If you want to replace your kitchen stove and want a clean looking cooktop, induction is a great thing to try. But is this fancy cooking equipment actually more energy efficient? So is it all nonsense?
Let’s review in detail what induction cooktops do compared to common electric and gas models. And that will equip you with the information you need to know if induction is right for you.
What is Induction Cooking?
Induction generates the pots and pans using electromagnetic power instead of the cooktop surface.
Under the glass-ceramic slab of an induction cooktop are electromagnetic coils. — put an iron or steel skillet over one of the cooking points and you get a magnetic field.
This field warms up the pan molecules, heating the metal very quickly. But the cooktop stays cool to the touch.
Induction VS Gas
It has been sung that induction is cleaner than gas cooktops. But recent research raised questions about whether this assertion is accurate.
The problem is with how we produce electricity. For example, if your local grid is based on fossil fuels (e.g., coal, gas), you have lost costs in producing and sending power to your home.
Contemporary gas ranges are approximately 5-10% more efficient at the table than induction. But induction leaps ahead when you factor in electricity-generation and transmission losses.
And, it’s all relative to if you calculate by source emissions or point-of-use efficiency. Efficiency, too, depends on the type of cooktop you’re using and how much you cook.
On balance, the variance is negligible. Induction and gas both outperform conventional electric cooking when it comes to saving energy.
Key Factors in Induction Cooktop Efficiency
Factors influencing energy efficiency of an induction cooktop in the actual environment are:
Cooktop Brand - Some models are built for more effective power and magnetic field production. Look for an expensive pair from reputable brands.
Dishwasher- The cookware substance impacts productivity. Pots and pans should be iron, steel or enameled. It is okay if the stainless steel has an induction-approved base, too.
Cooking Style - Use the cooktop with care. Lowering heat immediately, putting on lids, and sizing pan to element make for greater effectiveness.
Electrical Connection- Induction works best on 240-volts connections. A 120-volt induction cooktop will draw more energy.
Home Energy Grid - As mentioned above, electricity generated from fossil fuels reduces efficiency. And it is getting better, as grids embrace renewables.
Induction Cooktops Offer Superior Energy Savings
In the event you want a kitchen where induction takes precedence over regular electric cooking systems, there’s no question that the power savings are significant.
Electric coil or glass-ceramic cooktops consume as much as 60 percent of their heat on surface heating. Because induction uses direct heating, it is almost completely energy-lossy in this regard.
Induction elements are also quicker to heat and cool. On induction you can boil water in less than 2 minutes. An electric stove can take 7 minutes - that’s electricity hog.
Moreover, induction is more controlled in temperature. This means that you can easily transition from a rolling boil to a low simmer without over or under shooting.
All of this makes induction cooktops 30-50% more efficient than the older electric models.
Additional Efficiency Benefits of Induction
In addition to its immediate efficiency benefits, there are some indirect efficiency benefits to induction:
- Cooking speed -The fast heat up cooks faster so you won’t waste energy overcooking.
- Auto shut off- Induction cooktops recognize when a pan is taken out and shut the unit off to prevent dumping.
- Clean Easily - The smooth glass material easily wipes clean. No burnt on spills or garbage slowing down productivity.
- Built-in smarts – Some of these models can even auto-set the power depending on the pan width and features such as bridge elements.
- Safety- Induction doesn’t heat up, reducing the chances of an accident and a home insurance claim.
This does not have any connection with energy savings but these are ways that induction is actually a better overall cook experience.
Cost Savings Offset Higher Upfront Cost
The only real drawback to induction cooktops is the higher upfront price typically 2-3 times more expensive than a gas or conventional electric.
But experts reckon that you can save enough to pay for the upgrade within 1-2 years, in the form of efficiency savings. Then an induction cooktop will keep saving you dollars for a long time.
Lower cooling expenses from reduced air conditioning, lowering insurance rates and perhaps rebates on energy costs help to cover the outlay.
Check out Nuwave for a wide range of portable induction cooktops to find the perfect fit for your kitchen.
