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If an ordinary electric stove was first installed in the apartment, which was later replaced by an induction one, then there remains some part of the dishes that is not suitable for it. Or, conversely, you know that the pot you like is not suitable for an induction hob, but you still want to buy it. There is a way out – to purchase an adapter (“adapter”). How to choose a suitable adapter for an induction cooker and whether it is possible to do it yourself in this article.
Why do you need an adapter
Adapter – stand for induction cooker for conventional cookware. It is a metal disk made of ferromagnetic material (attracted by a magnet), which is placed on the burner under non-magnetic dishes, and when heated, it transfers heat to any dishes. That is, using this device, it will turn out, as it were, to deceive the induction cooker and it will be possible to cook on it in dishes made of any non-magnetic material. Such materials include products made of copper, aluminum, ceramics, glass, clay and non-magnetic stainless steel alloys.
In the article about the choice of cookware for induction hobs, the principle of their operation was described. In an ideal process, it should be like this, the electromagnetic field created by the induction coil of the stove causes eddy currents in the bottom of the cookware, which lead to its heating. But if the bottom of the pot or pan does not have ferromagnetic properties, then an adapter comes to the rescue, it kind of imitates the bottom with the necessary properties.
However, its use is not limited to these cases. If for some reason you are not satisfied with cooking in some kind of cookware because of its thin bottom, then it is quite justified to use an induction disc in conjunction with any cookware.
The video demonstrates the use of Tescoma PRESTO adapters with a diameter of 17 and 21 cm for induction hobs.
Pros and cons of application
The disadvantage of using such a disc is the side effects that are inherent in classic electric or gas hobs. When heated, the induction adapter dissipates some of the heat around, which reduces work efficiency (COP) and increases power consumption.
There are also positive aspects in using such an overlay for an induction cooker. Of course, the main thing is the possibility of using dishes when cooking food that is not intended for induction hobs. And given that the adapter is a thick metal pancake with a thermal capacity, it is convenient to use it for long-term “languishing” in cooking.
Material of manufacture and device
Since the material from which the adapter to the induction cooker is made must have ferromagnetic properties, the best option is to use iron. But over time, it rusts and loses its attractiveness. In addition, rust reduces thermal conductivity. Therefore, stainless steel remains the best option.
Important. Stainless steel may or may not be magnetic. It all depends on the amount of additives: chromium, nickel, molybdenum, etc. With a high content, the steel does not magnetize, while a small content retains its magnetic properties, but the steel does not rust.
A stainless steel overlay for an induction cooker will retain its appearance for a long time, and although it has slightly less ferromagnetic properties, it will perform its function perfectly.
As for the device, the adapter is a disk of one, two or three layers, with a total thickness of 3 to 6 millimeters. This is enough for contact with the induction coil and even distribution of heat over the plate.
Several layers are made for more uniform heating over the entire diameter of the adapter. With one layer, everything is clear – this is a homogeneous steel. Two or three layers are options for combining ferromagnetic steel and aluminum.
Aluminum is perfect as an additional overlay on steel, as it has high thermal conductivity characteristics. The thermal conductivity of aluminum is 203,5 W / (m K), and for ferromagnetic stainless steel starts from ≈ 17 W / (m K), which is much lower.
Such a combination gives a number of advantages, firstly, the lower steel layer, when heated, transfers heat to aluminum, which quickly distributes it over the entire diameter and gives it to the dishes. Secondly, it facilitates the design of the adapter disk.
In a three-layer adapter, usually the outer layers are made of stainless steel, and the middle part is made of aluminum.
How to choose an adapter for an induction cooker
To choose the right adapter for the stove, you need to be guided by several criteria:
- Manufacturer. Of course, I want the purchased item to justify its purpose and serve for a long time. Therefore, try to choose an overlay for an induction cooker from a reputable manufacturer.
- Устройство. Two and three layer discs will provide better cooking, but they are more of a hassle.
- Size. This is the most important selection criterion.
Disk size is the main parameter
For fast cooking, you need to choose the right size of the adapter for the induction cooker. Cooktops or cookers may have different burner diameters. This is convenient as pots and pans have different base sizes. And when choosing a plate, it is important that its size is identical to the diameter of the burner and the bottom of the cookware. In this case, the efficiency of the panel will be the highest. But this is ideal, but in practice it is believed that a deviation of 20% in one direction or another is acceptable. This means, for example:
- The adapter for an induction cooker for a Turk or ladle should be with the smallest diameter, within 12–14 cm.
- For a plate with a diameter of 16 cm, the actual size of the bottom is from 14 to 19 cm.
- And for a circle of 23,5 cm, pots and pans with a bottom from 18 to 28 cm are suitable.
These are approximate parameters, they will be more accurately indicated in the instructions, here is an example in the photo:
Pay attention to the need to use dishes with a flat bottom!
Look at the instructions for the panel, what is the diameter of the burners, and decide which cookware you need to purchase an adapter for. It is desirable that the diameter of the lining on the stove be equal to the diameter of the burner, and the size of the bottom of the dishes fit into the tolerance.
Why is it important to choose the right size when choosing a device? Everything is simple. If the plate of the induction disc is significantly smaller than the base of the frying pan, then the food around the edges will not warm up / fry well. And if the adapter is much larger, then its edges will only heat the air, wasting energy and heating the handles of the dishes.
If the adapter is smaller than the size of the working part of the burner, then the induction coil will not be fully activated. That is, part will be under load, and part will not, which can lead to a malfunction of the panel and its repair.
In addition, an open or unused part of the burner at a distance of 1 centimeter from it has increased electromagnetic radiation above the permissible norm according to ICNIRP (an international commission specializing in protection against non-ionizing radiation). However, the harm is minimal, since at a distance from the burner these radiations are much lower than normal.
With or without handle
The presence of the handle allows you to move the adapter for dishes on the induction cooker without waiting for it to cool. And if the handle is made of non-heating ceramic or wood, no potholder is needed. Therefore, the presence of a handle on the adapter is definitely welcome.
- First, if you move a hot plate over a glass-ceramic surface of a hob, you will scratch it, and eventually the hob will lose its appearance.
- Secondly, the adapter can be hung by the handle for storage, and if the handle is removable, this will make it easy to place the adapter in the dishwasher.
How to use the adapter
After purchase, read the instructions for how to use the adapter. There are several nuances in its operation, which are not recommended to be neglected. In addition to the requirements specifically for the purchased model, the instructions will also contain requirements common to all adapters, they are as follows:
- the size of the adapter must be equal to the diameter of the burner;
- do not overheat the adapter;
- do not use the device without dishes;
- the bottom of the dish must be level;
- do not turn on the burner when cooking at maximum power;
- after cooking, let the adapter cool down on the stove.
It’s really important to follow the rules. If you put the disc on the burner and turn it on without dishes, it will definitely overheat. When overheated, the metal will change color, may deform and even crack, and a disk of several layers will delaminate. Use of damaged devices is prohibited.
Almost all devices can be washed in the dishwasher, but if this is not the case, then this will be indicated in the instructions.
Important! Do not use a deformed induction disc. The cooking time is greatly increased or the food is not cooked at all.
Use cases
Depending on the thickness of the adapter, after cooking, it remains hot enough for five or even 10 minutes. This property can be used and save energy by turning off the panel a little earlier, and the food will “reach” the readiness in the process of cooling it. This is not the only option for its additional use. In addition to its intended use on an induction hob, the adapter can be used:
- to maintain the temperature of cooked food;
- like a normal dish rack;
- instead of a tray for some dishes;
- like a flame spreader on gas burners.
And this is not all that can be solved with the help of this device. Given the usefulness of the adapter in the kitchen, is it possible to make one yourself? And the answer is yes!
How to make an adapter yourself
It has already been noted above that the best option for an adapter is stainless steel with ferromagnetic properties. But if you want to save money, and the appearance of the disk is not particularly important, then you can take ordinary steel, as well as cast iron of sufficient thickness, since it is brittle.
Let’s look at how to make an adapter yourself, without any special tools. For this you will need:
- a flat sheet of steel 3–6 mm thick;
- grinder (angle grinder), for cutting metal in diameter;
- sandpaper for sanding.
The manufacturing process is extremely simple. We take a flat sheet of ferromagnetic metal and further:
- we draw a circle on it equal to the diameter of the burner you have chosen;
- we cut it with a grinder;
- We grind the surfaces with sandpaper or a special tool.
You can already use the adapter. The requirements for it are the same as for the “factory” adapter.
Important! Do not allow a large amount of rust to form on the disc. If its quantity does not matter from the side of the stove, then scale or rust from the side of the dishes will affect the cooking time, since metal oxide has a bad effect on heat transfer.
Reviews
If you need to purchase an adapter, it is useful to read reviews from real buyers. If the choice in stores is wide enough, then reviews will help narrow the search and make a choice faster.
As good as two- and three-layer adapters are, they also have negative reviews. To the usual assessments that adapters do not heat well, the problem of delamination is added. And this is understandable, it is difficult to combine metals of different characteristics. Delamination can be associated not only with the acquisition of low-quality products, but also with a violation of the rules of operation. Here is one of the negative reviews:
amkasper Adapter Aceline A2IP040. real buyer. Term of use: Less than a month Advantages:When buying, it looks beautiful, an elegant hot stand, you can use any dishes on induction cookers. Disadvantages:After buying for several uses, it turns yellow, the handle will remain beautiful. The induction hob overheats with it in 5-10 minutes, so using it you can only use the dishes, but not cook. Egg max.
The number of positive reviews is greater for single-layer adapters, and this will incline them to choose. Here is one of them:
Igor Adapter Deco 19 cm, article AI-19, stainless steel. November 3, 2020. Item purchased on OZON. Advantages: working. Disadvantages: darkened after the first application. A comment: a noticeable increase in cooking time with the same volume and bottom area. If you need to save on dishes, then buy. The total savings cannot be calculated.
However, there are also negative comments. This is, for example, a review of a steel disk manufacturer “Kamille” with a diameter of 19 cm:
Elena M Adapter “Kamille”, article KM 5652. May 1, 2021. Purchased on OZON. Advantages: They are not here Disadvantages: Darkened after first use. No heating through it. A comment: Money down the drain, it’s easier to buy a new frying pan.
Сonclusion
So let’s sum up the article. Having considered all the issues related to this device, we conclude that the adapters really solve their main task of cooking in ordinary dishes on an induction stove. And this means that you should not rush to purchase new dishes after buying a hob or stove.
However, when making a choice, there is no need to rush to buy the first device that comes across. Analyze the situation, and using the tips given in the article, make a purchase.
Start using the adapter only after reading the instructions!
If an adapter is needed in rare cases and it is possible to make it yourself, then it is quite possible to use a homemade adapter.