Induction Cooking Explained Series
Part 3: Things to Consider Before Purchasing an Induction Cooktop

Part 1 of this series explained how Induction cooktops use magnetic hysteresis loss to directly heat the the pot or pan. Part 2 explained the growing popularity of induction cooking by exploring induction's many advantages over conventional cooking technologies. By this time, you are very likely thinking that induction cooking may be appropriate for your kitchen. However, before purchasing an induction cooktop, there are several things that you should consider. These issues are explained in this installment of the Induction Cooking Explained series.

Compatible Cookware Considerations

As explained in part 1, induction cooktops work only with cookware made from ferrous materials. Anyone with a significant investment in aluminum, glass, ceramic or non-magnetic stainless steel cookware will need to be aware that these types of cookware will not work on an induction cooktop and should include the cost purchasing new cookware when evaluating the cost of the induction cooktop. However, much of the most popular cookware used on conventional cooktops will work with induction cooktops, so many people will be able to use their existing cookware.

In addition, standard induction elements work only with flat-bottomed pots and pans and are therefore not suitable for use with traditional round-bottomed woks. However, it is possible to buy induction units specifically designed to work with woks, but these units are fairly uncommon in the United States. Furthermore, induction units designed to work with rounds-bottomed woks will work only with woks and will not work with flat-bottomed vessels.

Electric Power Considerations

Kitchens currently equipped with gas cooktops may not have an adequate electrical circuit available for the induction cooktop. As a rule, a drop-in induction cooktop with multiple burners will require a 220 volt, 40 amp dedicated circuit. Most conventional electric cooktops also require such a circuit, so those people upgrading to induction from conventional electric cooktops are unlikely to have an issue, but anyone upgrading from gas may need to have an electrician install a new electrical circuit for the cooktop. If so, this cost should be considered when evaluating the overall cost of the project. And, even if you are upgrading from conventional electric to induction, you should verify that the existing circuit is adequate for the induction cooktop that you have selected.

Note that cooks whose kitchens do not have a dedicated 40 amp circuit can still utilize induction cooking by purchasing a single element portable induction unit. Such units typically plug into a 110 volt household outlet and yet provide the power of the drop-in cooktops. Portable induction cooktops have the added advantage that they can be used for tabletop or table side cooking for dishes such as Chinese hot pot, fondue, or various desserts flambé.

Considerations for People with Electronic Medical Appliances

Lastly, anyone with a pacemaker or defibrillator should consult with his or her doctor before utilizing an induction cooktop, as the magnetic field generated by the cooktop could potentially interfere with such electronic devices.

This installment of the Induction Cooking Explained series examined issues that should be considered before purchasing an induction cooktop. Part 4 of the series expands on one of these issues by examining in detail the types of cookware that work best with induction cooktops