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Induction Cooking Vs Gas & Electric Cooking

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Induction cooking uses electromagnetic induction to heat food. The induction burner contains a copper coil that produces a magnetic field. When cookware made of ferromagnetic materials, like cast iron or stainless steel, is placed near the magnetic field, it causes the material to heat up due to molecular vibration. This process is called induction heating. Induction cooking is a great alternative for any kitchen. Here are 6 advantages of induction cooking & 6 disadvantages of gas and electric radiant cooking.

6 Induction Cooking Advantages

The Most Efficient Form Of Cooking

Induction cooking is one of the most energy efficient cooking methods because it uses electromagnetic fields to generate heat directly in the ferromagnetic cookware’ like cast iron or stainless steel, so there's no wasted heat. Induction cooking is up to 90% efficient.

No Pre-heat

Induction cooking respond quickly to temperature input changes to eliminate wasted time during heating up or cooling down. The latter is a great benefit with little kids to help eliminate unintended contact burns. Whether you're looking to save time or be more kid-friendly, induction cooking is the way to go.

No Open Flame

Induction cooking is safer than traditional gas or electric ranges - there's no open flame to worry about, so it’s a great option for the dorm rooms or parks. Additionally, induction cooking only heats up ferromagnetic material, like cast iron or stainless steel, and will not get hot if there’s no pan present. If you’re looking for a cooking method that’s eco-friendly and safety conscience then induction cooking is the ideal solution.

No Gas Emission

Induction cooking doesn’t create any harmful gases when in use because the heating source is by alternating magnetic fields. This allows for cooking in small spaces with limited ventilation, like tiny houses or RVs.

Easy Clean Up

Induction cooking is quickly becoming a popular choice because it is very easy to keep the cooking surface clean. Since the heat is generated directly in the pot or pan, there is no adjacent surface to scorch liquids or food or grease. This means a quick wipe-down after cooking, rather than a more intensive cleaning session. If you're looking for a cooking surface that is easy to keep clean, induction is the way to go.

Precise Temperature

Induction is a great choice when precise temperature control is necessary for cooking. Induction cooking heat is generated directly in the pan, which can be very precisely controlled. This makes induction ideal for cooking delicate foods, which can easily be ruined by too much heat fluctuation. If you're looking for precision and accuracy, induction is the way to go.

6 Gas & Electric Cooking Disadvantages

Less Efficient Cooking

Gas cooking uses convection to heat the cookware and is only 40% efficient. Electric cooking, use conduction heat from coil elements beneath the cooktop surface and are 74% efficient. These cooking processes are less efficient meaning energy is lost to the surroundings or other surfaces in these transfer methods.

Emits Harmful Fumes

When cooking with gas, it is important to be aware of the fumes produced. The lack of ventilation can be harmful to humans. This means if cooking indoors, something like a hood vent is important to maintain proper ventilation. If you are planning to cook in a non-ventilated or confined space, gas may not be a suitable solution.

Beware of Hot Surfaces

Cooking with gas or electric have ignition sources for heating, either with a flame or superhot surface, both need to have proper care when in use. Cooking with open flames may not be allowed in all locations, like some parks or areas with fire restrictions. Additionally, the cooking surface of either needs to be clean and clear of debris as these could both cause unexpected smoke or fires.

Time Consuming Pre-Heating

Electric cooking doesn’t respond quickly to temperature changes and if a temperature is overshot it will take some time before the burner cools down to the desired temperature. If you need a cooking method that can adjust quickly to temperatures up and down electric may not fit your needs.

Requires Gas or Portable Generators

Gas cooking can be accomplished with natural gas or propane. However, these sources aren’t always readily available. If you are looking for a cooking source for a country, off-grid, or mobile house then either gas choice may require additional costs and considerations to have a gas line plumbed or tanks refilled.

Need To Wait For Surface To Cool Before Cleaning

Gas and electric cooking both have hot adjacent surfaces that can cause spilled foods or liquids to scorch and stick. These hot surfaces require the user to wait until the appliance is cool to begin cleaning. Additionally, most gas cooking appliances have grills and grates which need to be removed to clean all of the grooves and crevices. If you’re looking for an easy to clean cooking method gas and electric may not be the most ideal choices.

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Induction cooking uses electromagnetic induction to heat food. The induction burner contains a copper coil that produces a magnetic field. When cookware made of ferromagnetic materials, like cast iron or stainless steel, is placed near the magnetic field, it causes the material to heat up due to molecular vibration. This process is called induction heating. Induction cooking is a great alternative for any kitchen. Here are 6 advantages of induction cooking & 6 disadvantages of gas and electric radiant cooking.

6 Induction Cooking Advantages

The Most Efficient Form Of Cooking

Induction cooking is one of the most energy efficient cooking methods because it uses electromagnetic fields to generate heat directly in the ferromagnetic cookware’ like cast iron or stainless steel, so there's no wasted heat. Induction cooking is up to 90% efficient.

No Pre-heat

Induction cooking respond quickly to temperature input changes to eliminate wasted time during heating up or cooling down. The latter is a great benefit with little kids to help eliminate unintended contact burns. Whether you're looking to save time or be more kid-friendly, induction cooking is the way to go.

No Open Flame

Induction cooking is safer than traditional gas or electric ranges - there's no open flame to worry about, so it’s a great option for the dorm rooms or parks. Additionally, induction cooking only heats up ferromagnetic material, like cast iron or stainless steel, and will not get hot if there’s no pan present. If you’re looking for a cooking method that’s eco-friendly and safety conscience then induction cooking is the ideal solution.

No Gas Emission

Induction cooking doesn’t create any harmful gases when in use because the heating source is by alternating magnetic fields. This allows for cooking in small spaces with limited ventilation, like tiny houses or RVs.

Easy Clean Up

Induction cooking is quickly becoming a popular choice because it is very easy to keep the cooking surface clean. Since the heat is generated directly in the pot or pan, there is no adjacent surface to scorch liquids or food or grease. This means a quick wipe-down after cooking, rather than a more intensive cleaning session. If you're looking for a cooking surface that is easy to keep clean, induction is the way to go.

Precise Temperature

Induction is a great choice when precise temperature control is necessary for cooking. Induction cooking heat is generated directly in the pan, which can be very precisely controlled. This makes induction ideal for cooking delicate foods, which can easily be ruined by too much heat fluctuation. If you're looking for precision and accuracy, induction is the way to go.

6 Gas & Electric Cooking Disadvantages

Less Efficient Cooking

Gas cooking uses convection to heat the cookware and is only 40% efficient. Electric cooking, use conduction heat from coil elements beneath the cooktop surface and are 74% efficient. These cooking processes are less efficient meaning energy is lost to the surroundings or other surfaces in these transfer methods.

Emits Harmful Fumes

When cooking with gas, it is important to be aware of the fumes produced. The lack of ventilation can be harmful to humans. This means if cooking indoors, something like a hood vent is important to maintain proper ventilation. If you are planning to cook in a non-ventilated or confined space, gas may not be a suitable solution.

Beware of Hot Surfaces

Cooking with gas or electric have ignition sources for heating, either with a flame or superhot surface, both need to have proper care when in use. Cooking with open flames may not be allowed in all locations, like some parks or areas with fire restrictions. Additionally, the cooking surface of either needs to be clean and clear of debris as these could both cause unexpected smoke or fires.

Time Consuming Pre-Heating

Electric cooking doesn’t respond quickly to temperature changes and if a temperature is overshot it will take some time before the burner cools down to the desired temperature. If you need a cooking method that can adjust quickly to temperatures up and down electric may not fit your needs.

Requires Gas or Portable Generators

Gas cooking can be accomplished with natural gas or propane. However, these sources aren’t always readily available. If you are looking for a cooking source for a country, off-grid, or mobile house then either gas choice may require additional costs and considerations to have a gas line plumbed or tanks refilled.

Need To Wait For Surface To Cool Before Cleaning

Gas and electric cooking both have hot adjacent surfaces that can cause spilled foods or liquids to scorch and stick. These hot surfaces require the user to wait until the appliance is cool to begin cleaning. Additionally, most gas cooking appliances have grills and grates which need to be removed to clean all of the grooves and crevices. If you’re looking for an easy to clean cooking method gas and electric may not be the most ideal choices.

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Article by
Chad Mollmann

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