Induction Hobs

I've purchased my induction hob & vitroceramic hob at Perfect Livin Home Fair 2010. Both are from Fagor: package deal of RM4600. The retail price of the induction hob is RM3599 & the vitroceramic hob is RM2499, for a total of RM6098. That's about 25% off the retail price. Plus I can redeem a non-stick pan suitable for induction cooking from Fagor.

So, what's an induction hob? Read on to find out more!

In an induction hob, heat is generated through a magnetic field, created under the glass when a ferrous magnetic pan is placed above.

Induction is the fastest way of cooking as heat is transmitted directly to the base of pan, minimizing the losses of heat and reducing the time of cooking. It saves up to 40% of electricity consumption compared to other systems. Induction hobs incorporate an intelligent system which automatically recognises the size and diameter of the pan, providing the right amount of energy, so that no energy is wasted with constant regulation of energy and thus more uniform heat distribution. Energy is only transmitted when a suitable recipient is situated over the cooking zone. If the recipient is removed, the power stops (Zero energy consumption).

As the vitroceramic crystal heats less, spills and splashes do not become incrusted. Thus cleaning in general is not so laborious with induction hobs and the use of a scraper is seldom needed.

Heat is transmitted directly to the pan base. This way, the glass does not reach high temperatures, just that produced by the heat of the recipient. Induction zones are protected against excessive heating of the electronic system. Lastly, induction hobs also detect certain voltage variations and compensate for them, extending in this way the working life of the hob.

Only stainless steel, cast iron and enamelled steel pots and pans are suitable for induction cooking. To check for compatibility, just use a magnet at the base of the pan - the magnet should stick. 

Radiant Hobs at Reno Expo 2010

I visited the recently concluded Reno Expo 2010 at Mid Valley Megamall Exhibition Center from 30th July-1st August 2010. It was a rather small expo but good enough for those who are shopping for bargains and promotions.

I got to watch cooking demos by Senz, Vees Delicooker & Kitchmate - all promoting their radiant cooker hobs. It was an eye-opener for me cos I didn't know that the radiant cooker hob with red glowing lights can grill and barbeque as well as heat up anything placed on it. All the above 3 brands claim that their product parts are sourced from Europe & USA but assembled locally in Malaysia. Prices are not as expensive as the foreign brands e.g. Teka, Smeg & Fagor. However, I don't understand why they don't name their hobs as vitroceramic hobs but instead call them 'radiant' cooker. If foreign brands, it's known as vitroceramic hobs.

 Senz

Vees Delicooker

Sales persons from both of the above brands claim that their products are easy to maintain and clean. Just wipe with damp cloth. If any problems, just call their technicians to check. Both radiant hobs have 2 different size of ring burner so that you do not waste energy to heat up a small pot using a large burner. The touchpad controls are easy to use with a few functions : child lock and timer. The black glass used for the hobs are usually from 2 leading manufacturers : Schott Ceran & Eurokera (the logo is a letter K).

When switched on without any pot on it, I can feel the heat radiating out quite fast. Once a pot is placed on top of the burner, the heat is less felt. Unlike an induction hob, the glass plate will be hot to touch. The sales persons do admit that the hobs guzzle electricity compared to induction hobs. As for Kitchmate, they have a combination hob : 1 induction ring and the other a radiant ring. It's not so advisable to have a combination - better to get them separately as it's easier to repair plus it saves energy in the sense, that the radiant ring heats up a smaller glass plate as compared to a larger one on a combination hob.

 

This is a vitroceramic hob by Teka (recommended retail price : RM3500). Senz and Vees have the single ring radiant hob too as pictured above. It can grill - just by placing a wire rack on top of the hob. Barbequing is also easy by wrapping the wire rack with aluminium foil. So, the vitroceramic hob is really useful and I will definitely be getting one.... but which one?