Today, the latest technology in the field of kitchen utensils are induction cookers, which have their own characteristics. In order to make the right choice, when buying such a product, you need to understand all the subtleties and nuances, so as not to regret it later.
First of all, understand all the intricacies of the work, and also study the entire process of cooking and operating the device.
Content
- What is induction cookware?
- Is it necessary to have special cookware for induction cookers?
- How does an induction cooktop work?
- How to choose cookware for induction
- Induction cookware materials
- Is it possible to cook in regular cookware on an induction hob?
- How to care for induction cookware
- Popular manufacturers
- VIDEO: How to choose cookware for an induction cooker.
What is induction cookware?
At the moment, this is one of the most relevant devices needed for cooking. How does this stove differ from all the others? This tool of any housewife has high energy efficiency, which will significantly save your money. In addition, such a device is the safest among all the others. And the appearance allows you to organically fit into any kitchen interior.
To operate the item, special cookware is required, which has special ferromagnetic properties. Any old saucepan that can be tested with a magnet can be used. But the best choice in this situation would be new stainless steel cookware, designed specifically for such technologies.
Is it necessary to have special cookware for induction cookers?
The presence of special utensils is necessary to activate the device. Otherwise, cooking is simply impossible. The main feature of such kitchen utensils is a special bottom coating that has magnetic properties.
All the dishes do not have to be magnetized completely, since only the bottom, which interacts with the stove, is enough. The material for making such kitchen items is usually heavy metals, such as cast iron, stainless steel.
How does an induction cooktop work?
When using such a stove, a rather interesting question arises about the operating principle of such a stove. If you look into this, you can understand that it differs significantly from the method we are accustomed to. Usually, heating is carried out by using a special heat source, which can be either fire or an electric heater. After which all the heat from the source goes to the dishes, and from the dishes to the food.
In such technology, everything happens a little differently. This is due to the absence of this very heat source. Under the panel there are special coils that do not heat up after electric current passes through them. The question arises, what is this due to? This is due to the fact that an electromagnetic field is created around from nearby objects made of ferromagnetic materials, which creates vortex flows. This is what heats up the food.
The principle of the idea is quite simple and straightforward. Knowledge of physics and nothing more.
How to choose cookware for induction
It is worth considering that not every kitchen utensil, even specialized one, can be suitable for cooking on an induction cooker. To make the right purchase, you should pay attention to a number of factors so that the purchase is not in vain. To do this, you should take into account a number of specific characteristics. If you do not pay attention to some rules, then your life and the life of your family may be at risk. For safety, it is best to familiarize yourself with how to choose the right cookware for an induction cooker.
Sizes and types of shapes
What kind of cookware is needed for an induction hob? If you look at the principle of choosing the size for a regular stove, it is worth noting that the size has almost no role there. Everything depends only on the preferences of the consumer. Here, the quality of operation, and most importantly - safety, will depend on your choice. You should not take too small cookware, based on the size of the burner, as this can affect human health and surrounding electronics.
Bottom parameters
Paying attention to the parameters of the bottom, make sure that the vessel is multi-layered, since it is between these layers that the magnetic layer is installed, due to which the interaction of the stove and utensils occurs. If the bottom does not have a certain size, then the stove's automation may not work at all, and if on the contrary, then the heating time will be much longer. The diameter of the bottom must be combined with the size of the burner, since otherwise, at a distance of 12-20 cm, there is an excess of electromagnetic radiation and human life is in danger. Also, this threatens to disable nearby electrical equipment.
Induction cookware materials
What kind of cookware do you need for an induction hob? Products manufactured for use with induction cookers are always marked with a special spiral icon. But, unfortunately, not all people have the opportunity to buy specialized cookware for an induction cooker. Therefore, it is worth telling about the most preferable materials.
Stainless steel
Products made from such material are very durable and popular. They have a huge number of advantages. It should be noted that this material is of very high quality, as a result of which deformations in the form of oxidation are not terrible for it. Food prepared and subsequently stored in such utensils will not spoil it in any way.
Also for lovers of an attractive appearance, stainless steel will be an excellent choice. It has a rather stylish design with a glossy and matte surface.
In addition to the above, it is worth noting that this material does not have much weight, so it is very convenient to use.
But when caring for such cookware, you should be especially careful, since hard brushes and other similar products can cause unwanted scratches that will affect the quality of the dishes you prepare.
Cast iron
Cast iron cookware is the most preferred option and has a huge number of advantages. This material is one of the most environmentally friendly, which gives it an undeniable advantage. Cast iron cookware is the most popular and widespread among housewives due to the fact that food practically does not stick to this type of cookware.
It is worth noting that cast iron is the most durable material, so you will not have to worry about rapid wear and tear and deformation. This device will be the most durable among all the dishes and will serve you for a long time.
It also retains heat very well, and the food you cook will be able to keep the temperature for a long time. However, compared to stainless steel, cast iron is very heavy, which makes cooking pancakes very difficult.
The surface of the material should be handled very carefully and gently, since it is still possible to damage it. Like any other product, if dropped, the dishes may crack or even break. And improper care can contribute to the appearance of corrosion.
With enamel
Cookware with an enamel surface is also suitable for cooking on an induction hob, but only if there is no deformation in the form of chips. Such cookware does not require specialized care. It is only important to use care products that will not damage it.
Such dishes are durable and will serve you, your family and your kitchen for a long time. Enamel coating is one of the most durable, which is why the choice is unlikely to disappoint you. And also, compared to all others, dishes of this material do not have an impressive cost. In any store you can find a huge variety of dishes with an enamel surface. A large assortment awaits you.
But when buying, you should be careful in your choice, because the quality may disappoint you. Look at the bottom, it is important that it is flat, and its thickness is at least 2 mm. If you want to preserve the visual beauty of your dishes, then you should not resort to using a strong cleaning agent that can damage the surface.
Aluminum
When using aluminum material on an induction cooker, first of all, you should pay attention to the material of manufacture. If it is steel, then the use of such a product is permissible, otherwise, cooking is impossible.
Also, specialized stores sell adapters that will allow you to use cookware regardless of the material.
Is it possible to cook in regular cookware on an induction hob?
Is it possible to cook in regular cookware on an induction cooker? When answering this question, it should be noted that much depends on the coating of the bottom of your cookware. If you look at it objectively, you most likely will not be able to cook a culinary masterpiece. Since using regular kitchen utensils can cause a number of problems. The induction cooker may not react to the material your vessel is made of and remain switched off. Or it may happen that the cooker turns on, but there is no heating, which is why the vessel remains cold.
This will not cause any harm to the stove itself and will not put it out of order. The only thing this can threaten is that you will waste your strength and energy in attempts to cook at least something. Therefore, when using such modern technology, it is worth taking care of the appropriate devices.
Many people ask the question – what is an induction pan? The answer is the simplest. It is a vessel that has the same dimensions as a regular pan. Its difference is a special bottom that allows it to heat up completely.
If you simply do not have the means to purchase special cookware suitable for this technology, then the manufacturers have taken care to ensure that cooking can be done using conventional devices. This requires the use of magnetic adapters, which are a disk with a handle. It is placed on the burner, after which your cookware is placed on top.
This device will allow you not to change all the dishes, but to safely use the old ones, without wasting effort and money. This device does not cause any particular harm, but rather the opposite. It will protect your stove from unwanted and unfavorable scratches and all kinds of damage.
How to care for induction cookware
The implementation of specialized care depends solely on the material from which the dishes are made. But still, when caring for them, you use the dishwasher, without paying attention to what food was used to prepare the dish.
If your pot or frying pan is made of cast iron, you should remember that it is necessary to dry the item thoroughly, leaving no traces of moisture. This is due to the fact that traces of corrosion may appear on this material, in connection with which drying is the main condition of care.
If your product is made of stainless steel, then care should be done a little differently. Such devices should be washed immediately after you have used them. When caring for and cleaning metal, do not use hard scrapers under any circumstances, as they can lead to deformation of the device, leaving microcracks or scratches on it. The ideal option would be pre-treatment with a salt solution before use. This will significantly increase the service life of your kitchen utensils. You do not need to make any special efforts for this, everything is surprisingly simple. All you need to do is add a vessel of clean water and add a few tablespoons of salt. Then simply put it on the fire and after boiling, thoroughly rinse the vessel.
Popular manufacturers
Today, a large number of manufacturers are engaged in the production of such dishes. But, unfortunately, not all of them do it with special diligence, putting quality above all else. The store's wide range will allow you to choose exactly the product that you like both in appearance and in characteristics. First of all, when choosing any product, you should give preference to proven manufacturers who are very popular among consumers.
Fissler
This is a German company that has long been recognized among cooks and housewives. Their specialty is the production of kitchen utensils with a bias towards modern technologies. The products of this company have many additional functions in the form of measuring scales, edges designed for draining and a special bottom that evenly heats the dishes.
The number of positive reviews is growing every day. People prefer quality goods, after the purchase of which they will not regret.
Zwilling J. A. Henckels
This global brand is engaged in the creation and release of popular, and most importantly, budget and high-quality goods. Making a profit is not the main goal of the company, since the quality of the created device is much more important to them. Many chefs from all over the world are engaged in the operation of this device. Among them are famous ones.
Isn't this a confirmation of the quality of products produced by Zwilling JA Henckels?
Zanussi
A manufacturer from Italy that specializes in the production of high-quality and lightweight cookware. Their products are equipped with a special multi-layer bottom. Also, the company does not forget to pay special attention to stylish design. Also, the company's pricing policy is not overpriced, but rather the opposite.
The combination of price and quality are the main advantages that are still worth noting.
Kochstar
A German brand that prefers steel products. Their products are distinguished by the fact that they have, in addition to a multi-layer bottom, strong walls. The design has a glossy coating, which makes the dishes look very stylish. The store's assortment includes a wide range of different colors. And what's most interesting is that their product is one of the most durable on the market and has a long service life.
Staub
A company from France, for which design is on par with quality. Accentuated and special attention to this aspect allows to make some of the most stylish products on the entire market. Their dishes can be used not only for cooking, but also for decorating a festive table.
Woll
A manufacturer from Germany, which produces products with a thick bottom. On the market, you can also find such examples, the bottom of which reaches 10 mm. In addition, inside the cookware there is a special titanium-ceramic non-stick coating, which is very difficult to find in analogues.
The technology of the induction cooker is quite simple if you understand everything. This is one of the latest modern technologies, which is convenient and has a number of advantages. For correct and careful operation, it is necessary to follow some rules. Also, the consumer does not have a strong need to buy special marked cookware, since it is assumed to use a magnetic disk, allowing you to use old kitchen utensils. This will save you a lot of money.
Today, people have gradually begun to switch to using such technology. Every day, the number of consumers wishing to purchase such a stove is growing. This trend is quite logical, because comfort and convenience are the main needs in the life of every person. This stove will be an excellent choice that you will not regret.
