The Common Cooking Habit You Should Never Do With An Induction Stove

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Cooking with an induction cooktop is arguably a game-changer. Not only are foods cooked quicker and more evenly, but you'll also find that maintaining this type of stove is much easier compared with stovetops that have grates. Still, such conveniences do come with a cost, as these types of cooktops are much more expensive than gas and electric versions. There are also some initial costly downsides of switching from gas to induction appliances, even if induction cooking is more efficient in the long-run. You'll want to do everything you can to protect your kitchen investment, which also includes avoiding some costly mistakes. Dragging pots and pans across the surface of your induction cooktop is one common cooking mistake to be aware of.

Induction cooktops consist of smooth surfaces, which makes it tempting to drag pots and pans across them. This can understandably happen if you're trying to quickly swap out cookware between burners. However, these dragging motions can create permanent scratches in the glass-ceramic surface of your stove. The risk is greater if the pot or pan is heavy when it's slid across the cooktop, or if it has a scratchy, uneven base. To prevent scratches, you should always pick up your cookware when transferring it to another area along your induction cooktop surface. Another mistake is to slam down your cookware with force onto the induction device. Doing so might make the surface crack altogether.

If you own an induction cooktop, there are some key rules to follow. First, since the device works with a magnetic current, your cookware has to have ferrous iron in order to stick to the burners and heat up. Trying to use aluminum or copper pots and pans will not work unless they are coated with iron on their bottom exteriors. One example is the Induction Cookware Set from BEZIA, which has stainless steel bases that are appropriate for induction stoves. 

Aside from using compatible stainless steel cookware, there are some key cooking habits that can harm your induction device. Since these cooktops are coated with glass-ceramic composites, they can be susceptible to scratches and will need extra care to prevent permanent damage. Resist the temptation to slide any pots and pans, even if they seem like they're not heavy. It's also a good idea to make sure the bottoms of your cookware are always clean and free of debris before placing them onto these scratch-prone surfaces. Never use your induction cooktop for food prep either as utensils, cutting boards, and other items may scratch the surface. After cooking, be sure to wipe down the cooled-down cooktop with a damp microfiber cloth, and avoid sponges or any other abrasive materials and cleaners that might otherwise scratch the glass. It's also worth knowing how damaged an induction cooktop can get before it needs replacement.