Induction Vs. Radiant Heat Flat Top Stove

Cast iron pans may need frequent seasoning to keep them from sticking.

Induction and radiant stove tops operate differently. An induction stove top uses magnetic energy to heat a pot or a pan, while radiant stoves use halogen lamps or radiant elements under the glass top to provide direct heat to the pans, which transfer the heat to the food.

Function

All stove tops heat from underneath the cooking surface. An induction stove top uses electricity to create a magnetic field and only works with pots and pans made from iron, such as cast iron pans or enamel-coated, cast iron pots and pans.

Considerations

Choosing between an induction or radiant stove top involves deciding whether or not you want to use pans made from aluminum or glass, although you can use stainless steel cookware, since these pans contain iron. All kinds of pots and pans safe for direct heating work on radiant stove tops.

Benefits

Smooth top stoves use less electricity than the heating coils that sit above the surface of the stove. Both induction and radiant cook tops provide a sleeker look in a kitchen and may be easier to clean than conventional stove tops that use exposed heating coils.

References

• Induction Site: How Induction Works
• Consumer Energy Center: Stoves, Ranges and Ovens