The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) launched a new program this week to introduce customers to the concept of cooking by induction—an idea that could have a positive impact on the environment.
DPU’s Induction Cooktop Loaner Program puts portable induction cooktops into the hands of customers who would like to try out using induction as an alternative to gas or electric stoves. An induction cooktop uses electromagnets to produce heat through a high frequency oscillating magnetic field. Eddy currents produced by this magnetic field encounter resistance in iron-based cookware and that causes heat to be transferred directly to the cookware. Basically, induction technology eliminates the step in which the electric element or gas burner is heated up before any heat is transferred to cookware.
“An induction cooktop is more efficient than traditional stovetop methods,” said DPU Water and Energy Conservation Coordinator Abbey Hayward. “The efficiency of induction is about 90% compared to conventional electric cooktops at 75-to-80 percent and gas cooktops at 32-to-40 percent. With induction cooktops, heat is directed into the cookware and food instead of into the air in your kitchen.”
The Induction Cooktop Loaner Program lets DPU customers borrow a cooktop kit for two weeks. It’s an opportunity to test drive induction cooking technology as a consideration in converting from a natural gas stove or upgrading an outdated electric unit. Each kit comes with a portable induction cooktop, an induction-ready piece of cookware (skillet, pot or wok), utensils and a user manual.
Sign up for the Induction Cooktop Loaner Program at
https://ladpu.com/cooktop-signup. Questions may be directed to Hayward at 505-663-1779.
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INDUCTION COOKING CONSIDERATIONS
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PROS
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CONS
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Induction cooking technology helps move Los Alamos toward two of DPU’s sustainability goals: to reduce natural gas usage and to promote electric efficiency.
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Initially preparing a kitchen for an induction stove may get pricey. Consider electric panel upgrades, permits, inspections, elimination of existing gas lines, and so on.
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Energy cost savings! Cooks using induction technology have cooler kitchens. Also, cooking with induction is faster. Shorter cooking sessions using less electricity translate to utility cost savings.
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Induction cooking requires induction-ready cookware. To see if existing cookware will work, give it the magnet test. If a magnet sticks to the underside of the cooking vessel, it is induction ready.
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Induction cooking is safer than other cooking methods. There are no open flames or exposed heating elements. An induction stove won’t work without induction-ready cookware placed on the cooktop surface. Also, there is no risk of indoor air pollution like that associated with gas cooktops.
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Some people and pets may hear high-pitched ringing in their ears. There may be some trial and error in figuring out settings and remedies.
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Induction cooktops are more powerful than gas stoves, especially at high elevations, and they offer better temperature control.
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People with pacemakers may want to discuss the possibility of induction cooking with their doctors before testing out induction cooktops.
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