Useful Accessories for Induction Cooking
Induction Disks
Induction, as is well known, works only with cookware that is made of a metal containing a suitable proportion of ferrous material (basically iron). Those coming new to induction may find themselves with a deal of cookware that they can no longer use. By and large, replacing such cookware need not be an instantaneous large expense: replacing key items of cookware with cast-iron cookware is relatively inexpensive. But sometimes there will be an item of a special nature or for a special use, perhaps made of ceramic or glass/pyrex, that one wants to still be able to use. (Or an item of ferrous material but too small a diameter--say under 5 inches wide, like a "butter warmer"--to register with most induction-cooktop elements.) Such items can still be used by employing a so-called "induction disk". (Note that their makers variously spell the word "disc" and "disk".)
An induction disk is exactly what its name says: it is a flat disk that sits on the surface of an induction cooktop and gets heated by the element, just as would, say, the bottom of a skillet. (Indeed, extant induction disks are essentially just skillets with no sides.) The disk thus becomes a hot cooking surface on which a piece of non-ferrous cookware (or under-sized ferrous) can be placed for cooking. Rather obviously, this technique wastes many of induction's qualities: it is energy-inefficient, and thus spills much waste heat into the kitchen, and is not instantly responsive. But if you have those few pieces of special cookware--that glass coffee maker, that charming butter warmer--that you just don't want to abandon, this is the way to go.
(We say that, but it should be noted that there are people who use such disks for much of their cooking, especially on countertop units, when they own a line of fairly expensive non-ferrous cookware, such as aluminumware.)
There are significant differences between brands (besides in price). Some are made of materials such that they cannot (or at least should not) reach temperatures above what on a build-in unit would be considered "middle-level" power; others, built of different materials, can tolerate even the highest powers.
(Whether an actual induction-ready skillet could be used as an induction disk is a question we have never put to the test, though logic suggests that it could. But heating cookware "dry" is typically not recommended by cookware makers, which is why we've never gotten round to trying it and don't recommend it.)
The induction disks of which we are aware are shown below. Mauviel's instruction say "Always use the interface disc on a low temperature." Athena's disk does not have such a restriction; you should be aware, though, that many induction units (including Athena's own) will--for safety reasons--power down if the surface temperature exceeds some value, typically about 450° F. (which is awfully hot), so there may be minor use limitations not inherent in the disk itself. (We say "minor" because not a lot of uses need pot-base temperatures of over 450°.) We do not know about the Emile Henry item's temparature capabilities.
Athena "Max Burton" 6010Do we sell it? Yes! - click on the unit name above for the "buy" page.
|
Athena "Max Burton" 6010 (maker's product page)
|
|
Mauviel M'Plus 7500.00
Do we sell it? Yes! - click on the unit name above for the "buy" page.
|
Mauviel M'Plus 7500 (maker's product page)
|
|
Emile Henry 009945
Do we sell it? No (not yet, anyway)
|
Emile Henry 009945 (maker's product page)
|
|
Induction-Cooktop Cleaning Tools & Materials
A Cooktop Cleaning "How-To"
First, let's take a moment to review the basics of keeping your cooktop looking clean and shiny. The following advice is direct (not word for word, but close) from Schott, the company that manufactures the Ceran brand ceramic glass used by many induction-cooktop makers.
Crucial! If any sugar, or food containing much sugar--preserves, ketchup, tomato sauce, and the like--or a plastic item, or kitchen foil accidentally melts on the hot surface of your cooktop, remove the molten material immediately using a metal razor scraper (see the product lists below) while the cooking surface is still hot, to avoid the risk of damage to the surface. (For safety, wear an oven/potholder mitt while cleaning the hot cooking surface.) This issue is less crucial for induction cooktops than other smoothtop sorts because the surface isn't anything like as hot; but you absolutely, positively do not want sugary stuff baking onto (or into) the surface, so do be prompt if you have such a spill.
First off, and almost too obvious to mention: clean the cooktop surface regularly--ideally after every use. It's sort of like brushing your teeth: a minor task that, if you make it a routine and habit, you scarcely notice. Also almost too obvious to mention--but we will mention it anyway--do not use abrasive sponges or scouring pads, of any sort, nor corrosive cleaners of any sort (such as oven sprays, cleaners containing chlorine or ammonia, or "stain removers").
Now, here are the simple steps in regular care:
First, remove any burnt-on deposits or spilled food from the surface using a suitable razor scraper (see the product lists below); properly used, it will not damage the decorated cooking surface. Hold the scraper at an angle of about 30° to the cooktop surface. (For safety, wear an oven/potholder type mitt while using the razor scraper, lest it slip.) Here also, with induction "burnt-on" deposits are much less likely, but if you do get any, scrape them off when the cooktop is cool. Some sources say to hold the razor scraper at a 45° angle; 30°, 45°, it probably doesn't make much difference, but the lower 30°-angle may be a little less likely to slip and scratch.
Next, when the cooking surface has cooled down, apply a few dabs--each about the size of a dime--of an approved cleaner (see the product lists below) in each element area and work the cleaning cream over the whole cooktop surface using a damp paper towel, as if you were cleaning a window.
Finally, clean the resulting "haze" of cream off with clear water (that is, with a fresh damp paper towel), then wipe the cooktop surface with a clean, dry paper towel.
In sum: keep a razor scraper and a bottle of cleaner by the cooktop; scrape off the occasional rare burnt-on spill, dab a little cleaner on, wipe it over the surface with a paper towel, wipe off with a damp paper towel, wipe dry, and you're done. Nothing to it. (And the razor scraper can be used on other glass surfaces, too, from windows to shower doors.)
(The folks at EuroKera, another maker of ceramic-glass cooktop surfaces, have a nice little page that illustrates the processes listed above.)
Two final thoughts: one, some recommend that after cleaning, you wipe on, with a paper towel, a light coating of isopropyl alcohol (the sort for general use that comes in bottles at the supermarket) and just let it dry (don't wipe it off), leaving a nice, shiny look to the glass; second, if you somehow dohave a major burn-on accident, something like frying on some aluminum foil or plastic, Don't panic!--there are ways to clean even those off with few or, often, no permanent effects. Google Is Your Friend in such cases: just don't rush into frantic action, which might make things worse, before looking it up.
Scanning the internet turns up many recommendations for ceramic-glass cleaner brands, but there are three types that Schott describes as "successfully tested and approved" by them for Ceran; it makes sense to stick to one of those, they being:
- Golden Ventures' "Cerama Bryte"
- Weiman's "CookTop Cleaning Creme"
- Whirlpool's "Cooktop Cleaner"
But note that another Schott document (a PDF file) also mentions Reckitt Benckiser's "Easy Off". (For those outside the U.S.A., that document is especially useful because it lists recommended products by country; it's in German, but you don't need to know German to recognize your country's name in the lists.)
The one most often mentioned by info pages and in forums is Cerama Bryte, for what that's worth.
Cooktop Cleaning Tools & Supplies
Cleaners
Note: compare apples to apples: note the different container sizes. Bigger is usually much cheaper, by the ounce, for these products.
Cerama Bryte Ceramic-Glass Cooktop Cleaner (28-ounce size)
Reckitt Benckiser Glass Cleaner (32-ounce size)
Whirlpool Glass Cooktop Cleaner (10-ounce size)
Weiman Glass Cooktop Cleaner (10-ounce size)
Razor Scraper Tools
There are many of these--you can even find them in your local hardware store--but you may well find that the ones with a real handle are a bit easier to use. Here's the selection:
- "Stub" Holders (no handle):
- Handle Holders:
