Differences Between Cooking with Electric and Induction Ranges

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Fred's Appliance
December 10, 2016
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If you are in the market for a new range for your kitchen, then it is likely that you have heard a great deal of conversation about how great induction cooktops are. However, hearing this may stir up a great deal of questions within you, particularly if you do not know what an induction cooktop is, or how it is superior to a traditional electric stove. To help you in choosing a new range for your home, here is an explanation of what an induction cooktop does, and a quick overview of the differences between cooking with electric and induction cooktops.

What is Induction?

The first question you are likely to ask yourself is what exactly is an induction cooktop? How does it differ from a normal electric stove? Induction is a new and unique way to cook your food through the use of electromagnetic energy. This energy directly heats your pots and pans by employing a series magnets that directly heats your food by exciting the iron molecules in your cookware. In contrast, gas and electric stoves use a heating element to heat your cookware indirectly from underneath. Here are a few of the benefits that this direct method of heating provides over electric cooktops.

Speed

One of the primary advantages of induction over electric cooktops is the speed at which it allows you to cook. Since induction cooktops heat your cookware directly, your pots and pans will heat up in a fraction of the time of a standard electric cooktop. This speed at which these cooktops heat up is their primary selling point, as it can reduce your cooking time by half, and can even allow you to boil water is as little as 2 minutes. This will make your cooking much more efficient, and can greatly reduce your energy consumption in your kitchen.

Safety

Improved safety is another benefit induction cooktops provide over other cooktops. Since this cooktop heats your pan directly, only the area of your stove which your cookware touches heats up. This means that you will not have to worry about burning yourself if you accidentally touch your cooktop, as a majority of the cooktop does not heat up. Additionally, once you turn the stove off, the area that was hot generally cools off within seconds, a fraction of the time of any other stove. Many induction cooktops also have safeties built-in where they automatically shut off if cookware is not detected. These factors lower the risk of you or your loved ones becoming injured as a result of your cooktop.

Easy Cleaning

Compared to electric cooktops, induction cooktops are also typically easier to clean. Since with electric cooktops most of the cooktop heats up when a burner is turned on, this can create a mess if you spill while cooking as this food will become burnt onto your cooking surface, and very difficult to remove. Induction cooktops, on the other hand, only get warm directly below your cookware. This means that any spills you make can be easily wiped clean once you are done cooking. You will find that cleaning up your cooktop after a meal has never been easier.

Overall, many homeowners find that cooking with an induction cooktop is superior to cooking with on an electric stove. However, each cooktop option you can choose from for your range will have its pros and cons. The primary detractor of induction cooktops is that induction ranges can be much more expensive than electric ranges. Ultimately, you will have to decide for yourself which type of range will work best in your home. If you are experiencing issues with your range, contact us!

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