What is the difference between an induction cooker and a glass-ceramic cooker: a description of the technical characteristics and an overview of popular models
When choosing a stove for the kitchen, a person cannot always understand what characterizes an induction cooker, what its principle of operation is and how it differs from a glass-ceramic hob powered by electricity, because the appearance of both of these devices is very similar.
In the article, we will consider in detail each type of modern cooking equipment, examine the advantages and disadvantages, and conclude which version of the device will be the best solution for large and small kitchens.
Content
Induction cooker
Description
The induction cooker is the most modern kitchen cooking equipment based on the heating of metal utensils by an induced vortex flow, which is produced from a high-frequency magnetic field.
The heat in this process is directed directly into the pot or pan.
The induction hob is similar in appearance to a device with a glass-ceramic hob.
An important difference is that the innovative stove does not have heating elements, their function is performed by the bottoms of dishes with ferromagnetic properties.
The hob of such stoves is multifunctional, for example, it has a quick heating burner, a booster function (power transfer from one column to another), a sound timer and other options.
Principle of operation
The principle of operation of induction models is based on the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, which was discovered by the English physicist M. Faraday in the early 19th century.
The induction cooker is a portable transformer. Under its glass-ceramic surface there is an induction coil with a copper winding, through which an electric current flows, with a frequency of 20-60 kHz.
The current is transformed into electromagnetic fields and already generates induction currents, which cause the electronic particles of the bottom of the dish (closed circuit conductor) to move and heat up.
Kinds
There are several types of stoves with an induction hob.:
- A stove made in conjunction with an oven.
- Combination cooker - two burners on the product are powered by electricity, two - on the principle of induction.
- Built-in hob. A convenient option for a small kitchen, you can install special drawers for storing dishes under it.
- Tabletop. A convenient option for the country, on the road or for one person.
Advantages and disadvantages
pros
- high cooking speed, due to the rapid heating of the bottom of the dishes, and not the hob;
- economical consumption of electricity;
- during cooking, the air in the kitchen almost does not heat up;
- high safety of the appliance, thanks to the automatic switching on and off of the stove when dishes are placed or removed on it;
- minimal risk of burns due to the cold edge of the burner;
- the surface is easy to clean, since dirt, food and fat do not burn and do not form smoke - just wipe it with a damp sponge or cloth;
- instantaneous temperature change accurate to a degree;
- the stove adjusts to the bottom of the dish and heats it to the desired temperature;
- the hob will not work if you put dishes on it with a diameter of less than 12 cm, so it will not turn on if a spoon or other object accidentally hits it;
- the device is equipped with many important programs that make life easier for housewives - boiling water, stewing vegetables, etc.
Minuses
- the high cost of the device - you have to pay a lot for good functionality and convenience;
- it is necessary to use special dishes with a bottom that has ferromagnetic properties - it will ensure economy, safety and efficiency (the bottom can be checked with an ordinary magnet);
- the glass-ceramic surface is very fragile, it is important to exclude accidental point impacts in order to avoid cracks and chips;
- do not clean the stove with abrasive powders and hard sponges;
- when the device is operating, noise is heard - buzzing or buzzing;
- the induction hob must not be installed next to other household appliances (washing machine, dishwasher, oven), as it may adversely affect their operation.
glass ceramic hob
Description
Glass-ceramic kitchen equipment is a type of electric cooker. The glass-ceramic hob is made from a special material - ceran, which has high strength and the ability to withstand impact of any force.
The glass-ceramic hob is characterized by a mirror and absolutely smooth surface, on which there are two types of electric hotplates:
- ordinary;
- double-circuit - designed to control the level of heating, depending on the size of the dishes.
In addition to heating elements, the stove is equipped with an oven.
Principle of operation
The main working elements of the glass-ceramic stove are heated instantly with the help of a tubular electric heater. From it, through the glass surface, heat passes, which heats the dishes.
Halogen burners with heat-emitting bulbs, or the most modern Hi Light burners are mounted in glass-ceramic panels - they are heated from a specially fused tape in the form of a snake.
The principle of operation of such a stove is similar to the performance of a conventional stove with cast-iron pancakes. The heating element itself increases the heat and conducts it to the pan or pan.
Kinds
Plates made of glass-ceramic differ in the type of burners.
They are of three types:
- burners with a heating element in the form of a halogen bulb - warm up in 3 seconds, powerful, but do not last long;
- rapid burners - warm up in 12 seconds, the role of the heating element is played by a spiral with high resistance. An improved version of such modern burners is Hi Light, they can warm up in 7 seconds;
- induction burners — heating happens instantly, and the electric power is carefully saved. However, the price of stoves with this type of burner is very high.
Advantages and disadvantages
pros
- vertical thermal conductivity, due to which thermal energy falls only on the bottom of the dishes, and not on the entire hob. The glass-ceramic stove is able to withstand heating up to 600 degrees;
- quick cooling of the hob - by changing the position of the switch, you can adjust the desired temperature of the heating element;
- different temperature regimes of burners for cooking;
- careful consumption of electricity, due to the fact that the heating elements adjust to different diameters of dishes;
- water boiling control function - greatly reduces the likelihood of contamination;
- ovens have lighting, ventilation, heating sensors, grill and skewer, steam self-cleaning system;
- protection from children, blocking access to the control of the plate;
- high strength of the hob, thanks to the material - ceran;
- the possibility of using dishes of original forms (ducklings, cauldron, etc.);
- the smooth mirror surface of the hob fits perfectly into the kitchen set and ennobles it.
Minuses
- in many models, it is necessary to use dishes made of certain materials, preferably with a flat, thick and matte bottom (ware made of ceramics, glass, aluminum and copper is not suitable);
- difficulty in care - you need to clean the stove with a special tool - a scraper with a thin blade, and expensive household chemicals created specifically for glass ceramics, otherwise oxidation and the formation of micro-scratches can be provoked;
- point and excessive loads on the surface are contraindicated;
- due to low sides, escaped milk or soup can drain to the floor;
- the glass-ceramic stove should not be stained with sugar products, since such contamination is practically impossible to wipe off;
- these models are contraindicated in a sharp temperature drop, as this disables household appliances.
Comparison of induction and glass-ceramic stoves
| Characteristics | Induction cooker | glass ceramic hob |
| Suitable cookware | Special cookware with a flat bottom and ferromagnetic properties | Dishes of a completely different shape, you can not use old dishes |
| Heating rate | Almost instantly | A couple of minutes |
| efficiency | About 90% | About 60% |
| economy | Consumes less electricity, costs less | Consumes more electricity |
| Safety | The hob is safe for children and animals, not recommended for people with pacemakers | Less dangerous than gas, but there is a risk of burns |
| Noise | Pretty quiet sounds, humming | Silent |
| Care | Liquids and food are easily removed with a damp cloth | Contaminants are easily removed, except for food made from sugar |
| Control | Automatic switch on, touch control | Mechanical or sensor activation and regulation |
The conclusion is the following: in an attempt to save money on kitchen equipment, it is better to give preference to a glass-ceramic stove..
However, if you want to save time and effort, it is better to choose induction, because it cooks faster and is easier to clean. Also, the induction hob is good because it consumes much less electricity, as it heats up faster and has the function of automatically controlling the temperature of the burners.
But the big plus of a glass-ceramic stove is its absolutely silent operation, which cannot be said about its opponent.
The choice is always up to the buyer: an expensive, but the most modern product, freeing up time for the owner's personal affairs; or a device in the middle price segment, but causing some discomfort in maintenance and operation.
Both a glass-ceramic hob and an induction appliance can save space in a small kitchen, because it can be built into furniture or placed on a work surface.
TOP 5 induction cookers
Hansa BHI68300
Electric induction cooker in a stylish minimalist black design. 
Temperature control with a sensor and built-in functions will be clear to any cook.
The equipment is very powerful and heats up instantly.
Specifications:
- type of surface - electric cooking;
- location - independent;
- dimensions - 60 * 50 cm;
- power - 7 kW;
- panel material - glass-ceramic;
- number of burners - 4;
- regulation - touch, buttons;
- timer - yes;
- blocking the hob - yes;
- residual heat indicator - yes;
- shade is black.
pros
- intuitive regulation;
- good power;
- stylish appearance;
- child lock;
- sound timer.
Minuses
- when automatically turned off, all burners stop working;
- there is an unpleasant smell when working.
Electrolux EHF 96547 XK
Multifunctional induction cooker: boiling, shutdown during the passage 
liquids, protection from children and animals, etc..
Heating elements have many options, and the hob itself can be placed anywhere and even built into the headset.
Specifications:
- type of surface - electric cooking;
- location - independent;
- dimensions - 57.6 * 51.6 cm;
- power - 7.1 kW;
- panel material - glass-ceramic;
- number of burners - 4;
- number of burners Hi Light - 4;
- the number of three-circuit - 1;
- number of counters with an oval heating zone - 1;
- regulation - touch, slider;
- timer - yes, sound;
- blocking the hob - yes;
- residual heat indicator - yes;
- shade - black with silver.
pros
- convenient to care for;
- excellent value for money;
- many options;
- understandable management.
Minuses
- black color is very easily soiled;
- short power cord;
- high energy consumption.
Bosch PIE631FB1E
The German induction cooker has convenient buttons on the touch panel, the function 
automatic recognition of dishes on the surface.
The device informs about the end of cooking and blocks the hob from animals and children.
Specifications:
- type of surface - electric cooking;
- location - independent;
- dimensions - 59.2 * 52.2 cm;
- power - 7.4 kW;
- panel material - glass-ceramic;
- number of burners - 4;
- regulation - touch, buttons;
- timer - yes, with sound;
- blocking the hob - yes;
- residual heat indicator - yes;
- shade is black.
pros
- there is a Boost mode - instant boiling of water;
- uniform heating in all modes;
- sound notification;
- Beautiful design.
Minuses
- the surface is easily scratched;
- there is a little noise in Boost mode.
Fornelli PGA 45 Fiero
The plate is made in tempered glass. In the arsenal there is a wok burner with a triple flame 
for instant heating of food.
For burners, both flat bottoms of dishes and spherical ones are suitable.
Specifications:
- type of surface - gas cooking;
- location - independent;
- dimensions - 45 * 51 cm;
- panel material - tempered glass;
- number of burners - 3;
- regulation - rotary;
- timer - yes;
- shade is black.
pros
- compactness;
- the turbo burner works well;
- easy to care for.
Minuses
- handles are not very good quality;
- electric ignition may not work.
Hotpoint-Ariston IKIA 640 C
Induction hob with automatic pan detection. Sound timer 
can be set to a specific cooking time.
The stove saves electricity, because it heats up almost immediately when turned on.
Specifications:
- type of surface - electric cooking;
- location - independent;
- dimensions - 59 * 51 cm;
- power - 7 kW;
- panel material - glass-ceramic;
- number of burners - 4;
- regulation - touch, buttons;
- timer - yes;
- blocking the hob - yes;
- residual heat indicator - yes;
- shade is black.
pros
- touch panel for control;
- high-quality material of the hob;
- works almost silently
- aristocratic stylish design.
Minuses
- The induction hob often gets dirty, you have to wipe it with a damp cloth after each use.
Useful video
From the video you will learn how the induction cooker differs from the glass-ceramic one:
Well, I don’t know, all these disadvantages that you described are not so terrible. I also have Hotpoint-Ariston, I don’t think that it cost me a lot, especially since such a stove is much more convenient and functional
I liked the option of glass ceramic tiles. Only here confuses the number of given minuses. It is clear that there are always disadvantages, especially in technology. The question is how much they spoil the overall picture of using such a stove.
You know, I would never say that the induction cooker has some kind of high cost, so I generally bought my indesit at an affordable price and am satisfied.
I do not agree about the fact that induction gets dirty more often. I have whirlpool induction. Its surface is excellent, not easily soiled. Divorces, dirt or fingers are not very visible
Was glass ceramics, now induction. Both plates are excellent, induction is a little noisy, but heats up faster.
But for some reason no one even tries to hide the slyness about the dishes.After all, on an induction stove, you can cook perfectly in an enameled pot and cast-iron skillet. Therefore, do not rush to write off your old utensils for scrap. When buying an induction cooker, the first thing I heard was: have you already purchased the dishes for it?
Bought a long time ago! Cast iron, it's eternal! Yes, and not all of the enameled dishes have been thrown away. There is only one minus of induction - and not all of them, she does not see small dishes. Here is a geyser coffee maker, even though it was bought for an induction cooker.
Hello ! I have a glass-ceramic stove from Finland, it has been working for 20 years, I love it very much, but ... one small burner already works only at full, does not switch to a lower temperature and the oven bakes one barrel worse. I need to change, but I don't know how. I want with a grill, a timer and, of course, with a cool oven. I would like induction, but I do not know which one. It would be nice with a white top. Please advise which one to buy. I bake often, why is there only one baking sheet everywhere.? With sincere respect and wishes of health and LUCK, my dear children. Svetlana Kiyamovna.Sergienko