Induction cooking has fast become one of the most popular fuel choices. This is thanks to its energy efficiency, safety and the versatility and features that manufacturers are bringing to the latest generation of induction cookers.

Induction technology gives you outstanding low-heat performance and great controllability. It is considered to be 25% more energy efficient than ceramic heat sources and 30% more than gas. Induction zones are faster and more energy efficient than ceramic zones as the induction technology uses only enough energy to heat a particular pan, rather than heating up an element, the glass surface and then the pan, so any heat loss is minimal.

Induction refers to the heat transfer when cooking. They may look similar to other electric hobs, but they work in a completely different way. Beneath the hob’s ceramic plate, induction coils made from copper create a magnetic field as electric is passed through. If a pan made of a ferromagnetic material is placed on the hob, the magnetic field causes it to directly heat up. The benefit of this is the hob stays cool, with only a little residual heat from the pan. Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas and electric hobs due to there being no excess heat, with all heat being concentrated inside the pan and better cooking time. Some induction hobs also include smart technology that can detect when a pan is absent, meaning they switch off to save energy.

Read on for the answers to some frequently asked induction questions, plus find out what we picked for our top 5 induction range cookers...

Do I need to buy new pans to use an induction hob?

As there is a certain way an induction hob works, you need particular types of pots and pans. However, don’t go chucking all of yours away because they may be suitable.

If your pans have a flat base made of a ferrous material, you can use these on an induction hob. One way you can test this on your own pans is to grab a magnet and if it sticks to the pan, it is suitable to use. Some manufacturers also include a symbol on the bottom of their cookware to make it easier to tell.

Stainless Steel – Unless they have been made especially for induction, with a steel plate embedded in the base, normal stainless steel pans may not work well with induction as the ferrous content is relatively low

Enamelled Steel – Pans in enamelled steel, with or without non stick coating, will work very well

Cast iron – These are great with induction but to avoid the risk of scratching the glass top of your hob, use pans with an enamelled base, or avoid sliding the pan across the surface

Enhanced Aluminium Pans – Aluminium is a great conducting material, but you will need induction suitable pans with a thick base to ensure more even cooking

Incompatible Cookware: Glass, ceramic or earthenware pans, aluminium pans (unless they have a special base), copper pans

Can you use an induction hob if you have a pacemaker?

According to advice from British Heart Foundation, induction hobs do generate electromagnetic fields so you should keep a distance of at least 60cm (2ft) between the stovetop and your pacemaker. Most people with a pacemaker should be able to use the hob if they follow this precaution, however if in doubt you should check the written information given to you when your pacemaker was inserted.

Are induction hobs safe?

Only heat conducted from the pan will affect the cooking surface, so induction is particularly safe to use. It is possible that after cooking for a longer period of time, the glass surface may get slightly hotter to touch, so residual heat indicators alert users should the temperature rise above 60°C. You should also look out for:

• Child safety locks, which often feature as standard
• Safety shutdown, which means if the hob is unattended for a long period of time, all zones will automatically switch off
• Liquid overspill protection, meaning the zone will automatically switch off if your cooking spills over

Does induction have a fast response?

Induction is definitely fast. It powers up instantly and switches off immediately, making it very controllable just like gas, but almost twice as fast. It can take just seconds for water to boil in a pan on an induction hob. Reducing a pan to simmer is equally as quick, as there is little residual heat to slow things down. Useful functions for response can include:

• Auto Heat Up – Powers up to maximum heat before automatically reducing to a given setting
• Power Boost – When needed, power is drawn to a single zone for extra intensity. This is great when cooking with a wok

Rangecookers Top 5 Induction Picks

Here are some induction range cookers we think you should take a look at…

Bertazzoni Professional 90 Single Induction

Top Italian brand Bertazzoni offer this well considered single cavity induction range cooker, with outstanding design and a stunning, authentic finish.

The main electric oven has 11 functions, ranging from convection and grilling to fast-preheat. A triple glazed oven door minimises heat loss, with the inclusion of soft motion hinges and anti-slam closing system.

On top, you have the latest induction technology to give you ultimate power and controllability, plus the added benefit of a vitreoceramic surface. Five heating zones give you some very useful features, including booster feature, pot detection and residual heat indicator for each zone. The new bridging function also allows you to use the two cooking zones on the right and left as one single cooking zone.

Finishing this well-executed range cooker is a high resolution LCD touch screen display, programmable clock/timer and available in this stunning colour, Carbonio.

Rangecookers Select 90ei2

The Rangecookers Select 90ei2 is a sturdy, reliable and great looking electric range cooker. Suiting your budget nicely, this model features a multifunction, programmable main oven with conventional second oven, two integrated grills and a sleek induction hob on top.

This impressive induction hob includes features such as :

• Power boost: Available on the front right/rear left zones, this function allows the cooking zone to operate at the booster maximum power for a maximum of 5 minutes. This could be used, for example, to rapidly heat up a large amount of water.
• Child safety lock: When not using the induction hob, you can set the child lock safety to prevent children from accidentally switching on the cooking zones.

….plus pan detection and residual heat indicators also being useful functions.

AGA Masterchef Deluxe 110 Induction

If you have always loved a traditional AGA but felt it was either a little beyond your reach or very impractical, the AGA Masterchef is designed for you.

The lovely AGA Masterchef Deluxe 110 Induction brings with it all of the simple and timeless visual qualities you would get expect from this iconic brand, but instead of an expensive-to-run, large cast iron machine, you get a very impressive modern range cooker.

Behind the triple-glazed oven doors are four very impressive cavities. Top left is a dedicated grill with dual circuit element and a heavy grade tray, which glides out on telescopic arms for safety and convenience. To the right of this is the welcome bonus of a slow cook oven (perfect for cooking stews, curries and desserts) and bottom right is a large, fanned oven. The same size cavity is used for the main oven on the left, a very versatile multifunction oven with fanned, conventional and grilling capabilities, which is great for cooking roasts, browning and baking. In the main oven there is even a meat probe to allow you to cook meat and poultry by temperature rather than time, giving perfect succulent results every time.

Next generation induction zones give you the very best this impressive technology can offer - rapid power when you need it down to a gentle trickle, with comfort, convenience and energy efficiency. The sleek surface of the induction hob not only looks stunning and performs like a dream, when you have finished you can spruce it up straight away with the wipe of a cloth.

Rangemaster Nexus SE 110 Induction

The Rangemaster Nexus 110 Induction mixes traditional cooking methods with contemporary styling. It’s polished and highly modern appearance, combined with appealing facia graphics, make it a winning choice for any contemporary kitchen.

This enhanced Rangemaster takes performance up to another level with a versatile multifunction oven, which includes impressive specifications, and a second fanned oven. Above is an improved dual circuit electric grill, which offers even more cooking flexibility thanks to its new deeper pan design. It also includes a newly designed four way trivet for four grilling depth options, suiting every type of dish. There is even a slow cook oven, highlighting the change of layout to the standard Nexus with this new found symmetry.

The Nexus SE offers a 5 zone induction hob on top, with zones ranging from 1.15kW to 1.85kW and combining all the modern benefits of induction cooking with an easy to clean surface.

ILVE Milano 100 Induction

This beautiful traditionally styled range cooker offers copious cooking capacity and A+ rated energy efficiency in a premium and refined package.

The versatile 65 litre multifunction main oven gives you 15 fanned, conventional and grill functions, with the 57 litre second oven offering non-fanned cooking and grilling functions. Both cavities feature easy clean enamel interiors and two-height halogen lighting for a great view of your cooking. There are even steam discharge vents to allow you to control the humidity or condensation levels to let a little out for wetter dishes or keep it in for baking – which is a nice touch by ILVE to demonstrate their culinary detail.

On top is a superb 6 zone induction hob, with the most advanced and efficient technology you could wish for. Power boost, automatic boil and a heat-up function all add to the convenience of this excellent model. Alongside this, both medium induction zones feature bridge zone technology that can be used together to create one large cooking area.

To find out more about any of the products mentioned or you would like to know more about induction technology, call our team on 01244 402 975 or visit our website here.