Electrical induction cooker

Types of Electrical Induction Cookers

The electrical induction cooker uses electromagnetic energy to heat the cookware rather than the cooktop directly. This increases speed and reduces energy use, making the process more efficient. The cooker can generate heat only if there is suitable cooking ware on the hob, which helps to avoid accidents. However, the cookers can be not very easy to maintain, as they require special pots and pans.

Depending on features and consumers' demands, induction cookers come in various types.

• Portable cooker: This type of induction cooker is user-friendly and straightforward to operate. It heats up very quickly when turned on and is suitable for small pots and pans. The cooker is light to carry and can be used anywhere.
• Built-in Cooker: Built-in induction cookers are installed in kitchen tops. They require a power supply but don't need a gas line. They are available in two and four cooking zones and suitable for pans and pots weighing 30 kg.
• Semi-built in cooker: The semi-built-in induction cooker has a frame. It is installed in the kitchen by fixing its frame in the kitchen counter. The cooker has cooking zones and is suitable for home and commercial kitchen use.
• Multizone Induction Cooker: In this type of induction cooker, the whole cooking surface can be used instead of certain zone areas. It is mainly used in large pots and pans. The cooker requires suitable cooking ware with a larger contact surface to be placed on it.
• Paella Pan Cooker: This induction cooker features flexible cooking options and different power settings. It has a large cooking zone and a temperature control option. The induction Paella pan cooker heats the entire base of the pot and is compatible with various cookware.
• CombiZone Induction Hob: This type of induction cooker is equipped with two or more cooking zones that can be combined into one large zone. It is suitable for using large and heavy cooking vessels. The cooker offers flexible heating and is energy-efficient.

Functions & Features of the Electrical Induction Cooker

• Heat control: Induction stoves offer excellent heat control. Cooked food can be brought to a boil or simmer quickly. The temperature can be adjusted precisely. Some induction cookers use power levels in watts to show how much heat is generated.
• Cooling fan: Induction cookers have a cooling fan to prevent the cooker from overheating. Induction cookers can get hot when used continuously. The cooling fan keeps the internal parts at a normal temperature so they don't get damaged.
• Timer: Many induction stoves have a timer function. The cooking time can be set between 1-2 minutes to 174 hours. The timer function alerts the buyer when food is either ready or the cooking time is up. Some induction cookers will beep to show the buyer the food is done.
• Easy-to-clean cooker top: Induction cookers come with smooth glass cooktops. They are simple and quick to clean after use. Because induction cookers don't use an open flame, food spills don't get baked onto the cooktop. Wiping the cooktop with a wet cloth restores it to its original shine.
• Low gas emissions: Induction cooking uses electricity instead of gas to cook food. It helps to lower the gas emissions in the kitchen.
• Safety features: Induction cookers have many safety features. Some of the features include auto shut-off, a child lock, and an overheat protection option. The auto shut-off function turns the induction cooker off after a long period of inactivity. Many induction cookers have a child lock to prevent kids from touching any buttons on the cooker. The child lock offers peace of mind for the buyer. The overheat protection feature prevents induction cookers from overheating. It cools the cooker down and shuts it off when it reaches a certain temperature.
• Hobs: Hobs are different sizes of cooking zones on an induction cooktop. Some induction cookers have hobs for small pots and pans, while others have larger cooking zones for bigger cookware.

Applications of an electrical induction cooker

Induction cookers are becoming popular because induction cooking is efficient when generating heat. This leads to faster cooking times, more uniform cooking results, and energy savings. Induction technology has been adapted to serve different industries, as shown below:

• Aerospace: Induction heating is used to harden and soften aerospace components. Induction cookers are preferred in this industry because they provide precise temperature control and reduce the risk of oxidation, which can compromise component integrity.
• Chemical processing: Induction heaters are used in chemical plants for maintaining. They are useful for heating viscous fluids to improve their flow and ensure efficient operation of the pumps and valves in the chemical processing industry.
• Electroplating: Induction heaters are widely used to heat plasmas in electroplating applications. Heavy metal plating processes require sodium hydroxide to be around 60 degrees Celcius, and induction cookers are a fast way of heating to such temperatures. This is an example of an industry that requires cookers to heat to specific temperatures in a short amount of time.
• Food Processing: The food processing industry uses induction cookers for boiling, frying, and simmering food. Induction cookers have precise temperature controls that are useful for maintaining consistent cooking temperatures. Energy savings and easier worker safety are other benefits that food processors derive from induction cookers.
• Metal processing: Induction cookers are used in metal processing for heating and melting metals. Precise temperature control during heating and melting metal is crucial for good metal production. Induction cookers are preferred because they have good energy efficiency.
• Laboratories: Induction cookers are handy in laboratories for tasks like heating, boiling, and maintaining controlled temperatures in scientific experiments. The quick and accurate temperature control enhances experimental precision and reliability. The induction cooker makes laboratory work more efficient and safe. Induction heating systems are also extensively used for material preheating in laboratories.
• Medical equipment: Induction heaters are used for heating purposes in medical equipment manufacturing and medical facilities. They can heat tools and equipment to precise temperatures for processes such as sterilization and to dry them afterward.

How to Choose an Electrical Induction Cooker

• Power and Cooking Settings:

  It is essential to check the power and cooking settings of an induction cooker. An induction cooker with different power levels gives users more options. A powerful induction cooker can heat up quickly and cook food faster. Users should choose meals based on its maximum power. A cooker with higher power can cook large meals within a short time. Remember that induction cookers use power in watts. The higher the wattage, the higher the running cost. Common induction cookers range between 1200 and 1800 watts. Buyers should look for a model with multiple cooking settings, which will provide more control over the cooking process.

• Temperature Control and Size:

  Induction cookers with adjustable temperature control are better. They allow users to change temperatures based on their needs. These cookers give users more freedom and help them to cook food precisely. It is also important to consider the size of the induction cooker. The sizes of induction cookers vary, from single burners to larger models with multiple burners. The number of burners or cooking zones is crucial. Buyers should choose a model with the number of burners that suits their needs.

• Portability and Material:

  An induction cooker is portable if it is small and lightweight. Cookers with non-slip feet are also portable. Users can move them easily without slipping or damaging the surface. Most induction cookers have a plastic bod y. However, people can find induction cookers with a stainless steel body. The plastic body is lightweight and expands quickly when heated. On the other hand, the stainless steel body is heavier but more durable than plastic. Induction cookers with a plastic body are more portable because of their lower weight.

• Compatibility With Cookware and Safety Features:

  Compatibility with cookware is an important factor to consider. Induction cookers use an electromagnet to heat pots and pans. If the pots and pans are not compatible, they will not work. Buyers should ensure the induction cooker they purchase is compatible with their cooking vessels. Users can find out about the compatibility in the manual. Also, look for compatibility labels. It is also important to consider the safety features of induction cookers. The safety features can protect users from accidents. Some cookers have automatic shut-off features that help to save electricity. Cookers with residual heat indicators will warn users when the surface is still hot to prevent burns.

Q and A

Q: What are the benefits of induction cooking?

A: Induction cooking saves energy because it generates heat in the cookware directly. This generates little heat in the kitchen and increases safety by minimizing the risk of burns. Induction cookers are also easy to clean. They have smooth surfaces with electronic controls that are easy to wipe and resistant to stains.

Q: What types of induction cookers are available?

A: Several types of induction cookers are available, including portable single- burner induction cookers and built-in multi- burner cooktops. The portable induction cooker is small and easy to move. Built-in induction cookers are usually integrated into kitchen cabinets for a neat appearance. They also have several burner's enabling users to cook multiple dishes simultaneously.

Q: How can buyers tell whether the cookware is suitable for induction cooking?

A: Buyers can use the magnet test to determine whether the cookware is suitable for induction cooking. If a magnet sticks to the cookware, it means the cooker base has ferromagnetic properties, and the cookware is suitable for induction cooking. If the magnet doesn’t stick, the cookware has no magnetic properties, and it's not compatible with induction cooking.

Q: What type of cookware is suitable for induction cooking?

A: Suitable induction cookware includes stainless steel, cast iron, enameled cast iron, and magnetic glass cookware. These types of cookware have magnetic bases that allow them to be heated and cooked on an induction cooker.