Could you desire to add a cooktop to your sanctuary cooktops or in your kitchen? Or perhaps you might need another cooking solution, and you are wondering which one to go for between an induction cooktop and an electric cooktop?
Compare induction cooktop vs. electric
Each of these cookers has its advantages, and adding either of them or both to your kitchen collection means that you have found the one you are willing to use every day. If you are searching for a new cooktop, you’ve got some choices to make.
Therefore, it is good to have a bit of idea of the two cooktops to help you make the best decision. Whereas an induction cooktop produces heat using electromagnetic radiation, electric cookers use direct electricity to heat copper coils and then transfer the heat to the pans or pots.
It is in this that we seek to outline the differences and similarities of these products and help you come up with the most viable option for your home use. You will need to learn more about the differences between induction cookers and electric cookers and determine which one is the best for your kitchen and lifestyle. Let’s keep on reading to understand more.
What is an induction cooktop?
What sets apart induction cooktops from electric cooktops is how they produce their heat. Induction cooktops don’t use a gas flame to heat their cookware. Apart from them being electric, they, too, provide heat through coils underneath the surface.
In other words, induction heating happens using electromagnetic radiation. This means that a current of electricity alternates as it passes from end to end the coils to heat the cookware on them directly. The effect is that, after being induced, the magnetic fields will produce an electric current to the pan or pot, and in turn, your food begins to cook.
Also, an induction cooker, because of its electromagnetic fields, doesn’t create a glowing radiance while heating. Therefore you won’t notice it’s on. The heat produced is gentle enough to melt the butter but powerful to bring 48 ounces of water to a boil within minutes. Does this sound great?
For a plus, induction cookers can deliver approximately 80% to 90% of their electromagnetic energy to the food in the pan compared to electric cooktops, which can only manage roughly 70%.
This means that coils do not only heat faster, but their temperature control is also precise.
Moreover, the cooker’s surface stays cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about burning your hand. On almost all counts, induction is faster, safer, cleaner, and more efficient.
When Do You Use An Induction Cooktop?
If you want to use your induction cooktops effectively, your cookware needs to be ferromagnetic; that is, they are either made of stainless steel or iron. Aluminum doesn’t work well.
How do I know whether the cookware will work well on an induction cooktop? It’s simple. Just stick the cookware to a magnet. If they do stick, they should work on your induction cooker.
Perhaps you want to change to an induction cooktop, and you already have more than enough non-ferrous cookware that you can’t throw away. You still have options as to how you can use them. That is by using an induction disc. An induction disc, or ‘interface disc’ as it’s sometimes known, is a stainless steel disc used on an induction cooktop to heat your unsuitable cookware.
These discs come in a range of different sizes to fit on your burner and cookware.
Induction cooktops are ideal for families with children. Besides, it won’t start up when there is no cookware on top of it.
This makes it safe for use in homes in that when a child accidentally turns it on, it won’t get hot until the cookware is put on top of it. Also, it generates less heat even when cooking a delicacy on a hot day, making it suitable for hot climate areas.
Different Types of Induction Cooktop
Due to its rise in popularity and demand in the market, this modern cooktop is speedily overtaking electric cooktops.
They are the most preferred means of cooking method all around. It is important to note that induction cookers are designed in different sizes and designs that make them appealing to homeowners.
Although they are new in technology and the industry, not everyone is aware of them. That is why we want to focus on the different types available in the market for you to choose from.
Single burner induction cooktop
A single burner induction cooktop features a single cooking zone where the cookware is placed. This type of induction cooker is, however, not suitable for multiple preparations of different dishes. It operates at 120V and uses a maximum wattage of 1800W.
Besides, this type is affordable, portable, and can be used together with other cooktops. Some of the most common types of single burner induction cooktop you might want to consider buying include the DUXTOP 7100MC, DUXTOP 8300ST, 3000 Watts powered Max Burton 6530 ProChef, True Induction TI-1B, Fagor 670041920, Nuwave PIC, and Fagor 670041900.
Double burner Induction Cooktop
This type of induction cooktop has two burners that come in handy when you want to place different cookware for simultaneous cooking. A double burner induction cooktop is relatively expensive and is less portable compared to a single burner.
Its design also takes up more space on the countertop while installing. Moreover, it features a power rating that is slightly higher than a single burner cooker. It operates at 220V and can go up to 3600W.
Built-in Induction Cooktop Units
This design of induction cooktop also features more than one burner in-built design, and it comes in different sizes depending on the number of burners fitted on it.
The built-in induction cooker is designed to be placed in set-in cut-outs or modified spaces as per their size. Customizing them on the kitchen counters top needs to be done with a lot of care and keenness so that it fits correctly at the level of your countertop. Moreover, they will add class and glamour to your kitchen.
The most preferred models include the True Induction MD-2B Inset model and True Induction S2F3 Counter.
Stan-alone Induction cooktop
Stand-alone induction cooktop, just as the name suggests, doesn’t require a countertop; they are the countertop. They have a similar design to the free-standing gas cookers and can be placed anywhere in the kitchen, between countertops and outdoor cooking.
The selling point of these units is that they give you freedom of movement, and they can be placed anywhere without making any significant changes in the kitchen layout. Stan-alone induction cookers are ideal for users who love outdoor cooking or families living in rented houses.
What is an Electric cooktop?
An electric cooktop is one of the old tried and true methods of cooking. Having been around for years, they are the most used and most comfortable cookers to cook on. They emit their cooking heat through a centralized electrical current flowing through a metal coil.
Once this coil has become hot, it glows and transfers heat to the cooktop’s cookware. Besides their versatility in power levels, and heating efficiency, they are also affordable and a good choice for people on a budget.
On the other hand, they can be slightly heavier than induction cooktops. Also, their burners heat up slowly and take time to cool down. This can be tricky, especially when you need to change the heat to prevent something from burning quickly.
When do you use an electric cooktop?
Electric cooktops are designed to cook faster with equal heat distribution within the cooking range. The product has become a favorite cooker for families due to its efficiency in cooking. While induction cooktops need special cookware, electric cooktops don’t.
This, therefore, makes it the most budget-friendly cooker. Parents with young children will also opt to use them, seeing that they are faster safer of the two.
Different Types of Electric Cooktop
In general, there are two types of electric cooktops available in the market for you to choose from. These are coil cooktops and smooth top cookers. These cooktops have great features that make cooking a breeze. They also have different numbers of burners that come in handy when you want to have simultaneous cooking.
Coil cooktops
This type of electric cooker features a coil placed on the top of the cooktop surface or in a recessed opening. These coils are more exposed to water leaks from the pots, and to contain this mess, a drip pan is fitted below the coils to trap the leakages. Besides, these types have the lowest price point in the market.
Smoothtop
Smoothtop cooktops are designed with a radiant element that is similar to coils. These elements are fitted under a smooth and easy-to-clean glass or ceramic surface. Smoothtop cooktops heat elements faster and evenly than coil cookers. They are good-looking to the eyes as they provide a sleek, integrated appearance.
Most electric cookers have dual-element burners that have an inner ring, and its ideal for smaller cookware. On the other hand, the outer rings are large and suitable for large cookware.
For a plus, the bridge element feature is placed between the two main elements, and it is suitable for cookware like barbeques.
For safe use, it is vital to look for hot surface indicators on these types of cooktops. This is because once you turn off the cooktop, the glass or burner will continue to be hot. So the indicator light will let you know when the burner or surface has cooled down.
Induction cooktops, Electric cooktops or both?
The greatest pointers that will determine the best option to choose from these two cooktops are the cookware concerns and efficiency. It is because induction cooktops rely on electromagnetism.
They only use pots with magnetic bottoms such as steel and iron, while electric cookers do not have any preference. Price is also another determinant factor. You will find that while induction cooktops still claim a smaller percentage of dominance in the overall market, they are becoming more affordable compared to electric cookers.
This is enough to convince user who is contemplating which one to go for and is on a tight budget. Other features such as auto-sizing pan detection and LED lighting on the induction cooker also make it more favorable and highly rated.
On the other hand, an electric cooktop is relatively affordable and is likely the best choice. With this cooktop, you can use it for any cookware.
So which is the best choice? The answer will exclusively depend on you. You will need to weigh the benefits of both of them against your personal preferences and priorities and choose. But from a professional’s point of view, when it comes to efficiency, affordability, and safety of use, induction cooktop wins.
Can an induction cooktop be used for the same purpose as an electric cooktop?
The answer is No. And I will explain. Whereas the induction cooktop is efficient for electricity consumption, you cannot use grills on them when you want to do barbeque. Although they look a bit similar, they are completely different. So what makes them different and that you can’t use them for the same purpose?
On average, induction cookers will reach a maximum temperature of 665.5°F compared to electric cookers at 741.8°F. Although the electric cooktop takes time to heat the cookware, it will evenly cook the meals within a short time as compared to its counterpart. For a plus,
Induction cooktops give direct heating to your cookware, and it doesn’t fluctuate. This means that you maintain a steady boil without burning your food.
Moreover, the heat you get with an induction cooktop is instant, unlike an electric cooktop. Meaning, you can easily boil a pot of water faster on it than on an electric cooktop. This will help you save energy as well as having more authentic cooking.
Differentiating the Two
These two cooktops are slightly similar to each other, but there are still many differences between them. While induction cooktops give users more control over the heat level, the electric cooktop has minimal control.
For instance, when you put a pan on an induction cooktop for cooking, its temperature changes when the current is adjusted. It is not the same for an electric cooktop. This is because they take to catch up with the temperature of the heat source.
An electric cooktop allows for only 65-70% of the heat to reach the food being cooked; an induction cooktop will allow up to 90% heat.
When it comes to energy efficiency, the induction cooker still leads with a clear margin.
Also, while the fire risk is high with an electric cooker, it is lower with an induction cooktop.
When it comes to pricing, an electric cooktop will probably prevail. It cost is less than induction cooktops, and they don’t require special cookware like its counterpart.
Benefits of owning an induction cooktop
- With an induction cooktop, the heat is transferred from the coil to the pan itself, leaving the cooktop cool to the touch.
- The spilled residue of food does not bake itself on the cooker’s surface because the surface does not get hot.
- It leaves your kitchen cool due to low energy emissions.
- Induction cooktops seem to cook much faster, thus reducing your cooking times.
Benefits of owning an electric cooktop
- The cooktops are easy to install and easy to use.
- The residual heat left on the burner once you’ve turned it off can be used to keep your food warm or even slightly continue cooking.
- With electric cooktops, you can easily control and manage heat in a certain space to cut down on energy costs.
- Using an electric cooker can significantly reduce the emission of indoor air pollutants.
Other
As technology is advancing rapidly, people across the globe are also getting more inclined towards induction cooktops in contrast to those traditional gas stovetops and electric ones. There may be a number of reasons for this inclination.
According to worldwide research, it has been studied that induction stovetops are considered as one of the most reliable and highly efficient appliances used for cooking. Here are a few considerable points to compare induction cooker vs. electric and would surely make you more aware of the best cooking appliance for your kitchen.
Improved Functionality
In contrast to those conventional electric cooktops, the contemporary induction cooktops have a number of improved functionalities. They are highly advanced in many ways such as manual adjustment of the cooking time, better heating facility, auto switch off option and the availability of various modes for different types of cooking.
Efficiency
When it comes to compare induction cooktop vs. electric focusing on the efficiency, the inductions come on the upper side. The amount of wasted energy produced by induction stove tops is significantly very less in contrast to the others, thus making them superbly efficient. A study has revealed that inductions are 89% efficient whereas the efficiency of electric cooktops is only 60%.
Safety
This is one of the crucial things to be considered to compare both these cooking appliances. Almost every electric stove top has an element which is heated up and the energy is transferred to the vessel to cook the food inside. However, inductions do not have the same workability. The heat is transferred using the blend of electricity and magnetic property of steel.
Numerous people get burns using electric stove tops whereas while using induction cooktops the chances are considerably very rare. This is generally because the heat transfer is stopped instantly when the vessel is removed from the top which is not the case in electric burners. The inductions heat only the area where the cookware is placed.
The surroundings are also not heated while cooking on induction cooktops. Moreover, there are several models of induction cooktops available in which automatic power cut off functionality is provided for additional safety when the cookware is removed from the heat. This safety feature work wonders especially if you have children around while cooking.
Cleaning
While comparing induction cooktop vs. electric, cleaning inductions is absolutely hassled free and safe too. Cleaning these cooking appliances is as simple as you clean a countertop. You can clean these cooktops instantly after finishing cooking on induction stovetops whereas if you have an electric cooking appliance, you need to wait for a while till it cools down and then start cleaning.
The majority of induction cooktops do not require any type of exclusive cleaning agent whereas most electric gas tops necessitate a specialist cleaning product. All you would need to clean your induction Cooktop is a damp cloth and a regular cleaning spray that you use regularly for other things in the kitchen.
Heating Adjustment
Having a heating adjustment option is one of the biggest pros of induction stovetops whenever induction cooktop vs. electric is compared. Inductions provide flexibility to regulate the cooking temperature according to the food being cooked, which is not at all available on an electric stovetop. Moreover, the cooking temperature is digitally displayed to be more precise.
After enough being enlightened about the benefits of induction cooktops over the electric ones, now let us explore the cons too. Inductions have only a single low point, which is the cost. These cooking appliances are much expensive in contrast to electric gas tops because of which a lot of people do not prefer getting induction stove tops.
Although inductions are absolutely safe and secured for energy efficient cooking and equipped with improved functionalities among various other advantages but the initial investment cost that a person needs to fetch out from the pocket seems like a barricade for many. So, you can also consider getting one accordingly.
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