The basis of the induction hob is electromagnetic induction. An induction coil is located under the glass-ceramic surface, through which an electric current flows with a frequency of up to 60 kHz. Induction currents are supplied in the bottom of a metal dish, which is placed on the stove, heating not the hob, but the dish itself and what is in it.
Advantages and disadvantages of induction hobs
Like any other appliance, an induction hob has its pros and cons.
Benefits:
- High heating rate compared to all other types of hobs. The efficiency reaches 90% (for comparison, for a gas stove this figure is 60%).
- Significantly lower power consumption than traditional electric stoves. Much less current is required to create a magnetic field than heating a coil.
- Perhaps the most important benefit is safety over electrical and gas hobs... It is impossible to burn yourself about it, there will be no fire if you accidentally forget to turn it off. The surface cools down in just a minute.
- Ease of care. You don't have to be afraid to spill something on the surface - it can be easily wiped off with a soft cloth.
Disadvantages:
A feature that induction hob often discourages customers is that it cannot be used with aluminum or glass cookware, or placed over built-in appliances made of metal (for example, an oven). Another important drawback is the high price compared to peers, as well as expensive repairs in case of malfunctions (although if you use the device correctly, it will last for many years). These disadvantages prevent modern kitchen appliances from replacing the usual gas and electric stoves.
TOP 3 induction hobs from Bosch
- Bosch PUE631BB1E
- Bosch PIF672FB1E
- Bosch PIE631FB1E
Induction Panel Selection Criteria
When considering which model to choose, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- built-in or freestanding (dependent or independent);
- shape and size;
- functions;
- design;
- price.
Freestanding - These are usually compact independent portable tiles for one or two burners. They are convenient to use in rented housing, in the country or during renovations. Their advantage is that it can be placed on a table in any room. There are also full-size freestanding models connected to the oven, but they are not very popular.It is better to pay attention to the built-in independent panels, in which the hob is “recessed” into the worktop. Their assortment is much more diverse. You can choose the best option for a kitchen of any size, configuration and design, taking into account all the features of the interior.
By form The built-in independent hob can be rectangular, square or hexagonal. Dimensions - from a small panel 30x30 to a huge block more than a meter wide. The number and location of burners, choose the best for your family. For one person, two is more than enough, but for a large family it is better to choose four or even six.
Induction Panel Features
When choosing a kitchen assistant, special attention should be paid to the amount of functionality. And decide which ones are needed and which are not, since the cost will depend on this. Here are the most basic ones:
- the presence of both induction and heating elements (combined stoves) - for those who do not want to part with their favorite dishes;
- induction burners of different diameters: a wide frying pan needs a large area, for a coffee turk - a small one, take into account the size of your cookware (there are models with an expansion zone that allows you to use cookware of different sizes on one burner);
- panel lock - protects against accidental switching on of the device (important if there are small children in the house);
- protective shutdown - triggered if liquid is spilled onto the panel;
- timer with sound signal - allows you to set the cooking time, the stove will turn off after a specified period of time;
- heat indicator - will show when the burner has cooled down and you can touch it without fear of getting burned;
- multi-stage temperature adjustment - allows you to cook different dishes in different modes;
- indicator of the presence of filled dishes - the panel without dishes or with an empty pan will not turn on;
- automatic shutdown if the hob is not used for a while;
- PowerBoost - the ability to increase the power of the burner up to 50% due to the adjacent one (for the fastest heating);
- maintaining heat - allows the cooked dish to stay hot for a long time (important if all family members come home at different times);
- “Induction without boundaries” - there are no clearly marked boundaries, but there is only a cross, which allows you to easily position the dishes correctly;
- pause - the ability to turn off the hob for a short time (if you need to urgently move away).
It should be noted that such a rich set of functions is not found in any other type of cooker; many consider these advantages determining when choosing the type of hob. Elderly people consider a large set of functions a disadvantage, but the interface of modern independent hobs is as simple and clear as possible.
TOP-3 induction hob Electrolux
- Electrolux EHH 96340 XK
- Electrolux EHH 56340 FK
- Electrolux EHF 96547 XK
Induction hob design
The appearance is very diverse, you can easily choose a hob that will perfectly fit even the most refined interior, built-in kitchen appliances are especially popular today. If earlier most of the models were presented in black, today white and silver are more popular, and you can also choose independent color panels. Despite the fact that regardless of color glass ceramic surfaces easy to clean, yet grease and moisture spots are less noticeable on a light background than on a black one, this advantage allows the white stove to maintain a presentable appearance even in the midst of cooking. Induction cookers are made not only of glass ceramics, but also of tempered glass. They are more beautiful than ceramic, but, accordingly, more expensive.
Also, the models differ in the type of control regulators: touch, magnetic, mechanical. In terms of functionality, they do not differ, you can choose any that are more convenient and you like more externally.Touch buttons do not heat up at all, unlike stoves with heating elements, when it is difficult to touch them after long cooking.
Price depends on many factors: brand, functionality, new or old model, built-in or stand-alone, independent or dependent. A brand is not always a guarantor of quality; decent models can also be found from little-known manufacturers. No matter how much the panel costs, the main thing is that the store provides a warranty for the product, so that in the event of a breakdown, a refund or a free repair can be requested. Choosing an affordable option with a huge variety of hobs will not be difficult.
Is induction safe in the home?
There is a hypothesis that the magnetic field adversely affects human health. And the mechanism of operation of induction cookers is not understandable to all ordinary people, so the concerns about safety are understandable. And this opinion is not without foundation: when the induction cooker is operated, a vortex magnetic field is created, theoretically it can be dangerous for people wearing pacemakers, you should take these features into account and consult a doctor. It may be worth choosing kitchen appliances without induction.
But manufacturers claim that such a field in their devices is low-frequency and is not able to harm human health. In addition, eddy currents are limited by the body of the device, and already at a distance of 30 centimeters from it, the effect of the magnetic field is zero. In any case, the damage from the radiation of the stove is no more than from a mobile phone or computer.
And the statements that food cooked on such a hob has harmful properties is nothing more than a myth. Magnetic radiation does not affect the properties, taste and structure of the prepared food, the induction hob is not inferior to the good old gas stoves in the quality of the prepared dishes. And if we compare the pros and cons of these devices - gas and electric hob lose in all respects.
TOP 3 induction hobs MAUNFELD
- MAUNFELD EVI 292-BK
- MAUNFELD EVI 594-BK
- MAUNFELD MVI 59.4HZ.2BT BK
Choose the dishes
If you decide to purchase an induction hob, you must take care of a suitable cookware with ferromagnetic properties. You do not need to look for it in special stores, the main requirement is that a magnet is attracted to the bottom. Do not put copper, aluminum, glass, ceramic, porcelain on the induction hob. And dishes made of cast iron, stainless steel, even white enamelled ones are quite suitable.
If you are in doubt about which pot is better to buy, take a magnet to the store: if it attracts, then it fits. Pay attention also to the diameter of the base (it should correspond to the dimensions of the burner) and the thickness of the base (optimally - from 2 to 6 mm). Cookware suitable for induction hobs is now on sale. It is indicated by special characters.
