what is an induction hob

An induction hob, also known as an induction cooktop, is a type of electric cooktop that uses direct electrical induction heating of cooking vessels, rather than relying on indirect radiation, convection, or thermal conduction. When you turn on an induction hob, a magnetic field underneath the surface is activated. A cooking vessel with a suitable base is placed on the hob, which generally has a heat-proof glass-ceramic surface above a coil of copper wire with a low radio frequency alternating electric current passing through it. The resulting oscillating electromagnetic field induces an electrical current in the vessel, and the base of the pan gets heated. This is why induction cooking is so fast and efficient, allowing high power and very rapid increases in temperature to be achieved, and changes in heat settings are instantaneous. Induction hobs are different from other hobs on the market, as they directly heat the pan and not the hob ring. They are as fast to respond as gas and as precise as electricity, and the hob itself stays almost completely cold, making it safer and easier to clean. However, induction hobs require the use of magnetic cookware, which can be more expensive than regular cookware.