The development of kitchen appliances does not stand still, and recently, modern models have appeared among household appliances, which quickly gained popularity. We are talking about induction hobs.
Let us examine in more detail what a device is that works on the basis of such physical phenomena as induction currents.
Types of induction cookers
A panel of this type came to the kitchen in the 80s of the last century. At this time, the first commercial designs appeared under the brand name AEG. Their cost was very high. In addition, buyers were not ready to abandon traditional, well-known and reliable stoves. Therefore, new surfaces were met quite indifferently.
However, gradually admirers of induction aggregates became more and more. Such cooking devices are no longer a rarity in the kitchen. Many housewives have their own experience in using them.
Nowadays, trade offers several types of induction panels. 
- Complete with oven. This is a stove consisting from two parts: induction hob and oven.
- Combined appliances. In such devices there are several different burners. In some devices the principle of functioning is combined. For example, in the panel of the four burners, two are induction and two are conventional electric.
- Multi burner hob. It is convenient in that easily inserted into the countertop. At the request of the owner, it can be combined with an oven, which is placed directly below the surface. But this is not the only option, because the place under the countertop can be taken up by capacious drawers. They will always have at hand different kitchen utensils.
- There are also small tiles with one burner. They comfortable with their mobility. It is not necessary for them to look for one single place, because such a tile is easy to rearrange. She also suitable for transportation, you can even take it with you on a business trip or trip.
Induction cooker arrangement
The design consists of such elements.
- Horizontal surface, the size of which depends on the number of burners on it. The surface is made of glass ceramics, which is suitable for the functioning of the structure and becomes an interesting detail in the interior.
- Induction coilsensuring the operation of the device.
- Control block.
Principle of operation
The operation of the device is based on the properties of electromagnetic induction, that is, the appearance of an electric current in a closed circuit due to a change in the magnetic current.
reference. This physical phenomenon was discovered by the Englishman M. Faraday in 1831.
Many electrical appliances that we use daily have a transformer.
Induction cooker, in fact, is the same transformer. The action diagram of the device is simple. The glass-ceramic surface hides the coil, providing the movement of electric current. Its frequency is from 20 to 60 kHz.
An induction coil is a primary coil, while a saucepan, frying pan or other utensil in which one or another dish is prepared becomes secondary.
When an induction current is applied to the bottom of the dish, it heats up. Accordingly, its contents are also heated.
Important! The peculiarity of induction cookers is that pots and pans are heated. And the surface itself, located above the heating element and under the dishes, changes its temperature slightly.
Consequently, when heated by induction currents, heat loss is minimized.
Noticeable changes also occur with the time spent on heating dishes. In terms of heating speed, induction structures are superior to the results that other devices show..
Condition for Quality Functioning
Quality work of induction kitchen panels is ensured by the use of ferromagnetic cookware.
Such pans and pans can be metal. But Only a metal that responds to the action of a magnet is suitable. Therefore, it is not necessary to look for some specialized dishes. To prepare a tasty dish, it is enough to use ordinary dishes, for example, good old cast-iron pans. It is permissible to use even enameled dishes, but under one condition, it should attract a magnet.
Important! Crockery made of porcelain, glass and other materials is not suitable for an induction panel.
Cookware Requirements
When using ordinary dishes, you need to ensure that it matches a number of parameters.
- On the bottom minimum diameter must not be less than 120 mm.
- You can use dishes that have bottom thickness from 2 to 6 mm.
- Cookware specially made for use on induction panels has special marking. It is applied to the bottom of the product.
Each manufacturer labels such dishes according to their own rules. But an indication that it can be cooked on an induction cooker can be found in the operating instructions.
The cost of specially made dishes may exceed the cost of traditional dishes and depends on the brand. There are many companies involved in the production of special dishes.
Among the leaders are brands Fissler and Woll from Germanyand. In their catalogs, not only pans and pans. Braziers and other utensils are also popular. Some products are made by hand, have a case with a thickness of 10 mm with a ceramic coating.
Germany is not the only country specializing in the production of such products. They are released by other European countries - Finland, France and many others. The products manufactured here are slightly lower, but also of decent quality.
Comparison of induction hobs and other cooking devices
Induction units are high-tech devices that use different physical principles than other devices. Induction current opens up new horizons for consumers in cooking and allows you to fully control this process.
Differences
All matter in principle
The main difference between different cooking devices relates to the principle of their operation.
On gas units we will not linger for a long time. Here the differences are obvious: they are in different types of fuel, due to which the device operates.
Electric stoves in this regard, it would seem, have no differences, but similarities. Indeed, in these designs everything is based on electricity. But there is a difference nonetheless!
Electric stove when turned on heats up to the set heating temperature. Then hot surface of the device transfers heat to dishes and thereby heats the container and its contents.
Induction cooker activates magnetic currents that plead to the heating of pots or pans, but the panel does not change its temperature.
Efficiency
Compare the effectiveness of using different devices.
Heating efficiency:
- electric stove with glass ceramics - 50-60%;
- gas stove - 60-65%;
- induction panel - 90%.
Pros and cons of induction devices
Advantages
The undoubted advantages of induction devices include the following.
- Increase in heating rate. During switching on, the dishes and products are heated, while the panel itself is practically not heated.
- Energy saving. The physical principles that have become the basis of this kitchen technique make it possible to cook food with minimal energy consumption. This is because energy is expended to create a magnetic field. It is not necessary to heat the spiral.
- Increased security induction kitchen appliances. Oh its surface impossible to burn yourself. The operation of such a device eliminates the occurrence of sunburn, even with a burner left for a long time. As soon as the dish is cooked and the stove is turned off, it will not be hot, but warm.
- Auto power off. The stove independently recognizes the presence of dishes on its surface and turns off automatically.
Disadvantages
In fairness, it should be noted that such a panel is not without flaws.
- For some consumers, a wary attitude to a new type of kitchen equipment is due to the fact that cooking on an induction stove requires the use of special utensils. It must have certain ferromagnetic properties. And dishes made of aluminum or glass should not be used.
- The technique of this class is persistently It is not recommended to install near household appliances made of metal.
- Panel of these devices requires respect. A lid or knife falling on it may cause a crack. Put dishes on the panel also carefully, because otherwise the plate may break.
- But the key drawback of this household appliance is high price in comparison with plates working on other principles.
Which induction panel to choose
In the market of our country there is no large selection of such plates.
But still, among what is, you can focus on the models that are supplied by the AEG-Electrolux concern. In appearance, the products of this company are not much different from a traditional electric stove with a glass-ceramic surface.
As of autumn 2018, its cost lies within 30 thousand rubles. is a fully functional kitchen appliances. Hot plates of this model are heated in the center to 100 degrees, along the edges to 40 degrees.
There are no other companies in our market.
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