Induction

• Induction is a way of providing heat for use in rangetop cooking. Induction is a relatively new way of rangetop cooking technology in comparison to more conventional gas-fired rangetop burners or electric coil burners. Induction works through the generation of a strong electromagnetic field, which then transfers or "induces" energy into metals which have magnetic characteristics, such as an iron skillet, thereby heating the pot or pan.
  
  

Advantages and Disadvantages to Induction

• An advantage to induction over conventional cooking technology is that the induction process transfers a significantly higher percentage of its overall energy expenditure to the cooking process than the more conventional cooking methods. This is particularly in relation to gas cooking which transfers about 50 percent of its energy to the cooking process, with the rest escaping into the surrounding atmosphere.
  
  A disadvantage is that induction cannot be used with pots and pans made of copper, aluminum or glass. Induction can heat food only through pans made of steel or iron.
  
  

Cooktops

• Cooktops use various cooking technologies, including induction. They can also use electric firing, or even gas. The difference between a cooktop range and conventional burners is that the cooktop is a smooth-topped glass surface. Many cooktops have what appear as a kind of burner below the glass surface. Because of the smooth, relatively flat surface, cleaning a cooktop is easier than cleaning a stove with conventional burners.
  
  

Reasons to Use a Cooktop

• A separate cooktop allows greater flexibility in kitchen design. While you can get a cooktop in an oven-cooktop unit, you can acquire separate drop-in cooktops along with a separate oven. This allows you to have the stovetop and oven units in different locations in the kitchen. This can make it possible to incorporate such elements as a double oven or a warming drawer.
  
  

Zoneless Induction Cooktops

• A new trend in cooktops is zoneless induction cooktops, where the entire surface becomes a cooking area. The sensors in the cooktop react to any steel or iron cooking vessel placed on the surface. If you find this the most attractive option for your household rangetop cooking requirements, then choose a rangetop that is both a cooktop and uses induction technology as the heating method.