Induction hob zones

[sahbear]

Hi, We are thinking of putting an induction hob in our new kitchen.
They have a lot of advantages, but I can't work out, induction hob zones, does the whole pan need to be in the crossed area, or just part of it, can I fit 2 small pans on an induction zone?
If you have an induction hob with zones, does it work well, and are there any disadvantages?

Each circular zone on mine has three sizes within that. So each circle can heat small, medium and large pans plus frying pans. As they are circular, it’s one pan at a time on each one! I don’t know about the oval areas as I don’t have them. You need induction pans and some are poor! Pans must be absolutely flat to work. I find John Lewis ones to be good and my Le Creuset frying pan is the best.

I’m sure you could see a demonstration of one in action if need be. They are brilliant!

I fully recommend one. Mine has a timer, boost functions for all heat zones and no edge so sits neatly on the worktop. It’s 900 wide so I can move pans off the heat onto standing areas if I wish. All touch control.

Are they safe for children?

I would say they are safer for children, only the pan and directly underneath heats up, the rest of the hob is cold. You can lock the panel so they cannot touch it. Also with children learning to cook I found that they can lift a pasta pot off using oven gloves and they aren't at risk of setting on fire unlike a gas hob. Plus it shows a H for residual heat until it cools down so you can see if the hob is cool enough to clean.

I have a 63cm DeDietrich one where you can combine zones. I have had it 6 years, still looks new.

I combine zones for the "family pot" which is tall cooking pot from Ikea. I use to to batch cook a 4 or 6 family portion bolognaise.

My ring sizes don't cover that wide of a pan. I also combine 2 zones ie top left and bottom left for a 28cm circulon frying pan so I position the pan in the middle of those two zones. If it is in the wrong place it makes a sort of buzzing noise which means it isn't detecting the pan. If you lift the pan off the hob my display starts flashing tell me it isn't detecting a pan, if the pan is off too long it turns itself off.

When buying an induction hob check your pan sizes to see if they will fit the cook zone. As I said my 28cm pan is too big for the largest single zone setting. If you try to use it then only the centre of the pan gets heated leaving the outside cold. Unlike gas the pan edges don't heat up well meaning it takes much longer to cook.

There will be a minimum pan size too, but my smallest pan is 20cm. I think if you get the "piano" or "zoneless" hob then it just detects the pan base so you can place the pan anywhere. On a zoned hob you need to put the pan in the middle of the single zone, or the middle of the combined zone (so on mine in the middle but still to the left hand side of the middle line.)

HTH

I meant lock the panel so they cannot activate it or change the settings whilst it is cooking. Mine has all the same features as Bubbles and is a joy to clean. In case I didn't convey it, I absolutely love my hob.

Thanks HeyThere - the panels always look super confusing, I guess it takes time to get used to it. Good to hear they have suitable pans in Ikea too!

They're superb. I'm never going back. Cooking is more flexible as it's instant temperature changes, I can mop up any boilover water or splatter instantly with no risk of fire etc. It cools very quickly after turning off too.