How To Clean An Induction Cooktop

Although it may not come naturally to everyone, cooking is one of the oldest practices performed by man. Since the primitive days of roasting meat over a fire, human beings have persistently tried to develop new, unique methods of cooking food.

 In order to make food edible and tasty, we’ve just about tried everything such as cooking it in underground pits, clay ovens, and even bamboo shoots in some cases. But there is one method of cooking that is slowly gaining attention, and that is induction cooking.

Induction technology has certainly come a long way since its advent in the mid-1950s. History tells us that the first appearance of an induction cooking appliance was at a World Fair in Chicago where, much to the astonishment of fair-goers, the paper inserted between an induction cooktop and a boiling pot of water did not catch on fire.

Later on, this demonstration would play a key role in proving the safety of induction-based cookware. Even though the origins of this piece of appliance can be traced back to the US-based firm General Motors, innovators across the world soon managed to come up with their own improved versions of induction cookers.

Nowadays, an induction cooktop can be found in restaurants, cafeterias, and homes across the world as it has become an integral feature of the modern kitchen. This is primarily due to the fact that induction cooktops are not as messy as its gas-fueled counterparts. Unlike a gas or electric-coil stove, the flat surface of an induction cooktop presents a clean look that makes cooking easy and fun!

Let us take a look at the tech behind an induction cooktop and how to best maintain it.

Behind The Scenes

Before providing the best tricks in the book to clean an induction cooktop, let’s try and understand the science behind it. Essentially, electromagnetic induction is a scientific method used to produce electricity from magnetic fields. As many of us learnt in school, magnetism and electricity are always inter-connected with each other. Whenever electricity passes through a wire, there are magnetic fields looping the strand of wire from one end to another. With the help of notable physicists like Oersted and Faraday, it was possible to apply the fundamentals of electromagnetism to real-life practices like cooking.

Coming to induction cooktops, this revolutionary kitchen appliance primarily consists of a metal coil that can be electrically charged whenever the device is switched on. As current flows through the coil, it also generates a magnetic field. But the question remains, how exactly is heat produced through this process?

An AC electric source is likely to produce a fluctuating magnetic field. When a metal vessel is placed on the cooktop, this fluctuating magnetic field penetrates the object and heats it up.

Thanks to the wise application of electromagnetism, an induction cooktopis one of most energy efficient kitchen appliance available on the market. Additionally, its unique tech quickens up the process of heating food by 50 percent when compared to conventional stoves. 

·         Wipe it down

·         Life hacks and more

·         Avoid rough patches

Wipe It Down

Everyone who is even remotely familiar with cooking knows that it can be a messy activity. As a result, it is common for the induction cooktop to become dirty owing to spillages. There is no need to panic if you end up spilling some type of liquid or food substance on your induction cooktop. But it is crucial to clean up the mess and not let it permanently ruin the device. Food items, especially if it’s something sugary or dry, must be immediately cleaned using a damp cloth. Before you start wiping down the surface, make sure that the device is turned off as a precautionary measure.

Life Hacks and More

It is commonly accepted that some messes are easier to clean up than others. Oil or water that spills over onto the induction cooktop can be wiped away in a matter of seconds. But what do you do if the spillage is drier and firmly sticks to the glass cover? In such cases, here are a few household items that may come to your rescue. Research shows that toothpaste can be quite effective in scraping away stains that seem indelible. Similarly, dipping a cloth in a bowl of water consisting of soap and a pinch of baking soda is also widely recommended.

Avoid Rough Patches

If you're the proud owner of an expensive, state-of-the-art induction cooktop, the last thing that you need is a scratched surface. Contrary to popular misconceptions, induction cooktops are extremely vulnerable to rough cleaning materials like rough sponges or steel wool.

Conclusion – Keep It Clean As A Whistle

Induction cooktops offer its users a wide range of benefits in energy efficiency, safety, and durability. Since they can turn out to be quite an expensive investment, it is imperative that you regularly clean and maintain them. If that much is taken care of, then induction cooktops can be your greatest friend in the kitchen.