The debate on the best heat source for cooking (gas, electric, induction) has been raging for decades, and for many home cooks, choosing an appliance that best suits their needs is a highly personal, preference-based decision. However, due to recent environmental regulations in states such as California, the popularity of induction cooktops is on the rise. Residents looking to lower the carbon footprint of their homes, increase energy efficiency, and just keep their kitchen cooler during the hot summer months, are turning towards induction options when designing their dream culinary space. And the designers working on these projects are one step ahead.
“Our new construction projects are requiring induction. This requirement has been a bit of a driver for the technology, but we have been big fans of induction for its safety and low maintenance features for a few years now,” says Kerrie Kelly, a California-based designer, and Fellow and Chair for the National Board for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
How does induction cooking work? Induction utilizes magnetic elements to transform your cookware into its own exceptional heat source. The most energy efficient form of cooking, induction also keeps your kitchen cooler as you cook—90% of the electromagnetic energy generated is delivered directly to your cookware, leaving less heat to dissipate into the surrounding air.
The “eco-chic” movement is building up momentum, inspiring designers to find creative solutions to building elegant, sustainable spaces. Besides energy-efficient kitchen solutions, designers are exploring utilizing salvaged materials (especially wood!), skipping paint, installing LED light fixtures, and shopping local for finishing touches.
“Our new construction projects will take on a different aesthetic and technology for our clients. Clients will also be able to appreciate the energy efficiency features along with easy clean up and safety benefits for the entire family,” says Kelly.
What kind of cookware responds best to induction? Induction cooking requires iron to create a magnetic reaction, which eliminates some of the trendiest options on the market, particularly copper cookware. But Hestan CopperBond’s wraparound magnetic stainless steel base is phenomenally-suited for induction. And once that reaction begins, the heat is conducted to the pure copper core for a breakthrough level of induction performance. In fact, all three of Hestan’s product lines, ProBond, CopperBond and NanoBond are optimized for all cooking surfaces, including induction.
“I love how the food cooks more evenly with induction, especially when using the Hestan Culinary cookware. Induction makes meal time easier due to quick heat, precision cooking and snappy clean up,” says Kelly.
Ready to begin exploring induction for your eco-chic kitchen? Hestan’s induction options include a smart-enabled cooktop with guided cooking capabilities, as well as sleek black or metallic silver finish options, and a variety of sizes. Whether you’re looking to complement your—or your client’s—reclaimed wood culinary dreams, or a sleek, minimalistic kitchen, Hestan has the performance aspects covered.