How does an induction oven work?

Some people would argue that humanity’s greatest discovery was that of fire. The element is used to bring warmth, light, and of course, to cook. In the olden days, fire had to be ignited manually and was often a struggle.

But with the advancement of civilization came better technology and easier, more convenient ways to cook our food.

Stoves, ovens, grills, and all kinds of kitchenware came into existence, and suddenly you find that you don’t need to go foraging in the woods for a bunch of coal and wood to start a fire.

Now all it takes is a bit of gas or electricity to get one going on a stovetop in the comfort of your own home.

And so there even came a time when food could be cooked without the single lick of a flame. How, you ask? Let’s just say… a little thing called induction heating.

What is an induction oven?

To start, induction heating is the process by which an electromagnetic field is produced in a coil, where energy is then transferred to a workpiece to be heated. It uses magnetic induction to produce electric currents that then generate heat.

Induction stovetops or ranges have flat surfaces, usually glass or ceramic, with coils of copper wire underneath that put out heat to cook food.

But what about induction ovens?

It is important to note that what some manufacturers may refer to as “induction ovens” are actually combination ovens with a traditional convection oven and an induction cooktop on top, as there are no true “induction ovens”.

This means there is no such thing as an oven that acts as a cooking vessel in itself for induction heating. Only stovetops can run on electromagnetic heat as far as current kitchen appliances go.

So if you’re looking for an oven that actually runs on induction, sorry to disappoint – there’s really none.

However, with the direction technology is going, it may be possible in the future.

What is the difference between induction and convection ovens?

When it comes to culinary matters, it’s important to distinguish which kitchen equipment would be most suitable for you.

Therefore it’d only be natural to ask: what exactly is the difference between induction ovens and convection ovens?

Convection ovens are like regular ones, but they come with a fan and exhaust system that blow hot air and vent it back out. The hot air surrounds the food, which spreads out so it is cooked properly.

We’ve already established that induction ovens are combination ovens that combine convection ovens and induction stovetops into one appliance – the induction range.

Simply put, the only difference between the two is that an induction oven has an induction stovetop along with a convection oven. Convection ovens, however, are simply convection ovens.

What is the difference between an induction oven and a regular oven?

Now what sets an induction oven apart from regular ovens?

A regular oven uses thermal energy and may or may not have a stovetop. In comparison, an induction oven is an oven with an induction stovetop and usually has a traditional convection oven, as established.

But are induction ovens good for baking? Just as well as regular and convection ovens can be! Again, the only difference is that an induction oven has an induction cooktop.

What are the benefits of an induction oven?

There’s a reason why induction-powered appliances have grown quite popular over the years. Some of the benefits of an induction oven include:

1. Efficient and Quick Heating

Now, are induction ovens efficient?

Yes, yes, they are. The heat spreads in such a way that it cooks your food more evenly. Not only that, it is faster than regular stovetops and, therefore, more convenient.

This is especially true if you’re one of those people who don’t have much time on their hands and want to shorten their cooking time. The moment you turn off its power, the heat itself immediately comes to a halt.

2. Safe Heating

As induction heating uses electromagnetic fields, it is flameless. That’s right, no fire!

These electromagnetic fields will only affect cookware made explicitly for induction cooking, so it won’t burn your hand or house down even when turned to the highest setting.

It also won’t affect cloth, paper, or whatever household materials you may have lying around.

3. Better for the Environment

Unlike gas-powered stoves, induction stoves are much more energy-efficient and better for the environment.

As methane is a prominent component of cooking gas, naturally, stoves running on it will emit greenhouse gases when in use. Additionally, it also spoils the indoor air quality.

Now that doesn’t sound so eco-friendly, does it?

This makes induction ranges a much better alternative as they have less direct effects on mother nature. You’ll have to thank the power of electromagnetic technology for that!

4. Easier to Clean

This is pretty much self-explanatory.

With their flat smooth surfaces, induction stovetops are much easier to wipe down than most gas ranges.

How do you use an induction oven?

Induction ovens function just like how a convection oven would, only with an induction cooktop.

Depending on your chosen appliance, you can either turn a knob or press some buttons to turn it on and adjust the heat settings. You should also check the instruction manual, especially if you are new to how induction ranges work.

After every use, make sure to clean up thoroughly by wiping the stovetop with a paper towel or microfiber cloth (but not without waiting for it to cool down completely!)

To Conclude

So to wrap things up, a true induction oven does not exist. But an oven that comes with an induction stovetop does.

Manufacturers may simply even refer to these combination ovens as “induction ranges” or “induction cookers”.

Because of this, you must understand the product first: its functions, qualities, and the specifications that come with it before deciding to purchase anything. Discuss it with the seller, think it over, and then make the choice.