The way induction stoves work is very unique. Instead of transferring heat from an element or flame to a pot, an electromagnetic field causes the pot itself to heat up. While the technology is revolutionary, it also raises concerns for some people.
Safety Features:
If metal causes the stove to turn on, do we need to be concerned about placing metal utensils on the stove?
A mechanism allows the stove to only turn on if sufficient metal is placed within the element field, and only if the element itself is turned on. For example, if you place a spoon in the element area, the stove will not turn on because the amount of metal isn't large enough to trigger the field. Most items in the kitchen aren't as large as the size of a pot or a pan. Only a large enough amount of the proper type of metal (which a magnetic field can react to) will trigger the induction stove to turn on.
Just like a normal stove, if the knob or buttons aren't turned on, nothing is heating up even if a pot or pan is placed on the stove. The safety mechanism of detecting the amount of metal in the field works when the stove is turned on.
Can you Wear Jewelry While Cooking:
One question that I had for a long time was whether or not the person cooking could have jewelry on their hands or wrists. Logically speaking, it seemed as though the jewelry would heat up because hands are relatively close to the ‘element'. Several sites I have been to have addressed this issue and have assured their readers that it is perfectly safe to wear jewelry while cooking. Apparently the jewelry would have to be very close to the center surface of the cooking area for anything to happen. Most people are not in the habit of putting their hands so close to a burning hot pan. So the distance hands are kept away from the area coupled with the fact that jewelry generally doesn't contain any magnetic material makes it fine to keep your jewelry on.
Child Proofing:
Many induction cooktops come with child friendly safety features. The knobs or controls to turn the power on are not easy for a child to maneuver. Just like any kind of stove, it is never recommended to leave children alone in the kitchen area.
Temperature sensitive shut off features:
Some induction ranges have additional safety features. Some will shut off automatically if the temperature of the surface becomes hotter than a certain temperature. Remember, induction stove surfaces don't heat up except from contact with the heat of the pan or pot on top. When the temperature of the stove surface reaches a relatively high temperature, usually the reason is because a pan has boiled dry and is heating up unusually high. The heat of the pan would be transferred to the stove surface; the stove would detect this and shut the power off to the unit.
Some stoves have an alarm which sounds if liquids boil over. The unit can detect large spills and may either sound a noise to indicate the problem, or shut the unit off.
Quick Cool Down of the Induction Surface:
The surface of the cook top itself does not heat up while cooking, but heat from the cooking vessel can be transferred to the surface. The surface is designed to cool down quickly once the vessel is removed. Because the surface can remain hot for a short period of time, some cook tops have indicators to show the areas where heat may still be high. This helps prevent accidentally touching the area before it is cool.
No Open Flames:
Unlike gas stoves, induction varieties don't have any open flames. You get all the benefits of quick temperature response time which is similar to gas, but the dangers of open flames are absent.
There are dangers inherent in any type of cooktop, whether induction, natural gas or electricity. The many safety features make using induction cooking methods equally if not more safe than other types of cooking.
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