By Chef Rachelle Boucher
Top 10 Reasons to Fall for Induction
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to indulge in sweet treats and memorable meals—especially if they’re made with love. This year, why not join me and fall in love with the ease, precision, and efficiency of induction cooking? Whether you’re melting chocolate for dessert or whipping up a romantic dinner, induction cooking provides a faster, safer and more efficient way to create magic in the kitchen.
Here are my top 10 reasons why induction cooking will steal your heart this Valentine’s Day:
- Power
Whether you are making a saucy, romantic pot of spaghetti for two or a slowly simmered soup for one, induction provides instant heat. Your stovetop both heats and cools immediately, so you can cook more efficiently and spend more time enjoying the company of your loved one or sip that savory soup solo. (Treat yourself!) - Temperature Control
Induction cooking allows you to set precise temperatures, which is perfect for delicate tasks like melting chocolate. No more worrying about chocolate burning; induction gives you gentle, even heat for smooth, silky results every time. Best of all, there is no need for a double boiler, so you save time, there is less clean up, and there is no risk of steam seizing your chocolate. (Note that some plug-in countertop units do not go as low as the built-in units, so test them first with a small amount of chocolate.) - Responsiveness
With an almost instantaneous “off” and a quick cool surface, cooking multiple items or switching from a sear to a simmer is a cinch. Even if cooking is not your “love language,” it sure makes it easier to get it done. - Safety
With induction, you don’t have to worry about open flames or hot burners. The cooktop stays cool until a pot or pan is placed on it, and even pot handles stay cooler longer, reducing the risk of burns or accidents—ideal for kids, older cooks, and well, all of us! - Comfort
Induction heats by making a direct magnetic connection with the pan, greatly reducing excess heat both at home and in commercial kitchens, and if that is not a thing of beauty, I do not know what is. - Wellness
No combustion means no noxious gases. Induction doesn’t rely on burning any fuel, and that means there are no particulate or gaseous by-products (such as nitrogen oxide gases, methane, and formaldehyde) for you or your family to breathe in. Clean air is truly something to love. - Easy Cleanup
Spills and splatters don’t stand a chance with induction cooking. The smooth surface remains relatively cool to the touch, so food won’t burn onto it. Simply wipe away any mess, and your kitchen is ready for romance. (Note that if you cook for a while, the cooktop will get hot directly under the pan, so be aware.) This saves YOUR energy! - Energy Efficiency
Induction cooking is incredibly energy-efficient—over 85% efficient versus gas at less than 40% efficient—as it heats only the pan and not the surrounding air (which heats up you and romantic partners in the kitchen with you, and not in a good way). This means less energy and money wasted, and your kitchen stays cool—and we all love that. - Environmental Sustainability
Fall in love with induction cooking for its environmentally friendly benefits. Since it uses less energy than traditional stovetops, and doesn’t require burning fossil fuels, induction cooking is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying delicious meals. Electricity can be made clean and green, so when we use electricity efficiently we do the best we can for our planet. - It’s Just More Fun!
Once you get adjusted to the speed and function of induction cooking, there is no going back. The “romance” of the features above and many others outweigh the outdated “romance” of a (noxious) blue flame. Gas cooking is the true definition of an “old flame”!
This Valentine’s Day, let induction cooking sweep you off your feet with its many benefits. From melting white chocolate for a sweet treat to crafting a memorable meal, induction will help you cook with love—and that’s truly something to fall for.
For a quick “What is Induction” explainer video, click here
“How To” Induction Recipe: White Chocolate Bark
Yield: One 14 x 17 piece
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds of white chocolate
1 tablespoon of coconut oil (may be needed for some brands of chocolate)
Toppings: Your choice of toppings can include sprinkles, chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, candies, or colored chocolate wafers (to create a marbled effect).
- Chop and melt white chocolate in an induction compatible pot on the lower settings on your induction element. Some lower priced plug-in counter top models may not go as low as you need, test it with a small amount of chocolate first. Watch that your temperature doesn’t accidentally get turned up! If your chocolate is not melting smoothly (due to stabilizers in the chocolate) add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to the chocolate and stir well.
- Line a tray or sheet pan with parchment paper, slightly overlapping the sides.
Paper “love notes” tucked under my pans to show the safety of induction cooking.
- Once melted, pour the chocolate onto the prepared pan and spread it out to a thickness of about ⅓ of an inch. While still melted, top with sprinkles, chopped nuts, dried fruit, candies. For a marbled effect, drizzle melted colored chocolate wafers on top and drag with a toothpick. Cool at room temperature until set (several hours or overnight). Once set, cut or break into pieces and store, covered in a cool, dry place.
Ready to eat White Chocolate Bark.