So, you’ve decided it’s time to renovate and update, and an induction stove is at the top of your list for kitchen must-haves. You’ve made a good choice! Induction cooking provides the efficiency of gas with safety levels that can’t be beaten by traditional methods. However, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a set and forget process; there are still some things that you need to be aware of when making the big switch:
Old Faithful May Not Work Anymore
You know that pan you’ve had forever and cook absolutely everything in? Unfortunately, it might not work on your new stove top. Induction cooktops require compatible induction cookware in order to function. Induction works by generating a magnetic field to heat the pot or pan, rather than a direct heat source such as a flame or element. You won’t necessarily have to throw all your old cookware out, but you’ll definitely want to check your current tools. Fortunately, it’s easy: simply get yourself a magnet and if it sticks to the bottom of the cookware, you’re good to go. If not, it’s off to the outlets with you!
They’re Safer
As mentioned above, induction cooktops work via energy transfer rather than by sharing heat. This means that the element itself should never be hot to the touch (and if you find that yours becomes hot you should definitely get it checked). This is great news for parents with inquisitive kids whose inquisitive hands can frequently be in danger of burns.
Cleaning Is A Breeze
Gone are the days of dismantling your cooktop and scrubbing for what seems like an eternity to get the stove clean. In fact, induction set ups should never be scrubbed because they simply don’t need it. With no direct heat source, those baked on food blobs that are a nightmare to remove will be a thing of the past. A soft sponge and your cleaning product of choice and simply wipe off almost any mess that finds its way onto your stove.
Faster Than Traditional Methods
Because of the way they work, induction cooktops can also provide a much more efficient cooking experience than their gas or electric counterparts. Studies have shown that utilising an induction stove can significantly cut your cooking time. This not only gives you more freedom to do other things in the evening when you get home from work but it also means lower power bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
More Accurate
Finally, induction cooktops provide far better accuracy than traditional cooking methods. Temperature can be adjusted almost instantly, which is critical for achieving the best culinary results. This is also a great functionality feature for those who are often interrupted during their cooking. Once you flick the dial to off, there’s very little chance of anything burning while you’re gone.
So there you have it, the top five things you should know before racing out to buy an induction stove. Don’t be put off by the idea of possibly having to get new cookware, your pots and pans deserve an update just as much as your kitchen does. Furthermore, the benefits of upgrading far outweigh the minor inconvenience of having to stick a magnet to your current equipment. Now all that’s left to do is decide what model of appliance you want to install!
