Induction cooker. How to connect an induction cooker - useful tips Strong heating of the surface of the induction cooker

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For several decades, the induction cooker has been a success in America and Europe. Russian housewives continue to be somewhat wary of this piece of equipment. Let's see why, and also learn more about this type of hob.

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What are the benefits

The induction cooker has a number of advantages when compared with gas or electric panels:

1. Operation is absolutely safe. The stove can be used even if there is a small curious child in the house. When he grabs the operating panel with his hands, he will not get burned and will not even feel pleasant warmth. Many experiments were carried out when, next to a pot of boiling water, a hand was calmly placed on the surface or a layer of paper was made under the dishes - it did not light up.
2. Efficiency. Efficiency (efficiency factor) of 90% is achieved. This figure is the highest among competitors. The heating efficiency of glass ceramics is 50-60%, and that of a gas stove is 60-65%.
3. There is no dependence of power on the mains voltage.
4. The heating speed of the panel is much higher, which means that cooking is faster. Scientists conducted an experiment: half a liter of milk of the same temperature was boiled on an electric, gas and inverter stove. Needless to say, in the latter case, the milk boiled much faster - 4 minutes 10 seconds compared to 4 minutes 48 seconds on gas and 5 minutes 32 seconds on electric.
5. Ease of cleaning. If you suddenly ran out of porridge from a saucepan or you broke an egg past the pan, there is no reason to worry. Since it is not the stove that is heated, but only the dishes, the liquid remains a liquid, it will not burn or dry out. It can be easily wiped with a kitchen rag, and the stove shines like new.
6. Economic consumption of electricity. Due to the high percentage of efficiency, energy is spent only on heating the dishes, there is no thermal effect on the air and the remaining panel. This is the main difference from the electric stove, where the current is spent on heating the spiral. Here it is also necessary to create a magnetic field in the induction coil, which is much less expensive. We will dwell on this in more detail when we consider the principle of operation of the induction cooker.
7. To turn on the burner, you need dishes of the appropriate diameter - at least 8 centimeters. This feature eliminates the possibility of frying a fork that has accidentally fallen on the surface. The smart panel also automatically calculates that the diameter of the bottom of the cookware must be at least half the diameter of the burner.
8. There are many built-in cooking programs, unlike a gas hob. This makes the life of the hostess much easier and also saves a lot of time.
9. It is impossible not to mention the appearance of the convection cooker. Smooth shiny surface, minimalist design, no unnecessary buttons. By the way, a little advice: a panel in silver color will look more advantageous in the kitchen, since stains of fat are less visible on it.

What types of induction cookers are there

Convector cookers differ in size, functionality, as well as in the option of embedding:

1. The size. The panel can be either 30x30 centimeters or reach a size of more than 100 centimeters in length. It depends on the chosen shape: square, rectangle or hexagon. You can experiment with an interesting shape, place tiles in the kitchen in different ways: it can even be angular.
2. Functional possibilities. The induction cooker can be filled with various functions. Some of them are: keep warm mode, pause mode, electronic timer, power adjustment and so on.
3. Embeddability:

• the stove can be combined with an induction oven for the kitchen;
• the combined option provides for the presence of several burners, the operation of which is based on different principles: two induction, two electric;
• a multi-burner surface that is easy to integrate into kitchen furniture. Under it, you can install shelves for storage or an oven;
• a small tile with one burner, which is convenient to move around the apartment or even take with you on a trip.

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What is the difference from other plates

In addition to the qualities listed in the benefits, there are other features that distinguish the convector cooker from its competitors on the market.

First, it's the price. Here the difference is immediately noticeable. An inductive panel will be an order of magnitude more expensive to purchase than a gas or electric model, which have a similar set of functions. On the other hand, the simplest induction can remain inexpensive and still be of high quality. On the websites of hardware stores, you can find many budget options with photos, descriptions and detailed reviews that reveal the advantages and disadvantages of all the models presented.

Secondly, to cook food in normal mode, you will need special utensils. Cookware with ferromagnetic properties is required. Don't let this complicated word scare you. In simpler terms, a magnet should be attracted to pans and pots. Such cooking utensils can be found in any store, they are marked with a special icon indicating their properties. Additionally, you can take a magnet with you and check the authenticity. However, it is not necessary to change the entire set of dishes for the sake of a new stove. The proven items made of cast iron and stainless steel will do, even if they have a layer of enamel on them. Never use materials such as aluminum, copper, porcelain, glass, ceramics. If you don’t want to part with your favorite dishes at all, but you want a modern stove, then there is a solution to the problem. Just buy special metal discs that stick to the bottom of your good old saucepan and make it suitable for use.

Thirdly, the convection cooker makes a certain noise. It quietly buzzes or buzzes - this is the sound that working coils make when they interact with the dishes. The buzz, however, is not too loud, it dissolves in the domestic atmosphere of noisy fuss in the kitchen. In addition, the more modern the hob model, the quieter the sound it makes.

The principle of operation of the induction cooker

Let's finally deal with the question that has been tormenting all readers from the very beginning of the article. It's time to find out how an induction cooker works.

We owe the existence of the inductive cooker to the famous English physicist Michael Faraday. It was he who in 1831 discovered the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction. In order not to delve into the history of science, let's turn to practice. Let's answer the question, what does an induction cooker mean.

The hob is made of glass ceramic. Below it is an induction coil made of copper wire, which in its appearance resembles a flat snail with numerous turns on the shell. An electric current with a frequency of 20-60 kHz passes through all the turns of the coil, an alternating electromagnetic field appears, and then an induction current. Cookware with a ferromagnetic circuit, which has already been mentioned above, becomes part of the electromagnetic circuit. Thus, the induction coil acts as the primary winding, and the dishes on the stove are the secondary winding. The bottom of the cookware is heated by the induction eddy current.

Heat losses in this case are minimized. The main forces are directed to heating the dishes, the food in the dishes is heated, and the glass-ceramic surface is heated from the dishes on it. And then, as soon as the pan is removed from the panel, it automatically turns off and cools down in a matter of minutes.

1. Never use cookware made of materials that are not suitable for use with an induction hob.
2. There are models that automatically turn off after 2-3 hours. You should keep an eye on your stove if you cook something for a long time.
3. Not every induction hob has the ability to place an oven, dishwasher, microwave and other metal appliances. When choosing a model, pay attention to this, get advice from a specialist.

• insufficiently powerful heating - associated with the wrong diameter or location of the dishes, as well as overheating of the copper coil;
• one of the burners or a whole row does not work - most often it occurs due to the incompatibility of the dishes with the type of stove;
• there is no connection - it is necessary to check the fuse and the power supply of the network;
• the residual heat indicator is broken - run a software test to check the operation of the temperature sensor.

There are not so many malfunctions, and all of them are subject to resolution. In extreme cases, a master can help you - a specialist in the repair of inverter stoves.

What the market offers, the main manufacturers

There are many different models and manufacturers in Moscow hardware stores. The most famous of them are: AEG-Electrolux, ILVE, BOSCH, Hansa, Zanussi, Samsung, Siemens, Gorenje. Among the proposed options there are both more economical brands, and those focused on the premium class of consumers.

The technology of induction cookers is the most advanced and modern in the world. It is only gaining popularity so far, but has already managed to gain the well-deserved respect of cooking enthusiasts living in advanced countries.

Until recently, household stoves were divided only according to the principle of operation - gas or electricity, and when buying, there were no questions about how this or that model works. But today, with the development of new technologies and the improvement of household appliances, manufacturers offer consumers the usual units, and modern modernized designs.

Induction cookers are the result of modernization of familiar household appliances. It is worth laying out the facts in more detail about how they work and what they are. Physical action applies only to the hob, the oven is electric with thermal heating elements.

How an induction cooker works

It may seem strange how this type of equipment works, because during the heating process, the dishes are heated, not the burner. The secret lies in the use of a physical phenomenon in the operation of the equipment.

It uses the technology of inducing eddy currents on an installed metal object. Such a result is created by magnetic fields of frequency from 20 to 100 kHz.

Outwardly, it is a glass-ceramic hob, with touch temperature controls. Cooking timers, panel lock buttons are installed on the equipment.

The use of such a technique involves the purchase of special metal utensils. The stoves also work with the usual metal utensils, but then the energy consumption and cooking time may increase.

What is the secret of dishes designed for use on such equipment? The secret lies in the structure of the bottom of the pots or pans. The bottom of such dishes is thick and a layer of ferromagnetic material is laid in its structure.

The hostess may already have such devices in the house. Modern samples are indicated by a special spiral sign, which means compatibility with induction.

Old-style dishes are also used on such equipment, and if there is no sign, then its suitability is checked by applying a magnet to the bottom. If magnetization occurs, then this instance is suitable for further use.

Pros and cons of induction cookers

Appliances with induction heating technology, on average, are more expensive than heated glass-ceramic surfaces. Is it worth it to overpay? And what benefits will the buyer receive after the acquisition?

Advantages:

1. Reduced level of electricity consumption. The heating temperature is set simultaneously with the inclusion of the burner, no preheating is required, all the voltage is given immediately to the dishes.
2. The diameter of the dishes is not limited. If for ceramic the selection of dishes depends solely on the diameter of the burners, then here the heating occurs only on the contact surface of the installed object. The handles of the dishes do not heat up, the heat generated by the burners is not wasted.
3. Safely. In the turmoil, at least once every person had a situation where he forgot to turn off the stove. After such cases, the burners burned out, considerable numbers ran up on the indicators of electric meters. Cooktops of this kind prevent dangerous situations from occurring. Without the dishes installed on them, they cannot work and turn off. The panel does not heat up during operation, it heats up only from the bottom of the dish.
4. Reducing or Enlarging temperature level occurs instantly.
5. The plate is covered with glass-ceramic. Care for her is available to any housewife using special cleaning products and scrapers.

In contrast to the advantages of induction heating, there are also negative distinguishing features:

1. High price. Yes, such equipment will cost 1.5 - 2 times more when buying, but you should think about the future reduction in electricity consumption. A properly selected stove will pay off in the near future. But choosing expensive samples is also not worth it, the functions stated in the characteristics are not used in everyday life.
2. If the house did not find suitable dishes, then you will have to update the entire range - pans, pots, stewpans, etc. Kitchen utensils suitable for this type of household appliances are more expensive, which will incur additional costs.

There are not so many disadvantages, and they all relate to the financial side. But once you invest in a purchase, you can save on electricity for several more years.

Problems

Cookers operating on induction heating technology have not been in demand for a long time in the household appliances market. And the reason is not only the high price, but also myths and prejudices.

Harm to the human body

The opinion that the technology incorporated in the principle of operation of the equipment can harm the human body. People feared that the magnetic field created during work affects the internal organs. In order to destroy the false opinions that have developed regarding induction panels, manufacturers compared the power of the generated fields from this device and from a household hair dryer, which housewives use quite often.

The results were incredible. The hair dryer creates a field with an indicator of 2000 micro Tesla, and the hob - 22 micro Tesla - this is almost 10 times less! The strength of such a magnetic field cannot affect human health in any way!

Turning on the stove from any metal object

People believe that any metal object can trigger the burner to turn on and will heat up. This statement is not true.

As already mentioned, for work you need dishes that can be attracted by a magnet, but not all metal kitchen appliances have such qualities.

Sensors built into the slab design are set to a minimum diameter of 8-12cm. In the event that the area of ​​the heated surface is less than this indicator, then heating will not be performed.

Metal objects under the stove heat up

It is an erroneous opinion that the installation of a recessed panel cannot be above other devices or any metal surfaces.

Yes, the generated electromagnetic field, in theory, leads to heating of objects on the surface and under it. This statement took place at a time when induction cookers were just beginning to be produced.

Modern models are equipped with a magnetic heat sink located at the bottom of the hob body. Its purpose is to block the penetration of magnetic fields through the bottom of the case.

Therefore, today manufacturers also produce combined models with ovens, and designed for embedding in kitchen furniture above dishwashers or other equipment.

How to choose an induction cooker

Like other household appliances, induction surfaces have characteristics that can affect the choice of a product in a store - these are design, functional characteristics, manufacturer's name and price.

Design features when choosing stoves include: free-standing equipment in combination with an oven, tabletop or built-in models, the size and shape of the equipment.

Free-standing household appliances with induction heating are rarely found in stores today, no more than 20 copies. Such models do not require additional purchase of ovens, are installed in any free space, do not take up space on the table, and are not built into the countertop.

Desktop devices are equipment with one or two burners, no more. They do not require additional installation conditions, in addition, some models are designed to work under 220W voltage.

The range of built-in models of induction devices presented in stores is incredibly wide. In online stores, the number of models offered is even greater. Built-in models look attractive complete with all kitchen equipment, do not require a separate place for installation.

The shapes of household appliances are the usual square or rectangular, but there are also hexagonal built-in models. Sizes are able to meet the wishes of any consumer. The main condition, before going to the store for a purchase, is to accurately measure the place where the unit will be installed.

Functional characteristics that require attention when choosing:

• the number of burners and their location;
• the presence of a combination in the device, induction burners and with a heating element. For some users, the combined device will have a positive effect, because you won’t have to throw out the old dishes, but for others it will serve as a rejection of this model.
• touchpad lock, a feature that will protect a home with young children from unpleasant consequences;
• safety shutdown, an option in the presence of which the liquid escaping from the pan will provoke the shutdown of the system and burning to the surface will not occur. Shutdown also occurs when foreign objects get on the control panel;
• the shutdown timer will allow you to program the stove for the required time, and be distracted by other things. She herself will turn off the burner and notify with a signal that the program is running;
• The residual heat indicator indicates that the surface has warmed up from the surface of the cookware. It burns as long as the surface cools, and goes out when it becomes safe;
• multi-stage burner power adjustment. a greater number of adjustment steps - makes it possible to more accurately adjust the cooking temperature;
• PowerBoost is a function that will increase the power of the included burner at the expense of the neighboring one by 50%;
• the keep warm function keeps pre-cooked meals at a predetermined temperature;
• the pause function temporarily stops cooking, so that it can be resumed at the touch of a button, keeping all the set cooking modes.
• induction without borders allows the installation of kitchen utensils of any diameter on the surface.

Pricing

The cost of induction cookers is affected by: manufacturer, functionality, size, number of burners, design, construction. Before you go shopping, you need to clearly define the requirements for the future main household appliance in the kitchen.

It is not rational to rely only on the popularity of the manufacturer; equipment manufacturers may not advertise their products. Orientation by price may not be relevant either. Stores set prices according to their desires.

It will be correct to take into account the functionality of the model of interest. Additional features increase the price, so you should consider the need for one or another option in your life.

Precautionary measures

An induction cooker is a device that works by means of power from the mains. And like any other electrical equipment, it must be used with care.

1. The connection must be only to the mains, with the appropriate voltage indicated in the characteristics.
2. Blocking the air intake panel can cause the equipment to overheat.
3. The equipment must be protected from water ingress under the housing.
4. To clean such a device, you must first disconnect it from the network.

An induction hob is a cooking hob that stays cold until a pan with a magnetic bottom is placed on it. It is absolutely safe and allows you to save on electricity. How the induction cooker is arranged and works, we will consider further.

How does an induction cooker work?

The hob is usually made of glass-ceramic or other dielectric and non-magnetic composite material. Under the surface of the induction cooker are inductors made of metal with good electrical conductivity in the form of a cylinder. They look like this:

When an alternating current of high frequency begins to pass through the inductors, an alternating (pulsating) magnetic field arises. This field goes beyond the coil, including above the surface of the plate. If a material with magnetic properties (iron) is on the plate, an alternating magnetic field excites a current flow in it. This current, passing through the conductor, experiences resistance to its movement, which heats the object on the stove.

This phenomenon (currents induced by a magnetic field in a material that has fallen into the zone of a magnetic field) is called electromagnetic induction (the effect was discovered by the British scientist Michael Faraday in 1831). Therefore, stoves, the work of which is based on this effect, are called induction.

The scheme of the induction cooker is presented below:

The oscillation frequency of the magnetic field is from 20 to 60 kilohertz. The highest sound that the ear of an ordinary person can distinguish is 16 kilohertz. The efficiency of the induction cooker is very high - from 80% to 90% depending on the model. This means that getting the same dishes as on a conventional stove, you will spend much less energy.

It should be noted that the surface of the stove during operation is heated not from the magnetic field, but only from the object on the stove. If you touch the stove during operation, the surface will be at room temperature. The exception is the area under the pot (frying pan). This zone heats up from the bottom of the cookware. But if you remove the dishes, the heating will immediately stop (there is simply nothing to heat up), and the hob will cool down to ambient temperature in just a few seconds.

Induction cookers are much safer than any others - there is no chance of getting burned by carelessly putting your hand on the stove. It also reduces the likelihood of fire - a rag or paper that has fallen on the hob will never ignite.

Even non-heat-resistant materials will not melt or catch fire when in contact with the stove, also because even at high temperatures, after removing the kitchen utensils from the surface, its temperature drops very quickly. Therefore, a plastic bottle with infant formula or a disposable plate will never burn on the stove.

Each induction oven model has a built-in timer. With it, you can both extremely finely adjust the cooking mode, and simply limit the amount of energy spent on heating dishes. Many models have a “boiling control” function, that is, the temperature sensor determines when the dish has reached a temperature of 100 degrees, the set time allows it to boil, after which the oven turns off.

The digital indicator on the control panel can indicate several parameters:

• temperature for each burner (optional);
• consumed power;
• clock;
• cooking time for each burner.

In the event of an emergency shutdown of the oven, the indicator will also display relevant information on the sensor so that you are not lost in guessing what happened.

There are models of cooking surfaces, where some of the burners are induction, and some are conventional electric burners. All this is under a common glass-ceramic surface. If there are several induction burners, they can work as one, heating a large pan or a whole baking sheet together, and the temperature is evenly distributed over the bottom of the container.

To clearly see how the induction cooker works, it is proposed in the following video:

Features of the induction cooker

What features are noted with such a plate device, we highlight further:

• There is no and cannot be any harm from cooking on such stoves - neither in the process of cooking, nor when eating food. This is due to the fact that there is no powerful radiation that affects the physico-chemical composition of food.

It is still not worth approaching the top of the stove during operation - the effect of a rapidly oscillating magnetic field on the human body is not well understood.

• The manufacturability of the furnace is much higher than that of a conventional electric or gas furnace. That is why induction furnaces are still more expensive.
• One of the main positive aspects when using such a stove is that there is absolutely no smell of burning in your kitchen. On an electric stove, a spiral, a body and a grate are heated (about the same with a gas stove), and dust, oil and food particles get on all the heated parts, which burn and give off the corresponding “aroma”. And on the "induction" there is simply nothing to burn.
• Such furnaces are equipped with temperature sensors that clearly withstand the specified temperature regime. Thus, you can program the cooking process literally every minute, which is impossible to achieve on a conventional gas or electric stove.
• By using energy solely to raise and maintain the temperature of the food, your kitchen maintains a comfortable atmosphere. While cooking, you do not overcome the heat and stuffiness, you do not need to turn on the air conditioner once again.

• The control of most induction furnaces is touch. A simple set of a few buttons, however, gives you a lot more options than an electric or gas stove.
• The oven may beeping you. If you set it up in a certain way, it will "call" you when the oil boils in the pan, or the kettle is about to whistle.
• Almost all induction furnaces are equipped with an additional emergency temperature sensor that monitors the surface temperature. When the temperature reaches, for example, 250 degrees Celsius, an automatic shutdown will occur. So you can not be afraid that you left the kettle on the stove - smart electronics will insure you when all the water boils away.
• Induction ovens are also distinguished by the fact that they maintain the set temperature much more accurately than in gas or electric stoves. This is because due to the absence of temperature interference for the thermoelement of the plate from gas flows or heating elements, its accuracy is much higher.
• You can put kitchen towels on the surface during cooking so that splashes of water and oil do not even fall on the hob;
• Even if food particles fall or spill on the stove during cooking, they will not burn and can be easily removed as they stop heating up.
• If you put pots, pans and a kettle on all burners at the same time, then the total power of the stove will be artificially reduced - in order to reduce the load on the electronics in the stove and on the wiring in your house. This is a programmed feature. For example, the total power of the stove is 3 kilowatts. But if you use all the burners, only 2.5 kilowatts will be consumed.

You can learn about the features, pros and cons of the induction cooker from the following video:

It is better to connect the induction cooker with a separate cable from the electrical panel so that there are no problems with the wiring. Grounding is an integral part of the correct connection of the induction hob.

Where to install?

A huge plus of the induction burner is that it can be built into almost any place on the surface of the kitchen worktop, as long as there is enough space. However, some points should be taken into account:

1. It is undesirable that metal pipes, corners or other conductive structures are close to such a furnace - this is not dangerous, but it can adversely affect the operation of the furnace.
2. There must be enough space for ventilation, as the electronics inside the induction oven require good cooling.
3. Do not overly compact the location of all kitchen units. An induction oven saves a lot of space, but you should not place it closer than 50 centimeters from a refrigerator, microwave and other electrical appliances. It's not even about the metal walls. The mutual influence of magnetic fields, electromagnetic radiation and high temperature can be unpredictable.

After installation, it is undesirable to leave the glass-ceramic coating without care. For him, it is better to buy a special tool containing silicone. This will give your stove a sophisticated shine and a well-groomed look.

What cookware to choose for cooking on an induction hob?

The induction oven simply will not turn on and will not start the heating process if the item of kitchen utensils placed on it:

• is not a current conductor;
• is too good a conductor;
• less than 12 centimeters (approximately 5 inches) in diameter;
• has a temperature above a certain maximum (usually 100 degrees Celsius).

The complex of magnetic field and temperature sensors is responsible for the above conditions. Electronics even knows how to regulate the power, which is distributed depending on the size of the dishes. As a result, you again save electricity.

It should be understood that any materials containing ferromagnets can be heated on an induction cooker, even if the materials themselves are not magnetic. For example, stainless steel or cast iron do not have pronounced magnetic properties, but they still contain iron - the material that gave the property its name "ferromagnet". Therefore, both stainless steel and cast iron are perfectly heated under the influence of eddy currents of an induction furnace.

On specialized dishes for induction heating, they put a special sign - several vertical loops and the inscription « Induction».

They are usually made from "white" cast iron.

The bottom of the vessel for heating by magnetic fields must be iron-containing - cast iron, steel or stainless steel. The thickness of the bottom must be at least 2 millimeters thick. Expensive and high-quality products have a bottom about a centimeter thick and some kind of innovative non-stick coating (for example, titanium-ceramic).

For containers with a too small bottom (turks, stewpans), there are special iron circle coasters that heat up perfectly on an induction oven and transfer heat to small containers.

Ordinary enameled iron containers are also quite suitable, although if the bottom is thin and concave, they can make unpleasant sounds. But due to the very rapid heating of the container, you will not have to endure these sounds for long.

In general, the main sign of suitability for an increase in temperature from fluctuations in the magnetic field is this: if the magnet is attracted to the dishes, such dishes are good; if they are not attracted, they are not good.

Some non-specialized types of cookware may heat unevenly. For example, the center of the pan may be hot, and the temperature near the walls will be fifty degrees lower. The only way to fix this is to replace the dishes.

Another disadvantage of conventional dishes is a damaged or loose bottom. A frying pan covered from below with a layer of soot after a gas oven, when used on an induction burner, begins to emit unpleasant odors, sounds and even smokes, because now the temperature is rising not from the outside, but from the inside. In addition, a deformed bottom may scratch the surface of the plate.

Naturally, kitchen utensils made of glass, ceramics, plastic, and other materials that do not contain metals are not suitable for induction ovens. Also not suitable are copper, aluminum and other kitchen utensils made of materials that conduct electricity well. The fact is that for rapid heating by magnetic fields, it is required that the conductor be bad. Then the eddy currents, experiencing great resistance, cause the dishes to heat up, and from an increased temperature, the resistance increases even more.

What can not be done with an induction oven?

In order not to independently cause malfunctions in the operation of such a hob, it is worth considering the following restrictions:

• Those who have a built-in pacemaker should not work with the induction cooker, as the magnetic field may adversely affect the implant. At a distance of half a meter from the stove, the field is almost indistinguishable, but it's better not to risk it.
• Do not allow credit cards, documents and other objects to come into contact with the magnetic field of the induction cooker. The same applies to mobile cards, mobile phones and other electronic devices.
• Do not use aluminum foil - it heats up too much under the influence of induction currents and can cause a fire. The same applies to foil packaging - chocolate bars, sweets, milk bags, and other similar items, including decorative foil ribbons for gifts, balloons, and so on.

Why does not it work?

If the induction cooker does not work at all, you can find the cause of the breakdown as follows:

1. Check the power cord. Most often, it breaks at the body of the stove or at the outlet. If, when the cord is moved, the contact appears, then disappears - the problem is localized, it is necessary to repair the cord.
2. Try removing the plug and inserting it into another outlet - perhaps this is the issue.
3. Make sure the stove power button on the back of the stove is pushed in (near the power cord entry). Sometimes children or pets manage to press it and unplug the oven from the mains.

If everything is fine outside, you will have to open the countertop. First, just inspect the filling of the plate visually - is it imperceptible to see if there are any obviously unusual places. Here we check:

• fuse;
• terminals and wire connections (you can tighten the screws more tightly, just for prevention);

• diode bridge;
• power transistor;
• power transformer.

After that, it remains to check the controller chip and the transistors through which the controller signals go. If checking all of the above elements did not reveal the cause of the problem, you will have to contact a specialized workshop.

In order not to have an unnecessary headache with the repair of expensive equipment, install an overvoltage protection device in advance and connect the equipment through it.

Video: Induction cooker vs gas and electric

In the following video, in a practical way, which type of stove is better:

Induction hobs and surfaces are almost ideal cooking appliances. They are safe, economical, beautiful, comfortable, compact, and adjustable over a wide range. Food cooks and heats up very quickly. In order for it to serve for a long time, it is worthwhile to carefully approach the installation, operation and maintenance.

In contact with

When purchasing a new induction cooker, do not rush to connect it to one of the free sockets. In this case, first of all, it is necessary to determine the possibility of connecting this household electrical appliance to a particular section of the wiring and choose the most optimal way to connect it. Consider the question of how to connect an induction cooker.

It should be noted that before purchasing an induction cooker, it is necessary to clarify what load limit is determined for an apartment (house) and evaluate the possibility of operating one or another induction cooker, taking into account its maximum power consumption.

A desktop induction electric stove, as a rule, structurally has a cord and a plug for connecting to a regular household outlet. That is, in this case, there is no need to purchase an additional cord and plug to connect an electrical appliance. But in this case, it is very important to choose the right outlet to turn on the electric stove.

Very often they make a mistake - they turn on the electric stove in one of the free sockets, without taking into account its load capacity, that is, the amount of load that can be plugged into this socket.

In the best case, one of the circuit breakers in the electrical switchboard will turn off - as a result of an overload in one of the electrical wiring sections. But if there is no proper protection of the wiring, for example, if several lines of wiring are connected to one circuit breaker, overload will damage the wiring.

Therefore, before you start using an electric stove, you need to find out its maximum power consumption and make sure that this appliance can be plugged into one of the available outlets. The power consumption is indicated in watts (W) or in kilowatts (kW) in the passport on the body of the electric stove, as well as in the technical specifications in the instruction manual for this household appliance.

It should be remembered that a conventional household socket is designed to turn on household electrical appliances with a rated power of not more than 3.5 kW, which corresponds to a load current of 16 A. That is, if the power consumption of the electric stove does not exceed this value, then it can be plugged into this socket.

First, you need to clarify which cable is connected to the outlet, and how it connects to the rest of the home electrical wiring. The cable that feeds the outlet must have a cross section of at least 2.5 square meters. mm.

If the cable is connected directly to the home switchboard, then such a wiring line can withstand the current of a household outlet, a circuit breaker of the required rating can be installed to protect such a wiring line. This option is the most preferable in terms of reliability.

The second common option is that the cable that feeds the outlet is connected in a junction box. In this case, you need to take into account the loads of other sockets connected to this junction box.

The cable that runs from the main distribution box to the junction box must be able to withstand the total load of the outlets powered from it. Therefore, if the load of the induction cooker is an overload for a given section of the wiring, then to turn it on, you should choose another outlet of the appropriate load capacity.

Secondly, it is necessary to assess the technical condition of the electrical wiring. If the wiring is in an unsatisfactory technical condition, then, accordingly, when a new load is turned on, it may be damaged (See -). In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the cable, in particular its insulation.

A cable with copper conductors is preferred, but if old aluminum wiring is installed in the house, then there is a high probability that such a cable cannot withstand the permissible load.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the condition of the electrical wiring contact connections at the cable connection point in the home switchboard, socket, as well as intermediate contact connections in the junction box.

For connecting to the network of an induction cooker. For safe operation of the induction cooker, it must be grounded, that is, plugged into a socket with a working ground.

You also need to pay attention to the condition of the outlet. If the plug of the electrical appliance does not make good contact with the outlet connectors, then such an outlet must be replaced.

The induction hob has a lot of power, it is not connected to an ordinary household outlet, but to a power outlet rated for a current of more than 16 A.

The power socket for connecting the induction cooker is selected according to its load. The total load of the induction cooker can be on average 25-32 A, depending on the number and power of the burners.

In this case, an individual electrical wiring line must be laid to power the induction cooker. The cross section of the cable depends on the load of the induction cooker: for a current of 25 A, a copper cable with a cross section of 4 square meters should be laid. mm, for a load of 32 A - 6 sq. mm.

For safe operation of the induction cooker, the electrical wiring must have a working protective earth. That is, for a single-phase network, a three-core cable must be connected to connect the induction cooker. Accordingly, the purchased power outlet kit with plug must also have a third grounding prong.

If it is not possible to purchase a power outlet of the required power, then as an alternative, you can connect an induction hobinstalled in a mounting box. The terminal block must be capable of withstanding the rated current of the induction cooker connected to it.

As for the cable through which the induction cooker is connected, in this case it all depends on the configuration. If the power cable is included, then it is enough to connect it to the terminal block directly on the induction cooker, and then to the purchased power plug or in the terminal block - depending on the chosen method of connecting the induction cooker.

If the cable is not included, it must be purchased separately. When purchasing a cable, you must pay attention to its cross section - it must correspond to the connected load. It is necessary to purchase a flexible three-core cable with a cross section of 4 or 6 square meters. mm for rated currents 25 and 32 A, respectively.

To avoid errors, it is recommended to connect the cable to the plate itself, as well as to the plug: brown or black - phase conductor, blue - neutral conductor, yellow-green - protective earth conductor.

If the cable is already connected to the terminal block of the electric stove, then it is necessary to check the correct connection. The following terminal markings are usually indicated on the terminals of the induction cooker:

L - phase output or L1, L2 (L3) - phase outputs for two-phase (three-phase) switching;

N - zero output;

PE - connection point for the protective earth conductor.

Two-phase and three-phase connection of the induction cooker

Certain types of induction hobs may have two or three phase electrical connections. If the house is made, then such an electric stove is connected, as the manufacturer recommends, to two or three phases of the electrical wiring with a four or five-wire cable.

The electric stove is connected to a single-phase household electrical network with a three-core cable, and special jumpers between the phases, which are usually included in the kit, are installed in the terminal block on the induction stove. If there are no jumpers, then the connection to two or three phase terminals is carried out with a wire of the section corresponding to the load of the electric stove.

It should be borne in mind that if a cable for a two- or three-phase connection is included in the kit, then it is not designed for single-phase switching, since with a single-phase connection of the induction cooker, the load on the phase conductor increases to the total load of all phases.

Therefore, when using a four (five) core cable to connect to a single-phase network, two (three) phases on the plate are connected to the cable cores, and at the other end of the cable, when connected to a plug or in the terminal block, the phase conductors are shorted together and connected to one phase of the mains . Or a new three-core cable is purchased, which has sufficient load capacity for single-phase connection of an electric stove.

The process of connecting an induction cooker with an oven is no different from connecting one induction hob. The only difference is the large power consumption, since in addition to the induction hob, the power of the oven is added. Accordingly, it is necessary to correctly select the cable section, as well as a set of power sockets and plugs for connecting the electric furnace to the network.

There are types of induction cookers with an oven, which provide for limiting the maximum power consumption by turning off one of the burners when the oven is in operation. That is, you can operate all the burners of the induction cooker at the same time, but when you turn on the oven, the possibility of turning on one burner is blocked. This option is most suitable for houses with a limited power limit, which does not allow the operation of sufficiently powerful electric stoves.

Protective devices

When connecting an induction hob, it is very important to correctly select the necessary protective devices. To protect the induction cooker, as well as the supply wiring, a circuit breaker is installed. The rated current of the circuit breaker is selected based on the power of the induction cooker. In this case, the nearest higher current value is selected, but the characteristics of the electrical wiring are also taken into account - it must protect all elements of the electrical wiring.

To ensure the safety of the operation of the induction cooker, it is installed in the switchboard, which protects against electric shock, as well as fire in the event of a current leakage through damaged insulation. The RCD must be designed for the rated current, taking into account the possible load on the wiring lines.

For example, if a 32 A circuit breaker is installed on the line, then the RCD should be designed to operate at a higher rated current - by 40 A, since the thermal release of the circuit breaker does not turn off immediately when the current exceeds 32 A, but with some time delay. To protect a person from the negative effect of electric current, the differential current of the residual current device must be no more than 10 mA.

As an alternative, it is possible to use a combined device - that performs the functions of the two above-mentioned protective devices.

Andrey Povny

To understand what an induction cooker is, imagine the following situation. When you are ready to cook, you turn on your electric stove and pour water into the pot. At this time, your restless baby runs into the kitchen and inadvertently grabs the hob with his hands. In the case of a conventional electric stove, the matter will end in a burn, but if you have an induction cooker, the baby will not even feel pleasant heat.

The surface of the induction hob remains cold until the cookware is placed on it.

The principle of operation of the induction cooker

An induction hob is safer than a glass-ceramic hob or a conventional cast iron pan hob. The operation of the device is based on the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction - the occurrence of an electric current in a closed circuit due to a change in the magnetic flux passing through this circuit. Thanks to the English physicist Michael Faraday, the whole world knows about the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction. The development of the use of electromagnetic induction began in 1831, it was then that Faraday made his discovery. Now it is quite difficult to imagine modern life without transformers - they are used at every turn. An induction hob or induction cooker is the same transformer. The surface of the plate is glass-ceramic. Under it is an induction coil, under which an electric current flows with a frequency of 20-60 kHz. The induction coil is the primary winding, and the dishes that are placed on the stove are the secondary winding. Induction currents are fed into its bottom. The dishes are heated, and hence the products that are in it. The pot, frying pan is heated, and the glass-ceramic surface, which is located between the heating element and the dishes, heats up already from the dishes.

With induction heating, heat loss is minimal, and the rate of heating of dishes is significantly higher than that of stoves and hobs of other types (including hobs with halogen heaters). So, the efficiency of heating a glass-ceramic surface is 50-60%, a gas stove is 60-65%. Induction heating has an efficiency of about 90%.

The principle of operation of the induction hob is simple and effective

The induction hob appeared in family kitchens in the 80s of the twentieth century. It was then that mass production of such plates under the AEG brand was launched. The first induction cookers were very expensive. But they were not in great demand, not only because of the high cost of the device, but also because users were extremely wary of innovations in the field of cooking. Now that the housewives are already well aware of what an induction hob is, the reviews about these stoves are rather positive. But there are people who believe that induction is not the place in the kitchen. Perhaps doubts arise due to the fact that special utensils with ferromagnetic properties are needed to cook on such stoves.

Choosing cookware for the induction hob

For dishes with ferromagnetic properties, you do not have to chase through any specialized stores. Yes, and there is nothing hazardous to health in the ferromagnetic properties of dishes. These are ordinary pots and pans, to which a magnet is attracted. If it's attracted to your enamel pot, it's fine for use on an induction hob. But in no case should you use aluminum or copper utensils. Dishes made of ceramics, copper, glass, porcelain are also not suitable. But cast iron pans and stainless steel utensils are quite suitable.

• The bottom of the cookware must be at least 12 cm in diameter. Then the area of ​​​​contact with the burner will be sufficient.
• Pay attention to the marking, as a rule, manufacturers inform buyers about the ferromagnetic properties of cookware using special symbols.
• The bottom thickness should be between 2 and 6 mm.
• The prices of good dishes for an induction hob are approximately the following: a frying pan is 2-3 thousand rubles, a saucepan is 3-4 thousand rubles (depending on size).
• This cookware can also be used on conventional stoves. But this is unlikely to matter to you if the induction hob has already taken its place of honor in your kitchen, and the usual electric stove has gone on a well-deserved rest. But there are combined induction hobs, in which there are both conventional and induction hobs. If you prefer this one, you can use the cookware for all burners.

For use on an induction burner, enamelware, stainless steel, cast iron are suitable

The most famous manufacturers of cookware for induction cookers are Fissler (Germany) and Woll. They produce not only pots and pans, but also stewpans, woks, braziers, ladles. Woll cookware is made by hand, it has a titanium-ceramic non-stick coating, the bottom thickness is 10 mm. The dishes of these firms are not cheap, they are designed for consumers for whom quality is more important than economy. High-quality cast-iron cookware for induction hobs is manufactured by Hackman (Finland). If you are interested in cheaper dishes, pay attention to Tefal (France), 4U Inox, Privilege Pro, Classica Inox, Pro Series. Pots and pans of the Czech company Tescoma are dishes with an induction bottom made of stainless steel at a price of 2 thousand rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages of induction electric stoves

First, the high heating rate. The bottom of the pan is heated, not the surface of the stove, therefore, time is saved for cooking. Secondly, electricity is saved. The induction hob consumes significantly less electricity than a conventional electric stove. After all, the current is not consumed to heat the spiral, but only to create a magnetic field in the induction coil. Thirdly, induction cookers are safe. You will never burn yourself on their surface and you will never start a fire, even if you forget to turn off the burner by removing the dishes from it. After all, without a pot or pan on the burner, nothing will heat up. Within a few seconds after the end of cooking, the very surface where the pan stood was not hot, but warm.

Food cooked on an induction cooker is absolutely safe, so all doubts can be discarded

The surface of induction cookers recognizes the presence of dishes on the burner automatically, and also automatically adjusts to the diameter of the bottom.

The induction hob has several cooking programs. If any food is accidentally dropped on the burner or stove surface, it will not burn because the surface does not heat up. The plate is attractive in appearance and easy to maintain. If something spills on it, simply wipe it with a soft cloth. Many housewives would like to see this miracle of technology in their kitchen, but there are those who are sure that the induction cooker is unsafe.

The disadvantages of induction panels are only that when using the stoves, you cannot use dishes made of aluminum or glass. The hob is not recommended to be installed above other built-in metal appliances (for example, an oven). But the main disadvantage of the induction cooker is its high price compared to other types of stoves. Usually, average consumers cannot afford such a stove precisely because of its high cost.

An original and bold experiment demonstrates that only the cookware heats up on an induction hob.

Induction cooker - harm or benefit

The main criterion of distrust on the part of consumers is the high price of induction hobs and their mechanism of operation, which is far from clear to everyone. There is an opinion that the magnetic field adversely affects human health. But manufacturers claim that the magnetic field created by induction cookers is low-frequency and cannot harm people's health, including those who wear pacemakers, but it is better for them to play it safe and not come closer to a working induction cooker than half a meter. Or even stop using an induction cooker.

The assertion that the induction cooker brings harm is not without foundation. After all, a vortex magnetic field is created. However, the harm is no greater than the harm of mobile phones (and we also press them to our heads when talking). The myth about the harmful radiation of induction cookers is the most popular "horror story" about this device. Food cooked on an induction cooker is absolutely non-radioactive. The eddy currents that are created during the operation of the hob are locally limited by the body of the appliance. Already at a distance of 30 cm from the surface of the plate, the effect of the field is zero.

How to choose an induction hob

Unfortunately, there is not a large selection of induction cookers on the Russian market. Optimal in terms of price / quality ratio are plates of the AEG-Electrolux concern. Outwardly, it is no different from a conventional electric stove with a glass-ceramic hob. The price of the device is 27-28 thousand rubles. Electrolux EKD 513502 X — it is a complete freestanding cooker, 50 cm wide, with induction hob and oven. There is an indication of the residual heating of the burners. After all, they heat up from the dishes and after the end of cooking for some time remain noticeably heated. In the center they heat up to 90-100˚С, and along the edges - up to 25-40˚С. There are no other stoves with an induction surface on the Russian market. True, there is also Italian ILVE equipment, but prices for induction cookers from this manufacturer start at 100 thousand rubles. Everything else is induction hobs, which can be bought at a price of 17 thousand rubles. An independent built-in induction glass-ceramic hob is available in a wide range of household appliances stores. Consider the most popular models among consumers.

Hobs from BOSCH

Under the BOSCH brand, several four-burner induction hobs are presented on the Russian market. These are panels of different design with different number of heating zones. There are models where all the burners are induction, and there are those where two of them are “regular” HiLight glass-ceramic burners.

BOSCH PIN675N14E induction hob is attractive, convenient and efficient

When choosing an induction hob from BOSCH, pay attention to the BOSCH PIN675N14E model, which has four induction burners, but the two burners on the left are combined into one. They can work as one heating zone (for large pans or stewpans) and as two different ones. This zone is called FlexInduction. We note another convenience of the induction panel from BOSCH - the PowerBoost function, which can be activated for each burner. This is a 50% increase in power to reduce cooking time. Additional power is "borrowed" from the adjacent heating zone. In addition, there is a function for recognizing dishes on the burner - electronic sensors “see” it, they also determine its size. If there is no cookware on the burner, the power will automatically turn off. The smart induction hob also “matches” the power supplied to the size of the cookware in order to save electricity.

Control hob BOSCH PIN675N14E touch. There is a digital indication of the degree of heating and a 17-step power adjustment. The cost of such a hob is about 33 thousand rubles.

Hansa induction hobs

The price of the Hansa BHI64383030 model is about 13 thousand rubles. This is the most affordable cooktop with four induction hobs. The maximum power of this model is 3.5 kW, so it is also suitable for those who live in an apartment with old wiring. Despite the fact that the total power of all burners is 4.5 kW, it is limited to 3.5 kW by the self-regulating EGO module. The connection of the Hansa BHI64383030 induction hob is single-phase, which is an indisputable advantage. No additional preparation of the electrical network is required - the hob works according to Plug & Play technology, to start using it, you just need to plug it into a power outlet. We also note the Booster function (increasing the power of each burner by 50%), overheating protection (automatic shutdown), the function of recognizing the presence of dishes and their sizes, a timer.

Hansa BHI 64373030 induction hob has undeniable advantages

Hansa BHI 64373030 is a combined induction hob. It has two burners with induction heating zones and two HiLight burners that reach the maximum temperature in 7-10 seconds.

Combined electric surfaces from Zanussi

The Zanussi ZXE 66 X hob costs about the same as the aforementioned Hansa. But she has two induction burners and two conventional ones (HiLight), while one of the conventional ones has two heating zones, which makes it possible to use dishes of different diameters and not waste electricity. There is an "automatic boiling" function. The user can set the desired degree of heating and select the operating power, for a certain time the burner operates at full power, and when the sensors detect the boiling point has been reached and the contents of the pan boil a little, the burner will automatically return to the power level set by the user, the dish will continue to cook.

The control of the hob is touch-sensitive, there is a function of blocking the control of the surface and auto-off when overheating. In addition, there is a timer that gives an acoustic signal.

Combined induction hob Zanussi ZXE 66 X surprises with its versatility

Other brands of built-in induction panels

In our country, you can also buy induction surfaces AEG, Electrolux, Neff, Gaggenau, Samsung, Siemens, Gorenje, Siemens, Kuppersbusch, Siemens, Whirlpool, Smeg, Kaiser, De Dietrich, CATA, Miele, ILVE. On sale there are not only four-burner, but also two-burner, five-burner and one-burner hobs. There are also induction wok burners, which can be a segment of the hob or a separate element.

Connecting an induction hob

The connection parameters of the induction hob and installation requirements are set out in the instructions that come with the appliance. It is recommended to connect the hob to the power supply via a separate cable from the electrical panel. In this case, an additional socket fuse must be installed. The connection to the panel can be either without a socket or through a socket with earthing of the appropriate power. The hole in the countertop for the hob is cut out with a jigsaw, but you must first mark the place with a pencil and a template.

After the hole in the countertop is made, the edges with a violation of the protective layer should be treated with a special tool for chipboard countertops - a transparent silicone sealant. A sealant is also needed, which prevents moisture and small debris from entering under the hob.

When the preparatory work is completed, the hob can be fixed in place and connected to the electrical network. Use special fasteners. Test the operation of the induction hob by placing a pan filled with water on the hob. Do not forget that the dishes must have ferromagnetic properties (attract ordinary magnets to themselves).

The induction hob is very convenient, easy to keep clean, and the dishes cooked on it are worthy of the highest praise.

Induction heating technology in cookers and hobs is one of the most advanced today. They provide user safety due to the low heating of the burners. They save time spent on cooking, thanks to the high efficiency of induction heating. They save electricity. The only drawback of induction hobs is their high price, basically, such panels are still more expensive than conventional ones. If we are talking about a free-standing stove, there is also trouble with the assortment. But no one will argue with the fact that induction heating provides additional convenience, and the fact that you have to pay for them is quite normal. Let your kitchen be comfortable and modern!