Induction – at the peak of form and accessibility

Induction hobs have been on the market for over thirty years and have been sold in America for twenty years. But the peak of interest in induction is just now. And this is due to the fact that the devices began to enter its golden age: we learned their benefits, learned to appreciate them, and the manufacturers began to offer more and more interesting models that do not leave the buyer indifferent.

Affordable pleasure

“Mid-range” induction in general has become a more affordable pleasure, because not long ago, the cost of mid-priced panels was noticeably higher than that of conventional glass-ceramic hobs. Now the difference is not so tangible, depending on the complexity it is 2-4 thousand. Dollars.

The cheapest 4-burner induction stove costs about 10 000 Dollars. – This is the Zanussi ZIE 6004 F. Until a few years ago, in order to make induction more attractive, manufacturers focused on hybrids a combination of speed burners and induction , but that is no longer necessary.

Let’s compare: Bosch PIA611T16E induction hob with timer costs 15-17 thousand Dollars., The same price is paid for the Bosch PKN 675 N14D panel with Hi-Light burners and timer.

Another pair for 14 000 Dollars.Siemens EH 645QA 11E and Hi-Light Siemens ET 601 TN11 D induction hobs, both with timer.

Another example: 13 000 Dollars., Electrolux EHH 6340 FOK induction with timer and Stop&Go function and Electrolux EHS 60180 P model.

Speed? No – super fast!

The greatest benefit of induction for the consumer is speed: induction hobs do heat much faster.

Induction is also characterized by lightning-fast reaction to changes in settings.

Last year we did a little competition which showed that the induction cooker did the heating task we brought water to a boil twice as fast as a good gas burner of equal power .

The heat is turned up or down immediately, so that the hostess can precisely follow all the requirements of the recipe and create the ideal conditions for cooking.

This is especially noticeable against the background of the disadvantages inherent in conventional cast-iron “pancakes” and even modern burners Hi-Light.

The ruble is saved

Induction is a very efficient use of energy without wasting energy. After all, the heat is not generated somewhere in the depths of the panel, but directly in the bottom of the pot, kettle or frying pan.

Another important reason: induction is a pioneer in this class of appliances, where the most unusual and interesting discoveries were and are still being made, making cooking an exciting and easy process.

Porridge on the transformer

The technology of heating with induction is simple and ingenious and those who still remember physics will certainly remember the principle of the transformer that is used here. Under the glass ceramic hob there are induction coils one coil “serves” two burners . When current flows through the coils, an electromagnetic field is generated, which easily passes through the ceramic glass panel. However, on the bottom of the cookware, eddy currents – induction currents – act, causing heating. Further the heat is transmitted from the heated bottom to the products. Such a targeted use of heat is a major efficiency factor for induction hobs, resulting in the highest possible cooking efficiency.

Efficiency of induction hobs is 90-93%. To compare: cast iron “pancakes” have a 53-56% efficiency, gas burners have a 49-52% efficiency.

Comfort and safety

Due to the absence of a heating element, the temperature of the burner is lower than usual. The surface is heated by the bottom of the pot and while with Hi-Light burners the temperature can reach almost 500°C, with induction the temperature is still within comfortable limits, around 80°C. That is why the residual heat indicators on induction hobs were not always. Nowadays they are an obligatory part of the “stuffing” of the appliance, but it is not worth seriously focusing on them when choosing. Indicators can be two-stage, the upper stage is for heating and keeping hot, the lower stage is purely for safety.

Noteworthy is that the low heat of the panel makes it easier to use. Escaping liquids are not so bad, because at this temperature it is almost impossible for liquids to burn.

Cookware: easy or complicated?

The only limitation that induction imposes on the user is the cookware set. Cookware should have a magnetizable bottom. Check whether your favorite saucepan or kettle is suitable for induction is very simple: you need to attach a magnet to the bottom. It holds – it’s okay, the cookware is good.

Avoid at once the aluminium, copper and glass pots and pans. Thin-walled steel cookware is also unsuitable. And pots made of laminated materials can provoke not very pleasant sounds: crackling or whistling.

Every induction cooktop has a cookware recognition feature. The point is to determine whether the cookware is suitable or not, and, in general, whether the object, which happened to be on the burner, is a cooking utensil a spoon or spatula or a coin may lie on the panel and whether it is worth turning on for it.

The function brings information to the user through the indication. As you have already understood from the description, it is impossible to spoil the panel with improper cookware: the device simply will not work if you put something wrong.

The Booster function is obligatory

The Booster function Booster, PowerBoost, Power is the third essential feature of induction. Its essence is that for a short time 8-10 minutes the power on the element can be substantially increased up to 2,5-3,5 kW, for example 2,0 kW at Ardo PI 58 F, 3,2 kW at Beko HII 64400 T, 3,3 kW at Electrolux EGD 6576 NOK. This is achieved by drawing power from the doubled burner. The function can not activate both elements at the same time, and sometimes there is only one.

It should be noted that in recent years, the value of increased power has increased significantly. Let us say that a number of hobs Electrolux EHH 6340 FOK, Zanussi ZEN 6641 XBA, AEG HK 634200 XB, Kuppersbusch EKI 6741 , have.The power output of the 0 M hob was previously unimaginable at 3.7 kW, while the Thermador Freedom and Smeg SI M91B on the Multizone had a power output of 4.6 kW.

The power can be drawn not from one, but from two zones, for example, at three-burner hob Miele KM 6380 technology Twin Booster is applied, it gives two steps increase in power on one zone: from 2,6 kw it can grow to 3,0 or up to 3,7 kw.

Space for pots and pans

The induction cooking zone is limited by the size of the coil. Practically the standard solution. Recently, it has become more complicated. Induction zones with additional circuits have appeared, when by turning on another coil, the diameter of the zone increases Neff N 44D 30N0, Hotpoint-Ariston KIS 644 DDZ, Smeg SI 3644 D or the zone turns into an oval for cooking in the ovens Neff T 44T80N1, Miele KM 6317 .

Panels are getting smarter, in some models it is now possible not to expose the cookware by the contour, but just to overlap the cross in the center of the burner, the heating will be carried out only where it is necessary – on the area of the bottom. The function is called autofocus Electrolux EHI 6732 FOK, Hansa BHI68303, DeDietrich DTI 1105 XE . Therefore, some areas of the appliances are designated quite arbitrarily – a large rectangular field, highlighted by color or print.

Bridge

These large zones are able to have one feature, they can work together, combining into one, with common settings. This allows you to cook not only in standard “table-top” pots, but also in large grill pans, fryers, sauté pans.

This function is called Bridge.

High-tech tracking

But the evolution of burners did not stop there, on the contrary, a huge breakthrough was made, as engineers have figured out how to do without limited heating zones at all. For this purpose, they began to increase the number of induction coils, which are connected to each other, but can operate independently. De Dietrich Le Piano has 36 and Gaggenau Free Induction CX 480 has 48.

Bottom line – you can place pans anywhere and even move them around at will – without having to worry about having to re-set the operating settings. As a result, there is a new term – the “dish tracking” function. However, only the premium induction segment can boast of such developments, where the device costs approximately as much as a budget car.

Seize the moment

The approach to panel functionality has changed somewhat. Timer function has become so popular that it’s found in 80% of induction hobs. Again, looking back, we note that just recently the timer was a rarity and was found only in high-end appliances.

Timers differ in complexity. The simplest option is an alarm clock that monitors the cooking time and then gives a beep to remind the hostess that it’s time to come to the stove.

A more serious option is the timer with the cut-off function, which automatically stops heating when the time set by the user expires Zanussi ZEN 6641 XBA for 12,500 Euro . Dollars., AEG HK 634200 XB and Hotpoint-Ariston KEC 647 X for 14 thousand. Dollars. . The timer can be set on a single zone, but more often it is equipped with it all elements of the device.

Concern Electrolux began to implement a new kind of timer, which should help save energy, so it is called Eso. The timer stops heating a little earlier to use the residual heat to finish cooking AEG HK 884400 FG .

Cooking – take a break

Stop&Go function also migrated from the category of “curiosities” to the household, although in popularity it is far from timers. The meaning of this function is that the user can stop cooking operating burners go to minimum power for a certain period of time, when it is necessary to distract from the stove. By pressing the Stop&Go button again, you simply reset all the settings that were previously valid Bosch PIF 651 T14 E, Electrolux EGD 6576 NOK, Miele KM 6380 .

Another function, the Cleaning pause, hasn’t become widespread yet, and is found only infrequently and in expensive models Neff and Gaggenau . The function locks the buttons on the control panel for 30 seconds., so the user can wipe off moisture or pick up liquids.

Don’t boil over!

The “automatic boil” function is not often used on induction hobs, although it certainly makes them very easy to cook. The hostess, by activating it, selects the mode in which the food is to be cooked – for example, power level 3. The burner turns on the maximum heat, brings the water to the boil and as soon as it comes on, it switches to the mode that was selected before. The most affordable panel with this function costs about 14-15 thousand. rub. Electrolux EHD 60100 P, Hansa BHIW 68303 . Note that the function is almost always combined with a timer for shutting down.

One more type of automatics is used at Bosch, Siemens, Gaggenau – automatics of frying intended for exact observance of a mode of cooking, that the products do not overheat. It works only in the case when using the pans sold by the manufacturer Gaggenau , or at the expense of special strips, they are attached to the usual dishes. Selecting a function, you set the power level or the operating temperature from 60 to 180°C .

In addition, we offer automatic programs to maintain the optimum temperature soup, eggs, fish, vegetables, etc. . .

How warm it is!

Function of keeping warm while rare, but many housewives will appreciate the simplicity of the process, because keep track of the cooked dish so it does not dry out or not burn, no need, the temperature will be kept about 60-70 ° C Miele KM 6380, Kuppersbusch EKIW 9850 .0 F, Samsung CTN 464 NC01, V-ZUG GK 56 TIMS .

Intuitive

Touch controls are constantly being updated, all to make entering settings as simple and intuitive as possible. For this purpose, a few years ago were used touch-sensitive sliders, which can choose the mode by literally feeling, with a finger on the scale Electrolux EHH 6540 FOK, AEG HK 654200 XB, Zigmund & Shtain CIS 179 .60 BX . Now in vogue are circular sliders, such as on the panel Electrolux EHI 6732 FOK. The use of these elements mimics the work of rotary knobs, so will be near and understandable to many.

Another solution – the installation of separate buttons for each level of power, that is, the setting is done in one or two movements. This year, such control units will be used more and more often. For example, Miele KM 6352’s Direct Selection Control or the Direct Select control of the new Bosch PIB 651 N14E.

There are also unusual solutions: the panel Hansa Inari BHI 69307 in place of the touch buttons made neat grooves for your fingers. And the Neff control system includes a magnetic TwistPad switch in the form of a coil, which is not fixed to the panel and can be placed on a shelf or in your pocket, if necessary.

You’re a visual learner

Renewed control units allow to give the information about the appliance operation in a new way. Electrolux has Infi Sight® displays. They are in the form of circles to represent the burners, and the numbers on them give the settings. A quick glance on the control panel is enough to see which cooking zone is active, what power level it is set to and what timer readings are required.

Smeg hobs with Touch Control have a circular display for each cooking zone, with segments for all the settings and buttons.

A new phenomenon that is still available only for premium devices are touch screen TFT-displays, belonging to the liquid crystal. For example, the Touch & Play touchscreen of the LePiano DTIM 100C DeDietrich was the first to be seen by our customers. The display shows the operation of the entire device and zone settings, and the symbols and inscriptions are unusually large and clear. On the Gaggenau CX 480 hob, the display shows the position and shape of the cookware as well as the selected settings.

MaxiSight® displays on AEG TFT hobs are in color. Burners are marked with circles. When the hob is off, the circle is small and grey, when it’s on – the circle becomes wider and brighter. The residual heat indication is also very clear: The circle lights up, but diminishes as the heat dissipates.

But the company Gorenje proposed a novelty of a completely different kind, where heating is controlled by high-sensitivity sensors IQ Sensors. They stand on the hob and the lid of the pot and automatically regulate the work of the burner.

You’re with me?

In passing we have already mentioned combination hobs. The most common combinations are induction and Hi-Light burners in one device Teka IR 622, Gorenje ICT 621 AC, Electrolux EHG 6341 FOK . We have already found out that in terms of cost it is not always the most economical option. And Hi-Light – it’s not just the usual heating zones, but also Wok-type burners Kuppersbusch EKIW 9850 .0 F .

Another type of combination, gas + induction, we found in one model Electrolux EGD 6576 NOK. The lack of demand for this solution is understandable: few families with gas in their apartments are willing to pay extra for electricity consumption. The model has all the functions of an “advanced gas” – gas-control and electric ignition.

Wok – for those who understand

Wok burners are hemispheres, just like the bottom of a Wok. Heating up the entire surface. As you understand this solution is not as simple as usual, and not many people are interested in such things, so the induction Wok is a rarity. Here are some examples: AEG HC 451500 EB, DeDietrich’s DTi 1032 X, Boretti BIKW 75.

Induction hobs