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Induction Cooking Unique Features

Meatballs cooking on an induction cooktop.

While induction cooking is not new, it has recently grown in popularity because the cost of this technology has become more affordable. Induction cooktops are also safer to use than any other cooking method, are more energy-efficient, provide precise temperature control, and complement popular kitchen designs trending today. But in my opinion, those are only a few reasons why induction cooktops are a must-have. Check out some interesting facts from the experts.

Pure Design

An Elle Décor article, The Biggest Kitchen Design Trends for 2019, stated, “We will continue to see integrated appliances.. Induction cooktops continue to be increasingly popular because of their seamless look. You no longer need to see appliances sticking out everywhere anymore, and that’s the new face of luxury.”

Trending

According to the 2019 Home Design Trends Survey done by the American Institute of Architects, induction cooking appliances continue to be on the list of popular kitchen features and products.

Precise Temperature Control

A review by Good Housekeeping stated, “Electric cooktops take much time to heat up and cool down, and it’s difficult to hit a precise temperature with gas ranges. But with induction, you’re afforded super precise temperature control, which allows for more controlled cooking.”

Boost of Power

Some induction cooktop models have a “power boost” mode to increase the power up to 50 percent in individual cooking zones for those times when you want the pasta water to come up to a boil more quickly.

Individual Timers

Like any stovetop, you “turn on” a burner or a zone. Some induction cooktop models have individual timers for each cooking zone. Imagine a recipe indicates that a sauce should simmer for 10 minutes, and you could set the cooking zone to “simmer” and a timer to just that zone to “10 minutes,” and when it is done, the cooking zone will turn off automatically. At the same time, another burner could be set for the rice to cook over medium heat for precisely the time needed.

Easiest to Clean

Because only the area that the pot is placed on heats up, the surface around the pot remains cool to the touch making it less likely for spills to “bake on” the surface. Compared to stovetops with an open flame or radiant coil, the smooth glass surface is easier to clean.

It’s Magnetic!

The induction technology automatically detects when magnetic cookware is placed in the cooking zone of the cooktop surface, and an electromagnetic field located below the glass-ceramic cooktop transfers current (heat) directly to the cookware. Induction skips the need to heat a burner, such as an electric coil increasing the overall heating efficiency.

Advanced Safety Features

Look for an induction cooktop with advanced safety features such as:

  • Cookware must be present for a cooking zone to turn on, so you won’t accidentally turn it on, or leave it on after you remove the pan.
  • All cooktop controls can be locked-down to prevent the activation of any sensor key, except for the Lock keypad.
  • A residual heat indicator for each cooking zone lets you know if a cooking zone is still hot.
  • Auto Power Shutdown has cooking zones countdown and turns themselves off after 120 minutes.

Safer Than Any Other Cooking Method

The safety of children and seniors around the stovetop is always of great concern, but mitigating stove fires should be top-of-mind for all cooks. In addition to the advanced safety features listed above, because only the pan gets hot during cooking, it is less likely that clothing would be ignited if it comes into contact to the cooktop. To read more information about fire safety check out the following resource: In the Home Cooking Fire Mitigation: Technology Assessment report published by The Fire Protection Research Foundation stated the following:

Better for the Planet 

U.S. Department of Energy tested the energy efficiencies of four conventional cooking tops with induction coming out on top at 73.59 percent, electric coil resistance at 71.87 percent, smooth electric resistance surface at 67.72 percent, and gas ranked surprisingly far below at 43.94 percent. And using induction cooktops is better for the environment.

In July 2019, in a first for California and the nation, Berkeley, CA, City Council passed a historic ordinance requiring that new buildings be built all-electric beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The “All-Electric Building Ordinance” means that no gas hook-ups will be installed in new houses, apartments, or commercial buildings. Soon after Berkeley passed its ordinance, many other California cities followed suit, and the effort is spreading to other parts of the country, all the way to Massachusetts.

ADA Compliant Induction Cooktops

Cauliflower cheese in a square dish on an induction cooktop.

To be considered ADA compliant, an induction cooktop must meet the following requirements:

  • The maximum high forward reach for controls and operating mechanisms is 48-inches; maximum low forward reach is 15-inches.
  • Controls and operating mechanisms must be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls shall be no more than 5 pounds.
  • If cooktops have knee spaces underneath, they shall be insulated or otherwise protected on the exposed surfaces to prevent burns, abrasions, or electrical shock.
  • The location of controls for cooktops shall not require reaching across burners.

Featured in this Article


SDH3042DB
30 in. width Induction Cooktop, European Black Mirror Finish Made with Premium SCHOTT Glass (SDH3042DB)

The Sharp(R) SDH3042DB Induction Cooktop is a powerful, beautiful addition to your dream kitchen. The black mirror finish of the premium Schott(R) glass surface is a perfect match and can be combined with our Easy Wave Open Microwave DrawerTM and our European Convection Built-In Single Wall Oven.

The four cooking zones give you more flexibility to orchestrate even your most elaborate entertaining. The SDH3042DB features a variable-sized zone and a convenient cooling zone. More precise than gas, more efficient than electric, the Sharp Induction Cooktop is faster than either. There is a kitchen timer, and even a Power Boost for those times when you just need that pasta water to boil. The Simmer Enhancer option provides low, consistent cooking performance for your most delicate soups and sauces. Heat is generated directly into the cookware itself, so there is less wasted energy to heat up your kitchen. And without an open flame or radiant coil, spills and splatters are less likely to burn, and a breeze to clean up.

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SDH3652DB
36 in. width Induction Cooktop, European Black Mirror Finish Made with Premium SCHOTT Glass (SDH3652DB)

The Sharp(R) SDH3652DB Induction Cooktop is a powerful, beautiful addition to your dream kitchen. The black mirror finish of the premium Schott(R) glass surface is a perfect match and can be combined with our Easy Wave Open Microwave DrawerTM and our European Convection Built-In Single Wall Oven

The five cooking zones give you more flexibility to orchestrate even your most elaborate entertaining. The SDH3652DB features an extra powerful 3700 Watt variable-sized zone, and Power Boost in all cooking zones. More precise than gas, more efficient than electric, the Sharp Induction Cooktop is faster than either. There is a Kitchen Timer and even a Power Boost for those times when you just need that pasta water to boil. The Simmer Enhancer option provides low, consistent cooking performance for your most delicate soups and sauces. Heat is generated directly into the cookware itself, so there is less wasted energy to heat up your kitchen. And without an open flame or radiant coil, spills and splatters are less likely to burn, and a breeze to clean up.

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About Sharp Home Electronics Company of America (SHCA)

SHCA is the US Consumer Products Group of Sharp Electronics Corporation, the US sales subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer and manufacturer of one-of-a-kind premium technology products.  SHCA includes the manufacturing of premium home appliances in Memphis, TN, together with the sales & marketing, and servicing of home electronics based in Montvale, NJ.  Leading products include Sharp AQUOS™ TVs, Sharp Carousel®, Microwave Drawer™ ovens, SuperSteam+™ ovens, and Plasmacluster® Ion air purifiers.

Sharp Corporation appears on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 2023. Sharp Electronics Corporation received a 2023 award for Best Places to Work in NJ. Learn more at http://www.sharpusa.com/.

Sharp, AQUOS, Carousel, Microwave Drawer, SuperSteam+, Plasmacluster, and all related trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation and/or its affiliated companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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