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Original poster

Cooking on an induction hob

32 replies

BIWI · 02/07/2019 23:39

We're currently having an extension built, and a new kitchen fitted. I'll be moving from a gas hog to an induction one.

As a temporary measure, I'm using a portable IKEA induction hob, which I'm liking very much.

It heats up very quickly, and seems to be much hotter than my hottest ring on the gas hob, so I have had to salvage things from being burnt.

Any other tips for using them? (I know about having to have specific pans)

OP posts:
hopefullyhelpfully · 02/07/2019 23:47

Nothing to add but bumping as we're thinking of getting one soon and I'm interested to know how people find them.....

Original poster
BIWI · 02/07/2019 23:53

I went to a cookery day at Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons last year (Christmas present!) and they use them in the kitchens there. The chef who was leading the class said that they were brilliant, so I'm very much looking forward to getting ours!

OP posts:
RainbowMum11 · 03/07/2019 00:36

I like my induction hob but you do need to get special pans - I have ruined old (but expensive & decent) pans because they weren't suited to induction.

Original poster
BIWI · 03/07/2019 08:06

Yes - I have a couple of 'temporary' pans that I bought from IKEA; a frying pan and a saucepan. Not quite sure what to buy ultimately, although I'm actually quite pleased with these so far.

What brand(s) did you buy @RainbowMum11, or what would you recommend, having made your choice now?

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BentNeckLady · 03/07/2019 08:08

Watching with interest as were making the gas/induction switch too and I’m very nervous about it! I love cooking on gas but hate cleaning gas hobs 😬

Dollywilde · 03/07/2019 08:10

Love my induction! Fast and a dream to clean, wish I’d converted years ago Smile no tips I can think of except to say ‘go for it!’ to the waverers Grin

ZazieTheCat · 03/07/2019 08:32

We had one of those Ikea jobs for a while during a remodel. It was fab! And yes, very fierce.

Tbh, I liked it better than the permanent induction hob we ended up with after remodel finished.

Just moved house and now have a ceramic job which I love. Easy clean features like induction, better browning capabilities/more intuitive natural heat source like gas.

I find induction is quite hard on pans, especially non-stick ones like frying pans/woks. The non-stickiness seems to wear off quicker.

Browning things needs a lower and slower approach would be my main tip on how to adjust.

ZazieTheCat · 03/07/2019 08:34

And actually, IKEA induction friendly and Tefal prestige where the frying pans/wok we found that lasted best with induction.

HumptyNumptyNooNoo · 03/07/2019 08:47

Our concept planner suggested induction and she said just use it as if you were cooking in gas, ie no delayed heat up like an electric hob it's just as instant as gas, no residual heat like an electric hob it's shuts off just like gas. So once I got my mindset to think it's just like gas I didn't go wrong. Worked like a dream and so easy to keep clean.

Riddleofthesands · 03/07/2019 08:48

We have a range master, it’s 8 years old now and it’s been great. No tips, they are very easy to cook on and very easy to clean.

Original poster
BIWI · 03/07/2019 08:49

Yes, it's the instantaneity as well as ease of cleaning that attracts me (plus I think they look so much sleeker than gas hobs!). It was the speed/ferocity of the heat that surprised me.

OP posts:
DonkeyHohtay · 03/07/2019 08:52

Just that you need to keep your eye open for things boiling over as you dint get the hisssssssss sound to alert you.

DonkeyHohtay · 03/07/2019 08:53

Also recommend the ikea induction pans - they are very good.

paap1975 · 03/07/2019 09:50

I really miss my induction hob. It's as quick as gas, but it's electric. I had the IKEA pans and thought they were great!

LesLavandes · 03/07/2019 13:04

I moved to a newbuild with a Neff induction hob already fitted. It has 4 rings but none of them are big enough for some of my pans or casserole dishes, induction friendly.

I know you can get fancier ones with a rectangular plate or 2 that join together. But mine doesn't do this.

Any advice on this please?

Sorry OP. Not trying to take over your thread but this info will be useful to you too!

Original poster
BIWI · 03/07/2019 13:08

No probs! The one I'm going for has 5 cooking zones for that very reason. (I wanted a 6 zone one originally but they were shockingly expensive!)

OP posts:
Original poster
BIWI · 03/07/2019 13:08

One other question - I read somewhere that you can't use a wok on an induction hob but could never understand why. Any ideas?

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LoafofSellotape · 03/07/2019 13:11

The IKEA pans for induction are great imo.

Just start everything off on a much gentler heat than you would normally as heat up is super quick.

Gas seems so slow when I visit my folks now Grin

NannyR · 03/07/2019 13:16

You can use a flat bottomed work and stir fry food on an induction hob, but it doesn't work as well as a gas hob. When you put a wok on a gas hob, the flames sort of lick up the sides and make the whole wok really hot, so the food fries really quickly, whereas the induction just heats the base of the pan, out still works but the results aren't as good.
I once worked in a house where they had a four ring induction hob and a single gas burner to get round this.

Original poster
BIWI · 03/07/2019 13:21

Thanks @NannyR. I did think about that, but it seems daft to have gas piped into the new kitchen for only one burner!

OP posts:
Original poster
BIWI · 03/07/2019 13:23

@LesLavandes it mightn't look as good as one single hob, but I can really recommend the portable one that IKEA sell. You can just bring it out when you need it. here

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Hugless · 03/07/2019 13:30

Some say that induction is potentially bad for health, so on that basis I put it off for some time and used ceramic hob till 2015. Induction since then and I'm loving it. Cooking is so much faster. Cast iron pans warm up in seconds (these took forever and some on gas and ceramic). Not here to promote a certain French manufacturer but their cookware is fantastic- has always been but on induction it's even better.
Also noticed slight reduction in electric bills- which I find a bit odd, as the rating of my hob is higher than of the previous ceramic. Finally- cleaning afterwards. Just wipe and job done. Only downside, mmm, perhaps controls going crazy when you splash some liquid over. Which you will. Or am I clumsy?

Original poster
BIWI · 03/07/2019 13:32

Why would they be bad for health? Shock. I know you can't use one if you have a pace-maker, but that's to do with the magnetism, isn't it?

OP posts:
magicstar1 · 03/07/2019 13:35

We got our induction hob from Ikea and it's absolutely brilliant. I use a wok on it and haven't had any issues with it.
This is the one I have: www.ikea.com/gb/en/search/products/?q=hogklassig

Riddleofthesands · 03/07/2019 14:52

We do a stir fry once a week, flat bottomed wok, no issues.

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