What Is an Induction Cooker? | Midea Canada

Induction cooktops have been used in Europe for many years, and now they’re becoming popular in Canada too. They use less energy, heat up quickly, and are easy to wipe clean. If you’re thinking about getting one, it helps to learn the basics first so you know what to expect.

In this guide, we will show you what an induction cooker is, how it works, and what you should know before choosing one. Keep reading to see if induction is the right fit for your kitchen. 

What Is an Induction Cooker? 

Induction cooking has been around since the early 1900s, but it only became popular in North America in recent years as newer models became more affordable and used less energy. 

Many may wonder, what is induction cooking? It’s a way of heating pots and pans directly with magnetic energy. Under the glass surface, there are copper coils that create a magnetic field. The field turns on only when a pot or pan made for induction is placed on the cooktop, and the heat forms inside the cookware itself. 

This technology makes cooking fast and steady. Water can boil up to 50 percent faster, and the heat stays even while you cook. The surface also stays cooler than most glass-top stoves because the glass only warms up from the hot pan, not from a burner underneath. It never gets as hot as a regular electric cooktop, but you should still avoid touching it right after cooking. 

Induction cookers come in many forms, such as small single burners, multi-zone cooktops, or full ranges. No matter the type, induction gives you a fast, efficient, and modern way to cook. 

Key Features of an Induction Cooker

Induction cookers heat quickly, stay cool to the touch, and offer precise control, making them a smart pick for efficient kitchens. Let’s highlight the features that set them apart. 

1. Fast, precise heating: Electromagnetic energy allows instant temperature adjustments, giving you greater control and more consistent cooking results. 

2. Enhanced safety: With no open flame and a cooler cooktop surface, induction reduces the risk of burns and kitchen accidents. 

3. High energy efficiency: Up to 85% of the energy goes directly into the cookware, minimizing waste and lowering energy use. 

4. Quicker cooking times: Because heat transfers efficiently, foods heat and cook significantly faster than on gas or electric cooktops. 

How Does Induction Cooking Work? 

An induction cooker may look like a regular electric stove, but it works in a very different way. To understand how induction cooker works, it helps to know that it doesn’t heat a burner the way gas or electric stoves do. Instead, it uses magnetic energy to heat the pot or pan directly. The cookware becomes the heat source, not the cooktop.

When the cooktop is switched on, an electric current flows through a copper coil beneath the glass surface, creating a magnetic field. Once induction-compatible cookware is placed on the cooktop, this field generates electrical currents inside the pan, causing it to heat up rapidly.  

Because the energy transfers directly to the cookware, temperature changes happen almost instantly, water boils faster, cooking times are shorter, and the surface stays relatively cool. The cooktop also cools quickly once the pan is removed, offering efficiency, control, and safety in one system.

Pros and Cons of Induction Cookers 

Induction cookers offer fast, energy-efficient cooking with precise heat control, but they do have some trade-offs like cookware compatibility. Let’s break down the key pros and cons.  

Pros:

 1. Heats  Up Quickly

Induction cookers warm the pan itself, so everything heats up fast. Water starts to boil sooner, and food sears in seconds. When you turn the heat up or down, the change happens right away, giving you steady control while you cook.

2.Highly Energy Efficient

Induction uses magnetic energy to warm the pan itself, so almost no heat escapes into the air. Only the cookware gets hot, not the surface around it. Because of this, induction feels strong while using less power, letting you cook with far less wasted energy.

3. Easy-to-Clean Surface

An induction cooktop is easier to clean because the heat is mostly in the pan, not in the glass surface. The surface stays cooler, so spills don’t stick or burn as quickly. The smooth glass top has no burners, gaps, or knobs, so you can wipe it in one quick motion. Some models even have special coatings that make cleaning smoother. Just wait for the surface to cool before cleaning, since it may stay warm for a short time after cooking. 

Cons:

1. Cookware Replacement May Be Necessary

Induction requires magnetic cookware, meaning some stainless steel, cast iron, or labelled induction-ready pans work best. If your pots aren’t compatible, you may need replacements. Non-magnetic copper, glass, aluminium, and some ceramic pieces won’t heat on induction.

2. Unusual Noises

Induction cooktops may produce a humming or buzzing sound at higher heat settings, along with fan noise from the cooling system. Using heavier, flat-bottomed pans can help reduce these sounds and make cooking quieter.

3. Scratches on the Surface

Because induction cooktops have a glass surface, they can scratch or crack more easily. To protect the surface and keep cookware from sliding, you can use silicone mats or protective pads. 

Do You Need Special Cookware for Induction Cooking

Yes, induction cooking needs pots and pans that a magnet can stick to. The cooktop uses magnetic energy, so the cookware has to react to it or it won’t heat at all. Cast iron, magnetic stainless steel, and enameled iron all work well on induction. 

Pans made from copper, aluminum, glass, or ceramic won’t heat on an induction cooktop, so you may need new cookware if yours are made from those materials. Many brands now sell cookware made especially for induction, and these sets heat evenly and work smoothly on modern induction stoves. 

What Should You Consider Before Buying an Induction Cooker? 

Before buying an induction cooker, think about your cookware, kitchen layout, and cooking habits to ensure it fits your needs. Let’s cover the key factors to help you decide wisely. 

• Choosing the Right Size and Layout
  
  Induction cooktops come in various sizes and layouts, from compact models to larger units with multiple zones or flex areas, allowing you to accommodate different cookware and maximize space in any kitchen. 

• Built-In Safety and Smart Features 
  
  Many of the best induction range cookers include added safety features such as child locks and auto-shutoff sensors, along with smart heat settings and cookware guidance to help you cook more safely, accurately, and consistently. 

• Burner Layout and Power Settings 
  
  Choose from 2 to 5 burners, depending on your cooking style, with some models offering bridge zones for larger pans. Most induction cooktops also provide multiple power settings for precise temperature control. For example, the Midea 1800W 3000 Series Induction Cooker gives you 8 power levels from 300W to 1800W, so you can heat gently or cook fast with just a quick adjustment. 

• Cooking Presets and Control Styles 
  
  Some induction models include presets for tasks such as braising, steaming, and boiling, as well as custom options. Controls range from knobs to touchscreens and slide bars, allowing you to choose your preferred interface. 

• Reading Reviews and Checking the Cost 
  
  Before you choose a model, take a moment to read an induction cooker review so you know how it performs in real kitchens. It also helps to check the cost of induction cooker options so you can find one that fits both your cooking needs and your budget. 

Conclusion

Now you know what an induction cooker is and how it works. Induction gives you quick heat, easy cleaning, and simple control, which makes everyday cooking feel smoother. It’s a cooking style that stays fast, steady, and easy to handle, even when you’re busy. 

With a little basic care and the right pots and pans, an induction cooker can last a long time and stay reliable. As more homes look for safer and cleaner ways to cook, induction has become a smart choice for many kitchens. If you’re thinking about adding one to your home, explore Midea for dependable options that fit everyday cooking. 

FAQs 

What is the difference between an induction and a normal stove? 

A normal gas stove makes heat with an open flame. The flame warms the pan from the outside. An induction stove works differently. It uses magnetic energy to heat the pan directly, so the cooktop stays much cooler. This makes cooking faster and uses less energy. The only thing to remember is that an induction stove needs pots and pans that can react to a magnet. 

What cannot be cooked on induction? 

Foods themselves can be cooked on induction, but anything made with non-magnetic cookware cannot. Induction cooktops only work with pans that contain iron, so materials like ceramic, glass, aluminium, non-magnetic copper, and non-magnetic stainless steel won’t heat up. The cooktop stays cool, and some models display an error code or warning light to indicate that the cookware isn’t compatible. 

What happens if you use a regular pan on an induction stove? 

If you place a regular pan that isn’t magnetic on an induction stove, it won’t heat at all. The stove won’t recognize the pan, so the burner stays off. Induction cooktops need pans made with magnetic metal. Without that material, the pan can’t react to the magnetic field, and your food will not warm up.