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What is the difference between an induction cooker and an electric one? What is the difference between an electric hob and an induction hob and which one to choose.

Work in the country, in the garden in spring

Any kind of cookware and any object can be heated on the electric heating plate. At the same time, the induction hob only heats cookware with a magnetic bottom. Despite this, induction heaters are especially loved and popular. What is the reason?

Differences in heating

The induction hob consumes significantly less energy and is therefore different in better side from its electrical counterpart. And it's all about the basic principles of heating.

In any, even the most advanced, electric stove, the burner heats up from the action of an electric current. The current passes through the heating element, heats it up, after which the element itself (burner) gives off heat to the dishes and all surrounding objects. Whatever you put on the electric panel, everything will be warmed up.

Induction hob works in a fundamentally different way. The stove itself does not heat up. It has a built-in coil through which an alternating current flows. As a result, a magnetic field is generated according to the laws of physics. If a dish with a magnetic bottom is on top, currents begin to be generated (induced) in it, which heat the material.

It turns out that energy is spent only on heating one pot or frying pan, and all other objects around are not subject to heating. It follows from the calculations that cooking stove, working on induction, consumes on average one and a half times less electricity than electric, and this is undeniably better.

Induction device properties

If it seems to you that a stove that works on induction will require large expenses for the purchase of special containers for cooking, then this is not entirely true. Many utensils that every home have are suitable for heating with it. It could be all enameled dishes and some steel pans. Of course, you will have to buy a special frying pan or an additional saucepan with a spiral icon on the bottom.

An induction hob is safer than any other. It will not start working until you have closed the hotplate at least 70%. This way, if a spoon or fork gets on the panel, it will not heat it up. Even during work, you can touch the tiles with your hand and not get burned. And if you set a special mode, then the milk will never run away, and the frying for borscht will not burn.

The heating rate is also behind the induction. While the electric hob is just heating up, the induction one is already heating the food.

It is a misconception that an induction hob affects the operation of electrical appliances that surround it.

Firstly, not a single such case was recorded, and secondly, the magnetic field is almost completely concentrated inside the hob and only slightly comes out of it, therefore it has extremely little effect on the surrounding objects. As for harm to humans, in order to minimize it, it is necessary:

  • make sure that dishes with a ferromagnetic bottom completely cover the area that is being heated;
  • do not press your body against the tile when it is turned on;
  • do not use metal objects for stirring.

The main disadvantages that an induction cooker has, perhaps, include the noise that it makes. This noise is related to the operation of the cooling fan. The stove must be constantly cooled, because due to overheating, it simply turns off.

The advantages of the electric stove

While it is believed that an induction hob is superior in many respects to an electric hob, the latter also has its advantages.

  1. Price. On average, electric panels are cheaper than induction panels. A simple single-burner electric stove will always cost less than an induction counterpart.
  2. Silence. The infrared or electric cooker works silently. When it's on, you don't hear any annoying monotonous sounds.
  3. Big choice. During its existence, the electric stove has undergone many changes. You can find a wide variety of models on the market, and choose the appropriate tile for your home in terms of configuration, color, number of burners and price.

The hotplate is more inertial. Even the most advanced model takes longer to warm up, but then it cools down longer and you can still cook something on it at a time when the electricity is already turned off.

To date, it's not worth saying that some kind of tile is better. Someone is more accustomed to using the good old electric stove, while someone chooses innovative devices.

However, there is another alternative - to purchase a hotplate, which houses several different burners according to the principle of operation. All this device is connected to the mains, and then in the process of work you decide for yourself what and when it is more convenient for you to use.

Every housewife dreams of a convenient and multifunctional assistant in daily cooking for the whole family, of course, so that she also has a stylish, modern design... If your house is not connected to a city gas pipeline, an induction cooker or an electric one will suit you.

Which of them is better and more economical, because they are both powered from electrical network... To answer this question and find out all the positive and negative aspects of each model, we advise you to read our article.

The main difference is the principle of heating devices that are original in their own way.

The electric stove first heats up the hotplates to the temperature set by the user, and then transfers the heat to the cookware installed on them.

For the induction model, everything is diametrically opposite: specially assembled coils create an induction eddy current that heats the bottom of the cookware, and then the contents. At the same time, the hob remains cold and heats up only from the dishes during cooking.

The heating system is the main difference between these electric models, not to mention the internal structure and individual parts. An electric hob cannot be installed separately from the entire body of the product, and induction hobs, with some modifications, are freely positioned in the countertop of the kitchen table and function perfectly.

Electric hob and induction hob comparison

Each of the options presented has pros and cons, which we will talk about separately. There are also individual, characteristic features only for them, users need to pay attention to them even before purchasing.

Induction panel

  1. The cost is quite high, but due to the high savings in energy consumption, all costs are paid off, according to experts, on average during the first year of operation.
  2. It does not take time to warm up the hotplates.
  3. The automation switches off the power supply if there is no cookware on the surface of the panel.
  4. Users can set the temperature with an accuracy of 1 degree and set the cooking time.
  5. Simple controls - no need special care, since there is no sticking on the surface.
  6. To properly prepare food, you need special dishes with a perfectly flat bottom, made of cast iron or steel.
  7. When in contact with the induction model, you must remove the watch so that it does not become magnetized, as well as all jewelry so that when heated, they do not burn your skin.


Electric cookers

  1. They cost much less and operate quietly.
  2. You can use almost any dish without restrictions.
  3. The burners take a long time to warm up, but they cool down slowly, which is very much appreciated by many experienced professional chefs: you can leave the dish "reaching" on the stove that is already switched off.
  4. Possess a high degree of fire hazard and traumatic burns.
  5. The power consumption is significantly higher than that of the induction model.

Each model has individual advantages, as well as disadvantages, therefore, when choosing, all the nuances must be compared.

Pros and cons of the electric model

We have already discussed the principle of heating the burners, so let's go straight to what is better for electric stoves:

  1. There are no combustion products, as in the gas counterpart.
  2. Silent operation.
  3. Convenient and easy to use.
  4. A wide assortment allows you to make the necessary choice of heating elements, the number of burners, and the type of control.
  5. Cost acceptable to consumers.

There are also a number of disadvantages:

  • electricity consumption is quite significant, because the burners take a long time to warm up to the maximum temperature;
  • strong heat can be a source of accidental burns;
  • full warm-up time is quite long - 4-5 minutes;
  • water boils after 10-15 minutes of active heating;
  • cooling for a long time contributes to the creation of a greenhouse effect in the kitchen in the summer.

If the family has small children, then it is necessary to close the doors to the kitchen during cooking and while cooling the burners after prolonged use.


Advantages and disadvantages of an induction hob

This modification of the hob has the following positive qualities:

  1. Low consumption of electrical energy.
  2. The surfaces of the burners are heated from the dishes to no higher than 50-60 degrees.
  3. The entire surface remains cold during the cooking process.
  4. Unique safety - if small items from the table set hit the stove, the burners will not turn on.
  5. There are several modes of operation in the arsenal.
  6. Water boils in 5 minutes, while the energy consumption is not higher than 0.35 kW / h.
  7. Rapid heating of dishes within a minute due to the use of eddy magnetic currents.
  8. If there is no water in the dishes or in the frying pan, the automation turns off the power supply.

As with any technique, there are some negative sides:

  • the coils may emit a slight hum during operation;
  • high price;
  • you need special dishes made of cast iron or ferromagnetic alloys;
  • the surface of the panel is afraid of pinpoint impacts - it instantly cracks and becomes unusable for further use.

In new developments of models, noise practically does not arise, but special dishes should be used, with rather thick walls - it is precisely the thin-walled products that create the noise, and not the stove itself.

Which stove is more economical

Everything is simple here: induction models are distinguished by instant heating and similar cooling - if the current is turned off, then the induction coils do not generate a magnetic flux, and there is no heating of the bottom of the dishes. When the temperature is adjusted by the user, its change occurs instantly - there is no need to wait until the hotplate heats up or cools down, since the dishes are heating up, and not the hotplate surface, which is limited on the panel in red.

Therefore, the conclusion is quite simple: electric energy by induction panels is consumed more rationally, so the payment of bills is much less. These models are considered to be much more economical, for comparison - electric ones use 1.5 times more energy.

Induction hob advantages

We have already figured out the positive qualities and disadvantages of these stoves, now we list their advantages in comparison with electric models:

  1. Induction hobs are safe for children and pets, because without the presence of special and non-empty dishes on its surface, heating does not occur. Unattended equipment is incapable of getting burned or provoking a fire, and the automation completely disconnects it from the network after half an hour if the user does not show any activity.
  2. In comparison with conventional electric stoves, they do not need a certain time to warm up - 2 liters of water boils in 5.5 minutes, which is not available to other analogues.
  3. Another important advantage is simple cleaning, since the hob never heats up, it is impossible for food to burn on it. Therefore, it can be regularly wiped with a damp sponge and a dry soft cloth - a huge difference to cleaning electrical models.
  4. These models consume much less energy, so savings on bills utilities quite tangible.

Induction hobs have one unique feature - the "booster" mode, which allows you to briefly direct all the power of the product to one hotplate, greatly increasing its performance for effective use.

The nuances of the right choice

The range of modern stoves for household use is quite wide, so making the right choice for the consumer can be difficult. Here are the main differences between electric and induction models:

  1. The main difference is the principle of operation of both options. The electric stove first heats up the burners, and then the dishes installed on them. The second option uses the principle of electromagnetic induction: copper coils, which are located under the panel, activate eddy magnetic currents that heat the bottom of special dishes. The food is cooked and the surface of the stove remains at the same temperature.
  2. For cooking food on an electric oven, any utensils are used, and on an induction hob - only with ferromagnetic properties, kitchen utensils made of non-ferrous metal are not suitable.
  3. Until the cookware fills 70% of the hotplate, the induction model does not start working and there will be no effect if it is empty. Smart appliances do not pay attention to small items of kitchen utensils, which has a very positive effect on overall safety, especially when there is a growing generation in the family that is very curious.
  4. The speed of cooking any food on the electric model is much lower than that of the induction hob - this is due to the difference in the technological process.
  5. The induction version has some negative nuances: it is not recommended to install them near other household appliances ( washing machine, refrigerator or oven), since the specifics of the product's operation may inadequately affect their functionality.

If utensils with ferromagnetic properties already prevail in your kitchen, you have the financial opportunity to purchase new appliances for the kitchen without much damage to the family budget, then you can safely choose an induction hob and enjoy the benefits of innovative technologies.

conclusions

The induction hob is an improved technological version of an electric stove familiar to users, only the heating does not take place here in the spiral, but directly on the bottom of the cookware. Their difference is that the first is considered more economical, practically safe and easy to operate. But it requires special dishes.

Induction and electric stoves are chosen for various reasons - in some houses there is no gas supply, and some prefer a modern technological type of technology. I will describe what features these two types of techniques have, we will also look at their main pros and cons.

Differences between induction and electric cookers

To choose the right kitchen equipment, let's take a look at what features, pros and cons each option has. Only knowing the intricacies of the work of both types, you can understand which electric stove is better and safer, and which pots and pans you need to choose for the induction option.


Features of work

Externally, both hobs are similar. To understand which hob you need better fit- electric or induction, you need to understand the principles of each.


What is the difference between an electric stove and an induction stove:

  1. The electric stove first heats up itself, and only then transfers heat to the dishes that are on it. Electricity it is converted into heat using a resistor, so no gas supply or matches are needed for the device to work.
  2. An induction cooker, on the contrary, does not heat itself up, but heats up special dishes that are placed on it. The fact is that kitchen utensils in this case act as a conductor that receives current. It is generated by a generator located under the cooking zones.

Pros and cons

When deciding which is best, pay attention to performance. An induction cooker will boil a liter of water in 5 minutes, and an electric one in 10.

In addition, the first one spends energy more economically, because it heats not the surface of the panel, but the dishes themselves. But electric stoves are cheaper and you don't need to buy special pots and pans for them.


The advantages and disadvantages of each of the options:

Induction Electric
pros Minuses pros Minuses
Safety.

The hob does not heat up.

Buying new dishes.

All you need is special cookware with a magnetic bottom.

Large selection of dishes.

Cooking utensils made of almost any material can be used.

Risk of burns.

The entire surface of the electric hob gets very hot during cooking.

High efficiency.

Food cooks faster with less energy.

Price.

An induction cooker is more expensive than an electric one.

Residual heat.

The hob cools down slowly, and even with the stove off, you can simmer or stew food.

The high price of electricity.

Utility bills will increase dramatically as products consume a lot of electricity.

Additional functions.

Most models only turn on when a pots or pan is placed on top of them, and turn off automatically if there are no utensils on the stove.

The ability to improve safety with modern technology.

On the market, you can find different types electric stoves, which can, for example, be blocked from being accidentally turned on, as well as devices that automatically turn off if an oven mitt gets on the surface or food has "escaped".

Air heating.

The electric stove heats up the entire hob and it gets hot in the kitchen.

What kind of dishes to choose?

When choosing which hob is more suitable for you in terms of functionality and convenience - induction or glass ceramics, pay attention to kitchen utensils, because not every pot or frying pan can be used on such surfaces.


Utensils for electric stoves

In general, products made of any material are suitable for electrical options, and it does not matter which hob is glass-ceramic or with pancakes. It is important that the utensil has a wide, strong bottom, as products with a thin bottom can deform over time due to temperature changes.


Another important aspect- bottom diameter. It should be no larger than the hotplates to prevent heat loss and uneven heating of food. Therefore, cauldrons, non-standard pots and wok pans will not work.


When deciding which stove to choose, pay attention to the shape of the electric hob burners. They can be not only round, but also oval, and in modern models you can find multi-contour options. It will be possible to pick up both cauldrons and oval pots-pans for them.

Cookware for induction surfaces

This technique will require the replacement of almost all existing kitchen utensils because only magnetic products are suitable for it. Otherwise, the circuit will not close, and the stove will simply not perform its functions.


For some models, cast iron and enameled products are suitable.

In order not to update all the utensils, you can buy a magnetic disk that is simply placed on the burner and acts as a conductor. But the energy consumption in this case turns out to be much higher, and it is easier to immediately buy an electric model.


conclusions

I described the differences between induction and electrical models, their advantages and disadvantages. Now tell us what kind of stove you use at home and what advantages of hobs are more important to you. And a few more useful tips look in the video in this article.

Every housewife dreams of having not only functional, but also stylish modern appliances in the kitchen. Fortunately, now there is plenty to choose from - the range presented on the market is simply huge. Future users are at a loss: so who cooks better - electric or? Both slabs will work from the mains- this is where all the similarities end. To understand what is the difference and to do right choice, you need to know their differences.

Which hobs will look best in the kitchen - electric or induction? The difference between them lies in the following nuances:

  • features of the devices;
  • use of suitable utensils;
  • work safety;
  • heating rate;
  • economical cooking process;
  • ease of care.

The main difference is the principle of operation of both devices. The electric stove will first heat itself up and only then the heat will transfer to the dishes located on it. Induction, incorporated in the technique of the same name, works diametrically opposite: under the working surface of the hob there is a coil that activates magnetic currents in the cookware itself. This leads to only pans and pans are heated, you can not be afraid to get burned. There are also many other factors that make a difference.

  1. The previous difference between the induction hob indicates usage which has the properties of magnets. To save the budget, ferromagnetic stickers are also suitable, which "mold" on the existing household utensils. But the electric stove is "supportive" to any kind of pots and pans - they can be coated with both aluminum and enamel.
  2. Induction hob is much safer than usual- it will not turn on until the dishes are placed on it. Moreover, the latter must be complete.
  3. Another significant competitive difference is cooking speed... The induction variant wins here unambiguously. The answer is again in the peculiarities of work: the panels do not need to warm up for a long time before the right temperature, thanks to the action of electromagnetic vortices, everything happens much faster.
  4. Since both types of appliances are powered by the mains, the induction cooking method turns out to be much more economical... Calculations show that in this case 1.5 times less electricity is spent. Read more about the electricity consumption of the stove.
  5. If food gets on the surface of the electric stove, in case of untimely cleaning it will be much more difficult to get rid of cooking traces in the future.

So, the induction hob will differ first of all, no matter how strange it may sound, in its intelligence. It will give off just as much heat as is needed to heat the dishes of the required diameter.

Why you might like electric stoves

This option kitchen appliances is explained not only by habit. And, although everyone around is striving to move to a new stage in the evolution of hobs, there are still many adherents to the standard electric stove. And all thanks to significant advantages.

  1. You can connect the device without the help of a wizard, on your own.
  2. Most modern models of electric stoves have energy saving mode.
  3. Electrical options are relatively safe to use (the main thing is to take care of good wiring).
  4. When using this technique, no combustion products will be formed, which will ensure clean air in the kitchen.

Disadvantages of induction technology

What are the shortcomings in the operation of such a technique? With electric, everything is clear: there is a long warm-up time, its unevenness, the danger of getting burned. And that's not to mention bills for consumed resources. Against their background, the induction competitor bypasses all these pitfalls so well that it seems just perfect. But there are also disadvantages here.

  1. Research confirms it is harmful. This becomes especially noticeable if she is standing nearby.
  2. There is also a myth about the negative. However, such assumptions have not yet been confirmed.
  3. The cost of newfangled equipment is several times higher than that of the usual version. But for those who want to keep up with the trends of progress, such a trifle does not matter.
  4. If the model has a common frequency generator operating on several burners, it is possible loss of power when they are turned on at the same time.
  5. Often, when working with such equipment, there is a load on the wires, and if the wiring is also old, then its use is dangerous.

What materials are used in the manufacture of equipment

When choosing which of both proposals will look better in the kitchen, one must also look at appearance technology. This rule is relevant not only in terms of design and compliance with the interior, but also with regard to the practicality of the equipment used. For the manufacture of electric stoves, they usually use enamelled coating(or stainless steel). And again, what distinguishes an induction hob from a conventional electric one is the ability to be made in a completely different material - glass ceramics.

The appearance already shows the user all the beauty and innovation of such an invention. In fact, this is a panel with burners painted on it. The heating elements are hidden inside it, however, when the burner is turned on, it is always highlighted, which makes working with it more careful. This choice of coverage has a clear logical explanation.

  1. Aesthetic component. Yes, such a hob turns out to be much more beautiful than a conventional hob. Stylish surface will successfully fit into any interior.
  2. Strength. According to manufacturers, glass ceramics can withstand the fall of a two-kilogram load (for example, a saucepan) from a height of 15 cm. This is evidenced by European production standards. Of course, targeted hammer blows are bound to crack.
  3. Panel control can be either mechanical or sensory... In the second case, it is more convenient for cleaning behind it.

The last point obliges to reveal the main secret in - there is a taboo on the use of abrasive substances. Spilled cereals and sugar should be removed immediately (the latter may stick). Otherwise, the integrity of the upper layer may be violated, which leads to malfunctions in the operation of the equipment.

When thinking about what exactly should be in the kitchen - an induction or electric hob, you should focus primarily on your own financial capabilities - buying more modern model will be expensive pleasure... With a positive solution to this issue, preference should, of course, be given to induction appliances, which, if correctly located in the kitchen space, will allow you to cook food faster, and even save electricity at the same time.

Today the induction hob market is full of different options... With such a variety, it can be difficult for a consumer to choose a particular option, so people often have to resort to Internet resources to find a model with best reviews... Among the well-known models with high consumer ratings, Hotpoint appliances are in the lead. The company just recently introduced a new line of induction hobs, focusing on safe use: the possibility of injury from accidental contact with a working hob at the highest heating level is minimized, since the surface of the hob is equipped with a safe control interlock system. This function heats the cooking zone exclusively under the crockery area, which is very important for families with small children. Important characteristics also include 4 individual cooking zones, each of which in seconds is able to reach the maximum heating level and maintain it for 4 minutes thanks to the Booster function and regulation of 9 heat levels using the touch control of each slider.
In addition, this model will be interesting both for professionals in the kitchen and for beginners. The modern hob equipment ensures perfect results regardless of the complexity of the recipe thanks to 4 automatic functions:
- melting mode ( ideal temperature for making sauces without the risk of scorching at the bottom of the dishes);
- stewing mode (delicate cooking mode without boiling);
- heat preservation mode (maintaining the temperature of the dish until it is served on the table);
- fast boiling mode (for fast boiling of water).
The development of such models once again confirms that today induction panels are more in demand and more practical to use than electric stoves fading into the background.