Playing With A New Induction Hot Plate

Induction cooking is the latest in nerdy kitchen gadgetry.  It’s nerdy because of the science behind it, but it’s also safer and more energy efficient than other cooking methods, which is why I think an induction hot plate is a must have kitchen gadget.

Now, you can get an entire induction cooktop, but that’s quite a bit more expensive, and goes beyond the realm of gadgets on into full kitchen remodeling.  What a pain in the butt.  You also might not be ready to fully give up your conventional range.  The induction hotplate is a perfect way to get this cool tech into your home without going overboard with it.

Induction Hot Plates Are Safer Than Other Cooking Methods

Gas stovetops have the obvious danger of an open flame, which a portable induction hot plate doesn’t have.  Of course, you also have the danger associated with potential gas leaks.  Neither of these are so dangerous that you should run out and replace your gas stovetop, but it’s a danger none the less.

Ranges that use a heating element can also present a bit of a danger.  The heating element stays hot for quite some time after its turned off.  If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably pulled that stupid move where you set a plastic spoon on a burner you turned off 5 minutes ago, only to suddenly smell that revolting oder of melting plastic.  It happens to the best of us.  This could potentially cause a fire, or – and I’ve done this one too – you could burn yourself on a still-hot heating element.

With induction hotplates, you don’t get that lingering heat.  The way induction cooking works – it’s only on & hot when a pot (or anything magnetic) is placed on the induction cooking surface.  You can pull the pot off the cooktop, and the cooking surface is almost immediately cool to the touch.  This is way safer than both electric element & gas stovetops.

You’ll also want to note that either magnetic cookware or an induction interface disk is required for this to work.  Copper, aluminum & pyrex aren’t magnetic, so if you have cookware made of these materials, you’ll need the induction disk.

An Induction Hot Plate Is Energy Efficient

Various studies have been conducted to show that using induction as a cooking method is anywhere from 10 to 20% more efficient than using a heating element.  You can find one such study at Energy.gov here.  Like I said, this cooking method is for nerds.  But it’s also for those who are trying to make their homes as energy efficient as possible; it can help reduce costs & your eco footprint.

The combination of energy efficiency, safety & all around nerdy coolness makes the induction hot plate, like the Max Burton Portable Induction Burner, a must have kitchen gadget.

Photo Credit: Gilgongo@Flickr