Induction vs. Radiant Cooktops

Electric smooth top ranges and cooktops have become the norm for electric powered cooking. The old school coil burners with grates and drip-pans are losing popularity due to reliability and convenience of cleaning.  Just like it sounds smooth top ranges and cooktops have a flat surface that is generally made out of glass and ceramic. The cooktop is one flat piece with the burners underneath and made visible by circles typically etched in the glass or ceramic. Now something to consider is whether you want induction or radiant heat. Here are some things to consider before venturing out to the stores.

Induction

An induction burner shouldn’t even be called a burner because it functions very differently from other electric burners. An induction cooktop on a range heats up the iron in the pot or pan directly using hundreds of magnets located under the glass. It makes your cookware the heat source. Using electromagnetic energy, the element never gets hot; it just causes your cookware to heat up while the surface of the smooth top stays cool to the touch except when the pan heats up the glass.

Induction ranges are the most energy efficient because it uses your pot or pan as the heating element to cook your food which also makes it easier to achieve your desired temperature much faster than other electric cooktops. Safety is also a nice feature with induction because once contact with the pan is broken, most will automatically power off. The glass will stay hot but not as long as a radiant cooktop.

One thing to think about is that induction can only use some types of cookware. It must have iron in the pan. Fortunately, most cookware is compatible with induction cooktops.

Radiant

Radiant elements are a lot like old school coils burners, except that the coils are housed under the glass and ceramic surface making it much easier to clean. But because they are glass, they show dirt and smudges much more frequently requiring you to clean more often.

Since the radiant ranges and cooktops use hot glass to heat up your pan almost any kind of pan is okay to use. They are also typically less expensive.

One thing to consider is that the radiant heat units are cast iron pans are not recommended for glass tops.  They require much more attention like constant cleaning.

You can always check out the different option on our website, but it might be better to see them in person. Stop by one of our locations to see them for yourself to determine what is best for you and your home.

Have you seen Black Stainless?

For two years now, black stainless has been the industry’s strongest selling alternative for buyers turned off by traditional stainless because of its inherent fingerprints and smudges.

Black stainless is stainless steel, but it’s protective coat and modern finish resists the gooey smears and eyesores that can ruin the look of traditional stainless. And like traditional stainless steel, the black stainless matches just about every cabinet type without compromising modern style or even that professional look.

In the past, various alternatives to traditional stainless have fizzled out because they lacked the wow-factor or a healthy selection of models and features. But almost overnight, black stainless is enjoying support from Samsung, LG, and Kitchen Aid- and not just on their freestanding products or entry models. Black stainless is also available on wall ovens, professional hoods, and other built-in appliances.

Its darker hue is not as reflective as traditional stainless steel or as generic. It’s not industrial. It’s modern. Black stainless can be mixed and matched with traditional stainless or black appliances, chosen for an accent piece, or used to tie in other design materials in the kitchen. The hue is open for interpretation. Some have described it as a warmer option while others have praised it as more of a statement.

Stainless steel is not going out of style- it’s the color choice for more than 70% of new appliance purchases. But a shift in style and taste is certainly occurring. Fittingly, the last time multiple brands simultaneously supported a new appliance color was when traditional stainless steel was introduced.

If you love the look, but are tired of the upkeep that comes with traditional stainless steel, don’t write off the new black stainless. It maybe the alternative you’ve been waiting for.