Smooth Top Electric Range Vs. Induction: Which Is Best
The future is here: Induction cooking is the new and improved stove top that’s taking the kitchen and foodservice industry by storm. But what is this invention that boils water in half the time of traditional electric ranges and saves more energy while doing it? In this article on smooth top electric range vs induction, we’ll take a deep dive into what exactly an induction stove is, how it works, its lifespan, cost and the pros and cons between the two.
What Is an Induction Stove?
We all know what electric ranges are and how they work. For the longest time, there were only two options as far as watching the pot boil: gas vs electric. Now there’s induction. However, many people still don’t understand how to tell the difference between induction and electric cooktops, and the confusion is understandable. Induction cooktops only heat the pots, so they won’t have any exposed coils, glow or get hot to the touch.
How Does Induction Cooking Work?
It may sound complicated, but the premise is simple. Induction stovetops rely on electromagnetic energy to get the job done. A copper coil is placed underneath the stovetop, creating an electromagnetic field. But here’s the zinger – it doesn’t heat the surface of the stove. The next logical question when things seemingly start defying the laws of nature, then, is how? It’s called the laws of induction.
When magnets are involved, things get weird. You have to place the induction-compatible cookware (in other words, magnetic pots and pans) directly onto the stovetop before heat is transferred. But without that magnetic surface, it won’t transfer heat.
So go ahead and touch the stove while it’s on. You may notice it may be slightly warm to the touch, but your skin won’t be blistering like it would with a traditional electric or gas stove.
What Is a Smooth Top Electric Range?
An electric range uses electricity to heat up the coils running underneath the glass top. The stove will heat up regardless of whether a pot or pan has been placed on its surface, and there will be more thermal loss as the heat transfers from the coils to the glass and then to the pot or pan.
Smooth Top Electric Range Vs. Induction Pros and Cons
Innovation comes with its ups and downs. New inventions address an existing problem with the way things were done in the past. In this case, uneven cooking, heat-up times, fire hazards, accidental burns, cleaning difficulties and appearance. However, all these perks come with a cost that we’ll elaborate on in the coming sections. Keep reading to discover the difference between induction and radiant cooktops!
Lifespan
How Long Do Smooth Top Electric Ranges Last?
The average lifespan of a smooth top electric range is about 13-15 years.
How Long Do Induction Stoves Last?
Induction stoves don’t last nearly as long at around 10 years.
Costs
Induction Stoves
Induction stoves are sold at a slightly higher price point than your classic electric ranges because the technology is newer. That is, starting at $1,000 and soaring as high as $3,000. But it’s like anything new and shiny–the costs usually bottom out as more competitors take up the mantle.
Although combined with its shorter lifespan, many consumers are turning up their noses at a technology that coil revolutionizes the way they cook. To incentivize consumers, President Biden has launched an Investing in America plan that will make those who switch from gas to induction stoves eligible for a $840 rebate.
Electric Stoves
On the other hand, electric stoves are firmly planted at a price range of $600-2,000, depending on the model and special features you want them to come with. You’ll also want to keep in mind that it takes more energy to run an electric stove than an induction range, so your utility bill will be higher month-to-month.
Cooking Speed
According to Consumer Reports, induction stoves boil a pot of water 20-40% faster than gas and electric radiant ranges. This is possible because the heat is generated within the pot in induction stoves rather than transferred to gas and electric ones.
Temperature
Another added bonus of induction stoves is that their surface does not get as hot as the pot that sits atop it. If anything, it might feel like you set a cup of hot coffee down and felt the countertop afterward. It might be warm to the touch but not scalding. After all, you can’t circumvent the laws of thermodynamics, even where magnets are involved.
Safety Features
Everyone who’s cooked has spilled, dripped or overflowed onto the stovetop. But have you ever absentmindedly reached for the dilapidated crumb resting innocently on the burner only to realize your fatal mistake? Hey, it happens to the best of us.
So those of us who are just a teeny weeny bit OCD about leaving the stove on can breathe a sigh of relief. No more being late for work for panic-strickenly turning the car around to check the stove that’s already off. No more launching yourself out of bed in the middle of the night on phantom smoke.
With induction stoves, your cat's paws are safe once again. Even if you forget to turn it off. That’s because induction stoves only heat up the pot or pan. The surrounding area may get warm to the touch, but it’s not the burn-your-house-to-the-ground type of heat that makes everyone so nervous around traditional gas and electric stoves. As it is, many newer models are designed to automatically turn off if they don’t detect cookware.
Cleaning
What makes stove tops so hard to clean is food dribbles get cooked on, requiring a lot of elbow grease and soap to break free. Luckily, cleaning an induction stove is easier than a glass top for the same principles described above. Since only the pot and pans heat up on an induction stove, you can drip and dribble to your heart’s content. You don’t even have to wait for the stove to cool down to clean up. Just grab your sponge, washcloth or paper towel and clean as you go.
Environmental Impact
According to the Department of Energy, induction stoves are up to 10% more efficient than smooth top electric ranges. Although smooth top and induction range both use electricity to heat up your food, one produces a lot less thermal loss. You guessed it. Since induction stoves cut out the middleman and heat the pot directly, it reduces ambient heat loss, making them more energy-efficient.
Can You Use Induction Cookware on an Electric Stove?
Yes, you can use induction cookware on an electric stove. Induction cookware is one of those funny cases where all induction cookware works on gas and electric stoves, but not all cookware works on induction stoves.
If your cookware is made of stainless steel, cast iron or carbon steel, there’s a good chance they will heat up just fine on your induction cooktop. However, they must contain ferromagnetic metals for induction to work. Even pots and pans with ferromagnetic materials will not work if combined with an alloy like nickel, aluminum, brass and copper, which blocks magnetic fields.
There are a couple ways to tell if you have induction-compatible cookware. Newer lines are often labeled in the store or wear a stamp on the bottom, but this is not always so straightforward when dealing with older cookware. When in doubt, perform a magnetic test. If the magnet sticks to the pot or pan, it’s induction compatible. If it doesn’t, then you might need to keep an eye on the ads for deals on a new kitchenware set.