The induction cooktop (induction hob or induction stove) is gradually dominating the home appliance market because of its superiority in every family’s daily cooking. Many people are worried about how to clean induction cooktops effectively and quickly. Since induction cooktop, we cook without old fuel sources such as straw, gas stove, or charcoal which is very inconvenient to use. An existing cooktop enables us to save up to 70% on fuel and enhance a modern and eco-friendly cooking experience.
Although using an induction cooktop is very convenient, not everyone knows how to use it correctly for the most effective cooking. Do you have questions about how this device works, what features it has, or how to clean it after cooking, and if there is any risk of using it? If you are not knowledgeable about induction cooktop, read on to understand more about it so that you can use this electromagnetic product most safely and economically.
In this article, we will bring you helpful information you must know if your home has an induction cooktop or plan to buy one for your family.
- How does the induction cooktop work?
- Function And Benefits Of Induction Cooktops
- What are the disadvantages of induction cooktops?
- What Kind Of Cookware Can You Use For Induction Cooktop?
- How to clean the induction cooktop- detailed guideline?
- What mustn’t you do with an induction cooktop?
- How To Save Electricity When Using Cooktops?
- Q&A
- Conclusion
How Does The Induction Cooktop Work?
Have you ever wondered why the cooktop surface is made of glass and, to the touch, is not hot or electrocuted? Instead, the induction hob helps your pot heat up quickly, and the food is quality, and it is easy to adjust the temperature according to your needs. The word ‘Induction’ is a short form of electromagnetic induction. This type of stove uses a magnetic field to create a high temperature for cooking.
Induction cooktops have a very complex structure, but they have two main parts to which we need to pay attention. The copper coil is wrapped in circles placed under the cooking surface. An alternating electric current passed through it. Glass or materials with high heat resistance are often material to make a cooktop surface.
In terms of mechanism working, any particle moving around it will form from the wall. In contrast, the electric current is the displacement of the electrons that have negatively charged particles. When an electric current is passed through the wire, it creates a magnetic field.
If you wonder why one would have to use a coil rather than a loop of wire, it’s because a coil of wire only produces a weak magnetic field while a ring produces a much better magnetic field. For the magnetic field to interact with the cooking pot to cook food, the cooking vessel’s bottom must be made of ferromagnetic, cast iron, and other magnetic materials. That is why not every pot you put on the stove will work.
Most induction tops cannot heat copper or aluminum vessels, so if your family has ever used this type of appliance on a gas or coal stove, you should discard these old pots when you switch to an induction top to replace the new one.
To generate heat, the magnetic field generated from the copper coil must constantly reverse, or in other words, the magnetic field changes. Because the magnetic field has a direction depending on the current, we use alternating current flowing through the copper coil to change the magnetic field. The changing magnetic field causes the flux to change as well.
Indeed, our hands are not magnetic material, so our hands are not injured on the countertop. It seems that this kind of home appliance has many functions and gives users an enjoyable and modern experience.
Function And Benefits Of Induction Cooktops
Advanced technology brings innovative cooking methods, which means that we will be safer and more leisurely at cooking. Overall we will list several following reasons or advantages that you should use cooktop over other products.
Easy to use
No matter what age you are, you should learn and do not hesitate to absorb new modern science things. New convenient features will make it easier and more leisurely for you to do just about anything, such as cooking. With a few simple touch icons on the cooktop, such as turning on, off, and adjusting the temperature with a light swipe or a soft touch, you can easily use the cooktop in your kitchenette. It is straightforward, not as difficult as solving a problem.
Much Safer: Not hot, Not electrified
It’s one of the big reasons consumers prefer induction cooking to other kinds of stoves. The heat is transferred from the stove to the pot to cook the food. Only the bottom of the container that directly contacts the cooktops’ surface will have a high temperature in practice. In contrast, the other parts of the cooktop will be completely heat-free, so you will not worry about burns when using or in contact with the glass.
If you are cooking with gas when you are actually burning that gas you need to run your vent fan the entire time because there are all kinds of noxious gas that are coming out and you do not want those to stay in your house. Of course, most people are not using a vent fan, so that means when you are cooking with gas, the indoor quality in your house goes down.
When you are cooking with induction, there is nothing to worry about. There is no danger of fire and no gas leak issues. Newer improvements have brought built-in sensors that will automatically turn off the sensor if it is accidentally turned on its left side or an empty cooking pot is kept on it. Once you have finished cooking the food, you can also use your hand to remove the pot from the stove as the handle is not hot at all.
High efficiency 96 percent
Induction cooktops give high efficiency in cooking that means that only 4 percent of the energy is lost. Instant heat generated also ensures no heat energy is wasted. Thus, the cooktop maximizes fuel and time savings and is an environmentally friendly and effective solution to replace the traditional coal or gas stove.
It’s about 50 percent faster to heat than gas. Because it uses magnet technology and it’s actually heating the pan and not the air surrounding, you end up having a much cooler kitchen when you’re using induction cooking.
When using gas, about 60 percent of the heat from the gas burner is lost into your kitchen and only 40 percent goes into the pan. In contrast, up to 90 percent of that heat actually goes into the pan that means a big deal in terms of our hot kitchens here.
More aesthetic
Many people often consider the criterion when buying a cooktop because it is much more aesthetically pleasing than the gas stove. The gas stove uses gas as the fuel to take up more of your kitchen space. Simultaneously, the cooktop is usually very compact and installs intelligently on the countertop, so it is aesthetically pleasing.
Easy to clean
Since the surface is quite smooth, it can be easily wiped without much effort. Along with a clean, lightweight appearance, the cooktop is also easy to clean because all you need to do is clean the glass. Stains on the glass are often easy to clean with a professional glass cleaner or ingredients available in your homes, such as vinegar, baking soda, or even clean water. In the section below, we will detail the steps you need to take to clean a cooktop.
Comfortable to use
You will feel a noticeable difference when using the cooktop for cooking because most of the heat is transferred to the cooking equipment to cook the food without releasing it into the surroundings. You are probably recalling the feeling of cooking standing next to the charcoal stove and wood stove in the past. It’s really hot and sweats so much that it makes us uncomfortable every time we cook.
It creates a relaxing cooking environment and actually you’re making your favorite food, not just food to eat. If your home does not have a ventilation system, it is not a problem because the heat is negligible and no smoke is released into the environment.
Protecting the cookware
Another benefit of an induction cooktop is that it helps protect your family cookware. Although the cookware for an induction cookstove is more expensive, it will actually be very durable. If the charcoal stove can leave soot stuck on the bottom of the cookware, you can rest assured because this case will not happen if you use an induction cooktop.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Induction Cooktops?
Besides the outstanding advantages mentioned above, the induction hob also has its disadvantages, but the drawbacks are also negligible compared to the benefits and functions it brings.
Cost
One of the concerns consumers take away from buying a cooktop is its cost. A cooktop usually costs more than a traditional gas stove. It is understandable because the money goes hand in hand with the value and features of a product. Besides, the cooktop is also a modern household appliance that uses electricity to operate, so people even consider the price of electricity.
Depending on where you live, the monthly household electricity bill will be high or low. However, in the end, with its outstanding benefits, the money is well worth it. It is indisputable that the induction hob is highly durable.
Difficult to install
Because the product aims to save the kitchen space and increase your kitchen’s aesthetics, people will install it on the kitchen counter to form a flat surface. Unlike a gas stove, you just need to set the stove on, and it can move flexibly from one position to another. The cooktop is installed at a fixed position.
Need induction-ready cooking vessels
We only can use suitable cookware because, in some units, very small pots and pans will not be detected. The minimum base size used for this kind of appliance is 4-5 inches and the maximum one should be 12-14 inches. As mentioned above, when you use cooktops, you only use magnetic pans for cooking. Also, the types of pots and pans used for the private kitchen are often more expensive than the normal ones.
What Kind Of Cookware Can You Use For Induction Cooktop?
Induction cooking is faster, safer, and more efficient than gas or electric, but not all pots and pans will work with the technology. People have a lot of questions about what cookware can be used with an induction hob and the truth is that not everyone knows this well.
Simply and succinctly said, cast-iron stainless steel anything that’s magnetic on the bottom of the surface, even nonstick cookware can be compatible with the induction. Any material you can put a magnet to will work on an induction cooktop. So if you want to find cookware for glass top stove, please ask to check them by contacting them with a magnet. If you smoke magnets, that product is for your kitchen.
As mentioned above, you not only have to care about the material of the cookware but another equally important factor is its size. If your pot has good magnetism and then it’s too small, the induction hob won’t work with that pot. Usually, an induction cooktop will show or emit a sound so you know the cookware is not compatible.
How To Clean Cooktops Correctly
Most people believe that it’s easier to clean a cooktop than conventional stoves as stains are often concentrated in small areas. However, this is not entirely accurate because induction cooktops have a glass-ceramic surface, and they might suffer abrasions and scratches in the cooking process.
Tips for cleaning your cooktop daily
So if you do not know how to clean it correctly, the stove will reduce the chance of unexpected exposure, leading to a significant reduction in cook efficiency over the years of use. It is imperative to clean every day when the stains on the glass surface are new; you will easily clean and make your induction cooktops clean like a newly purchased one.
- Turn off the cooktop first to make sure it no longer works and doesn’t waste electricity. We always think that turning off the electric tops after use is a must, but not everyone remembers turning off the cooktop after cooking.
- Wait until the cooktop cools down to make sure you don’t burn. Induction technology can make us believe that we are safe from the dangers of fires and burns that can cause empty gas stoves. But never be distracted by even the slightest chance of burns when the cooktop is not turned off. So, when you pour the special cooktop cleaner, there is no smoke and strong chemical smells.
- Pour a sufficient amount of specialized glass cleaner on the cooktop surface and use a dry cloth to wipe. Gentle stains like grease from food will come off immediately.
- Always clean the bottom of utensils or pots before placing them on the cooktop to ensure no spills on the glass during cooking.
- Use a soft cloth or soft sponge to avoid scratching the glass surface. Never use steel wool or anything else abrasive that could scratch the glass. These materials can affect not only the aesthetics of the cooktop but also its magnetic ability.
With the steps above, you can make your household appliance like new by removing all dirt and increasing the beauty of the product by keeping it shiny and clean.
Tips for cleaning very dirty and tougher induction cooktop
As a general rule, you cannot wipe heavy stains like food residue with a dry cloth, or paper. If the stains become challenging to clean for a long time, you can use a damp cloth to wipe the dirt stains on the cooktop surface. Use a knife to gently wipe the stain, preferably using a knife or a fork to create a 45-degree angle to the glass surface to avoid scratches.
After removing stains such as food residue, you continue to use a dedicated glass cleaner to clean the cooktop surface. Use mild enough pressure to clean instead of using too much force, or your action can damage your cooktop’s surface.
After wiping with a damp cloth, you can use a dry cloth or a paper towel to keep the tops’ surfaces as clean as possible.
Tips for cleaning other parts of induction cooktops
Now you know how to clean stains on cooktop glass, what about other dirty stains on other parts of the cooktop? Since the remaining parts are not as susceptible to damage as glass or ceramic surfaces, you can use dishwashing or laundry detergent liquid with tools like brushes to remove stains super easily.
Cleaning melted plastic and sugar spills
While using a cooktop minimizes the likelihood of a plastic and sugar spill compared to stoves such as gas, charcoal, and infrared stoves, you should also know how to deal with this event if it happens suddenly.
Most manufacturers recommend that people only clean a cooktop after the kitchen surface has cooled. However, for sugar spills, the syrup is the exception. Because if you wait for it to cool, it will harden, and cleaning becomes even more difficult. Of course, read the instructions before doing anything with the cooktop surface as there are different risks to each product.
First, turn off the household appliance, use gloves, and move the cooking vessel to another location where the temperature is equal to room temperature. Immediately use a sharp single-edge razor scraper to remove the spill on cooktops.
Cleaning with toothpaste
Toothpaste is an essential part of your family and also one that is amazingly capable of removing stains. In addition to its use as cleaning the surface of teeth, toothpaste also supports acne treatment, darkening reduction, hair removal, lip balm, and stain remover on clothes.
And the benefit of toothpaste here we want to mention is to remove mold stains on the cooktop. Use a small amount on the stain, use a light brush to remove the stain. Wipe with clean water and dry with a dry cloth.
Cleaning with baking soda
Likewise, baking soda is a versatile product that can be used to whiten teeth, clean shoes, or stain on clothes, including cooktop glass. Since it is in powder form, you should mix it with little thick water impurities, then sweep gently onto the surface of the cooktop. Wipe back and forth with book water and use a dry cloth.
Things like toothpaste, vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda are great in many cases, but only for simple stains. In case what’s available in the house doesn’t improve the stains on your cooktop, go to your local grocery store to buy a dedicated cooktop cleaner.
What Mustn’t You Do With An Induction Cooktop?
In other words here are the things you should not use to clean a cooktop.
- Scrub sponges
- Chlorine bleach cleaners
- Caustic cleaners
- Dishwashing agents
- Powdery cleaners
- Flammable cleaners
- Metal scouring pads
Be careful with these as these are all harsh chemical detergents so not only are they harmful to the cooktop, but can also affect your skin if accidentally contacted. For glass surfaces, these types of cleaners can cause strong abrasion, even scratches, leaving cracks on the cooktop surface, which are aesthetically pleasing and reduce its performance.
Do not clean cooktop surfaces while still hot. This is not safe for you. Because even if you want to get rid of the spills as soon as possible, it is extremely important that using detergent on ceramic surfaces while still hot will cause smoke that is harmful to the health of you and your family. Besides these substances can damage the kitchen surface because it has many strong chemicals.
For human skin, it can erode the skin, cause peeling, if contact with open wounds can cause severe infections and other types of allergies. So when using any kind of cleaner, be sure to wear gloves.
Another note is that you should not store anything heavy on the rack above the induction hob. Because if you accidentally drop it, the consequences are terrible. Many people also foresee this but ignore this and as a result, the cooktop surface is severely damaged. It is not made of a material like tempered glass so it cannot withstand strong force without damaging it.
Last but not least, don’t consider the surface of the induction hob to be a cutting board for slicing food on top. It will have consequences that you have unforeseen
How To Save Electricity When Using Cooktops?
Despite the popular features and popularity of electromagnetic cookers, many people still worry about how to save electricity and save money for family consumption. We would like to introduce three things to keep in mind when using this kind of cooktop or before purchases.
The first note is to choose a genuine cooktop. If you buy floating products of unknown origin, the efficiency can be low, the power consumption rate is high, the cooking time is long, and the power consumption is wasted.
Second, choosing the right pot and pan is a way to save you energy. We should use different types of cooking vessels made of metal with good magnetism such as stainless steel, cast iron. Induction cooktops will heat the pot quickly if the surface area becomes larger. That’s why it’s a good idea to buy pots with a wide bottom instead of small ones. Besides, the bottom of the pan should be thin just right, if it is too thick, it consumes electricity, but too thin is not durable.
The last very important thing is to use an inverter cooktop. Inverter technology helps to change the power source and constant voltage, helping to control the power use capacity according to demand. Inverter technology also has many different grades depending on the brand as well as the price. Conventional cooktop types have only one fixed power, for example, 2000W per cook zone.
So when in operation, the power adjustment capacity is usually in a continuous switching state, corresponding to the power levels displayed on the screen, causing significant heat loss.
In essence, when cooking on a conventional cooktop on low power, the stove will turn on and off continuously. However, turning it on and off repeatedly to ensure such heat can cause significant power loss. Since then, the cooking time is longer and the safety is not stable.
Inverter induction cooktop helps to regulate the temperature regularly, keeping the wattage at the adjustable rate, energy is used thoroughly, saving 25 to 30% of electricity. This ensures stability as well as enhances the smart functionality of the cooktop. Inverter cookers usually have an inverter logo on the surface so you can easily identify this cooktop.
Q & A
Is induction cooktop safe for children?
Although the advanced technology shows that this induction cooker is especially safe for the user compared to other traditional cookers. Our answer is still no. Because it is only safe if we are aware of basic cooking skills.
Even when you turn the stove off after cooking, children who lightly touch the stove surface are at risk of burns. Or if they touch the power button, the stove can operate and cause unnecessary power consumption. In addition, they can also damage the kitchen surface with their innocent actions.
Can I use foil for an induction cooktop?
The answer is no. Never use substances like aluminum foil or plastic on a heated surface as it can melt and cleaning is even more difficult for you each time you do so.
Can I keep my old pans?
It’s okay to clean the pan well before using it with the induction hob because old stains can impair its cooking efficiency. And make sure the pan is made of magnetic material with a magnet, the right size for your kitchen. With the tiny pans you use to cook baby food, the induction hob won’t work.
Above is the information we want to give you about how to induction cooktops for cleaning. Watch the video below for a clearer picture of the steps and tips to quickly clean effective cooktop.
Conclusion
Induction cooktops are the most advanced and superior technology today. With its remarkable benefits, we think this is a product you should try.
With so many different ways you can clean a cooktop in your home, keeping your kitchen nice and clean is no longer a difficult task. Depending on the type of induction cooktop you use as well as whether the stain is heavy or light, you should consider the notes and measures we mentioned above. Besides, you can find out more information about the induction pan to choose the best suitable pan for your kitchen. Hopefully, you will learn a lot of useful information about how to clean induction cooktops effectively and how to use cleaning chemicals carefully and safely.
