What is better induction or electric hob: features and advantages of devices

Choosing a hob is necessary not only for citizens who have moved into new housing, but also for those whose old stove is out of order. Today, consumers are presented with a wide range of models with electric and induction hobs. Gas-type stoves also do not lose their relevance, but in many recently built houses, the use of gas for cooking is no longer provided. This article details the question of what is best for your home: induction or electric hob.

Modern hob

What is the difference between an induction cooking top and a usual electric

Electric panels contain a conventional cooking element, cast-iron hobs or spirals located under a ceramic coating. When they are exposed, the panel on the stove always heats up first, and only then does this heat begin to be transferred to the dishes in which the food is cooked.

In induction surfaces, everything is different: they do not have built-in heating elements, and when they work, heat immediately affects the ferromagnetic bottom of the dishes. The burner of such a plate contains a coil that performs the function of transferring alternating current, the alternating magnetic field of which directs the eddy current into the metal bottom of the dishes. In this case, it is not heating the surface of the stove, as in electric panels, but the dishes themselves.

What cookware is used for induction and hob?

When determining which stove is best to choose, induction or conventional electric, it is recommended to take into account that only certain cookware is suitable for each type or there are contraindications for using certain types of pots. When choosing a new kitchen appliance, you need to remember this nuance, so that after installing the stove and the first cooking samples, you will not be disappointed. In the process of selecting and determining for yourself which cooking surface to give preference, it is recommended to take into account the following points:

1. On the electric panel, stoves can be cooked in ordinary pots and pans made of any materials (cast iron, ceramics, enamel, etc.).
2. On the induction panel of the stove for cooking, you need to purchase special dishes with a magnetic bottom.

Attention! To be able to use ordinary cookware on such a surface, special ferromagnetic stickers must be glued onto it.

Recommended cookware for induction cookers

Another feature of the induction panel is that if you put dishes with a diameter of less than 12 cm on it, then it does not recognize it. Therefore, boil eggs in a small ladle or coffee in a Turk will not work. The panel will begin to work only if dishes are placed on it, which covers 70% of its surface.

Where is food cooked faster: on an induction or electric stove?

It should be noted that not every hostess likes to spend a long time cooking various gourmet dishes, and some simply do not have such an opportunity. Therefore, this feature should also be considered when choosing a plate.

In order for the electric panel to bring water to a boil in the pan, it only needs to spend about 4-5 minutes on its own warming up and another 9-12 minutes on boiling water in the dishes. The burner can heat up to 400 degrees Celsius.

Note! In addition to the fact that this hob is warming up for a long time, it can still unevenly warm food. In one place, it can remain cold, and in another - burned.

Induction panels, on the contrary, will need little time for heating (several minutes) and only 2 to 3 minutes to bring the water to a boiling state. The maximum temperature of the burner is 60 degrees Celsius.

Attention! Due to the fact that electromagnetic currents are sent directly to food, the time for heating it, unlike an electric stove, takes much less.

Which hob is safer?

It is very important that the cooking appliance presents as little danger as possible. This is especially necessary in families where there are small children. The safest are plates with an induction panel. Firstly, it cannot be turned on until a pan or other utensil is placed on it. Secondly, due to the fact that the burners in such stoves do not heat up, respectively, and it is impossible to get burned by touching them. Thirdly, even if a metal small object in the form of a spoon or fork accidentally gets on it, it will not start to heat up, since for this to happen, you need to put a pan with a ferromagnetic bottom of the appropriate size on it.

Frying pan with ferromagnetic bottom

As for the electric panels, they are significantly inferior in terms of safety, as they tend to heat up to a hot state and cool for a long time.

Which hob is more economical?

For ordinary electric burners, which are also called "cast-iron pancake", prolonged heating is characteristic, and after cooking is finished and turned off, it takes a long time to cool. It is possible that the dish can burn even with a non-working burner. While induction hobs they heat food much faster, due to the fact that they do not spend time on their own heating. Therefore, during the operation of the latter, electricity is consumed 1.5 times more economically, and also no extra time is spent waiting for heating, as when using electric panels. For example, to bring a liter of water to a boiling state, it will take a little more time than would be done in an electric kettle.

Do induction and electronic hobs somehow affect other kitchen appliances?

Cookers with an electric hob are not recommended to be installed near the refrigerator, since during cooking it is very hot, and this heat is transferred to nearby objects. This will lead to the fact that both devices will compete with each other by transmitting warm and cooled temperatures.

As for induction surfaces, they should not be located next to a washing machine, microwave, oven, etc. Otherwise, the magnetic field will interfere with the normal operation of these devices.

In this case, everyone determines what is best for him based on the available equipment in the kitchen.

Features of induction surfaces

What are the features of induction panels? The article mentioned that they have a negative effect on other kitchen appliances. In this regard, the question arises: are they harmful to the human body? The answer will be positive: the influence, although small, is exerted. Therefore, in order to minimize the effect of the induction panel, it is necessary to observe several simple rules:

1. the ferromagnetic bottom of the pan must necessarily cover the entire area of ​​the burner;
2. when the device is on, it is not recommended to press against it with the whole body;
3. mix the dish better with a wooden object, rather than a metal one.

In addition, induction has another significant drawback in comparison with the electric one - quite loud noise during operation. This is due to the fact that the fan is constantly functioning to cool this technique. Without it, the operation of the stove is impossible, because if you do not cool it, it will overheat and turn off.

Induction surface

The advantages of electric stoves

Despite the fact that induction cookers are significantly superior in parameters to electric ones, the latter have several significant advantages. Among them are the following:

1. the price of stoves with an electric hob is much lower than the rest;
2. there is no noise during their operation. During cooking, no monotonous annoying sounds are heard;
3. the widest choice presented by different manufacturers. Modern models are able to satisfy the taste of any consumer. You can choose any configuration, color, number of burners and a satisfied price.

Electric surface

Conclusion

Decide which surface is best suited: electric or induction, the buyer must independently, based on their needs and requests. Both types have their own advantages and disadvantages.

When choosing an electric panel, keep in mind that you will not be able to cook borscht, stewed fruit and stew meat on it at the same time, as these models have weight restrictions. Typically, a pan with a weight of up to 5 kg allows for one burner, and 15 kg respectively for the entire panel. Therefore, it is not suitable for people who like to cook several dishes at the same time. For such purposes, it is better to purchase an induction model.