When it comes to cooking, many sustainable options are available for Aussie homes. One is induction cooking, which is garnering a growing interest in Australia today. The reason is mainly due to the uptake in home solar, along with the fluctuating gas prices and the eventual phasing out of natural gas in the country. There are now plenty of major builders that stopped providing natural gas connections for new homes, which makes induction cooktops THE only choice. Is it really worth it… and is it really the future for Australian households?
The benefits of induction burners
To find out if induction cooking is right for you, let’s explore the many benefits.
More control
One of the biggest benefits of induction burners is that you have greater control over your cooking. Induction cooktops use electromagnetic fields to heat the cookware directly. This allows for the heat to be distributed evenly and can be adjusted easily. Changing the temperature is easy by simply adjusting the settings.
Faster cooking times
Compared to traditional stoves, induction burners heat up much faster because the heat is generated directly in the cookware. This means you can start cooking almost immediately. It’s perfect if you’re in a rush.
Energy efficient
Since the heat is generated directly in the cookware, there is only minimal heat loss to the surrounding area. On the other hand, gas stoves can lose a significant amount of heat because of the open flame. Induction burners can transfer around 85-90% of the energy generated to the cookware. Thus making induction cooktops more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Easy to clean
Induction cooktops are a lot easier to clean because of how they are designed. Gas cooktops have many parts that require removal and cleaning. As the surface of induction cooktops is generally glass, you only need to wipe the surface gently and you’re done.
Better indoor air quality
Gas stoves emit harmful pollutants that could affect indoor air quality and pose health risks. On the other hand, induction burners produce no emissions, which secures respiratory health and well-being.
Safer to use
Induction cooktops come with more safety features. One is that it doesn’t have open flames or hot surfaces that reduce the risk of accidental burns or fires. This makes it an ideal choice, especially for homes with children or pets. There are also many induction cooktop models with automatic shut-off mechanisms that activate when no cookware is detected or when removed.
The cost of induction cooktops
The average cost of induction cooktops is between $515 and $6,349. It varies depending on the features, such as:
- Safety sensor
- Auto switch-off
- Safety cut-out
- Auto heat-up
- Booster
- Protection against overflows
- Power management
- Pan detection
- Cooking zones
- Design
- Child lock
- Digital control readings
- Pause
- Power on/residual heat light
Ongoing savings
One of the greatest benefits of switching from gas to an induction cooktop is the ongoing savings. You can expect to save between $500 and $1900 a year, according to the Climate Council. Factor in the cost of your new cooktop and you should see a return on investment between 2 to 5 years.
Compatibility
Induction cooktops require specific cookware with a ferrous bottom to allow the heat to be conducted quickly. You should check if the cookware is aligned closely to the size of the cooking zone as this can reduce the amount of energy your cooktop uses.
You should also check your existing cookware by placing a magnet on the base. If it sticks well, it can be used as an induction cooktop.
Induction burners are a mix of efficiency, speed, safety, and precision, which makes them a great choice for kitchens. They can convert electrical energy directly into heat paired with their rapid heating and cooling times. While their initial cost may be higher than traditional cooktops, the long-term energy savings and improved cooking experience make them a good investment.
Energy Matters has been in the solar industry since 2005 and has helped over 40,000 Australian households in their journey to energy independence.
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