Shanghai department store Fair| The difference between induction and electric stoves, and how to choose the right stove for you

Whether during a kitchen renovation or when buying a new home, one of the biggest decisions you have to make when upgrading your kitchen appliances is the type of stove you want。Most homes are equipped with gas or electric stoves, but more and more induction stoves are slowly starting to enter the market。Shanghai department store FairLearn that induction stoves look like electric stoves, but there are a few key differences that make them unique。We spoke to experts to find out how they differ and what to consider before deciding to buy this sturdy kitchen utensil。

What is an induction cooker？

The induction cooker is provided with a copper coil under the glass surface。These coils conduct electromagnetic energy to heat compatible POTS and pans placed on top of the stove。 Wesley Sirois, virtual appliance specialist at Frontdoor, said: "Most 30-inch induction stoves have four designated areas where they can be cooked。"Unlike standard electric stoves, the glass surface doesn't get hot。The electromagnetic cooking area will not activate unless a compatible pot or pan is placed over it。Cookware compatible with induction stoves must be magnetic to work, meaning it is made of an iron-containing material that can interact with the electromagnetic fields generated under the surface。Stainless steel, cast iron and enamelled cast iron cookware are compatible with induction stoves。

If you don't have compatible cookware (or a compatible pan on top), you won't feel any heat when you turn on the stove。 "If you open the cooking area without a pot or pan, there's no heat generated," Sirois said。 "When the electromagnetic field under the glass is active, cooking energy is transferred to the pot or pan, causing it to heat up quickly and cook food quickly.。”

Advantages and disadvantages of induction cooker

Advantages of using induction cooker

Low surface temperature when cooking, overall safety。"Induction stoves have many advantages that make cooking easier," said Bree Lemmen, brand manager, Whirlpool Kitchen。 "In addition to providing faster cooking options, induction stoves offer an easier cleanup process because the cooking surface is flat and there are no stoves or burners。In addition, glass stoves stay cool during cooking, which also reduces cleanup time。The cooking temperature can also be quickly adjusted on the induction cooker。”

Disadvantages of using induction cooker

Of course, the biggest disadvantage of using an induction cooker is that it is only suitable for very specific types of cookware。So if you only have glass or copper cookware, you'll need to buy new POTS and pans, or use an induction converter tray between the cookware and the stove to help transfer heat。Induction cookers have some other disadvantages, "Cooking with induction cookers takes some time to get used to。Unlike standard cooking elements, there is no visible glow below the glass, so the user does not know if the cooking area has been opened, "Sirois said。 "Some manufacturers now offer simulated flame patterns when the electromagnetic field is energized, so users can easily identify if the electromagnetic field is turned on。”

What is an electromagnetic cooker？

The Shanghai Department Store Exhibition observed that electric stoves, also known as radiant stoves, have metal coils under the glass surface that conduct current to radiate heat。In most American homes, kitchens are usually equipped with gas stoves or electric stoves, making them fairly common in kitchen design。Almost any type of cookware can be used on an electric stove because the heat is radiated through the surface through the heating element, but this also means that the surface will get hot no matter what is on it。

Advantages and disadvantages of electromagnetic cooktops

Electric cookstoves are easy to install and are compatible with all types of cookware, but they don't have all the benefits that electromagnetic cookstoves offer。

Advantages of using electric stoves

"Similar to induction stoves, electric stoves tend to offer an easier cleaning process because they have a smooth, flat surface - this stable surface is also perfect for POTS and pans," Lehmann said。 "Another major advantage of any electric stove is that the installation process is simple, requiring only a ground outlet to install。”

Disadvantages of using electric stoves

One of the biggest disadvantages of electric stoves is that they stay quite hot due to the residual heat from the electronic heating elements below the surface。Electric stoves also have some other major drawbacks。Slow heating and cooling response times, longer cooking times, and lower temperature control accuracy。"Radiant and coil electric stoves take more time to heat up and cool down than induction stoves," Lehmann said。 "Therefore, the heat loss of the electric cooker is relatively frequent, and the surface of the electric cooker must be completely cooled before it can be cleaned。”

The main difference between induction cookers and electric stoves

The main difference between these two types of stoves is the heating element used。Induction stoves have copper coils that conduct electromagnetic energy, while electric stoves have metal coils that are heated by the current flowing through them。Induction hobs heat only the cookware, while electric hobs heat the surface of the stove。Because of this key difference, the type of cookware you use is very important。The induction cooker "uses electromagnetic energy that interacts directly with compatible cookware to turn POTS and pans into their own heat source," Lehmann said.。 "Induction hobs, in turn, cook faster because heat does not have to be transferred through the cooking surface。With electric stoves, radiant heat is transferred through the surface to the cooker, which is why the surface of an electric stove feels hotter than an electromagnetic stove。

What to consider when deciding between induction and electric stoves

If you're hesitant to stick with the familiar electric cooktop or the spring cooktop of an induction cooker, you need to keep these points in mind。

Your existing cookware

Do you already own cookware that is compatible with induction hobs, or do you have to buy new cookware？If your cookware range already includes stainless steel or cast iron POTS and pans, you may not consider this。Those who use glass or copper cookware will have to consider replacing them or buying an induction converter disk。There is a simple trick to determine if your current cookware is compatible - glue magnets to the bottom。If the magnet sticks, you can use it on the induction cooker。On the other hand, any type of cookware can be used on an electric cooker, so if you choose this route, you don't need to replace any cookware at all。

Upfront cost

Electric stoves are cheaper and easier to install initially, which is part of the reason they are so common。For those who invest in kitchen renovations or simply upgrade appliances, the convenience is often worth it。

Heating and cooling time

Generally speaking, induction stoves heat up much faster than electric stoves, so cooking is faster。And, because they only heat cookware, they also cool down faster。 "Using an induction cooker is the fastest way to cook," Sirois says。 "The water boils much faster than a standard stove, and the heat reduction reaction is faster, mainly because the actual cooking heat is generated inside the cooking container, so the heat is not transferred from under the glass.。That being said, faster cooking comes with a learning curve, so be prepared to reconsider the cooking time for your favorite recipes at the outset。

When using an electric stove, your heating and cooling will be slower, which may not be an important factor for you, but if you have small children or pets, you need to watch out for slower cooling times。

Easy to clean

The company notes that both types of stoves have flat glass or ceramic surfaces, making them relatively easy to clean。One thing to keep in mind when using an electric stove is that since the surface will heat up, spills are more likely to stick or burn。In this regard, it is often easier to clean induction stoves because the surface is usually kept cool, which means less burnt food to deal with。