Induction icon on frying pan and pan - cookware for induction cooker

Induction cookers have been in everyday life for quite some time. They look very aesthetically pleasing, safe and practical. But the difficulty is that not all dishes fit. Before leaving the pan on the surface, you need to pay attention to whether there is an induction sign on the frying pan or saucepan. You can also check with the seller, but it is better to understand what features this type of stove has.

Designation of cookware suitable for induction cookers.

Features of cookware

Kitchen utensils made of steel are suitable for use on an induction hob. But in order for the efficiency of use to be higher, you need to choose the right dishes. Steel products have resistance to magnetic energy, which contributes to rapid heating.

But products made from other materials, such as ceramics or glass, do not heat up on the induction surface, because these materials transmit the magnetic field. They heat up very slowly, so it is best not to use them.

A special symbol is placed on the cookware if it can be used for an induction cooker.

What is the designation for induction cookware?

The induction symbol looks like a wavy, rounded spiral. This sign was not chosen in vain, because the spiral is the main heating element. It is through it that the current flows, which heats the stove.

This icon is the standard marking for any cookware in any country, from various manufacturers and brands. This designation is intuitive.

The pot and pan are suitable for cooking on an induction hob.

Hob types

Depending on the connection method, hobs can be autonomous or dependent on the heating element. All glass-ceramic models have high, easily adjustable thermal conductivity. The following types of hob surfaces are most commonly used:

Electrical. They stand out for their huge functionality. When choosing such a model, you should take into account the large load on the electrical wiring. It must withstand high voltage. The hob is completely covered with a glass-ceramic hob. The burners are round or oval.
Induction. Modern simple devices that are gradually replacing other types of surfaces. Practical, durable models equipped with advanced features. Economical equipment instantly heats the burner and automatically turns off if there are no containers on it.
Gas. Reliable plates are able to work in the most extreme conditions. Modern glass-ceramic coating can withstand the effects of combustion and high temperatures on a par with metal surfaces.

Where are the icons placed on the cookware for the induction cooker?

Depending on the type of structure, induction marks are placed in different places. Especially:

in frying pans you need to look for it at the bottom;
on pans this designation can be not only on the bottom, but also on the wall.

Always, if a product is sold with a box, such a mark is placed on it. Most often, badges are engraved on the product, which will ensure its safety.

Some manufacturers, in addition to the pictogram, include the inscription Induction. Perhaps the product will only have an inscription.

Hob care

A stove with a glass-ceramic panel requires specific care. In order for it to remain in good condition for as long as possible and to please you with cleanliness during operation, you need to listen to the following advice:

Do not place wet dishes on the glass-ceramic surface. Heating a pan with a wet bottom will cause white spots to appear. It will be very difficult to get rid of such divorces.
Do not use a dish sponge for cleaning. Residues of fat and food particles can leave scratches and other damage. This should be a separate thick cloth intended exclusively for wiping the fragile panel.
Do not allow sugar or plastic to come into contact with the surface. When heated, substances will begin to melt and eat into the surface.
Any contamination from the induction type surface must be removed immediately. Dried dirt can be removed with a special household scraper. You can replace it with a regular razor or a melamine sponge.
For difficult stains, use only mild products. The glass-ceramic surface can only be cleaned using a gentle method. Hard metal scourers and abrasives should not be used. The stains must be covered with baking soda, covered with a damp cloth, and left for 10 minutes.
Creation of a protective thin film. The desired screen film will be obtained if you wipe the clean surface with a napkin soaked in vegetable oil. Dust, small particles of paper napkins, and crumbs will not settle on such a stove.

What other markings exist for dishes?

Different kitchen equipment has its own safety precautions and method of operation. That is why you need to pay attention to the pictograms that are on the utensils. Almost all icons are intuitive even for inexperienced users.

For example:

one flame or several flames means suitability for use on a gas stove;
the oven icon means that the cookware can be used in the oven; it is often accompanied by numbers that indicate the maximum temperature;
thermometer means resistance to temperature changes;
a snowflake indicates suitability for storing food in the refrigerator, and if there are three of them, then also for the freezer;
the image of a microwave oven indicates the suitability of the dishes for cooking in this type of oven;
The apple indicates that the beneficial properties are preserved during cooking.

Example of marking a frying pan.
These symbols, just like the induction symbol, are placed on the bottom of the product, on the side and on the packaging.

Precautionary measures

When using some materials, you need to be aware that there are some precautions. Here are some popular ones:

cast iron. It is suitable for induction cookers because it is highly magnetic. Labeled cookware or those with a symbol of suitability for electric stoves are suitable. It is only important that the cast iron frying pan has a smooth, clean bottom, without any damage or soot;
non-stick coated steel will also work. But, it is better that the bottom is thick and there is a layer of enamel or other coating on the alloy;
Convenient and practical stainless steel can only become suitable if the metal alloy contains some impurities that can be magnetized. Before use, you need to check the bottom with a magnet;
ceramics and glass are not suitable, because they will not heat up in a magnetic field;
aluminum will also not be able to be used. This is due to the properties of the metal; it is not magnetic, but at high temperatures it can become deformed;
old utensils made of copper, bronze or brass will not work, because they are not designed for an induction sensor.

Utensils that are suitable for an induction cooker can be cleaned in the dishwasher, unless there are contraindications specifically for the material.

Adapter for using any utensils.

Tips for choosing the optimal stove

If you decide to try out the benefits of an innovative approach to cooking, then recommendations on how to choose an assistant will help.

What to look for and how not to make mistakes when buying an induction cooker for the kitchen:

Manufacturer. The quality and reliability of the product largely depends on the manufacturer

The price of their products is much higher, so to save money you can choose stoves from lesser-known brands.

Number of burners. This indicator is purely individual; for some, one hob is enough, but for culinary specialists, even 4 will not be enough. There are combination-type induction cookers that combine several types of heating for simultaneous use.

It is important to remember that the more burners, the more expensive the product will be and will take up more space in the kitchen. For a family of one or two people, a hob with two heating zones is sufficient. The larger the family, the more burners there should be on the induction hob.

Some models are equipped with an enlarged heating zone, allowing you to place several pans in it.

Temperature conditions. The peculiarity of cookers based on electromagnetic induction is that it helps to accurately set the temperature and maintain it until the end of cooking. The more modes the appliance has, the more interesting it becomes to prepare dishes; for example, you can achieve different degrees of roasting and caramelization. The best option for a family would be a stove with 16 settings; more powerful settings are reserved for a professional kitchen.

Additional functions.

The touch display and the presence of a turbo heating mode make creating culinary masterpieces more efficient and comfortable.

Models with a timer, auto-start after a time and saving settings for certain recipes are also sold. For each additional feature of the equipment, you will have to pay extra, so you need to think about the requirements for the stove and your budget in advance.

Design.

Modern induction hobs are made of capricious glass-ceramics (and this is one of their disadvantages), but some models are made of more expensive tempered glass, which looks very stylish and exclusive, while being extremely practical to use.

The design of the stove is designed in a high-tech style, and the hob in black, gray or white, often decorated with fancy patterns or ornaments, fits into any interior, giving it warmth and comfort. Heating zones are indicated by circles, ovals or polygons of different sizes.

When choosing the optimal model of an induction hob, you often come across an accessory such as a stove adapter. This device will be extremely useful when using any type of cookware made from various materials that were not originally intended for this type of stove.

The advantage of the accessory is that such a solution for an induction hob will allow you to save on the purchase of a set of special cookware or make it possible to use familiar ceramic or glass kitchen utensils for cooking.

In this case, the efficiency will be the same 90%, and there is also no heat loss, and, consequently, excessive energy consumption.

For many users, purchasing an adapter will be an excellent alternative to changing kitchen utensils.

Free-standing induction stoves, which have both a hob and an oven, are still a rarity in our market.

And if the range of built-in stoves is simply breathtaking with its diversity, it is already more difficult to purchase multifunctional equipment that will meet all the owners’ requirements.

Nevertheless, there are options, which means you need to navigate the features of the presented stoves with ovens.

The consumer is offered various induction equipment. Its differences are in design and concept: tabletop induction cookers and stationary floor-standing ones, which can be used as part of a thermal technological line.

For establishments specializing in ethnic cuisine, the range of induction cookers includes special equipment for the oriental cuisine segment - wok induction cookers. The peculiarity of preparing oriental dishes is high temperature, cooking technology and special utensils (wok frying pans with a spherical bottom).

Experts note that wok induction cookers, which are capable of reproducing the effect of cooking over a “live” fire, are more in demand on the market. They are indispensable in democratic establishments that have chosen the direction of oriental cuisine.

Adapter

There is one trick that housewives will like if they do not want to give up their favorite kitchen utensils, but attach them to the induction surface. This is a special adapter that is placed on the hob to allow any type of cookware to be installed on it. This adapter is universal, but you need to get used to cooking with it.

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