Induction Cooktop vs Oven
People who cook regularly or are interested in cooking might not have any confusion about the difference between an induction cooktop and an oven, but people who are not aware of different cooking techniques or who are not aware of different stoves available for cooking may have some confusion. The basic difference between an induction cooktop and an oven is that they are used for different types of cooking.
Cooktops are of many different types. They can be gas stovetops, electric coil stovetop, or induction cooktop. These cooktops differ from each other in the way the heating process takes place, and the process by which the cooking utensils get heated enough to cook the food. In this article we will be discussing the induction cooktop and its functions.
Induction Cooktop
The induction cooktop makes use of heat generated by induction. The electrical energy is transferred from induction to the cooking pot through a coil of wire placed underneath the cooking utensil. To use an induction cooktop, the utensils need to be ferromagnetic and good conductors of electricity. An oscillating magnetic field is produced when alternating electric current is passed through the coil in the cooktop. This magnetic field induces an electric current in the cooking pot which heats the cooking pot. The heat produced in the pot is due to resistive heating. Though the current flowing in the pot is large, it has been produced by low voltage, thus energy is saved with induction cooktops.
One of the main advantages of an induction cooktop is that it is more energy efficient than any other traditional cooktop. In induction cooktops, only the pots are heated, thus less energy is required. The other advantage is that they are safer as there are no flames or hot, heated coils around the cooking pot.
In spite of the huge advantages the induction cooktop has over other traditional cooktops, certain limitations are present. The first limiting factor is the use of utensils which are made of ferromagnetic material. If other metals like aluminum are used, the magnetic field penetrates widely, and the electric current induced finds less resistance, thus the utensil does not get heated. Glassware and ceramic utensils cannot be used.
Ovens
Ovens are thermally insulated chambers used for baking, heating, drying, etc. Ovens are of many types. Ovens may be earth ovens, ceramic ovens, gas ovens, masonry ovens, and microwave ovens. They are used for cooking and other purposes like for creating pottery, etc. We will be discussing ovens for cooking here. Ovens are used for different cooking techniques like baking, roasting, broiling, and rotisserie.
Ovens are either gas or electric ovens. They have heating coils on the top and bottom for different cooking methods. Either there will be one coil or top and bottom coils that are heated. The temperature is controlled in the ovens by exterior knobs, and different temperatures are for different methods.
Summary:
1.The induction cooktop uses heat generated by induction for cooking; ovens are insulated chambers used for cooking fueled by gas or electricity.
2.Induction cooktops are used for frying, sautéing, grilling, etc; ovens are used for baking, heating, drying, roasting, etc.
3.Induction cooktops are far more energy efficient than ovens.
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