How Do Induction Pans Work? How Do You Use Them?

Have you ever asked yourself, “How do induction pans work?” These days, most people have heard of induction hobs and induction cooking methods, but not everyone understands how induction cooktops and pans differ from their electric counterparts.

Induction cooking is an increasingly popular solution for those who want quicker heat, precise control over their cooking experience, and easier cleanup. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at how an induction cooking surface works alongside induction pans to create a unique alternative to standard electric cooking utensils.

What Is Induction Cooking?

To understand how induction pans work, you need to know the basics of what an induction hob or induction cooker is. An induction hob is an electric cooking surface that applies heat energy directly to a pan through magnetic fields.

Induction hobs combine the efficiency and precision of cooking with gas cooktops with the simplicity and easy cleaning of an electrical cooking appliance. With an induction stove, you get a modern-looking cooking vessel, with “induction coils” placed underneath the top glass of the hob.

So how do induction pans work? Such induction coils create a magnetic field when electricity flows through them (after you turn the induction hob on). Unlike other electric cooktops, the hob’s surface doesn’t heat up when a pan isn’t placed on top of it. To use a magnetic induction hob, you need pots and pans with a magnetic base. This completes the circuit on the induction hob and causes the pan to heat up.

Because induction hobs direct heat into the pan directly through thermal conduction, you can heat cookware using this cooking method much faster than a traditional cooktop. Additionally, when you remove the cooking pot from the induction hob, the electrical current is broken, and you stop producing heat; this allows the hob to cool a lot faster.

Induction Cooking Disadvantages

Induction hobs are very popular for energy-efficient cooking. Since you’re only using electricity for as long as you have a pan directly placed on the cooking job, you only use as much of the power supply as you need. You can also heat your pan much faster than you would with traditional electric hobs and cookware.

Induction hobs look great, and they’re fantastic at delivering excellent cooking results. However, there are some downsides to cooking with induction hobs, such as:

Costs

Induction hobs and stoves are often more expensive than their gas and electric counterparts because the technology is still relatively new. On the plus side, you will save energy in the long run, allowing you to run a more energy-efficient house.

Specific Cookware

Have you ever used an #induction stovetop?

It heats up pots and pans with magnets – not fire. 🔥

✔️They heat up and cool down incredibly fast.
✔️If you touch the stovetop, you wont burn your hand.
✔️You can only use specific cookware with magnetic materials. pic.twitter.com/wGz8eU4LHf

— Chef (@BeTheRestaurant) July 22, 2020

Any stainless steel or cast iron cooking pot will work with an induction hob. If you’re going to use an induction cooker, you will need special induction pans. Since the only cookware you can use is induction pots and pans, you might find you spend more on your kitchen utensils.

Learning Curve

Sometimes, if you’re used to cooking on other kinds of hobs and stoves, you might find it difficult to start cooking without an open flame or electric hob for the first time. You might even undercook or overcook your food at first because the heating process is different with this kind of cookware and induction heating.

Scratches

Induction hobs can easily scratch up with hot spots on the glass, which can damage the overall appearance of your kitchen. If you’re cooking with induction hobs, you’ll need to be extra careful not to scratch the glass above your heat source.

How to Tell if Your Pan Will Work on Induction Hobs

As mentioned above, one of the biggest challenges of using induction hobs is finding the right cookware. The electromagnetic waves won’t work if you don’t have the right pan or pot. But how do you tell if your pans will work on induction hobs? You can’t necessarily use the pans you used on a gas stove with an induction hob.

If you have an induction hob with a coiled copper wire beneath the glass, then you’ll need to check your high-quality cookware to ensure it’s compatible with induction hobs. Most of the pots and pan options on the market today will come with information letting you know if you can cook with electromagnetic waves or not.

If you can’t find information about the pan you want to cook with, try placing a fridge magnet on the bottom of the cookware. If the magnet sticks to your pan, this is a good sign you’re dealing with an induction-ready hob.

What Happens if You Use a Normal Pan on an Induction Hob?

Creating a magnet field and completing the electric current is needed to cook your food on an induction hob. To make this possible, you will need induction cookware. If you place a standard pan on an induction cooker, nothing bad will likely happen. However, it is unlikely that anything will happen at all. If you put a standard pan on an induction cooker, nothing bad will necessarily occur, but it’s unlikely anything will happen at all.

Because there’s nothing on the bottom of the cookware to connect with the coiled copper wire underneath the glass in your hob, no magnetic field will develop. This means your pans won’t heat up, and you won’t be able to cook your meals.

How to Cook on an Induction Pan

Induction cookers are usually quite easy to use. However, it’s worth remembering that induction cooktops often heat a lot faster than other cooking utensils. This could mean you need to start cooking at a lower temperature than you usually would.

When cooking on an induction cooktop with induction hob pans, remember to:

• Keep everything clean: Make sure you keep your induction cookers and pans clean to ensure nothing burns onto the surface of your cooker when you begin cooking. Induction cookware and induction hobs are easy to damage or scratch if you’re not careful.

• Align the pans carefully: Ensure the bottom of the induction pan is aligned properly with the circle on the top of the induction cooker. This will help the pan and the food heat evenly, allowing for a better result.

• Be cautious with heat: Be careful with your power levels whether you’re cooking a difficult recipe or boiling water. Induction hobs can heat a lot faster than gas or electric due to the unique nature of the magnetic current. Start with a low temperature, then turn it up gradually.

• Follow the instructions provided: You should have a set of instructions included with most induction cooking surfaces to tell you how to switch each hob on and adjust the temperature. Most of these devices will be very straightforward.

Cooking With Induction Surfaces

Induction surfaces can seem complex when you’re not used to induction cooking work. However, suppose you’re willing to invest in the right electromagnetic induction surface and a selection of high-quality pans. In that case, you can achieve better long-term energy efficiency with your cooking processes.

Additional Resources

• How to Dispose of a Microwave in the UK
• How Does a Microwave Work
• How to Sharpen a Knife Without a Knife Sharpener
• How to Use a Can Opener