A Safer, More Efficient Cooktop
An induction cooktop reduces energy costs, nearly eliminates heat loss in the kitchen and greatly diminishes the risk of burns and stovetop fires. It can also reduce the time it takes to prepare a meal.
Best of all worlds
An induction cooktop has faster temperature response than a gas burner and a safer, cooler cooking surface. The cooktop is far more energy efficient than a standard glass cooktop and similar to clean. It’s easy to wipe off, but baked-on stains require elbow grease.
A safer choice
Unlike with traditional cooktops, there is little risk of burns from the heating elements. In fact, if the cooktop is on but there’s no pan sitting on top of it, it simply does not get hot.
A net-zero hero
A net-zero home is highly energy efficient, well insulated and airtight. The last thing we want to do is to introduce wasted heat into the system every day. Induction cooktops are an excellent solution; the food being cooked will receive more than 90% of the heat generated, compared with only 40% to 55% for gas and 60% to 65% for electric. This minimizes the energy required for cooking while keeping the kitchen much cooler during meal preparation.
Any downsides?
Specific cookware. You’ll need cookware that’s compatible with induction. To see if your cookware will work, hold a magnet to your favorite pan. If you get a strong bond, you’re good! If not, it won’t work. But don’t worry; there are many options available.
Noise. This may come as a surprise, but induction cooktops may make some noise. This is due in part to the different materials found in clad cookware, the weight of the cookware, the power level and what’s being cooked. The noise is just a slight hum or buzz, but it may bother some people.
What does it cost?
Not too long ago, induction cooktops commanded a premium price, but when I compared the costs of gas, electric and induction cooktops today, the prices for equivalent functionality were very much on par. Paying a premium for the benefits of induction seems to be a thing of the past. If you’re not sure you’ll like induction, you can buy a two-burner countertop model from Duxtop for less than $200 online, use it and decide whether you want it to replace your current cooktop.