If you’re considering a new stove for your home, an induction range is an excellent choice. With the announcement that Santa Rosa is now banning natural gas in all new home construction, an induction range is a great alternative. Induction cooking uses an electromagnetic field to heat your cookware directly, rather than transferring the heat from the element. This makes it far more energy-efficient than other types of ranges and allows for more precise heat. Induction ranges are also safer than gas or electric.
How Does Induction Cooking Work?
Induction technology has been around since the early 1900s, but it’s only recently become popular. Induction ranges use electric currents to heat your cookware directly through a process called magnetic induction. In a conventional electric range, the element is heated and that heat is transferred to the pot or pan. With an induction range, the pot itself is heated nearly instantaneously.
Magnetic induction works by passing an electric current through a solid coiled copper wire underneath the cooking surface. This creates a magnetic current in the pan which generates heat. Since there’s no external heat source, only the element you’re using will get warm due to the heat being transferred from the pan. Once you remove the pan from the element, the element cools down. Induction ranges also have a great built-in safety feature: if you turn on an element without a pot on it, the element won’t get warm.
Induction cooking is more efficient than gas or electric because they lose very little heat energy. A pot of water can be brought to a boil in 50% less time than an electric or gas range. Since you can control your heat more precisely, food is cooked more evenly. Induction ranges can also achieve a wider temperature range than their electric or gas counterparts.
For induction to work, you do need to make sure to use a magnetic metal, like cast iron or some stainless steels. Tempered glass or other types of non-magnetic cookware won’t allow the electromagnetic reaction to take place. An induction range is also very easy to clean. Unlike gas or some electric ranges, the surface is completely flat and smooth. It can also be cleaned right after you cook because the range top won’t be hot.
If you’ve like to learn more about the benefits of induction ranges, visit Redwood Cabinet Design. We carry a selection of quality induction range, including models from Electrolux, Frigidaire, Bosch, Thermador, and Jenn Air. Our knowledgeable team is happy to answer any questions you have. We’re located at 111 5th St in downtown Santa Rosa. Stop by today or give us a call at 707-971-9423.