How to Use an Induction Hob

Have you ever found yourself in your new student halls staring at an induction hob with no idea how to use it?

Living away from mum and dad can be stressful enough without having to worry about using devices you’ve never seen before.

Induction hobs are all the rage for student housing in the modern age, but don’t worry – we’ve got the tools to break it down for you.

What is an induction hob?

Induction hobs are considered one of the safest ways of cooking and are often used in student accommodation as a safety measure.

Induction hobs are specially designed with a copper coil underneath the surface which passes electricity through a coil to induce a magnetic field in the bottom of the pan. This heats the base of the pan which then cooks the food inside.

It is a more efficient way of cooking and is 90% more ecologically friendly as it does not require gas of any kind.

How do induction hobs work?

So now you know what they are, but the question that’s most likely on your mind is – how do I use an induction hob?

The key thing to remember is to make sure you have pans suitable for induction hobs. Most students have been there before, buying a brand-new set of pans before arriving at university only to realise they don’t work on the induction surface.

Why?

Copper can’t conduct a magnetic field, so you must buy cast iron-based pans, or a magnetic grade of stainless steel. The easiest way to check this is to find a small fridge magnet and test the bottom of the pans you’re intending to buy while in the shop. If the magnet sticks to the bottom, it will work for the induction surface.

Now you’re in your accommodation with the right set of pans, but you’re first thought is: how to turn on the induction hobs? Though initially it can seem difficult to navigate, once you’ve learnt how to do it once, it will become second nature.

Follow these simple steps and we’ll have you cooking like Gordon Ramsey in no time.

• There will be a red switch above the unit which must be switched on to conduct electricity to the hob
• Simply place your induction pan on one of the rings
• Keep your finger on the power switch until it lights up
• There will be four small rings with a plus or minus sign so you can choose the right ring to heat up
• Adjust the heat setting with the plus or minus sign to the temperature needed

That’s it! Once you’ve finished cooking, hold your finger on the power button again until it turns off.

How to clean an induction hob?

Far removed from the classic enamelled steel surface of your gas hobs at home, an induction hob surface is made from tempered glass which makes it extremely easy to clean.

There’s no need to wait half an hour for those gas rings to cool down, with induction hobs the surface only remains warm due to the bottom of the pans.

A few minutes left to cool down and you can clean the surface in less than a minute.

Have you found yourself wondering what to clean induction hobs with?

All you need is soap and water. It’s that simple.

There’s no special cleaning fluid needed. A clean cloth or sponge will be able to pick up any residual dirt, water or grime left from cooking.

Stay away from those chemically induced cleaning detergents as this can damage the glass and cause food particles to become lodged inside. The same can be said for any rough sponges or steel wool – stick to cotton cloths, soap and water when cleaning your surfaces for the best effects.

Have we put all your concerns about induction hobs to rest? As long as you follow our tips above, your move into an independent lifestyle will be made that little bit easier to help you cope without help from mum and dad.