Siemens Induction Hob Alaris London Ltd Modern kitchen Electronics
Siemens Induction Hob Alaris London Ltd Modern kitchen Electronics

Induction hob technology has completely changed the face of cooking over the last few years, because it combines the advantages of gas and electric in one good looking hob. It works by using electro-magnetic technology which, due to the lowering of costs for production, is now at a price comparable with the top end of the original radiant heat cooking hobs. Without going into the physics too deeply, the hobs work with electricity, but instead of heating a ring that transfers its heat to the pan, these use an electro-magnetic field that 'excites' the material of the pan itself, causing it to heat quickly, which in turn transfers its heat to the pan's contents. Only the surface directly on the hob is affected, so the remaining parts of the pan such as the handle do not heat via electro-magnetism. That's the science part over because what's important is why induction hobs such as Siemens Flextronicrange sold by Alaris are better than traditional electric or gas appliances.

The first thing you'll notice about an induction hob is its stylish ceramic surface. First benefit: It's a smooth wipe clean surface and on many units the controls are built into the surface and operation is touch sensitive. Food that spills over onto the hob doesn't burn or bake on solid as with other hobs and can't get caught in small crevices or gaps either. A simple wipe down across the surface leaves it clean and glossy again. The ceramic is tough too. Over time, you may notice small scuff marks where the pans sit but generally these come off with a cream cleaner (or even baking soda) and a gentle circular rubbing action.
We've mentioned that the only part of the hob that operates is the surface directly under any pans in use. Benefit number two: This is an extremely safe technology compared to gas or other electric appliances. Even if you wipe it over and accidentally turn up the heat on a cooking zone, if there is no pan, there's no heat. Leave a cloth on the hob surface with it on and nothing will happen as the magic occurs only with a ferrous pan (steel or iron on the bottom), meaning you could accidentally catch a cloth between a saucepan and the hob surface and only the pan will heat—although the cloth may warm due to the heat transfer from the pan, but importantly it will not burn. Aside from the technology and its looks, the main question is how is it to cook with? The answer is amazing! It offers the efficiency of electric as well as the look of radiant heat (without the glowing red rings!) but with better controllability than gas. Whereas electric is usually slow to come to temperature and cool again, Induction hobs immediately start heating and some tests have indicated that a pan of water comes to a boil faster with electro-magnetic technology than gas. Cooling is equally as fast so there is less chance of the potatoes boiling over once you turn down the heat. So that's a third benefit; controllability. And it's not just limited to its temperature control.

Hobs that have 'zonal' areas (see photo for illustration) mean that as well as having ring areas, you can set the zone area for a pan. Cooks now have the ability to use anything from a small milk pan, to a 'fish kettle' to a teppan yaki iron griddle without these pans having hot and cool spots. An elongated zone means uniform, controllable heat where you need it. Using two or three small pans in the zone again allows the heat to go where you need it, rather than completely across the zone. A further refinement of the zonal system is Siemen's Triple flexInduction system where the appliance has three zonal areas for great flexibility, or the its freeInduction series in the Studioline range (only available from Siemen's Preferred Partners such as Alaris) where the entire panel is a continuous cooking zone of 2800cm². Other clever features on these appliances put Siemen's induction hobs above the competition too: A Powerboost function that shortens heating times by increasing power by 50%; an automatic safety shut off system and; a child proofing setting to stop little fingers turning the appliance on. Siemens also offer its induction technology in its Domino range of hobs, allowing you to customise your cooking area. You can mix induction and gas with wok rings with the Domino range for the ultimate in work top cooking.

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