Induction cookers don’t use fire, so it must be safer, right? What about the electromagnetic field it produces? Does that mean exposure to radiation? Well, there’s no better way to support our claims that induction cookers are safe than to explain it with science. That being said, we’ll let science do the talking.
The Electromagnetic Field Controversy
A buzz circulated around the 1980s that discussed the correlation between cancer and power lines. It says that exposure to radiation produced by power lines can cause cancer. Because of that, people started to lose trust in induction cookers, insisting that electromagnetic fields emit high doses of radiation.
Let’s make this clear once and for all. Electromagnetic fields have the potential to be dangerous—that is if you’re working with nuclear bombs or nuclear power plants. Even if you stay beside your induction cooker all day, every day, the electromagnetic field produced by this kitchen appliance is extremely small that getting into contact with it doesn’t pose a single hint of threat.
Better Safe than Sorry?
Induction cookers still produce electromagnetic fields, so it’s better to be safe than to be sorry, right? Unfortunately, this is the mindset of a lot of people when it comes to induction cookers. If you make it a habit to check facts and rely on science in explaining things, you’d be able to make an informed decision for yourself.
It is actually really difficult to find a study that discusses the direct correlation between induction cookers and their effects on humans, aside from their efficiency and making their lives easier, of course.
However, since we know much about radiation and electromagnetic fields, we can easily conclude that the average home does not produce power levels that can be considered harmful. Induction cookers are actually somewhat safer than the other appliances you have in your home.
Induction vs. Fire
Perhaps the main reason why we’re confident in claiming that induction cookers are safe is that they don’t use fire in cooking. Believe it or not, there are about 1.2 million fire incidents last 2019 in the USA alone. An estimated 354,000 of these incidents occurred in residential areas. To make matters worse, half of these incidents are caused by cooking.
These numbers somehow put things into perspective, doesn’t it? Induction cookers will not cause home fires because they don’t even use fire in the first place. You will need a certain kind of metal for it to produce heat, which means that anything non-metal, like paper or your hand, will not burn no matter how long it comes into contact with an induction cooker’s cooktop.
Using the Right Type of Material
One of the best ways to guarantee that you’re not misusing your induction cooker is by using the right pan. Induction cookers only work when it comes into contact with cookware made of cast iron or some types of stainless steel.
If you’re unsure whether or not your pan is compatible, check underneath the pan and see if it has a label that says “induction compatible.” If it doesn’t, you can still determine its compatibility with a magnet.
Simply hold a magnet at the bottom of the pan. If the magnet sticks, it will work on the induction cooker, but if the magnet slides softly or does not stick at all, you have a slimmer or no chance at all of generating heat from the induction cooker.
Furthermore, if you’re going to install a built-in induction cooker, you need to ensure that the countertop material can withstand the heat that may come from the pan and the energy that comes from the cooker. Looking for professional services for stone countertop installation may help you with this.
Be Mindful of the Induction Cooker’s Efficiency
Once you’ve turned on your induction cooker, make sure that you use the right amount of power for what you’re cooking. Since most of the heat generated by an induction cooker goes directly into heating the pan, it works faster in cooking your food as compared to gas stoves. That being said, it will take a shorter time if you cook with an induction cooker, and leaving the pan on top of the induction cooker may burn whatever it is you’re cooking if you put it on high power.
In today’s day and age, it has become easier for us to combine efficiency and safety. This is thanks to all the progress and developments we’ve made in the world of technology. While it may take some time before all of us are convinced about these new forms of technology, it only takes a little research and understanding to know how much they can improve our lives.
