Induction & Hot Plates for Sale

For years we had been used to using either gas or electric hot plates to cook food, until recently, when induction cookers became the buzzword.

So what is the difference between a traditional hot plate and an induction cooker?

Different Types of Induction Cookers & Hot Plates

There are three common types of hot plates: induction cookers, gas cookers, and electric cookers. At MHC World, we offer a range of induction and hot plates for sale at the best prices.

A hot plate is a portable self-contained tabletop small appliance cooktop that features one or more electric heating elements or gas burners. A hot plate can be used on its own, but it is usually used to replace one of the burners on an oven range or kitchen stove. People often use hot plates to cook food, usually in places where a full kitchen stove would not be practical or easy to use.

Most of this kind of cooking equipment is powered by electricity, but gas-powered hot plates were common in the 19th and 20th centuries and can still be found in some markets around the world.

Electromagnetic induction is used by induction hot plates to heat the pan and the food inside it. In turn, these varieties are more energy efficient than gas and electric variations. Also, it heats only when a pan is on the surface, so both beginners and experts can use it safely.

Keep in mind that you can only use cookware that works with induction with this option. Fortunately, many cookware materials are induction-friendly. Think about cast iron, stainless steel, and most cookware that does not stick.

However, if you’re looking for a hot plate that can operate without the use of electricity, you might want to consider a gas option. They are great for hiking, camping, and road trips, and they are also useful if the power goes out. They aren’t often expensive, but recurring costs for gas refills can add up if used frequently.

If not, you might want to use an electric hot plate, which has coils that transfer heat from the hob to the pan. These coils are usually hidden under a smooth glass or ceramic surface. They usually outperform gas varieties in terms of cooking efficiency, but like induction hot plates, they require a power source.

What Is the Difference Between an Induction Cooker & Other Hot Plates

Many people think that induction and electric cooktops are the same, but the way induction and electric cooking work are very different. An induction cooktop responds to changes in temperature 40% faster than an electric cooktop, and it uses less energy.

The main difference between the two lies in the fact that with an induction cooker, there's no energy escaping, giving you instant heat and controlled temperature.

Induction heat uses electromagnetic radiation. Induction heat works by sending alternating currents of electricity through the ring and into the pot or pan. The pot or pan will start to heat up, and your food will start to cook.

Induction cooktops do not use an electric element or gas flame to heat pots and pans. Instead, they heat them directly. The surface stays mostly cool, so spills, splatters, and occasional boil-overs do not burn on, making clean-up quick and easy.

Induction cooking is the fastest way to heat up and the most environmentally friendly since induction uses an electromagnetic force to directly heat a pot, which cooks the food inside.

How Does an Induction Cooker Work

Induction cooking uses electric currents and magnetic induction to directly heat pots and pans.  Induction cooking heats the pot or pan directly through electromagnetic induction, rather than relying on thermal conduction which occurs when a gas or electric element transfers heat from the stove to the cookware.

Under the cooking surface, an electric current flows through a coil of copper wire. This creates a magnetic current that moves through the cooking pan and heats it. Because induction does not use a traditional heat source, the heat from the pan will only heat the element that is being used. Induction cooking is more efficient than traditional electric and gas cooking because very little heat energy is lost.

Like other traditional cooktops, the pots and pans are heated evenly, and the food inside is then heated through conduction and convection, just like in a traditional cooker.

Important: Your cookware must be made of a magnetic metal like cast iron or some type of stainless steel for induction to work.

Cookware made only from glass (including Pyrex), aluminium or copper will not work on an induction hob. However, some cookware manufacturers offer aluminium or copper pans with a magnetised base that is specifically designed for induction cooktops.

Pros & Cons of Induction Cooking

Upgrading to an induction cooker offers many benefits.

It is better than gas or electric ranges in many ways. Induction ranges can help you save money on your energy bill, get dinner on the table faster, and are easy to clean.

Pros of cooking with induction

• Food boils 50% faster - Because induction creates instant heat within the metal of pots and pans, no heat is wasted in the process.
• Precise temperature control - Induction is better than conduction because it lets you control the heat more precisely than on electric and gas cooktops. Consistent heat always leads to tastier results.
• Easy-to-clean surfaces - Like modern electric cooktops, the surface of induction tops is smooth. Soon after you are done cooking, the hob will be cool enough to clean up any messes.
• Auto-sizing burners - Induction heats through an electromagnetic current passed into the pots and pans in use. Some induction cooktops use Auto Sizing pan detection to place heat where it’s needed, by automatically adjusting to cookware size.
• If your child or pet touches the hob, he or she will never get burned because the surface will always feel cool.

Cons of Induction Cooking

• Cooking with induction is very different from cooking with gas or electricity.
• When you switch from ordinary gas to or electric cooker, it can get quite pricey.
• You need the right utensils to cook with since not all traditional pots and pans will work.
• When the high energy from the coil moves to the pan, induction stoves can make a rattling sound. This whirring sound usually stops when you turn down the heat or add food to the pot or pan.
• Induction cooktops can scratch very easily.

How to Choose an Induction Cooker or Hot Plate

When looking for Induction & Hot Plates, you should consider the following:

• Wattage output - When shopping for a hot plate, you must think about how much power it puts out. Most of them put out 1,200 watts. The higher wattage, the faster the hot plate can heat up. Most hot plates with more wattage have more accurate temperature and time settings too.
• Temperature and timer settings - It is important to have a hot plate on which you can set the temperature and time. Then you do not have to worry about burning or overcooking your food.
• How many burners - You can choose if you need one or two burners. If you are only cooking for yourself or only making one meal at a time, a hot plate with one burner might be best. If you often cook for a large group, you might want one with two burners.

Best Brands of Induction & Hot Plates for Sale at MHC World

Some of the best-known Induction & Hot Plates brands are:

• Defy
• Snappy Chef
• Midea
• Pineware
• Sunbeam
• Totai
• HAZ
• Siemens
• Taurus