Features of hobs: what you need to know. Induction panels: response to the “Heating” command is lightning-fast What is a booster in a hob

Induction cookers They can do things that ordinary stoves cannot do at all.

Thanks to the shortest conversion path electrical energy to thermal induction cookers have a number of advantages over their competitors: they heat up quickly and consume less energy.

For example, on a short time(usually up to 10 minutes) “transfer” the power of one burner to the adjacent one. All modern induction cookers are equipped with this function, called “Booster”. It is also called the intensive heating function.

Such products of the “domino” format have only one burner, but it does not need the “Booster” mode: the burner itself, without any partner, produces power up to 3500 W, which allows you to use even high-heat frying pans on it.

What can induction do?

Replace gas burner high power is no joke.

Induction hobs are able to recognize the presence of cookware with a ferromagnetic bottom on their surface: without such cookware, they simply will not turn on.

In order for the burner to turn on, it is usually necessary to cover at least 70% of its area with dishes, and it is not so much the overlap area that is important, but the amount of ferromagnetic material above the burner.

For example, on IPLATE hobs, the “U” indicator light comes on if the cookware installed on the hob has a diameter of less than 80 mm.

Induction panels can even adjust the diameter of the eddy current generation zone. The panel sensors will “adjust” the diameter of the heating zone to the diameter of the cookware, if it is within the limits acceptable for a given burner.

Externally, induction hobs are no different from conventional glass-ceramic surfaces: the same shine of polished glass, the same touch control panels.

Those same induction coils are hidden in a flat case, and perhaps few have seen them. We provide a rare opportunity to see with your own eyes not only this coil itself, but also the most important element of the induction hob - this electronic control unit.

The programs embedded in its microcircuit will help the housewife to use her induction assistant very effectively.

For example, you need to cook soup and cook it quickly. Why waste time waiting for water to boil in a pot?

On an induction hob you can achieve results much faster: the control system will first turn the burner on for a couple of minutes. maximum power, and when the water boils, it will reduce the power to the level you set.

This function is different manufacturers has different “brand” names: Quick Rapid, Heat Up, Par Boil, etc., and the burner assigned to it is called a quick heating burner.

Other interesting opportunity induction cookers - the so-called “booster” function, when one of the burners seems to “share” part of its power with the other.

This is how you can combine the power of two adjacent burners on an induction hob. By selecting booster mode for one of them, you will receive increased power on it for a few minutes at the expense of temporarily reducing the power of its “partner”.

With induction heating, heat is generated directly at the bottom of the cookware, rather than transferred to it through the glass of the cooking surface.

This fact makes it possible to perform an effective demonstration trick: a sheet of paper is placed on the surface of the glass under the bottom of the pan (it can even be a paper bill!), the burner is turned on at full power, the water in the pan is boiling, and the paper not only does not burn, but does not even get particularly hot .

See for yourself!


We did this experiment with a hundred-ruble bill, but we wouldn’t risk it at all by putting even a hundred euros on the stove. The laws of physics are strictly followed!

It is clear, by the way, that the thin gap between the glass and the bottom of the pan, which in our experiment was filled with paper in the form of a banknote, could also be filled with air.

We verified this by slightly lifting the pan above the glass: the water continued to boil!

So it turns out that you can cook soup on an induction cooker without putting a pan on the stove. Another spectacular experience is related to the fact that the heat is generated in the cookware, and not on the burner: the part of the heating zone not occupied by the cookware remains cold.

No dishes - no heating.

We think you will really like this fact regarding security.

The wide power range of induction burners makes induction hobs a truly versatile appliance.

The other pole of the energy spectrum of induction hobs is the area of ​​very low temperatures heating, which, oddly enough, is not always possible using traditional devices. Try, for example, setting the gas burner to minimum power - for safety reasons, it is designed so that the level of the gas flame is not so low, otherwise any draft in the kitchen will blow it out.

So it turns out that, for example, for melting chocolate there is nothing better than a continuously adjustable induction burner.

The material was prepared by online store experts Kupitalon.ru. When copying materials from the site, a hyperlink is required

Newfangled kitchen appliances called induction hob still remains a mystery to many. However, once you learn more about its functions and capabilities, the choice will become obvious. Safe and modern, it will give you many pleasant moments in the cooking process and save a lot of precious time.

What does induction hob mean?

If you don’t go into details about the operation of such equipment and put it simply, heating occurs not in the working surface of the stove, but in the cookware itself. Cooking happens faster, while the stove remains cool. Important characteristic, which an induction hob has - its heating efficiency is as much as 90%. For comparison, with a regular gas stove this figure does not exceed 65%, for glass-ceramic - 60%.

Operating principle of an induction hob

The operation of the furnace is based on electromagnetic induction, that is, the occurrence of electric current in a closed circuit as a consequence of a change magnetic flux, passing through it. The induction coil is located under the glass-ceramic surface. A current flows through it with a frequency of 20-60 kHz. The coil is the primary winding, the dishes on the stove are the secondary. Entering the bottom of the dish, the currents heat it and the food inside the pot or pan.


To figure out how to use an induction hob, you do not need any special knowledge or skills. Everything is extremely simple - you turn on the oven and place the dishes with the contents on the burner. Only after this the heating process will begin. By the way, you will have to choose a special one for such a stove. Aluminum, copper, ceramic and glassware will not work. You need frying pans and pots made of cast iron or stainless steel. In a word, all those to the bottom of which a magnet is attracted.

Induction hob - pros and cons

Among undeniable advantages, which an induction hob has:

  1. High heating speed and time saving on cooking.
  2. Energy savings due to its minimal consumption.
  3. Hob safety. Even if you forget to turn off the burner, neither you nor your children will get burned on it. There will also be no fire from such a stove.
  4. The surface of the stove itself determines the presence of dishes and the diameter of its bottom, adapting to it.
  5. There are several cooking programs.
  6. If something boils out of the cookware or any product gets on the stove, it will not burn. To remove dirt, you just need to wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

Disadvantages of an induction hob:

  1. Not just any stove is suitable for such a stove. Special pots, saucepans, frying pans, etc. they cost a lot. In order not to change dishes and not spend money on expensive sets, use any, even old kitchen items, if a regular magnet is attracted to their bottom.
  2. The cost of the stove itself is also quite high. This becomes the main obstacle for the average consumer. However, the efficiency and ease of use of the stove more than compensate for this drawback.

Functions of induction hobs

Every good induction hob comes with a ton of useful features. The most significant among them is the intensive heating function, which is called Booster. When you need to quickly heat or cook something, you press the button labeled Booster, and the oven transfers power from the adjacent burner to the one where your dishes with food are. Very simple and convenient.


Among other important functions induction furnace, making its use pleasant and easy:

  • delayed start;
  • auto-boil;
  • automatic shutdown;
  • temperature maintenance;
  • electronic or touch control system;
  • identification of the material and size of dishes;
  • cooking timer;
  • shutdown when liquid spills;
  • protection from children;
  • residual heat indicator;
  • heating;
  • defrosting;
  • saving programs in memory.

How to choose an induction hob?

If we talk about induction cookers with an oven, their range on the domestic market is small. More precisely, such a device is represented by only one company - Electrolux. As for independent built-in models, an induction hob can be found in any store household appliances and it is represented by a wide range of manufacturers. We offer an overview of induction hobs from the most famous and reliable of them.

Bosch induction hob

The choice of induction hob from this company is represented by several models with 4 burners different designs. There are models with a combination of induction and conventional HiLight glass-ceramic burners. Particularly popular BOSCH model PIN675N14E with touch control, 17 stages of power adjustment and digital indication of the degree of heating. It has 4 induction burners, 2 of which are combined into one and can work as one large heating zone for sauté pans and large frying pans (FlexInduction). Another convenient little thing is the Booster button.


Hansa induction hob

Another authoritative German company, which produces impeccable equipment, which includes the built-in induction hob - Hansa. Easy to operate, reliable and safe, the stove is available in several models, black and white, with 2, 3 or 4 burners, touch controls and an injury protection system. Many models have a boost button to increase power. There are stoves with a combined set of burners - induction and HiLight.


Induction hob Gorenje

The leading Slovenian manufacturer of home appliances Gorenje presents to the market its latest induction hobs that work quickly, safely, flawlessly. They are equipped with SuperPower and PowerBoost functions, which allow you to increase power on one burner or on all at the same time. Residual heat indicators show which cooking zones have not yet completely cooled down. The lineup presented with 2, 3 and 4 burner plates with and without combined heating zones.


Lex induction hob

When reviewing induction hobs, you cannot ignore the products Russian company Lex. Accessible price segment and at the same time decent quality of the product makes this trademark in demand and popular. The range of induction hobs is available in 2, 3 and 4 burner models with modern touch controls, timers and control locks.


Connecting an induction hob

If you have never had an electric stove, then the question may quite naturally arise - how to connect an induction hob? Installation and connection must take place in several stages:

  1. Selecting a location and preparing a hole for installation. It is important that the surface is level and securely fastened. Between back wall and there should be a small gap between the side surfaces.
  2. Electrical connection. For this, a three-core cable with a cross section of 4-6 square meters is used. mm. The more powerful the device, the larger cross-section it is preferable to choose. The cable should be long enough to connect the stove to the nearest outlet. As a rule, the cable comes with the stove. Turning the induction panel over, you will see a connection diagram below and a small box where the terminals for connecting the cable are hidden. By following the instructions, you can easily connect it. Please note that some panels must be connected to 380V, which can be a problem in older homes that traditionally have 220V wiring.
  3. Checking and fixing the hob. After connecting to the network, be sure to check the operation of the device and only then fix it in the hole.

How to care for an induction hob?

Induction glass-ceramic hob requires compliance certain rules. Thus, care of the induction hob should be carried out according to the following recommendations:

  1. It is advisable to remove any dirt using special detergents and always a separate sponge.
  2. With absence special means, it is permissible to use creamy products and gels, but in no case should you use abrasive cleaning powders. You can use window cleaners, but it is not advisable to use oven cleaning sprays.
  3. Detergents should be poured not onto the stove, but onto the sponge
  4. It is better to wash the stove immediately after finishing the cooking process or immediately after contamination, especially if syrup has boiled off or sugar has spilled on the stove.
  5. After surface treatment detergent, it needs to be washed well clean water and wipe with a dry soft cloth.

The booster function in the hob is designed to fast increase temperature and cooking. How to use the booster function depends primarily on the recipe. In some cases, it can be extremely useful, while in other situations, on the contrary, it harms the quality of the dish. For example, the “booster” in the induction panel allows you to boil water about 3 times faster than in normal mode. But, the temperature increase occurs for a very short time, which eliminates possible negative effects.

Features of the Booster function

The function briefly increases the power of the cooker. Products heat up much faster compared to the standard mode. Only one hotplate can be activated. A separate key is usually provided to enable the function. On some devices, it is possible to turn on several keystrokes; in each specific case, you need to follow the instructions.

The function can remain active for a specified period of time or until a specific event occurs. For example, the enhanced heating will turn off when you remove the cookware from the hob. Typically, if the pan is returned to the surface within three minutes, Booster mode will continue.

Note! When the power increases on one burner, the indicator automatically decreases on others.

The mode can be active for a certain period of time. After the specified time has elapsed, the panel will automatically switch to original mode.

The main advantage of the mode is that for some time (about 10 minutes) one of the burners can operate at increased power. The rest are operating at reduced power. This allows you to get the highest possible performance on one of the burners for instant cooking food.

Note! The power value is displayed and adjusted on the control panel. The parameter must be adjusted flexibly in accordance with the recipe and the products used for cooking.

The power of the remaining burners is reduced, and for each of them the current value of this parameter is displayed. The panel also displays information about the burner operating in the “booster” mode. Mode operation timers can be adjusted in different ranges (depending on the manufacturer and model). Most models can signal the moment of stopping, and allow you to adjust the operating mode down to seconds.

How much power increases

In most hobs, in the “booster” mode, the power increases by about 1.5 times. For this purpose, the burners inside the device are combined into pairs. Accordingly, any surface with this function has a pair of burners. Each pair consists of a main and an additional burner.

In standard mode, they operate at a combined power of approximately 3.6 kW. An additional burner can supply the main burner with about 0.8 kW. Thus, one will operate at 1 kW, and the other at 2.6 kW. Due to this, increased performance in the “Booster” mode is achieved.

But the above figures are purely approximate. Specific indicators are individual for each individual model. Current data can be found in technical passport for each hob. You should also understand that the power per burner cannot exceed the total power for the entire panel

Just a couple of decades ago, it was impossible to imagine that on one part of a switched-on stove burner there could be a raw egg, and on the other - fried eggs (Fig. 1). Only illusionists could demonstrate such tricks. Appearance electric stoves with the induction heating principle made the incredible obvious...

Rice. 1. Amazing properties of an induction hob

Thanks Faraday

The phenomenon of electromagnetic induction was discovered by Michael Faraday in 1831. Probably, the first experiments of the brilliant Englishman, which demonstrated the appearance of an induced current in a conductor located next to another current conductor, without direct contact between them, “through the air,” also seemed to many a circus trick . It would take decades for electromagnetic induction to fully operate in transformers and electric motors, becoming the basis of the world of electricity.

The first induction hob was proposed by AEG back in 1987, but at first it did not find widespread use, both because of the high cost and because of the wary attitude of consumers towards the new heating principle. The distribution of induction kitchen appliances went through professional channels: catering business placed high demands on the quality and speed of food preparation, and the costs of purchasing such expensive equipment were justified here.

And the costs were indeed considerable: the first induction hobs were several times more expensive than glass-ceramic hobs, despite the fact that they used the same glass. However, subsequently induction devices were significantly improved, and today their price is only slightly higher than the price of glass-ceramic hobs.

Induction panels are making their first successful steps on the Russian market, entering the product range of almost all leading manufacturers of built-in kitchen appliances.

Energy from the bottom of the cookware

In glass-ceramic stoves with a conventional burner (spiral, belt or halogen), heat travels the following way: first it becomes hot a heating element burners, then the heating zone of the glass-ceramic coating of the stove, and the bottom of the cookware is heated from the surface of the glass (Fig. 2a). Induction heating technology is different in that heat occurs at the very bottom of the cookware (Fig. 2b). Where does it come from?


Rice. 2. The difference between conventional (a) and induction (b) heating methods

Under the glass cover of the plate there is a copper coil through which a high-frequency electric current flows (Fig. 3). According to the laws discovered by Faraday, the magnetic field of this current, penetrating the bottom of the dish, induces in it - you guessed it - electric currents. The bottom of the pan is not a long wire, but a disk, so the currents in it move in a circle, and do not flow “in line”. These eddy electric currents spinning in the bottom of the pan heat the bottom, and with it the food (Fig. 4).


Rice. 3. Induction hob


Rice. 4. Induction heating principle

There is only one condition that must literally be strictly observed: in order for the induction hob to work, the bottom of the cookware must be made of a material with clearly defined ferromagnetic properties. Each of us tested materials for the presence of such properties in childhood, when we received a magnet in our hands: it did not stick to some objects, but to others it stuck very readily: these were ferromagnetic materials. Under high magnification, one could see areas of natural magnetization (domains) in a section of such material. In an alternating magnetic field, the direction of magnetization of these areas often changes, due to which heat is released in the bottom of the cookware: energy magnetic field turns into thermal (Fig. 5).


Rice. 5. Domain structure of the ferromagnetic bottom of the cookware

In this case, no heat transfer occurs through the glass ceramics. If the glass remains warm at the end of cooking, it is only because it was heated from the bottom of the pan, and not vice versa. Can be done interesting experience, placing a sheet of paper between the glass and the dishes: the fried eggs will fry, but the paper will not burn (Fig. 6). The most spectacular version of this experiment, which is shown by some demonstrators of household appliances, is performed with a banknote. Try it yourself!


Rice. 6. Experiment with a sheet of paper

What kind of cookware is suitable for an induction cooker? Naturally, only one whose bottom has ferromagnetic properties, for example:

- dishes from of stainless steel with ferromagnetic bottom;

aluminum cookware with ferromagnetic bottom;

- cast iron cookware.

But dishes made of copper, aluminum, heat-resistant glass and other non-magnetic materials are useless for such a stove.

Pros of induction

Thanks to the shortest path for converting electrical energy into heat, induction cookers have a number of advantages over their competitors: they heat up quickly and consume less energy.

Induction cookers can do things that conventional cookers cannot do. For example, for a short time (usually up to 10 minutes) “transfer” the power of one burner to the adjacent one. All modern induction cookers are equipped with this function, called “Booster”. It is also called the intensive heating function.

In order for the burners to “share” power with each other, they are grouped in pairs (by the way, this is why there are no 3- or 5-burner induction hobs). Each pair has a leader - the so-called main burner, and a slave - the dependent burner. For two of them, say, 3600 W of power is allocated. In nominal mode, the main burner consumes 3000 W. But if the housewife turns on the “Booster” function, then the burner will temporarily take away another 600 W from the dependent burner and produce all 3600 W of total power. In Fig. 7, such a pair is, in particular, the front left (main) and rear right (dependent) burners.


Rice. 7. Booster function (AEG-Electrolux)

Induction hobs from a number of manufacturers (for example, AEG-Electrolux) are equipped with fairly powerful burners, so that a dependent burner, which was operating, say, at a power of 1400 W, can give 800 W to its main partner, and in the meantime continue to work on the remaining 600 W.

Another example of a powerful induction hob is the vario-panel VI 411 from Gaggenau (Fig. 8). This product of the “domino” format has only one burner, but it does not need the “Booster” mode: the burner itself, without any partner, produces power up to 3500 W, which allows you to use a Chinese WOK frying pan on it, which, as you know, requires a strong heat. That's what induction can do! Replacing a high power gas burner is no joke.


Rice. 8. Vario panel VI 411 (Gaggenau)

Induction hobs are able to recognize the presence of cookware with a ferromagnetic bottom on their surface: without such cookware, they simply will not turn on. In order for the burner to turn on, it is usually necessary to cover at least 70% of its area with dishes, and it is not so much the overlap area that is important, but the amount of ferromagnetic material above the burner. For example, on Teka hobs, the “U” indicator light comes on if the cookware installed on the hob has a diameter of less than 80 mm (Fig. 9).


Rice. 9. Pot indicator (Teka)

Induction panels can even adjust the diameter of the eddy current generation zone. The panel sensors will “adjust” the diameter of the heating zone to the diameter of the cookware, if it is within the limits acceptable for a given burner (Fig. 10).


Rice. 10. Automatic adjustment of the burner to the diameter of the cookware (Teka)

The safety of a child while traveling in a car is an important task for parents. As soon as a baby appears in the family, care should be taken to ensure comfortable movement vehicle. Provide reliable protection Special car seats and boosters are capable of this. What is the difference between these devices and how to choose them correctly, taking into account the age of the child?

What is a booster seat for children?

A booster seat is a special car seat designed to keep a child safe in the car during a trip. This device has a lot of differences from the usual car seat. The latter is equipped with a five-point harness system, backrest, headrest and armrests.

These elements are not present in the booster. It is a seat equipped with small armrests. The child is secured with a standard seat belt. The main function of the booster is to fix the baby in the position necessary for safe use belt

If parents are wondering: which is better - a booster seat or a car seat, then they need to take into account the age of the baby. Due to the lack of a backrest, belts and armrests, the level of safety is significantly reduced. Therefore, such devices can only be used for older children.

Benefits of car boosters

These chairs have a number of positive characteristics:

  • Small size and lightness - the booster can be used even in oversized cars, they are compact and light weight;
  • Availability - such devices have low price compared to car seats;
  • Ease of use - securing the child with a car seat belt makes the booster more convenient to use.

Disadvantages of boosters

Despite the above advantages, these devices also have some negative characteristics:

  • Lower level of safety, which is due to the fact that the design does not have armrests, a backrest or a five-point fixation system;
  • Lack of thorough testing - during the development stage, busters undergo less detailed testing compared to chairs.

At what age can a booster seat be used?

When buying a chair for transporting a baby, you should pay attention to the group to which the product belongs. Boosters are category 2-3, but this indicator does not mean age at all.

Buster group 2-3 involves transporting children weighing 15-36 kg. The age category is approximately 3-12 years. Consequently, the booster can be used for quite a long time.

However, it is worth taking into account that this type of car seat is different low level safety, so when choosing you should take into account individual characteristics specific baby. Although manufacturers recommend using a booster from the age of 3, pay attention to the height and build of your baby. Short and thin children can easily slip out of such a chair even during a sharp turn, not to mention in an emergency.

Experts recommend buying a booster car seat if the child’s height exceeds 120 cm. As a rule, height reaches this level closer to 5 years. Thus, such a seat should be used if all of the following conditions are met:

  • child height from 120 cm;
  • weight - from 15 kg;
  • age - 3-12 years.

Can a booster seat be used instead of a car seat?

Many parents ask this question, because the booster takes up little space and is more affordable than a classic car seat. However, to find a clear answer to this question it is impossible, since when choosing a device for the safe stay of a baby in a car, several factors should be taken into account.

It’s worth noting right away that a car booster cannot be used for children under 3 years of age whose weight does not exceed 15 kg. This is explained by the low level of safety of such a chair. In this case it is better to use classic version similar devices.

You can use a booster instead of a car seat for older children whose height has reached at least 120 cm and weight - 15 kg. Theoretically, the device can be used from 3 years of age, although in practice it is better to use it from 5 years of age.

How to choose a booster?

If you decide to purchase a buser for your child, you should consider the choice special attention, since the level of safety and comfort while traveling in a vehicle depends on this.

Be sure to pay attention to the material from which the seat is made. Modern manufacturers offer the following options:

  1. Foam. This is the most a budget option, characterized by lightness. But due to the fragility of the material, such a chair can be damaged even with little strong blows. Consequently, the level of baby safety in such a device is minimal.
  2. Plastic. Universal option booster. Compared to a foam seat, it is more durable and reliable, while its cost is only slightly higher. Most parents prefer plastic boosters.
  3. Sitting with metal frame. The safest option, but it has an impressive weight and is more difficult to assemble. This chair provides more high degree safety compared to previous models.

In addition, when choosing a buster, you need to pay attention to the rigidity; it should be medium. When sitting, the material should not wrinkle or lose its shape. It is also better to give preference to models with a removable cover - it will simplify cleaning the product.

The safety of the baby while traveling by car is a very important task for parents. And a booster seat will help you cope with it. Choose your device carefully and you will ensure comfort and reliable protection for your baby.