Are you redoing your kitchen, concerned about indoor air pollutants from cooking with open flames, researching appliances for a new home, or simply trying to save energy? Perhaps you’re planning to replace your oven before it gives out?

Whatever your reason, we at York EcoHomes encourage you to consider upgrading to an induction cooktop. It’s a smart, energy-efficient alternative to traditional propane or electric cooktops, offering numerous benefits that align with modern sustainability goals.

What is an Induction Cooktop?

An induction cooktop is a type of electric cooktop that uses electromagnetic energy to directly heat pots and pans. Unlike traditional electric or gas stoves, induction cooktops do not generate heat themselves; instead, they induce heat directly in the cookware, making them faster, safer, and more energy-efficient. Induction cooking technology was introduced at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Induction cooktops for home kitchens were first produced in the 1970’s, so the technology has had plenty of time for testing and improvements. There are compact single portable induction cooktops as well as built-in larger cooktops with 4 or more cooking surfaces. You can buy these as surface units to be integrated into a countertop or as part of a range along with an electric oven. 

Improved Safety

There has been a recent surge in information about the dangers of the gas byproducts of gas stoves, especially for children. Replacing an indoor gas range with an induction cooktop could greatly improve indoor air quality in your home. Additionally, eliminating the open flame of a gas or propane cooktop reduces fire hazard, particularly in homes with children or the elderly. 

How Do Induction Cooktops Work?

Induction cooktops use a coil of copper wire underneath the ceramic cooking surface. When you turn on the cooktop, an electric current passes through the coil, generating a magnetic field. This magnetic field creates an electric current in the base of your pot or pan (which must be made of a magnetic material like cast iron or some stainless steels). The resistance to this current in the cookware generates heat, cooking your food efficiently while keeping the adjacent cooktop surface cool to the touch. 

Energy Savings

Induction cooktops are significantly more energy-efficient compared to gas and traditional electric stoves. Heat is induced only in the cookware, which means less energy is wasted to the surrounding space. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, induction cooktops are approximately 84% efficient, compared to 74% for traditional electric stoves and only 40% for gas stoves. This efficiency not only reduces your energy consumption but also translates into lower utility bills.

Learn More: Watch a Video Demonstration

Still curious about how an induction cooktop works in real life? Check out these videos that explain the technology and show induction cooktops in action.

This video from This Old House explains the technology 

This one provides some Pros and Cons

This demonstrates how the cooktop doesn’t actually get hot – only the pot

This will make your mouth water as a chef cooks up some shrimp and veggies

Take Action!

If you already own an induction cooktop, we’d love to see it in action! Send us a video of you using your induction cooktop, and we may feature it in our next newsletter or on our website to inspire others to make the switch.