Infrared vs Induction Cooktops: Which One Should You Buy in India?

Cooking technologies are changing every day, impacting the way we cook our food. Since the inception of fire, there has been only a single method to cook, which has been generating heat from fire to cook food. This method worked till the recent century, whether it's a kerosene gas stove or the modern gas stove, they all used the same technology, heating the cookware by fire only. But now the time has changed, as the cooking technology is being powered by electricity from electric stoves to electric ovens, microwave ovens to induction cooktops and infrared cooktops. But the most famous cooking techniques are induction cooking and infrared cooking nowadays.

But it becomes very confusing when one goes for the selection of these cooktops, as they offer almost similar benefits. Choosing the best induction cooktop becomes necessary due to the increasing electricity bill, or for faster cooking with safety as a priority. In this blog, we will discuss the difference between Infrared and Induction Cooktops, along with the benefits and how to choose the best induction cooktop that will fit your household cooking needs.

Infrared Cooktops – The Future of Efficient Cooking

Infrared cooktops use infrared radiation or infrared lights to generate heat to cook food directly, which offers uniform heating that makes it perfect for healthy cooking with less oil. The infrared cooktops offer quick performance, making them perfect for grilled veggies and meats.

 The rapid Infrared cooktops use radiant heat to cook food directly, offering uniform heating, healthy cooking with less oil quick performance, perfect for grilled veggies and meats. Thanks to rapid heating, they save both time and electricity. Morcom, a trusted Indian manufacturer, also produces high-quality infrared cooktops for efficient culinary experiences.

Induction Cooktops – Precision & Power

Induction cooktops generate heat via electromagnetic waves and work with only compatible (magnetic) cookware. Due to electromagnetic waves, induction cooktops provide the best safety, as there is no hot surface but they also save energy as the heat targets the pot directly.

If you are looking for the best induction cooktop brand in India, Marcoms stands out due to its reliable build, energy-efficient coils, ceramic glass surface with advanced safety features like auto shut-off, overheat protection and child lock.

Infrared vs Induction: Which is Better for Your Kitchen?

Infrared & Induction cooktops are two of the main cooking techniques used nowadays but choosing one of them depends on several factors like cooking preferences, budget, safety features and energy efficiency. There are mainly 4 factors that play a key role in decision making to purchase them:

1. Cooking Performance

Infrared cooktops use infrared waves that are emitted from a halogen lamp and coil system under a glass surface. These cooktops heat the cookware’s surface directly with a uniform heat distribution. Due to uniform heat distribution, these cooktops become ideal for cooking tasks like slow simmering and fit a variety of cookware, even glass and ceramic.

On the other hand, Induction Cooktops work on an electromagnetic field that directly heats the metal base of the cookware. As the cooktop directly targets the pot, it means it makes the heat-up time faster with precise temperature control. This feature also makes them the energy save one, making them fit for modern cooking techniques. However, these cooktops only work with ferrous (magnetic) cookware like stainless steel and cast iron.

Conclusion:Induction cooktops are faster and more precise, while infrared cooktops offer broader compatibility and even heating.

2. Power Consumption

However, Infrared cooktops are a better option than traditional coil cooktops in comparison to power consumption. But in comparison to induction cooktops, they still use more power since they use radiant heat which takes slightly longer to heat up and cool down.

Induction cooktops are known for their superior energy efficiency as they transfer upto 90% of the energy to the cookware. Due to minimal loss of energy, cooking time becomes shorter, making them perfect for energy-conscious users.

Conclusion:Induction cooktops win hands down in terms of energy efficiency and lower electricity bills over time.

3. Safety and Ease of Use

Infrared Cooktops retain the heat for a long time even if they are switched off which may cause the risk of burning if not taken care of. Although they don't require any specific type of cookware and they are simple to use.

On the other hand, Induction Cooktops remain cool to the touch (apart from the heat transferred back from the hot pan) which reduces the risk of accidental burns. Most of Marcom induction cooktops come with features like child lock, auto shut-off and overheat protection.

Conclusion:Induction cooktops offer better safety features and are more suitable for homes with kids or elderly users.

4. Price Comparison

Infrared cooktops are generally considered more affordable than induction cooktops as they don't need any special cookware and they also come in a wider range of budget-friendly models. This makes them a good choice for casual cooking or for users who don’t want to invest in new cookware.

Induction cooktops can be more expensive upfront, as there may be an additional cost involved if you need to replace incompatible cookware. However, the long-term savings in energy and cooking time may offset the initial investment.

Conclusion:Infrared cooktops are better for those on a budget, while induction cooktops offer greater long-term value.

Summary

Infrared and induction cooktops are modern cooking solutions, each with unique advantages. Infrared cooktops offer even heating, broader cookware compatibility, and affordability. Induction cooktops ensure faster cooking, better energy efficiency, and enhanced safety features. Choose infrared for budget and versatility, or induction for precision, safety, and long-term energy savings based on your kitchen needs and priorities.