Just as an experienced pianist will only play at Steinway & Sons, a kitchen lover will look for the best technology to make their preparations, and this is the induction cooker. Using it you can have precise control over heat, as well as achieve energy efficiency and safety.
Cooking in induction cookers is controlled by an electromagnetic field under the stovetop. Ingredients are heated quickly and evenly, achieving perfect culinary results. Read this guide to evaluate and buy the best induction cooker that fits your needs.
The most important
- Induction pots are made of ferromagnetic materials, which react to the electromagnetic field produced by the stove and thus generate heat.
- They are designed to achieve uniform temperature diffusion, allowing precise cooking and energy savings.
- You can place your hand on the stove, you will not get burned. Magnetic technology means that only the contents of the pot are heated.
- Watch your health. These pots have a non-stick coating, free of toxins.
The best induction cookers: Our recommendations
Here we show you the best induction cookers on the market. We have selected pots that serve different purposes in the kitchen, as well as two ideal sets to get the best value for your money.
Duxtop LCD Portable Double Induction Cooktop
- Duxtop is equipped with two independent heating zones that allow you to set each one separately using the LCD screen.
- The Duxtop induction burner uses 120 Volts, 15 amps of electricity—standard in all North American homes.
- A child safety lock system helps protect from injuries such as scalding.
- There are 20 preset levels per mode so you can select the perfect one for your cooking task.
- TEMPERATURE MODE is recommended to fry, steam, and saute.
- POWER MODE keeps food warm or brings water to a boil quickly.
- Electric cooktops place electromagnetic energy directly into the cookware without wasting energy on a heating element.
- This double induction cooker is compatible with cast iron, iron, magnetic steel, enameled iron, and stainless steel manufactured with a magnetic bottom.
NUWAVE Double Precision Induction Cooktop
Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop
- Duxtop Induction Cooktop uses 120V 15 amp electrical outlet – standard in all North American homes
- Lightweight and compact for easy handling and storage.
- Built-in count-down digital timer with 1-minute increments up to 170 minutes
- With no open flame or heating element, food does not burn on the glass cooktop
- This induction burner is easy to clean
- A durable 7-blade fan rapidly dissipates heat to ensure a longer product life.
- The auto-pan detection will shut the unit automatically after 60 seconds if no cookware is detected
Duxtop Professional Portable Induction Cooktop
- Duxtop professional countertop burner uses 120V 15 amp electrical outlet–standard in all North American homes
- The lightweight, portable induction cooktop makes handling and storage easy
- Choose from 20 preset power levels (100W to 1800W) and 20 preset temperature level settings (100°F to 460°F)
- The sensor touch panel is sensitive to touch and easy to operate
- The angle control panel features a large LCD readout display screen, providing easy viewing, even from a distance
- The stainless steel construction ensures durability and reliability
- Induction stoves rely on the cookware itself to heat
Shopping guide: What you should know about the induction cooker
Induction cookers are the most advanced technology for home and commercial cooking. Its speed, energy savings, user safety, and variety of prices allow its benefits to be taken advantage of by all interested parties. Next, we solve any doubts that you could have about this product.
What is an induction cooker?
The induction cooker is a ferromagnetic container. This means that it is made from metals that have the physical ability to interact with the electromagnetic field of induction cooktops. They fulfill the same function as traditional pots, but instead of being heated with gas or electricity, they use the magnetism of the stove to excite their molecules and generate heat.
How does an induction cooker work?
When the stove is turned on, the copper coils inside it work like mini magnets that activate and produce an electromagnetic field. The material of the induction cooker is compatible with this electromagnetic field and reacts by heating up in less than 3 seconds. The heat from the pot is the result of a physical process at the molecular level and does not depend on external energy sources such as gas or electricity. This is why energy consumption with this technology is low. You can even place your hand on the hot stove and you won’t get burned. Only iron and steel will.
How to know if a pot works on induction?
Canisters will work as long as they have a ferrous alloy. This means that they have iron, steel, or aluminum content. They cannot be bronze, copper, ceramic, or clay pots. You should look at the information provided by each pot manufacturer to find out if it is compatible with an induction stove. However, keep in mind that there are pots on the market made with metallic mixtures that are not compatible with magnetic induction technology. Follow the recommendations in this guide to buy a suitable one.
What types of induction cookers are there?
There are several types of induction pots whose shape and configuration vary according to different cooking needs. Its base must be made of a ferrous material that reacts to magnetism. Find out in the following comparative table:
| Pot type | Features | Materials | Great for cooking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casserole or Casserole | Round or oval, medium height, in various diameters. They usually have a lid. Capacity from 1 to 20 liters | Steel, Aluminum, Iron, and other materials will not work | Foods that are prepared with a lot of water, such as soups, sauces, goulash, roast, and boiled steak |
| Express pot | Dimensions and capacity are similar to pots and pans. Airtight container for cooking that can reach pressures higher than atmospheric. Indispensable use of a lid that contains a hole through which the internal pressure filters | Aluminum or Steel | Potatoes, vegetables, and meats that you want to keep juicy and preserve their nutritional properties |
| Skillet | Large diameter and minimal height, ideally non-stick surface | Aluminum or Steel | Fry, saute or saute any food without using water |
| programmable pot | Round or oval. Capacity from 5 to 10 liters. Allows you to set the type and time of cooking with several programmable menus. Wide diameter and minimum height | Steel | Stew, boil, fry, stir-fry, steam, bain-marie, heat, reheat, and even bake virtually any food |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using induction cookers?
Induction pots are the latest technology in cooking containers. By acquiring one you will be benefiting from the following advantages over stoves that work with gas or electricity:
Advantage
⇒ The heat is instantaneous, which reduces energy consumption
⇒ The surface of the pot gets hot but not the stove
⇒ 2 times faster cooking than with gas-heated pots
⇒ They can withstand heat up to 760°C
⇒ Stove cleaning is much simpler and safer
Disadvantages
⊗ Not all pots are compatible with induction, sometimes it is necessary to buy new ones
⊗ Induction stove is more expensive
When to buy an induction cooker?
The ideal time to buy an induction cooker is when you replace your gas or electric stove in favor of electromagnetic technology. You should do this to reduce spending on electricity or gas bills. Thanks to energy savings, the cost of the induction stove pays for itself. For mothers or fathers of families, cooking enthusiasts, or owners of gastronomic businesses, using induction pots is ideal because they better withstand frequent use, cooking is done faster and food is healthier since they do not give off toxic material such as yes it usually happens with other pots.
Purchase Criteria
In the previous sections, we have mentioned several reasons why it is a practical and economically sensible idea to use induction cookers. Before buying one, you should take into account the following criteria to choose the most suitable one.
Preferred recipes for cooking
The induction cooker has a uniform heat distribution across its surface, which is convenient for various types of meat to have regular and more precise cooking. But don’t limit yourself, you can cook all the foods that exist and the results will be more predictable and satisfactory than if you use other pots.
A very convenient function that induction stoves have is that they have an individual timer. Great if you like to prepare different recipes at the same time. The kitchen allows you to program and control the cooking time and heat of each pot separately.
Pot capacity
Induction cookers come in all sizes just like the stovetop cookers you’ve traditionally used. To have a comfortable experience in the kitchen, it is recommended that you buy pot sets on Amazon. It includes containers of various sizes at more convenient prices than buying individually. We expand information on sizes and performance:
- 2-3 liters: It is useful due to its compact size to heat individual portions of liquids such as milk or water for infusions. And of course, to make sauces, which will not burn because the induction stove can be programmed for this type of preparation.
- 3-4 liters: Ideal size for cooking recipes for 1 or 2 people. Or accompaniments for a family of 4.
- 6 liters: The most established size of saucepan. Most recipes are based on this size and yield full casseroles for 4-6 people.
- 8-10 liters: If you cook for large groups. You’ll want to choose reputable brands if you do this regularly so your containers will last. There are many manufacturers on the market that offer pots with excellent durability.
- 10 liters or more. They are commercial pots. Induction cooking technology is recommended for commercial use because the energy savings will reduce fixed costs.
Fabrication material
Induction cookers are generally durable products made of aluminum, steel, and, in fewer cases, iron. What varies are the materials that they have inside as a coating, which can be ceramic, highly recommended for its non-stick characteristics. We recommend the following materials, always making sure they do not have dangerous coatings, such as PFOA, lead, or cadmium:
- Pressed Aluminum: Inexpensive, lightweight, and heat up quickly.
- Forged aluminum: thick, more resistant and distribute heat very well.
- Cast aluminum: the thickest and most resistant pot, ideal for long cooking times.
- Stainless steel: strong, durable, and non-deformable.
- Enameled steel: non-stick, easy to clean, suitable for short and medium cooking.
Compatibility with other types of stove
If you have induction pots without having the same type of stove, there should be no problem using them on a ceramic hob. Logically you will waste its benefits and it will be like using any other pot for electric cooking.
In the opposite case, some pots are used for gas stoves or electric plates that will not be recognized by the induction stove. The quickest way to check is by placing a magnet next to the bottom of the pots. If it does stick, they will work for induction.
Summary
Induction cookers work using an electromagnetic field that is emitted by mini-magnets under the stove. The energy created by this magnetism heats the contents of the pot. Many cooks prefer to use these containers because they save more energy compared to gas or electric stoves. In addition, cooking is much faster.
You can never burn yourself on the stove, since the surface stays cold, even though the pot is heating ingredients at maximum temperature. And the most attractive of all is that, in addition to having attractive designs, the materials of the pot allow instant temperature control, and are non-stick, safe, and easy to care for.
We thank you for taking the time to read this guide, and we hope you take advantage of the information shared in it.
