Are induction cookers harmful to health? Induction cookers: harm to health Induction hobs reviews harmfulness

Having bought an induction hob, a person does not think at all that even such a household and everyday appliance has its drawbacks. You should know about them in advance. In today's article, we will try to figure out whether it is harmful induction cooker. People's opinions on this issue vary. But what do experts say about it?

Unit characteristics

An induction cooker is a type of cooker. How does it work? The job of such a cooker is to heat the cooking utensils with induced eddy currents. Everything happens due to electromagnetic fields with a frequency of 30 to 200 kHz.

The plate consists of a casing, a control panel, a temperature sensor, a power section control circuit, and a pulse regulator.

Reviews note the following advantages of induction cookers over simple ones:

Due to the higher efficiency, this unit starts to heat the dishes as soon as it is turned on. It is from this action that energy is saved.
Protection against uneven dishes. The hob blocks the burner if there is an uneven pan on the hob.
Automatic shutdown when removing dishes.
Constantly keeps the temperature set by the sensor. Thanks to this sensor, the temperature does not rise.
The power does not depend on the mains voltage.
Lots of choice programs for cooking.
It is almost impossible to get burned due to heating from above.
This stove is easy to use and maintain.
Due to the glass over the entire surface, the dishes do not burn from the outside.

There are also disadvantages. These reviews include the following. This is a lot of power, which is why it is necessary to use special dishes. Also, if you use all the burners at once, the stove does not give out all its power.

Aggregate types

All induction cookers are divided into only 3 types. These are desktop, built-in and combined. Desktop induction is not very large in size and has only one burner. Built-in - those stoves that can be built into the interior of the kitchen with furniture. Combined - these are stoves in which part of the burners depends on electricity, and the other part starts its work as soon as dishes appear on the work surface.

Operating principle

Before using an induction hob, you need to know how it works. The induction coil is the primary winding. And the second are kitchen utensils placed on the burner. When the cookware is placed on the working surface, induction currents are created which heat the cookware. The glass surface is also only heated by the cooking utensils.

We continue to study the principle of operation of induction cookers. The ability to fully control the heating power is carried out in two ways: continuously and intermittently. In the latter case, the unit will turn off and on depending on the installed power. Such regulation has a high speed of cooking homemade food - reviews say.

Cookware sets for induction cooker: what should be?

The dishes must have a magnetic bottom. Without this bottom, it will not heat up. In order not to run into defective goods, you can check the future product by taking a magnet and attaching it to the bottom. The result will not keep you waiting. If the magnet sticks, you can safely take such a product.

Such dishes are made of stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum. It should not be carried out on other steels. They insert a special bottom for such plates. The price of such dishes will significantly hit the wallet.

The best manufacturers designate dishes with generally accepted signs and for which stoves they are suitable. And they also tell if it is possible to wash dishes in a dishwasher, heating, and so on.

It is necessary to pay attention to the diameter of the cookware set for induction cookers. If too small, then this cookware is only suitable for gas or electric. Before using the induction hob, be sure to look at the bottom of the pan. It should be flat and close to the surface. Otherwise, cooking will not cause joy, and such a product will not last very long. long service hostesses.

When choosing sets of dishes on the Internet, you need to pay attention to the description and product cards. They contain all the necessary information and a contact number. hotline manufacturer. You need to choose stores that value their reputation. It is in this case that the entire percentage of “running into” marriage is reduced to a minimum.

Induction cooker "Electrolux"

Consider induction cookers from the manufacturer Electrolux. This is a well known company. Production is located in Sweden. The company itself is very old and was founded in 1919. Today it is already very common in the production of household appliances.

Over the long period of its activity, Electrolux has absorbed many companies, including Zanussi and AEG Hausgeräte GmbH. In this regard, the Swedish corporation formed the international companies Electrolux Group. During its existence, the corporation has acquired many trusted customers. It is interesting that such a large company has a simple, but very important slogan: “Make equipment not only multifunctional, but also reliable for centuries.”

Popular Models

Popular models of Electrolux induction cookers:

EHH 96340 FK. It's simple hob, there are four heating and touch control. Glass color is black. The power is 7600 W, and the dimensions are 5.5 x 59 x 52 centimeters.
EHI 96540 FW. It has a glass-ceramic coating, white lines, heating burners, the power of the stove is 7400 watts.

Before using the induction hob, it must be installed correctly. This work should be done by a specialist. After the stove has been installed, it must be cleaned of dirt. At the same time, use special chemicals, for cleaning glass-ceramic surfaces. It must be turned on to select the program that is needed for cooking, and, most importantly, read the instructions. This will help you select the correct heating power and burner.

Rating

List of best sellers:

Siemens EX375FXB1E.
Gorenje IT 332 CSC.
LEX EVI 320BL.

Gorenje IS 677 USC.
Bosch PIF 645FB1E.
Zanussi ZEI 5680 FB.

The best built-in induction cookers:

EHG 96341FK.
Zanussi ZEN 6641 XBA.
Electrolux EGD 6576 NOK.

The first models of induction cookers appeared in 1993. Most people did not want to take such stoves because they thought they were unhealthy. It was this topic that seemed very interesting to scientists. These people have done a lot of research on this topic. After a while, they were able to give an accurate verdict on the question that worried absolutely all citizens: is an induction cooker harmful? Fears were not confirmed, because such equipment cannot bring much harm to human health. For a complete proof, so that people have no doubts, scientists cited facts.

Is an induction cooker harmful? Electromagnetic radiation is very minimal, and it does not harm a person. Also in the plate there is an absorption function, so the magnetic field does not harm health. The magnetic field extends only to the dishes.

Is an induction cooker harmful? People with pacemakers need to be careful. It is they who are able to cause and create induction fields that will disable the device. All equipment has drawbacks, and plates are not among the exceptions. After the purchase, you will have to change the dishes for cooking. On ordinary dishes cooking will no longer work, as is the case with the classic gas stove, which is used by many to this day.

Doctors' opinion

What do doctors say about induction cookers? Is it harmful to health?

Modern research does not stand still. That is why scientists conducted all the studies of the induction cooker again, only 15 years after the old conclusion. After testing such a smart stove, scientists came to a conclusion that was made many years ago. The induction cooker does not harm anything, and also does not affect the human body at all.

Conclusion

In the induction cookers that have been studied, there is the smallest percentage of electromagnetic waves, which is not harmful to the entire population of the earth. Many people use microwave ovens, where the percentage of electromagnetic waves is slightly higher, and nothing happened.

Thus, induction hobs are no more dangerous than the same microwave ovens. Therefore, you can use this technique without any fear. There are, of course, exceptions (as we noted earlier, these are pacemakers). But otherwise described Appliances absolutely suitable for everyone.

Summing up, you should remember that you need to choose the right high-quality induction cooker, which will serve for a long time and responsibly in the kitchens of its owners.

Buying a stove is a serious purchase that requires special preparation. Most people do it only a few times in their entire lives. The current trend to replace electric cooktops with induction cooktops is quite popular. But along with this, the question often arises as to whether the induction cooker is harmful. To understand this issue, it is important to understand how this device works and what its features are.

The technology of the induction stove is to knead magnetic fields that generate heat in a ferrous metal digester. The advantage of induction cooking, as opposed to thermal heating with a traditional stove, is that it cooks food 50% faster and more evenly.

It also reduces the amount of electricity consumed. Especially this feature appealed to parents of young children. They also like the fact that the coil itself under the glass plate does not heat up. This means that the cooking surface remains cool, and even if the child accidentally touches it, he will definitely not burn himself.

It is also noteworthy that the induction hob allows you to save kitchen space. It is easy to mount on any surface and does not take up much space.

Features of the impact on the body

It is extremely controversial opinion about whether this type of radiation source is really dangerous. The latest information, which was published by the journal Bioelectromagnetics in 2012, suggests that most induction hobs (rings) have exceeded even the maximum levels of exposure to the human body. The worst-case scenario was 16 times higher than these maximum rates. According to Powerwatch, the safety tests assumed that a person would stand near the hob at a distance of at least thirty centimeters. In fact, it's practically impossible. After all, when preparing food, everyone tries to get as close as possible to the stove, otherwise you can spill, or scatter food, or spill the contents of the container, and so on.

It is worth noting that the harm of an induction cooker is comparable to the level of negative impact that a microwave oven has. The thing is that they work in a similar way.

Of course, induction furnace manufacturers insist that the technology is safe. They claim that the radiation hazard dissipates within a few centimeters of the instrument.

"Normal use" will not expose a person to radiation hazards.

The principle of operation of the induction hob

Induction hobs are a type of electric stove that uses magnetic coils to heat the cookware mounted on an induction unit. The coil itself does not get hot. Induction hobs are often used in commercial kitchens because they cook food faster than conventional electric or gas stoves. Because only the pot and food get hot, the kitchen stays cooler. They also have the advantage that even though the pan heats up very quickly, cool air is kept in the room.

The induction coils are connected to electronic power which generates a magnetic field. The electromagnetic field oscillates, causing the electrons in the metal pan to move quickly back and forth, thereby helping to heat the pan to the temperature to cook the food. The coils and the glass hob that covers them do not get hot because they do not contain any magnetic material.

It is important to note that food is cooked half as fast on this stove. When the temperature setting is changed, the electromagnetic field adjusts almost instantly, providing excellent control of the cooking temperature. Disabled people and children can work safely near the cool cooktop, and any spills are easy to clean up.

Induction hobs provide energy savings because the magnetic energy goes directly to the pan and very little heat is lost.

Radiation risks for the human body

Induction hobs provide extremely low frequency radiation similar to microwave radio frequency. According to numerous studies, the user must be at a sufficient distance from the hob. It is in this case that it will be possible to minimize the risk of receiving radioactive radiation.

Studies have been conducted to determine the safety of induction cooking for those who have implanted pacemakers or defibrillators. The results report that pacemakers do not cause interference with the induction technique. Another report notes that problems can occur with an implanted pacemaker if it is single-pole and left-handed and the person is standing next to a cooktop where the pot is not positioned concentrically over the coil.

Cookware that is used for cooking on this type of equipment must be suitable for the operation of the magnetic field. The scientists recommend using the correct size pan to cover the coil, centering the pan so that the coil is completely covered. It is better to use flat-bottomed pans that will stand firmly on the stove. Pots must be in good contact with the hob. It is also important to avoid the use of metal cups that can conduct current through the human body.

Based on the information above, it becomes clear that the harm from the induction cooker is not so high if you use this hob correctly.

Reasons for the popularity of induction stoves

Induction hobs are becoming an increasingly popular choice: no wonder, since they are faster and more efficient than older hobs. The cooking method of an induction hob involves the use of electromagnetism to create a magnetic field between the cookware, which should have a high iron content, and the coil under the glass lid.

Electricity travels through a copper coil magnet inside an induction hob, creating electromagnetic energy. The energy passes through the hob directly into the iron-based pan, producing a current which in turn generates heat.

Induction hobs are fast and effective method heating products. This technique is faster and cheaper, although often more expensive. Because the heat is transferred directly to the pan and not to the entire cooking surface. This means that a person can touch the surface and not burn themselves.

That is why the popularity of the induction hob is only increasing.

Many users choose this stove option, even though it has some harm to human health.

Advantages and disadvantages of induction hobs

It should be remembered that special dishes are required for induction equipment. It is best to give preference to products that contain a lot of iron.

You can check the quality of the product with a magnet. If it sticks to the dish, then it is suitable for use.

Pots compatible with induction hobs are widely available at cookware stores.

Induction hobs have both a number of advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of the device are

energy efficiency;
modern design and style of the product;
rapid heating and accelerated cooking;
contact safety;
a bunch of additional features such as flexible cooking zones, timers and safety blocks for children.

The disadvantages of induction hobs are the following:

high cost of the product;
the need to purchase special utensils for cooking;
relatively noisy, in comparison with other devices, the operation of the device.

You will need the help of an electrician to install the hob. His services can be ordered directly at the point of sale where the purchase is made, or hired from outside.

Without a doubt, this technique has many advantages, but despite them, you should always follow the rules for using this surface for cooking. If you follow all the recommendations, then the cooking process will be quite convenient, and the food will be cooked quickly and efficiently. And, of course, the harm to health will be minimal and practically not noticeable.

We are all used to the fact that Everyday life we are surrounded by many ultra-modern household appliances that have greatly facilitated our existence. Despite the variety of technology, manufacturers claim that all of it is absolutely harmless.

One of modern technologies is an induction oven, which has already fallen in love with many housewives. What is this miracle device? Is an induction cooker harmful to health or is it all fiction of malicious competitors?

What are induction cookers?

Induction cooker is a device used for cooking that heats metal utensils by magnetic induction rather than by heat conduction from a flame or electrical heating element. Since the electromagnetic field heats up the dishes directly, this makes it possible to very quickly reach high temperature with minimal energy loss (if you use the right utensils).

This miracle device appeared on the free market for a long time - about a quarter of a century ago. Since that moment, many consumers have managed to purchase and positively evaluate the kitchen invention. Still: this stove is the dream of any housewife and goes well with any interior, very convenient and comfortable to use, greatly facilitates the process of cooking.

The induction method of incandescence has long been used in the metallurgical industry. This principle of connection between magnetic flux and electric current is the basis of the modern invention.

One of the main conditions for the good operation of the induction cooker is the use of a special metal utensils, which, when the hob is turned on, is able to absorb the energy of the magnetic field.

Due to the ferromagnetic substance, the maximum coefficient is achieved useful action(efficiency). Therefore, the main advantage of the induction cooker is that it is able to give the maximum amount of energy during operation. The efficiency is about 90%, while for an electric furnace it is 70%, and for a gas furnace it is even an order of magnitude less - an average of about 40%.

The following question arises: if this modern type of stoves has so many advantages, then why have not all housewives dared to get to know the miracle oven better?

Harm to the induction cooker

In fact, the kitchen heating system is not the main killer of the century. There has not yet been a proven case of damage to health due to the negative effects of a modern induction hob during normal use.

Induction hobs produce extremely low frequency radiation, similar to radio frequency. According to TheInductionSite.com, this type of radiation decreases to zero at distances from a few to 30 cm from the source. Under normal use, no one would hold a body part at that distance. And in order to really get harm from induction watering, you need to practically touch it during operation.

Electromagnetic field: what lies behind it?

Many buyers are sure that induction cookers are unhealthy, because they produce a magnetic field that adversely affects the human body. Indeed, kitchen appliances generate a certain electromagnetic field, but it is so meager that it is even inferior mobile phone. If we draw an analogy with a microwave oven, then we can say that here, too, the induction hob shows its best side, because its degree of radiation is much lower.

If you look inside the kitchen appliances, you can see that each burner has an induction coil, which, under the influence of electricity, creates a magnetic field. The resulting alternating currents, penetrating through the hob, are transmitted to the dishes. That is why the bottom of kitchen utensils that are placed on the stove should preferably be made of special alloys - this contributes to the process of magnetization reversal for further heat generation.

Symbol indicating the compatibility of cookware with an induction hob

The conclusion follows from this: the electromagnetic field is aimed at heating the bottom of the dish, but its frequency is so small that there is nothing to fear from it! To reduce these indicators, you should follow simple rules:

in the process of cooking, put only special dishes on the stove (some housewives choose them together with a magnet) or use discs that allow you to heat any;
the bottom of the dishes should cover the burner as much as possible;
the dishes should be even and as tightly as possible on the hob.

If you follow these rules, you can minimize the electromagnetic impact.

Modern stoves will not let you put inappropriate dishes with a magnetic bottom, which could harm the device and human health, caused by the formation of a strong RF field.

Emission and radiation

There is an opinion that from the food that was cooked on an induction stove, a stream of energy emanates in the form of radio waves, or in other words, it is radioactive. In fact, this is all untrue. The electromagnetic field is not able to change the molecular structure, so the cooked food will be absolutely safe. The same applies to general radioactive radiation: if the furnace was installed by a specialist, observing all necessary rules(grounding, general safety regulations), then the effect of electromagnetic interference at a distance of 0.5 meters is reduced to zero. Moreover, all the energy during cooking is absorbed by the dishes, regardless of its thickness.

People with a pacemaker

Sometimes it happens that a person has problems with the work of the heart and he needs medical intervention. A pacemaker is a modern medical device that is sewn into chest for its direct effect on heart rate. This technique reacts violently to various electromagnetic radiation, so such patients are contraindicated not only to use, but also to be near the induction furnace!

Before buying a modern stove, carefully read its instructions so that you do not regret your purchase later.

Remember! Induction kitchen appliances are no more dangerous than other household appliances that have stubbornly entered and merged into our lives. In some respects, it is even safer, since it cannot cause an explosion, does not emit excess heat, and does not burn oxygen.

If you are a lover of delicious food and a lazy person by nature, an induction cooker is sure to be present in the kitchen. The thought of its harm does not even creep into the head: its convenience and speed of cooking make you forget about all the negative nuances of operation.

The less time the hostess spends on cooking, the more she communicates with her family. New technologies can significantly reduce the time spent at the stove. Thanks to innovations, the process of cooking becomes secondary. The induction hob is characterized by a number of indisputable advantages, but there are also negative phenomena. Let's try to figure out whether the induction cooker is harmful or not.

The induction hob is highly ergonomic, plus it is very convenient, without ledges and stands, it goes well with any kitchen design.

The induction method of heating has long been used in industry, now it can be used in every kitchen.

Under all the burners of such a stove there is an inductor - the main heating component. AC is applied to the coil electricity medium frequency. The coil becomes a generating element.

As a result of generation, a magnetic field arises, its flow penetrates the hob and creates eddy currents on the bottom of the dishes. The heat transfer of such an impact is great, the magnetic field works exclusively to heat the lower part of the dishes.

For cooking on such a stove, special dishes are needed, made of ferromagnetic alloys, which transform the energy of eddy currents into heat with the greatest efficiency.

Due to the fact that when penetrating into the surface of the dishes, the amplitude of electromagnetic waves decreases, the resistance value increases, the heating becomes high-intensity. A constant change in the magnetic field contributes to the occurrence of additional heating.

The design of such plates has a number of advantages over standard heating devices:

food begins to cook instantly as soon as the dishes with it hit the stove;
energy consumption is less than that of electric stoves;
as soon as the dishes are removed from the hob, the device stops working;
objects smaller than 12 cm in diameter do not heat up, so it is not scary to drop the fork on the surface of the stove;
Surface cleaning is easy and can be started immediately after cooking.

Now it is necessary to figure out whether the harm of induction cookers is really present or is it the speculation of illiterate inhabitants.

How unhealthy is an induction cooktop?

The use of an induction cooker, of course, facilitates the work of housewives in the kitchen. But does this device carry a health hazard, because you have to use it every day.

Arguments against

There are several opinions. Opponents of the use of induction cookers point to bad influence magnetic field and eddy currents on the human body.

The detractors of the operation of this device give the following arguments:

Radiation does not affect the body only if the dishes completely cover the burner area. The safe distance is 30 cm from the hob. These factors create inconvenience (note, no more) for children (what are they cooking?), people of small stature and pregnant women.
If these safety measures are not observed, the induced currents penetrate the body, which negatively affects the nervous system. As a result, headaches become more frequent, fatigue and insomnia are observed.
Induction-cooked meat is completely devoid of thiamine, one of its main components. Only 25% of useful vitamins remain in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Now let's follow the arguments of the opponents.

Arguments for

Attention! Induction panels operate on low-frequency radiation, quite comparable to radio frequency. The magnitude of this radiation is close to zero if the distance from the source is 5-30 centimeters. In order not to be influenced by eddy currents, it is enough not to approach the stove.

Now remember how the cooking process takes place - is the hostess really standing right next to the stove?

The magnetic flux is aimed at heating the bottom of the dishes, but its frequency is so scanty that there is no reason to fear for health.

Hence the conclusion: the sphere of influence of eddy currents and electromagnetic field limited by the dimensions of the utensils used.

In a number of studies, measurements of induced currents in the body and indicators of currents in nervous system. These values were below normal.

If we simulate unfavorable conditions - the bottom of the pan is displaced relative to the center of the burner, the diameter of the dishes less area radiation, in this case the norm is exceeded by a small amount at a distance of 12 centimeters. If you use dishes unsuitable for such a stove, then the distance increases to 20 centimeters.

Induction type cookers have the function of energy absorption.

You can read that food cooked on an induction hob is radioactive. This is not true. The electromagnetic field of these devices cannot change the molecular structure of food, so cooked meals will be absolutely safe.

Information about the loss of vegetables and fruits up to 75% of vitamins is nothing more than an unverified rumor. In which laboratories were these measurements taken? Which specialist carried them out? After all, no one informed about similar studies on gas or microwave ovens.

How to reduce the harm from induction cookers

In order to avoid damage to health when using these devices, the following is necessary:

carefully study the instructions and try to adhere to the rules set out during cooking;
put only specialized dishes on the panel, place them in the center of the burner, choose the right size of the dishes;
it is necessary to reduce the power of the hob when there is a need to be near it;
it is desirable to be located at a distance of 10 centimeters from the stove.

Positive reviews have found their scientific confirmation in a study of Japanese doctors. The Swiss Health Center published the opinion of its doctors that these devices are completely safe.

A significant part of household electrical appliances - microwave ovens, computers, televisions, refrigerators also use the principle of electromagnetic induction.

Important! Caution should be exercised in people with pacemakers and defibrillators. Electromagnetic influence on these devices may cause them to malfunction. The distance of 30-50 centimeters to the device is recognized as optimal.

The harmful effect of induction panels on humans has not been proven by science. This technique is on par with others in terms of safety. household appliances which we have been using for a long time. Such a stove does not burn oxygen in the kitchen; it cannot be a source of an explosion.

Subject to all the rules of its use, the operation of the device will bring pleasure to any hostess.

With the development of technological progress, the problems of home life are gradually fading into the background. We do not need to spend time on breeding and maintaining the hearth, hand washing or washing dishes, because a significant part of homework takes care of appliances: washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, multicookers and so on.

But the further progress goes, the more more features appears in technology, the more it makes life easier for us, the more demands we make on it. I would like it to be more compact, better quality, more economical, more powerful and ... safer.

For example, any housewife dreams of a good stove, because the quality of ready-made dishes depends on this technique, and most importantly, the speed of their preparation. The less time we spend at the stove, the more free time we have for ourselves and our families.

One of the most best stoves- induction, but lately they have been talking a lot about them negative impact on human health. Let's see if this is so and what are the advantages and disadvantages of induction cookers.

What is an induction cooker and how does it work?

Is an induction cooker harmful?

The induction cooker differs from other stoves in that it has a hob - it is completely flat, without elevations or pot stands. Heating of pans is based on the principles of electromagnetic induction (hence the name of the stove), and occurs due to the magnetic field induced by the coil on the dishes. That is, instead of a heater, inductors are located under the glass-ceramic surface.

Such stoves have a number of advantages over electric or gas:

the dishes heat up very quickly, cooking starts almost instantly;
an induction hob consumes less energy than an electric one;
without dishes, the stove does not work, when it is removed from the burner, it turns off, and after work the hob is not hot, but warm (only the pan heats up);
the power of one burner can be increased at the expense of another (intensive heating function Booster);
the design of the burner is such that it heats objects with a diameter of at least 12 cm, that is, a spoon that has fallen on the burner will not heat up;
The stove is easy to clean and can be done just a few minutes after cooking, and liquids or pieces of food that accidentally get on the hob do not burn.

In other words, induction cookers are not only more convenient to use, but also much safer.

Is an induction cooker harmful to health?

Despite the obvious advantages, this miracle technique for a very long time enjoyed distrust among buyers due to the high price and the new principle of operation.

First hob induction type appeared about 25 years ago, but so far you can not find such stoves in every home. It is believed that the magnetic field exerts bad influence on human health. Is it so?

According to the manufacturers, induction cookers are absolutely safe, because the electromagnetic field that occurs during operation is low-frequency and does not affect even those who wear pacemakers.

Cooked on an induction hob products do not change their properties and do not absorb any harmful "radiation".

However, despite manufacturers' warranties, several important rules must be observed:

the size of the bottom of the pan must correspond to the indicated diameter of the burner;
place the dishes strictly in the center of the burner;
do not use dishes whose bottom is deformed;
do not lean too close to the stove during its operation, the optimal distance is 10 cm from the edge of the burner.

Disadvantages of an induction cooker

But what are the disadvantages of induction cookers? There are indeed drawbacks, but they are few.

Is an induction cooker harmful?

First, if you bought an induction cooker, then, you may have to change the dishes too. Pots for such a stove will only go for those whose bottom can be magnetized. You can check this with a permanent magnet - if it sticks to the bottom, then the dishes can be used. Sometimes such a magnet is attached to the stove.