Yes, Induction cooking is one of the safest cooking options compared to traditional gas or electric stoves. Induction cookers are one of the smartest technology of cooktops present today. Induction cooking is an easy, fast, and efficient way of cooking compared to gas stoves. It has an option of temperature control, so there is significantly less risk of food getting burnt, vessel getting damaged, etc.
Induction cooking takes place on a flat surface equipped with heaters. When you connect the Induction in the electrical socket and switch on the Induction, an alternating current passes through the wire and creates a magnetic field.
This magnetic field creates friction and produces heat, which transfers to the pots or pans. The iron particle in the induction specific cookwares agitates when heat transfers to it. However, even if the pan heats up, the cooktop’s surface remains cool and safe to touch.
So if induction cooktops work on the electromagnetic field (EMF), that means it must emit EMF rays also. With all its comfort, we cannot ignore a question- whether the rays emitted while cooking on Induction are safe for our health or not.
In this blog post, we will answer all your questions that you must have in your mind before making the switch from traditional cookware to induction cooktops.
Table of Contents
Is Induction radiate harmful rays?
Induction cooktops create Electromagnetic fields (EMF) to generate heat. So, if there is a magnetic field, there will also be some magnetic field exposure. It means it is true that the Induction cooktop emits radiation. This radiation can stimulate your nerves and muscles. But how much radiation induction is emitting and will that amount can harm your body are probably the most common questions in every person’s mind.
So, in reality, Induction emits a minimal amount of radiation. This radiation is 50 times lesser than the magnetic field threshold value for a human body. You can easily protect yourself from this much magnetic friend exposure.
Use a pan or cookware with a base with a similar induction area to fully cover the hobs. Another way to avoid the radiation is by placing the pan first and then turn on the switch of Induction. Studies show that standing at the designated distance of at least 1 foot (30cm) from the Induction can also help you avoid these electromagnetic field radiations. In short, we can say that induction cooking is safe for everyone with normal health conditions.
5 Pros of Induction Cooking
- Induction cooktops are faster than traditional stoves
Induction cooktops work on the electromagnetic field, due to which Induction cooking helps to save up to 50 percent of average cooking time. That’s why it is a faster method of cooking compared to other traditional cooking options.
- Induction cooktops are Environment-friendly
As induction cooking is faster, it utilizes less energy. It generates less residual heat and, ultimately, lower energy bills. When the heat will remain in the pot or pan and not come out from the cooktop, it will not pollute the environment nearby you and outside as well.
- Induction cooktops are safer
Induction uses electromagnetic radiations to heat the pan or pot. That’s why the induction burner will remain less hot than other electric burners throughout the process. Also, it turns off automatically when the cookware is removed from Induction, so there’s little risk of burning or accidentally leaving it on when you’re done cooking.
- Induction cooktops do not make a mess
The surface of induction cooktops is also easy to clean using a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth. Even the Spills do not get baked as the surface remains cool. You can also clean the Hard water stains on it using vinegar.
- Induction cooktops offer precise temperature control
Induction cooktop technology offers precise temperature control for more controlled cooking. When you turn the burner off, Induction will immediately stop the heat transfer, so there’s less of a chance of burning or overcooking food.
5 Cons of induction cooking
- Inductions are expensive
Induction is a smart technology, so compared to their electric and gas counterparts, Induction cooktops are more expensive. Even if it is costly, it’s an investment that will pay you off in the long run.
- Induction cooktops require specific cookware
Induction cooktops require specific cookware with a particular type of material. Induction safe cookware contains iron particles that get activated and create heat to cook food. Read below to know more about what type of cookware material should you use or not use for safe induction cooking.
- Induction cooktops make a noise
Yes, Induction cooktops indeed sound like a buzz, a hum, or a floor fan on the “high” setting. But that noise is manageable and does not create noise pollution in the kitchen. You can control even this much noise by using a high quality heavier cookware made with cast iron.
- You cannot cook if the power goes out
If you use a gas cooktop, you might never have to skip your warm meal due to the power shortage. But if soon you are planning to switch over to induction cooking, then you might sometimes have to face this also because Induction requires electric power to work.
- You would have to do your prep-work early
Induction cooktops cook food faster than traditional electric cooktops or gas stoves. Due to this, you might not get in-between time to cut veggies and do all other prep work while cooking. So, make sure you do all the prep work before turning on the burner.
Induction Cooktop Buying Tips
Here are some tips for buying an induction oven, which will help you select the best induction oven.
- Safe sensor button
The induction cooktop includes the touch sensor buttons on the plate where the pan is kept to heat up. These sensor buttons will help you to access your Induction and power off when not required. Before buying a new induction, make sure these buttons are in a safe place to access.
- Compatible design
Cooktops are the main part of any kitchen, accessed by almost all the family members. Therefore the design of the cooktop should be compatible and user-friendly for all. Even some inductions have a kid-safe cooking feature. So if there is any kid at your home, make sure the cooktop you are going to buy is kids safe.
- Auto shut-off feature
Auto shut off is a standard feature found in almost all smart technology devices these days. This feature is a safety feature inbuilt in the appliances to save energy or resources.
- Heating
Make sure the heat from your Induction is distributed adequately so that the cooking procedure remains balanced with fewer chances of food getting burnt. The heat in Induction is different from the gas oven so that it might be difficult initially, but once you get used to it, induction cooking will become easy and efficient for you.
- Pan sensor
Today, the Pan sensor is present in any induction cooktops. This feature helps detect whether the pan or any other cookware has appropriately set up on the hot plate or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about induction cooking, which we’ve tried to answer for your convenience.
What kind of utensils should we use with an induction oven?
The utensils made with stainless steel and cast iron are the most suitable cookware material for induction cooking. These are comfortable, safer, and the best material cookware to use on the induction cooktop. Never purchase copper glass or aluminum cookwares, as they do not work on an Induction oven.
Is Induction cooking safe and healthy?
Yes, Induction cooking is safe for health compared to the other cooking methods. It is a compatible and user-friendly option to cook food. It can easily be used by anybody, including disabled persons and children. There is also a child safety lock button, which makes induction cooking safer near children. However, it is always healthy for every person to maintain a distance of 30 cm while cooking on Induction.
Is Induction Cooking Safe During Pregnancy?
According to the various studies and technical evaluation, the low-frequency magnetic field radiation from induction cooking units does not affect anyone, including a pregnant woman. But it would be better if a pregnant woman takes necessary precautions while using Induction, such as maintaining a healthy distance of 30-50 cm from an active induction unit.This is the best way to avoid EMF radiation because it nullifies the radiation effect on the human body ( if any). Studies have also proved that the side effect of electromagnetic radiation is inversely proportional to the distance. So, if you use Induction with precautions, it will be beneficial for you and your fetus’s health.
What type of food can we cook using an Induction cooktop and is induction cooking safe for food?
There is no restriction in cooking using an induction cooktop. You can cook anything on your Induction that you used to cook in your gas or electric stoves.
According to experts, a particular amount of vitamins and minerals are lost from the food during the method of cooking, but the quantity is a smaller amount. The food remains ready to maintain most of its nutritional value.
As of now, there is no evidence that cooking with an induction cooktop has caused any sort of disease to the end-users. The induction cooktops are known to save at least 80% of the energy. The energy is put to use directly for the cooking, and the process gets completed quickly, so this helps to keep your kitchen cool most of the time.
Final Thoughts
Even though Induction cooking produces some amount of EMF radiations, there is simply no evidence that proves that induction stoves are dangerous than any other cooktops technology or traditional gas stoves in the kitchen. Induction cooking is safe for every person with normal health conditions. But if you are a patient on the pacemaker, you should consult your doctor before switching over to the Induction cooking. If you are working or mostly a busy person, you must switch over to the Induction because it is a comfortable, safe, and convenient cooking method.
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