Induction cooking may not use fire, but it does use one of the earth’s elemental powers to perform its magic: electromagnetism. An induction burner comprises an electromagnetic coil under a glass plate. The electromagnetic cycle that powers the cooking occurs through contact between the burner and the pot or pan, which itself must be magnetic. The heat occurs when electrons from the cookware align with the magnetic field in the cooktop. Electrical currents are created in the resulting oscillating magnetic field, and heat is rapidly and controllably generated. The process is fast, efficient and safe.
Experiment yourself, or set it up on your store floor for customers to see. You’ll find that a gallon or so of water boils in about four minutes on a typical induction stove, compared with about seven minutes on an electric range and eight minutes cooking with gas.
The arrival of spring means more than just the end of winter. It’s also the season to focus on cleaning up around the house and preparing for the warm months ahead. Home appliances should be part of that focus, and now is the time to look at how smart technology and spring cleaning can come together to save money and energy while improving home comfort and safety at the same time.
For starters, encourage your customers to look for the Energy Star designation to ensure they’re getting appliances that meet the current standards for energy use. The U.S. Department of Energy says Energy Star washing machines use 25% less electricity and 40% less water, and the same kind of performance or even better can be expected from dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and freezers.
There are two price tags for an appliance. The first is what you pay for it upfront. The
