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Are Induction Cooktops Safe? [2023] | InductionCooktopExpert

Are Induction Cooktops Safe? [2023]


Are Induction Cooktops Safe
(Last Updated On: January 19, 2023)

Are Induction Cooktops Safe?, yes they are. Induction cooktops are very fast and save energy. Induction cooktops can also shut down automatically when you take the pot off the cooktop, even if you forget to turn them off. 

In addition, newer induction cooktops can sense what is sitting on a burner and automatically adjust the energy output to the size of the pan.

See Also: best portable induction cooktops

They are commonly used in commercial kitchens and are prevalent in homes. Another good read is our post. How does induction cooking work?

What is an Induction Cooktop?

An Induction Cooktop is an electrical appliance that uses electromagnetic fields to heat the cookware without exposure to direct flames or heating elements. Using this technology, induction cooktops offer significant advantages over traditional gas stoves and electric stoves.

An induction cooktop is much more energy-efficient than other stove types. This eliminates wasted energy that would otherwise go into heating surrounding air instead of the cookware. 

Additionally, induction cooktops are also more responsive than other stove types, resulting in faster attaining of the desired cooking temperature.

Moreover, because an induction cooktop does not directly contact the cookware being used to heat food, food is less likely to be burnt or overcooked as it would on a gas stove or electric stovetop.

How Do Induction Cooktops Work?

Induction cooktops are electromagnets. They are copper coils that become magnetic when an electrical current is passed through them. When a pan is placed on the burner, the pan becomes an extension of the electromagnet.

The pan gets very hot through this electromagnetic induction process, so only steel metals work with the induction burners. Heating happens quickly, which is why induction cooking is speedy and efficient.

Cooking with Magnets

During this process, the pan becomes magnetized, a small current passes from the cookware to your body when the pan is touched. This current is called electromagnetic frequency (EMF) or radiation.

One of the reasons why people are so careful while using induction cooking. Induction stoves use electricity and have some electrical appliance hazards. They emit electromagnetic fields (EMF) or radiation like every other appliance. But how dangerous are EMFs, and how dangerous is the induction stove?

The answers depend on who you ask. Some might argue that they cause harm to human’s health like headaches, cancer, nausea to malignant tumors while other believe that it’s completely harmless. With this in mind, we should take a look at the Electromagnetic field (EMF). EMFs and the controversies around, according to scientists.

Are Induction Cooktops Safe?

Differences in voltage create electric fields: The higher the voltage, the stronger will be the resultant field. Magnetic fields are created when electric current flows; the greater the current, the stronger the magnetic field.

An electric field will exist even when there is no current flowing. If the current flows, the magnetic field strength will vary with power consumption, but the electric field strength will be constant.

Are Induction Cooktops Safe

Do induction cooktops emit radiation?

Induction cooktops generate non-ionizing radiation with induction heating coils embedded in the cooktop. An induction cooking surface is an electromagnet. The magnetic field created from the coil heats a pan or pot placed on top. Do induction cooktops emit radiation? The answer is no.

Is induction cooking harmful to health?

Cooking with a portable induction cooktop is a safer option than a cooktop with a traditional heating element. There is no heat given off from the cookware, so it’s always cool to touch and never gets as hot as a regular cooktop would.

Typical electric cooktops use heating elements to transfer the heat to the cookware, generating direct heat that can be hazardous. 

Induction cooking is a safer technology for home appliances because it only transfers the necessary energy to cook food quickly and efficiently, avoiding any unnecessary exposure to high temperatures.

Electronic magnet fields (EMRs) are used in microwaves and induction cooktops, so the public also has a common misconception that they are harmful to health. 

Microwave ovens use EMRs, but do not negatively affect human beings because microwave ovens operate below thermal heating levels. Since radiofrequency radiation uses EMRs too, people may wonder if cooking with an induction cooktop is harmful to health. 

Although EMRs are released, they do not cause any harm to people because they don’t have enough energy to initiate thermal heating levels and increase the temperature of the food or your body. 

Induction cooking is a revolutionary new technology that cooks with only heat radiating from pots and pans, so it’s easy to keep your kitchen cool, clean, and even safer to use compared to regular electric cooktops.

Are induction hobs safe to touch?

As of today, solid-state induction cooktops are indeed safe to touch. A recent study from the University of Twente in the Netherlands proved that only heat radiating from pans or pots could be felt on a surface.

Furthermore, the glass top itself remains cool even after long cooking periods. How is this possible? 

Induction cooktops are safe to touch because they work with magnetic fields, while the glass plate is made of electrically resistive material. These materials react on electrical currents that run through them when exposed to a magnetic field, creating heat.

Can you burn yourself on an induction cooktop?

An induction cooktop is safer than a standard gas or electric stovetop. But, can you still burn yourself? Yes, if you touch the pan or pot while it’s on an induction stove.

If you’re concerned about safety, first familiarize yourself with how to use your induction cooktop properly. Then review some tips for staying safe while induction cooking on one of these state-of-the-art appliances.

What Can You Expect From an Induction Cooktop?

An induction cooktop is a high-tech appliance growing in popularity because it cooks more quickly and efficiently than standard cooking methods. An induction stove typically consists of one or more heating elements underneath the glass cooking surface.

The element creates a magnetic field, which in turn produces heat. A pan or pot with a magnetized bottom is required to build up enough energy to create heat, and it must be compatible with the induction cooktop.

How Can You Tell if a Pan is Induction Compatible?

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT THE INDUCTION-COMPATIBLE PAN ON THE STOVE AND NOT FEEL ANY HEAT! The induction cooktop will only heat the pan or pot. It won’t create a flame.

NOTE: High-tech cooking appliances aren’t always as efficient as advertised. If your induction stove isn’t heating correctly, you should contact the manufacturer to discuss repair options.

How Can You Tell if a Pot is Induction Compatible?

If you own an induction cooktop and aren’t sure if your pots and pans are compatible, try this simple test: Place a magnet on the bottom of your pan or pot. If it sticks, you’ll be able to use the pan on an induction stove.

If it doesn’t stick, you won’t be able to use the pot or pan on an induction cooktop. If a magnet sticks to the bottom of your metal pots and pans, they won’t heat efficiently on an induction stove.

Why Can You Still Burn Yourself with an Induction Cooktop?

Even though the surface of the portable induction cooktop doesn’t transfer heat to the pot, it still can get hot from the transfer of heat from the pot. It will be cool to touch once the pan has been removed. However, it would be best to be cautious of the pot as it will be hotter than the glass surface.

Here are some other safety tips when using an induction cooktop:

  • Never use the portable induction cooktop without a pot or pan placed on it.
  • Make sure that pans and pots are dry before placing them on the surface. Moisture can cause the induction to short out, which will damage it beyond repair.
  • Do not let the cord to the induction cooktop hang over the edge of a countertop.
  • Do not place anything magnetic on or near an induction cooktop.
  • Make sure you unplug the induction cooktop when not in use.
  • If your portable induction cooktop starts to act up, you should stop using it and contact the manufacturer. Your unit may need to be repaired or replaced altogether.
  • The surface of the induction system can get hot enough to cause burns, so do not touch the surface until it has cooled down.
  • An induction cooktop is not designed for cooking large quantities of food so don’t try to cook something larger than what the unit was originally intended to handle.

Difference between electric and Magnetic Fields

The electric field and magnetic fields work together, and they both exist anywhere there is an electrical charge. Therefore, they are classified into one category called electromagnetic fields. Likewise, the emissions from the electric field and magnetic field are called electromagnetic radiation.

 There are several sources of EMFs. They exist in our day-to-day activities and are abundant in nature, such as the atmosphere, the sun, and the earth itself. For example, the sun is a significant source of electromagnetic radiation, including ultraviolet light and visible light. 

The sun’s ultraviolet rays are harmful to human flesh and are estimated to cause about 1 million cases of skin cancer a year. However, life on earth would not exist if not for the visible light from the sun—photosynthesis.

Related Topic: Induction Cooktop FAQ

Are EMFs Safe? Good or bad?

Most people are not concerned about the naturally occurring EMFs, notwithstanding that we are exposed to large amounts of these EMFs in our lives. These EMFs can cause more harm to the body than artificial EMFs.

Manmade EMFs surround us unless we decide to go off-grid altogether. The laptops we use for our daily businesses, the ceiling fans that provide air, the lamps we use, our house wiring, the Wi-Fi that connects us to the internet, cell phones, and of course our kitchen appliances, including an induction cooktop. 

All electrical appliances generate electromagnetic fields—radiation, as do all cell towers, radio towers, and power lines you see and live with daily. And when you go to the doctor, you may be X-rayed or given an MRI—these, too, generate radiation. In the case of X-rays, hazardous radiation.

Controversies around EMFs

In the early 80s, some scientists carried out an experiment that found a connection between higher rates of cancer (particularly leukemia in children) in proximity to power lines.

As a result, these EMFs are a 2b carcinogen by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). A 2b classification means likely harmful to humans, but no conclusive and concrete evidence was found.

Science of Induction Cooktops?

Since then, several types of research have been carried by scientists worldwide in both the private and public sectors to find a solution to these findings.

To date, no study has come up with substantial evidence about this initial study. So, no causal relationship has been found between power lines (electricity) and higher cancer rates in any form for people using and those who live close to them. 

Other sources of EMFs, such as our telephones, have been tested extensively, and evidence has shown that radiation emitted by electrical devices has no permanent effect, as was speculated. All the controversy and hype around electromagnetic fields are rooted in ignorance. 

The truth is that EMFs can be dangerous, but it’s essential to know when and under what circumstances they can be. In this case, you must know that those used by people in daily activities are considered safe to use.

Conclusion: Are Induction Cooktops Safe

In conclusion, induction cooktops are indeed safe to touch. They heat up your pots and pans but not themselves. In other words, you won’t burn yourself while cooking on an induction cooker! Are they cool to touch? Yes, they are.

Similar to microwave radio frequencies, Induction cooktops generate low-frequency radiation. Avoid the use of metallic cooking spoons, which may allow current flow through your body when cooking.

The induction cooktop is not always close to you during your daily use to absorb enough radiation that can harm you. Choosing an induction cooktop over an electric cooktop can be challenging without knowing the benefits of each. Induction cooking is a modern appliance that uses electromagnetic radiation to create heat directly in your pots and pans.

Induction cooktops use non-ionizing radiation to emit emf radiation by using an induction coil below the glass surface. It is not recommended to use a cast iron pan as it can scratch the glass surface.

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