction cookers are unsurpassed leaders in ease of use and ease of maintenance.
· Automatic maintenance. Thanks to the automatic panel, with a light touch of a finger, you can not only turn it on, but also adjust the stove to the desired temperature mode. If you need to carry out very fast heating, or boil water in a matter of seconds, you can use the special universal PowerBooster function, which almost all induction cookers are equipped with. It allows you to attract the power of all burners to one.
Disadvantages of induction cookers
There are some disadvantages, rather inconveniences, in the use of induction panels. First of all, the price should be attributed to them - it is slightly higher than even for glass-ceramic electric stoves. But comfort and ease of use, energy savings fully justify the money spent. In addition, various models are equipped with functions of varying complexity, from which you can choose the most optimal in terms of price - functionality. The main choice remains the induction heating technology of the panel. Judging by the numerous reviews on the Internet, the vast majority of women did not regret the choice: the speed of cooking, quality create an obvious advantage in their favor compared to the price.
It is harmful to place the induction cooker on metal surfaces - a refrigerator, an oven, a microwave, etc. But without that, almost all the hostesses place plates on the furniture cabinet for ease of use.
The operation of induction coils is accompanied by some noise (buzzing). This is annoying for some, so the resulting noise is considered a drawback. But the sound of boiling and grilling dishes very soon drowns out the sound of the stove.
Russian consumers are somewhat wary of new technologies and consider induction cookers harmful to human health. This statement is not justified in any way - the effect of the electric field has a certain effect on a person if for a long time to be at a distance of 5 cm from the working surface of the stove. Agree, this is a weak argument in favor of a possible danger. Already at a distance of 30 cm, the field effect is zero. Food also does not receive a "radioactive" charge - you can be sure.
The assertion that induction cookers are harmful to the human body is not unreasonable - a vortex magnetic field can really do harm, but no more than a regular cell phone, which we, by the way, hold for hours on our heads.
IMPORTANT! A low-frequency magnetic field can harm people with pacemakers, so they are not recommended to approach less than 0.5 m from the plate.
Replaced the stove - change the dishes too?
Perhaps many housewives even dream of updating their kitchen "arsenal" more often, and here is such an opportunity as not to use it! The fact is that special dishes must have ferromagnetic qualities. Dishes from aluminum, ceramics and glass are absolutely excluded, although it is not necessary to throw them away - you can use them for other needs. For especially favorite pots, in addition, you can purchase special nozzles on the bottom, which provide perfect compatibility with the induction coil.
The kitchen utensils in the arsenal can be checked with an ordinary kitchen magnet - if it sticks, then everything is in order, your favorite pan will serve you for a very long time! For sure, you will not have to refuse stainless dishes, bright enameled color and such familiar cast-iron pans.
The diameter of the bottom of the dishes should also correspond to the diameter of the burner, because the surface of the plate does not respond to small objects located on it. Perhaps, jazz will definitely have to be replaced.
Comfort in use, aesthetic appearance - the main criteria in favor of using an induction stove in your kitchen!
