Contents
I. What is an Induction Cooker? Advantages and disadvantages of using an Induction Cooker
1. What is an Induction Cooker?
An induction cooker is an electric stove that works on the principle of a magnetic field between an electric current and a coil. Conductor coils are placed under a sheet of material and are usually made from glass-ceramic because of the material’s high insulating, thermal and aesthetic properties. This part is also the face of the stove, in direct contact with the pot. Due to the electromagnetic induction properties, the heat from the coil is only generated when the cooktop comes into contact with the pot made from magnetic materials such as iron, steel, stainless steel (which are attracted by the magnet).
2. The working mechanism of the induction cooker
How does the induction cooktop work, which is considered the leading kitchen line in terms of safety, fast, convenience and energy saving? Huttuscon will help you understand the following simple things:
Do not use a direct flame like a coal stove, a wood stove or have to use a coil, a heat-conducting light bulb like an infrared stove, but simply inside the induction cooker is a coil made of a long-life copper cable. arranged in a tight circle.
The operating principle of the induction cooker is based on the electromagnetic induction of the Fuco current. When the power cord is connected, current flows through the copper coil and generates a magnetic field within millimeters of the hob surface. When in contact with the bottom of the pot made of ferromagnetic material in this range, the magnetic field will affect the magnetic molecules and cause them to vibrate strongly, collide with each other and generate heat. This heat is completely not lost to the environment nor does it affect the glass surface, but only heats up directly on pots and pans. In fact, the heat generated is completely due to the self-conversion of heat at the bottom of the pot, so the temperature of the pot is always higher than the temperature of the stove. The amount of heat consumed is converted up to 96%, so the induction cooker is very energy efficient.
In short, the induction cooker only generates heat when it comes in contact with a pot made of magnetic material, where the bottom of the pot is placed, the heat is only generated in the contact area, and there is no heat loss to the outside, so cooking Cook food very quickly and safely, without heat as well as emissions spreading to the outside like coal stoves, gas stoves. That makes the cooking time much faster and lighter.
3. Advantages of induction cookers
3. 1. Cooking efficiency:
Due to the intelligent operating principle, the efficiency of the induction cooker is almost reached the maximum, besides it also helps the user to save both time and cost. According to the actual evidence that customers have used, using an induction cooker is much more economical than using a gas stove for cooking, the cost for a month of using a gas stove is about 320,000vnd for gas, Also, using an induction cooker, it only costs you about 120,000vnd – 150,000vnd for electricity for a month of use.
The cooking efficiency of the induction cooker reaches 90% of its capacity, only consuming 10% of the heat energy released into the environment. Because the heat from the heating plate to the bottom of the pot only passes through the 4-8mm thick kitchen glass. Many cooking modes such as simmering, stewing, stir-frying, … automatically turn off the stove when it boils or set a timer for the induction cooker to automatically turn off, saving time and saving electricity.
The induction cooker only focuses on heating the bottom of the pot, the surrounding temperature is zero. So you no longer have to worry about heat loss, the bottom of the pot gets hot very quickly. Help cook super fast, not only save the best cooking time but also help save electricity bills every month for your family.
3. 2. Design – style
The first advantage that the kitchen scores with users are its beautiful design. Whether it is an induction cooker or any other product, users also like that the product must be beautiful, must make a first impression with its appearance first.
Induction cookers have two types of stoves, negative and positive.
The type of induction cooker has the advantage of compact design, when installed, takes up very little area on the cooking surface. When installing an induction cooker, the kitchen table looks neater and brighter. However, the disadvantage of a negative induction cooker is that it is difficult to relocate if you need to remodel the kitchen.
The yang stove has the advantage of being easy to move the cooking place. However, it takes up quite a bit of the kitchen area.
Imported induction cookers have many designs. For example, oval shape, or bean shape. Looks fancy and quite aesthetic.
3. 3. Safe cooking
If the gas stove has a potential fire hazard or creates a gas smell and hot cooking, the induction cooker is absolutely safe, the stove does not produce harmful gases such as CO, CO2, so it does not cause fire and explosion. like a gas stove. The vast majority of induction cookers today use Schott Ceran (Germany) glass, which is a good insulating glass that does not cause leakage, and 100% insulation ensures safety for users.
When cooking, if the user heats the pot to dry the water, then add food and oil. The induction hob will automatically disconnect or give an error warning signal when the temperature is too hot, or overloaded. Moreover, if the power supply is unstable, insufficient or overloaded, the stove will also automatically disconnect to ensure that the total power of your family is safely protected.
Many safety cooking features such as child lock, are very suitable for families with young children. When this safety lock mode is enabled, all settings and keys on the induction hob will be temporarily deactivated. You will no longer have to worry about your child being bulged, burned or playing, or playing in the cooking area.
Other convenient modes such as cooking timer, residual heat warning, …. the stove is heated and cooled down after turning off the stove very quickly. Does not cause swelling or burns to the user after cooking.
Induction hobs do not create fire, do not cause fire or have flames licking items around the stove when there is a fan or wind, causing damage or even house fire.
3. 4. Easy – precise temperature adjustment
Each dish requires a different cooking method. In addition to the chef’s cooking talent, an important factor that contributes significantly to the deliciousness of the dishes is the kitchen temperature.
To ensure that the dishes are prepared in the most delicious way, the induction cooker has many different cooking modes suitable for each type of food such as boiled, simmered, stewed, sautéed, fried,… Each mode All cooking has a suitable temperature and is very easy to adjust.
The buttons on the control panel of the induction cooker have their own icons, you can see these cooking modes and perform extremely simple operations.
3. 5. Many convenient and safe cooking modes
BOOSTER function: A function with a higher capacity than usual, usually 1.3-1.5 times the maximum capacity of the induction cooker. For example, an induction cooker usually has a top-level design of 2000W, the Booster capacity will be 3000W. With this function, you save time when cooking, making sure you don’t have to wait while cooking.
The biggest feature of Booster is that it doesn’t cook for a long time, usually, this function will only be used for 10 minutes and you should not use it any longer. Because this is a larger power level than usual, increasing the voltage, this function is used to boil water, cook quickly, cook instant noodles, etc.
Anti-overflow function: An extremely convenient next function, if the stove detects that there is an overflow in the control area, the stove will issue an alarm and automatically shut off. At this time, you must unplug the electrical outlet and wait for the stove to cool before cleaning.
In many cases, due to having to handle many tasks at the same time, they forget that they are cooking. We should limit this because there are many homes with electrical outlets right next to the kitchen. Although the stove has a self-cutting mechanism, the electrical outlet does not, if the stove is tilted due to improper installation, water can damage the electrical outlet at any time.
So where does this function come from? This function is possible because the power circuit is adjustable to a high power level for use in short-term overload conditions. Usually, kitchens with Booster also have to integrate a modern inverter circuit. These modern stoves have the good stewing ability and also very fast cooking.
Timer function
This function is extremely useful when you can adjust your cooking process and very convenient when you are doing other things.
You turn on the stove to select the cooking zone and the required power level. Continue to press the clock icon, you have to press it twice until the hour indicator lights up so the timer function works. The operation needs to continuously select the time you need to make an appointment until your appointment time level is displayed. For example, if you make an appointment for 15 minutes, the control panel will jump from 15 countdowns back to 0. When this level is reached, the stove will automatically turn off and have a “pip” sound to indicate the end of the appointment time and your dish is also complete.
Action to cancel appointment time:
You also click on the hotplate and double-click the clock icon then use the icon from 1 to 9 to change the time you want to reschedule or you press “0” to cancel the scheduled time completely.
Cooking times can be programmed automatically for all hotplates and they operate independently of each hotplate.
The timer can be up to 99 minutes.
When you make fried, stir-fried dishes, the appointment time will be calculated when the temperature has reached the desired level to process the dish.
There is also an automatic time limiter on the hob, which means that if the hob continues to be used for a long time The cooking zone will not heat up, the F8 symbol and the h/H residual heat indicator symbol will flash. continuously on the display. To lose these indicators simply touch any of the icons on the screen and the hotplate will be reset.
3. 6. Environmentally friendly
When it comes to the advantages of an induction cooker, it is impossible not to mention the absolute environmental protection of this kitchen line.
Induction hobs use electricity as the main energy to operate. The fuel source is used up to 90%, only 10% of the heat is lost to the environment. Help you save fuel for the country, partly protect the environment.
Meanwhile, when cooking, gas stoves and stoves create smoke and exhaust gases around, contaminating the air, clinging to the smell of smoke in food or affecting the environment and the health of users.
3. 7. Easy to clean
Cooking with a very clean induction hob. The smooth, flat glass surface is easy to clean. Do not dirty or blacken pots and pans like other stoves when cooking. Do you know how to properly clean the induction cooker?
During cooking, if food is spilled on the outside, the pan, or the pot. You can use a soft cloth to wipe and clean immediately without worrying about hot and swollen hands. Instant cleaning without wasting time.
4. Disadvantages of induction cookers
4.1. Initial investment costs are quite “expensive”
Induction hobs are quite expensive compared to other types of stoves. Initial investment costs can range from a few million to several tens of millions.
4.2. Kitchen from cocoon pot
The induction cooker is quite “picky” about the pot. In many cases where the induction cooker does not accept the pot, you will need to use the appropriate pot and pan materials. If you have a magnetic bottom or use the support of a heat transfer plate, you can use your favorite pot set.
Therefore, if you do not want to have to buy a new set of pots with a magnetic bottom, you will have to buy an old heat transfer device to cook or buy a dedicated grill to eat baked goods on an induction hob.
4.3. The voltage must match
The current designs of Vietnamese induction cookers have been optimized for power efficiency designs in accordance with Vietnamese voltages. However, some imported and portable induction cookers from Europe are not suitable for household electricity. European induction cookers often have higher cooking power efficiency, causing overload and interruption of the cooking process.
Because induction cookers do not have compatible power efficiency, you need to buy an additional power adapter for the induction cooker to be able to cook normally.
4.4. Interrupting cooking when the power goes out
The downside that makes users quite worried when using an induction cooker is when the power goes out.
Induction hobs using electric fuel are the main and only. If the power goes out, the induction cooker cannot be replaced with any other fuel. Unless your family has a generator. However, if the amount of electricity from the generator is too low, there is not enough supply for the induction cooker. Your cooking will be interrupted.
Read more: How to deodorize kitchen smoke very easily with common ingredients
II. Comparing electric and induction cookers, which one should you buy?
1. What is an electric stove?
Photoelectric hobs are different from induction hobs, using halogen bulbs to generate radiant heat to heat plates and directly heat pots and pans. The halogen lamp has high brightness and heat, the stove has a fast heating speed.
A photoelectric cooker (infrared stove) is not demanding and can be used with all types of pots, users can grill food directly on the stove surface.
While the outstanding advantage of an electric stove is that it can grill food directly on the stove surface, professionals should avoid direct cooking of fatty foods because the fat will flow into the kitchen, causing damage to ingredients, Baking in the kitchen for a long time is not hygienic. This is the weakness of photoelectric stoves when comparing photoelectric and induction cookers.
2. Compare 2 types of stoves
Although both are electric stoves, these two types of stoves have many differences. Details Compare photoelectric and induction cookers:
Photoelectric cooker Induction cooker
Efficiency / Heating speed 60% energy, fast heating but not as good as an induction cooker.
Boil 2 liters of water – for 9 minutes. 90% energy, cook quickly, save electricity.
Boil 2 liters of water – for 4-5 minutes.
Enduring Halogen bulbs fail quickly High strength magnetic stove magnet wire
Type of pot All types of pots Only use pots with magnetic bottoms
Bake food Have No
Price From 300 – > 1 million VND From 500, 1 million or more
Safety Hot kitchen surface Induction hob surface is not hot
Child Lock Yes (depending on model) Yes (depending on model)
Auto-shut off when overloaded Have Have
Functions Set temperature, timer, automatic menu Set temperature, timer, automatic menu
Comfortable Suitable for frying, stewing or simmering meat Cook hot pot, cook soup quickly. Stir-fry, or braise the meat unevenly
Wattage 1800 – 2000 W 2000 – 2200 W
Power consumption 1 hour: 1.8 – 2 kW of electricity if used at maximum capacity
1 hour: 2 – 2.2 kW of electricity if used at maximum capacity
3. Should you buy an electric or an electric stove?
These two types of stoves have two main differences: induction cookers from cocoon pots and food cannot be baked on the stovetop, electric stoves show the opposite, depending on the needs of users. Besides, the induction cooker uses energy more efficiently, has more durability, does not heat the stove, so it is very safe, when used in the summer it does not cause heat. If you need to use the stove every day, in the long run, an induction cooker is a better choice. Choose an induction cooker with a child lock feature to ensure safety when cooking.
Read more: Habits to keep the kitchen clean
