5 Great Benefits of Using an Induction Cooktop Stove

The induction cooktop stove has been around since about the 1950s, but they aren’t too well known – especially in the United States. The induction cooktop market has been dominated for decades by those in Europe as well as chefs around the world.

Until now.

More and more residents in the United States are learning about this incredible cooktop and all of the benefits it can bring – and it is driving sales up. So, if you are one who likes to have the best of the best, then you may want to pay attention.

What is an Induction Cooktop Stove?

Induction cooking uses an electromagnetic field to heat the cookware – without heating up the cooking surface. The magnets in the cooktop work directly with the magnets in the cookware and transfer heat easily. Again, unlike a gas range or an electric range, the burner itself never heats up. You could even take a stack of paper towels and place it between the cooking surface and the cookware, and they wouldn’t burn.

One thing to keep in mind is that because of the method of cooking used by an induction cooktop stove, you can only use certain types of cookware. It has to be conducive to this cooking type – and able to receive the heat via magnets. For example, the most common type used is stainless steel, while copper and aluminum pans don’t have this capability.

What makes an induction cooktop such a great investment? Let’s take a look at the benefits.

1. Increased Safety

“Unattended cooking” is the number one reason for kitchen fires in the U.S. And it makes sense, doesn’t it? A hot burner or open flame can be dangerous as it can cause a fire when it comes in contact with things like grease, oven mitts, kitchen towels, and the like. Not to mention they can cause damage when you accidentally place a plastic dish – or even your hand – on a hot surface. And let’s not even get into the dangers with kids.

With an induction cooktop stove, however, none of this is an issue at all. The surface of this unit is always cool to the touch – even when in the middle of cooking. This is one of the biggest reasons it is such a popular choice amongst families.

2. Fast Heating Speeds

A watched pot may never boil, but one on an induction cooktop stove boils very quickly. So much so that if you ask anyone what their favorite part of their induction cooktop is, it is the ability to quickly heat and cook foods. It is fast – much faster than the alternatives of gas and electric. Plus, there is no need to heat the burner as the pan heats up directly, getting to the food right away.

3. Energy-Efficient Cooking

Any appliance you use for cooking your food is going to use energy. Even those with the Energy-Star rating use energy, just less. But it takes even more energy when you heat up your kitchen with your cooking because your air conditioner will have to work harder to cool the space, and your range hood will have to work to clear the air. All of these things use energy.

When you invest in an induction cooktop stove, you don’t get any level of heat that will impact the temperature in your home. Remember, it transfers directly from under the cooktop to the cookware – leaving the surface cool, so no heat has a chance to escape. What’s more, these cooktops get to work quickly. As we mentioned above, they heat at fast speeds. That means they take less time to cook – allowing you to use them for a shorter time and use less energy.

4. Controlled Temperature While Cooking

Overcooking foods or burning them is a common situation with cooktop or stovetop cooking. This is primarily due to the inability to control the temperature. Think about how many times you have had to adjust the temperatures on your cooking because it wasn’t doing what you needed it to do. For instance, a recipe may tell you to bring to a boil and then simmer, but the boiling and high heat continue long after you’ve moved the knob to simmer. Or how about when it asks for medium heat, but the heat keeps coming, and your food begins boiling? Each of these things can impact the final product.

With an induction cooktop, the ability to control the temperature while cooking is out of this world. It doesn’t matter how much or little you adjust your cooking temperature, the change takes place instantaneously – and your food will follow. You don’t have to wait for something to cool down or heat up. You get the perfect temperature every time.

5. Easy to Clean

If you have invested in a cooktop, you want it to look beautiful and clean all the time. Having that untouched reflection makes all the difference. This may always be your intention with a stovetop or a cooktop, but it is not always easy to do. Most of the time, food that has been spilled onto the hot surface bakes onto it before you are able to safely remove it.

With an induction cooktop stove, things are different. The surface of this unit does not get hot. That means it will not bake onto the surface, nor will it be too hot to handle. Clean as you are cooking since the surface is cool. Or clean after you cook because you know that there will be no way it will harden to the surface.

To clean, all you need is a soft rag or sponge and a little bit of water (or soapy water – depending on the mess). Wipe it up and dry with a clean, soft rag. It is that easy.

Is an Induction Cooktop For You?

After learning the benefits of an induction cooktop stove, there is a good chance you are measuring your countertop. What’s not to love about them? They are safe, fast, energy efficient, easy to clean, and so much more.

Keep up with the Joneses and invest in an induction cooktop from THOR Kitchen today.