Fast, responsive and incredibly safe, induction is taking hob-top cooking by storm, with many professional chefs preferring it to gas. Induction uses magnetic technology, whereby an inductor creates a magnetic field when a pan with suitable iron content is placed on the cooking zone. Those who've tried it rarely look back. Here are just some of the reasons why it is the hottest hob trend among kitchen designers, and consumers, today.

SPEED
It can take as few as five seconds for water to begin boiling on an induction hob, and reducing liquids to simmering is just as quick, which makes this a doubly responsive heat source.

SAFETY
With no naked flames, induction is safer than gas. What's more, only the pan is usually heated – not the top of the hob – so there's less danger of scalding after pans are removed. After cooking for a long time, however, the hob surface eventually gets hot, so look for a model with residual heat indicators that alert you to potential danger. Models with a child-lock facility on the controls prevent little fingers from coming to harm.

GREAT RESULTS
Because the magnetic material in the cookware heats at the same level uniformly, you don't get hot spots. This means you're less likely to burn the contents, or to cook half the dish to a crisp while the rest remains raw.

ECO-FRIENDLY
Cooking on an induction hob boasts an impressive 90 per cent efficiency, as opposed to 60 per cent for ceramic or just 50 per cent for gas hobs.

EASY MAINTENANCE
The flat glass surface of an induction hob is easy to wipe clean and, because the surface isn't hot, spillages don't burn on. Models with touch controls make cleaning easier still.

DIRECTORY

AEG-Electrolux, www.aeg-electrolux.co.uk.
Induction hobs include a new wok-shaped 36cm-wide model that's bowled for a snug fit.

Atag, www.atag.co.uk.
Dutch brand introducing sleek induction hobs, including models with gas wok burners.

Baumatic, www.baumatic.co.uk.
Big choice, including compact domino-style induction hobs.
Belling, www.belling.co.uk.
The table-top hob tucks away when not in use.

De Dietrich, www.dedietrich.co.uk.
Models with new Continuum Zone technology (pictured above) accommodate multiple-sized pans at different temperatures on one cooking zone.

Gaggenau, www.gaggenau.com.
Designer brand which offers good-looking induction hobs in a range of widths.

KitchenAid, www.kitchenaid.co.uk.
Offers 60cm- and 77cm-wide induction hobs as well as the Step 90cm induction hob, with gas burners at the back and induction at the front.

Küppersbusch, www.kuppersbuschuk.co.uk.
Unusual honeycomb induction hob can be built up to however many burners you need, from one hexagon-shaped plate to at most six per control panel.

Rangemaster, www.rangemaster.co.uk.
Induction has recently been added to the built-in range; also offered on range cookers.

Viking, www.viking-europe.com.
Boasts a range of chunky American-style induction hobs for a professional look.

For inspirational kitchen ideas, take a look at our stunning kitchen gallery.

WORDS LINDA CLAYTON
FEBRUARY 2009