The best induction cookers in the UK 2023

How to choose your induction stove

#1 - The dimensions

Determine the location of your future induction stove beforehand, then measure the dimensions of the available space. You can then refer to the measurements obtained to know what size of stove to get. Existing models are between 50 and 60 cm wide and 60 cm deep. Also check that the height corresponds to your needs. Ideally, the stove should be at the same height as your worktop.

#2 - The number of households

According to their size, induction stoves do not all have the same number of hearths. While some models have 4 hearths, others have only 3. Nevertheless, the dimensions of the hearths themselves vary depending on the appliance. If you need to cook for a large family and prepare different dishes, a stove with a 4-burner induction hob may be necessary. But a model with 3 large burners may also be suitable if you use large containers. Note that some high-end induction stoves offer adjustable cooking zones to enlarge the cooking surface. This is handy if you have large compatible pots or pans.

#3 - Ease of cleaning

The cleaning method is not the same for the cooktop and oven of your induction range. A sponge soaked in a recommended cleaner or liquid soap may be sufficient to remove dirt from the ceramic hob, but the oven requires more tedious cleaning because of its large volume. Make sure the induction stove model you choose has a self-cleaning feature. There are two types of self-cleaning: pyrolysis and catalysis. Pyrolysis burns impurities at high temperatures - up to 500°C - turning them into ash, which you can simply remove with a damp cloth or sponge. In a catalytic cleaning oven, the walls are covered with a microporous enamel whose role is to destroy grease by oxidation as soon as the temperature reaches 220 °C.

#4 - The energy label

The

regulatory indication of the energy label also concerns induction stoves. Check that the model of your choice includes this label which indicates the electrical consumption of the appliance. Fortunately, most induction stoves carry the A energy label, which means they are energy efficient.

#5 - The proposed options

To ensure maximum safety and convenience of use, consider checking the options available with your induction stove. The presence of a cold door prevents the risk of burns when using the oven. If you like to roast poultry, consider checking if the oven has a spit. To prevent your child from accidentally turning on the induction cooker, consider choosing a model with a control lock. Finally, you should also know that models with a modular cooking zone or surface allow you to use large pots and pans, ideal for preparing family meals.

The advantages of using an induction cooker

Speed

One of the most commonly mentioned benefits of induction cooking is speed. It is much faster to cook with this method because the stove does not need to heat the burner, which in turn heats the pan. It moves directly to heat the pan and the food. Bypassing the surface means faster cooking speeds.

Low power consumption

When you cook, you not only need energy from the appliance you're using like the cooktop, but you're also using extra energy from others, like your air conditioner. If you find yourself in the kitchen cooking a lot, you'll notice that your kitchen seems to get a little hot and foggy. This can happen despite the hood or other ventilation system. By cooking in a way that doesn't cause overheating, you reduce the amount of energy needed to cool the kitchen. In addition, induction ranges are more energy efficient than other cooktop choices for another reason. They simply take less time to cook because you heat the pan directly, rather than heating a burner and then the pan. And, of course, the less time you spend using your appliance, the less energy you'll use. So it's a win-win.

Safety

If you're like most people, you're probably pretty comfortable in a cooking environment despite the dangers of working with fire, grease and oil. Induction stoves strive to reduce the risk of personal injury, which is especially helpful if you have curious little hands around the kitchen. For this reason, induction stoves are perfect for families with children.

Temperature control

How many times have you tried to follow a recipe that said to bring ingredients to a boil, then let it simmer? It's in the number of recipes, but it's not always that simple. As soon as you simmer it, the food in the pot continues to boil. Why does this happen? Because the burner needs to cool down. After all, you just went from burning to a low temperature. This is not a problem with induction stoves. You can even adjust the temperature slightly and it will change the temperature immediately.

Easy cleaning

Induction stoves offer the possibility to clean them simply by wiping them with a soft sponge. With this appliance, there is no baked or burned food, as it does not heat up enough to allow this problem to occur. Plus, you don't have to worry about waiting for it to cool down before you can clean it. You can simply take a soft cloth or sponge, wipe it down with it and you're done. It's as quick to clean as it is to cook.