Induction cooking is one of the most efficient and impressive ways of cooking. One turn or press of a button can instantly give you a heated zone that is super-sensitive to any temperature adjustments you make. In addition to their efficiency, induction stoves are some of the safest cooking stoves out there, thanks to the technology incorporated in their design. Add to that their practicality, ease of use, and elegant designs, and it’s pretty obvious why everyone would love to add an induction stove to their home.

However, not all induction stoves are the same, whether in quality or features. What could work for someone else may very well not work for you. That’s why we’ve compiled a few expert tips to help you buy an induction stove that suits your needs. Here’s what you should look for.

Cookware compatibility

The last thing you want is to get a brand new induction stove only to find out, too late, that you’ll have to get a new set of cookware to use it. There are many cooking utensils that are not compatible with induction stoves. Generally, the cookware needs to have a ferrous bottom to allow the quick conduction of heat. That makes materials like glass, copper, and aluminium incompatible with induction stoves. Alternatively, cookware made of steel, stainless steel, enamelled steel, and cast iron is suitable. On a different note, you should ensure that the size of the cookware corresponds well to the size of the cooking zone(s), so as to avoid using any excessive energy.

The size of the Induction Stove

The size of the induction stove will play an important role in your decision. Whether you’re looking for an induction stove to replace your old cooktop, want to renovate your kitchen, or thinking of getting a portable heater, you’ll need to get the size that fits your specific needs. You’ll want to look for the Best Double Induction Cooktops if you’re searching for a practical and convenient induction stove that’s also versatile. Double induction cooktops provide you with the bare minimum cooking zones while giving you the freedom to move them around comfortably.

On the other hand, you may want to choose a bigger induction stove if it’s going to replace your old cooktop. You’ll need to measure the space you have available, with 60 cms making up a good room for 3 cooking zones, 70-75 cms for four zones, and 90 cms for 5 zones. It’s important to keep in mind that you’ll need to leave a spare space ranging from 3 to 6 inches above and around the sides of the stove for air circulation.

Features to Look For

Thanks to the fancy and advanced technology incorporated in manufacturing induction stoves, you’ll find a lot of features. While some of the features are necessary, others only serve luxurious purposes. That said, here’s a list of features to look for in an induction stove:

1. Safety Features

The main advantage of induction stoves over traditional cooktop comes from their added safety measures. Some of the most important safety features to look for include the presence of a safety sensor, an auto switch-off, a safety cut-out, pan detection, and child lock.

2. Overflow Protection

Some induction stoves have protection features in the case of an overflow. As soon as the stove senses a spill over the controls, it shuts down automatically and produces a beeping sound to alert the user.

3. Power Management

You’ll want to test out the power management system incorporated into the induction stove. Since cooking zones usually use high wattage, some power management systems divide the power between the cooking zones in pairs. That means that you can only get maximum power outage on one zone in the pair, and you’ll have to use opposite zones if you want maximum power in two utensils.

4. Cooking Modes

Making the cooking process more efficient and practical was the whole point of getting a new induction stove, so you want to look for cooking modes that make your job easier. Features like auto heat-up, boosters, pause, and wok cooking can all improve your cooking experience greatly.

5. Design Preferences

Finally, the design of the stove is entirely up to your preferences. You can choose your pick from framed or edgeless designs, and the kind of controls and readings you’ll use.

At the end of the day, using an induction stove comes down to the preferences and budget of the buyer. If you’ve reached the decision that an induction stove is a right fit for you, make sure you look for the features you’ll need when shopping. Although there are a lot of fancy features, features that ensure your safety and comfort are necessary, so make sure they’re included in your stove of choice.