Tabletop induction cookers: basic characteristics and operational features

Moving to the country in the summer, you can opt for desktop induction stoves. In this article we will consider the principle of their work, the disadvantages and advantages, as well as the best models.

General information

Induction hobs are popular for saving electrical energy and reducing cooking time. This is achieved thanks to the technology of heating the bottom of the dishes, and not the entire surface.

The stove is safe: it cools quickly, and accidentally dropped products do not burn.

When working with this appliance, use cookware made of cast iron or enamel. Pots and pans with ferromagnetic properties are also suitable, since the bottom of the dishes must be magnetized to heat.

To assess the technical qualities of a portable induction cooker, you need to get acquainted with its parameters and the principle of operation.

Induction heating principle

The surface of this appliance is made of a dielectric and non-magnetic composite material. Usually it is glass ceramics, but there may also be tempered glass.

Under the hob, metal cylindrical inductors are installed, which are distinguished by good electrical conductivity. When an alternating current of high frequency flows through them, a magnetic field is created. It goes beyond the boundaries of the coil and the cooking surface of the device. Further, the magnetic field causes a current flow in the conductor, which has magnetic properties. This current experiences resistance to movement. Thus, the heating process occurs using electromagnetic induction. That is why devices whose operation is based on this phenomenon are called induction.

It should be noted that the cooking surface of the stove is heated from the dishes, and not from the magnetic field. Therefore, if you touch it during use, it will be at room temperature. This slab property reduces the risk of burns.

Features of desktop induction cookers and tips for caring for them

In order to determine the feasibility of acquiring a desktop model of an induction cooker, you need to familiarize yourself with its pros and cons.

Its advantages include:

1. This device consumes a small amount of electricity.
2. Thanks to special functions, the stove is safe to use.
3. She does not emit excess heat, so during her work in the kitchen it will not be hot and stuffy.
4. The hob is easy to care for. Due to the fact that the burners quickly cool down, after 5 minutes it can be wiped with a damp sponge.
5. Food or liquid that has fallen on the appliance does not burn, and there is no smell of smoke, as is the case with conventional stoves.
6. It is possible to adjust the required power range. This feature allows you to boil water in a few minutes or set the minimum heating temperature for the device.
7. The tabletop model of the induction hob is small in size, making it easy to transport.
8. Touch control of a tile gives more possibilities for its control, than at usual gas and electric stoves.
9. Almost all of these electrical appliances are equipped with an emergency temperature sensor, which will automatically turn off the device if the temperature rises to 250 degrees.
10. With a large load on the stove, its total power will automatically be reduced. This function is necessary in order to prevent damage to the wiring and the device itself.

As with any technique, the stove has some disadvantages:

1. The hob of induction cookers is made of glass ceramics, so it is easy to damage.During installation, you must be especially careful so that defects do not appear on it.
2. It is undesirable to install the device near metal equipment. Tile electromagnetic radiation can cause malfunctions.
3. During use, the appliance makes a noise.
4. To work with this tile, you need special dishes with magnetic properties.
5. Compared to other tiles, they are much more expensive, but recently cheaper models have appeared on the home appliance market.

Despite the existing disadvantages, the advantages of the induction cooker completely level them.

For the device to last for a long time, it is necessary to provide it with proper care:

1. Wipe it after each use.
2. Do not use aggressive cleaning agents, as well as harsh materials and polishing powder. Gel for washing dishes and a damp cloth are perfect.
3. A vacuum cleaner must be used to remove dirt from the fan or air intake.
4. Avoid water flowing into the tile body, as this may damage it.

Key Features and Parameters

In order to select a suitable model, it is necessary to evaluate its parameters.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the number of tile burners and the type of heating. They can be not only with induction hobs, but also with 1-2 ordinary ones. These are the so-called combined panels. They are suitable for those who do not want to part with their old dishes.

Some models are equipped with a function to adjust the heating zone. Thanks to it, you can use dishes of larger or smaller sizes.
The number of modes. The best choice would be a 10-mode panel.

Two types of material are used for the hob: glass ceramic and tempered glass. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Glass ceramics is immune to shock, has a high rate of heat resistance. But at the same time, it quickly becomes scratched and has a high cost.

Tempered glass is a durable material that is resistant to mechanical damage. But at the same time prone to chips on the sides of the surface. Therefore, before choosing the material of the hob, you need to decide which is more important: strength or resistance to temperature extremes.

According to the type of control, desktop tiles are sensory and mechanical. Their functionality has no special differences.

It is necessary to pay attention to the presence of such useful options as: timer, recognition of material and size of dishes, maintaining temperature, saving tuned programs. Also, some plates are equipped with automatic shut-off when spilling liquid and turbo mode. But keep in mind that the more options the device has, the more expensive its cost.

The design of induction hobs is also diverse. Models are rectangular, square and oval. Burners can be located in different ways on the panel and have different color options. Their design will satisfy the wishes of any user.

The best models of induction cookers

The household appliance market represents a large number of single-burner models. Among them:

Kitfort CT-106

The hob of this portable tile is made of glass ceramic and has touch control. Its dimensions are 29 × 37 × 3.8 cm and its weight is 2.2 kg. This model is available at a price of 3900 rubles. For its control, such modes are provided as: timer, delayed start, selection of the cooking mode and blocking of all buttons.

Galaxy GL3053

The device with 7 cooking programs, the ability to control power and temperature, a timer, delayed start. Overheat protection and auto power off make it safe to use. The glass-ceramic hob has a digital display. Type of control - electronic. Dimensions Galaxy GL3053 - 41 x 34 x 9 cm, weight - 2 kg.

ENDEVER IP-27

Induction cooker with mechanical control. It has 8 power modes, quickly heats dishes. The gray glass-ceramic surface looks great in the interior.

The above models are perfect for the kitchen in the country. Unlike the same convection ovens, before you start using them, you do not need to perform additional actions, they are already ready for work. At the same time, tiles are easy to transport and function well.

Title	Kitfort CT-104	Iplate YZ-C20	Kitfort CT-109
Installation	electric	electric	electric
Dimensions (WxD)	60x35.5 cm	60x37 cm	58.8x34.8 cm
Panel Material	glass ceramic	glass ceramic	glass ceramic
Total burners	2	2	2
Switches	push-button	sensory	push-button
Price	from 6278 rub.	from 8790 rub.	from 4397 rub.