Induction cooktops are widely popular in most parts of Europe and Asia. However, it has yet to gain the same level of market share and love from the people of the United States.
This is mostly due to the safety controversies that these stoves have to deal with. The question arises in everyone’s mind “Are induction stoves safe for use?”
Are Induction Stoves Safe?
Despite the proven benefits that induction stoves have over regular old gas or electric ones, there are talks about safety and radiation around them. People are skeptical about the liability and how it can affect a person’s health.
This is not just whether the use of induction is safe, but also if there are any bad side effects to the food cooked on it. Induction stoves, just like microwave ovens are 100 percent safe to use.
Let’s jump on to why induction stoves are safe:
How Induction Cooking Works?
Induction stoves use electromagnetic fields to heat the cookware directly. The heat is evenly distributed and with precision. Because of this the cooking process is faster compared to other stoves.
The technology goes like this:
(Source: Webstaurantstore)
- Electric Current: The stove takes the energy from electricity and starts to send alternating current to the coil.
- EMF: It creates an electromagnetic field around the coil to pass the current to the pot or pan you use.
- Eddy Current: The current then heats the cookware via vibration. The coil or the surface does not heat only the cookware.
- Heat Transfer: The cookware then passes on that heat to the ingredients you put in and starts to cook.
What are Electromagnetic Fields?
EMF is a combination of an electric and magnetic field due to an electrical charge.
The electric field stays there when there is a difference in voltage and the magnetic field gets created when current moves around that space.
There are electromagnetic fields everywhere in the world that have electricity. There are natural and human-made sources.
Compared to the danger of burning flames or hot coils of an electric stove, EMF does nonexistent damage to a person’s health. Most of the worries surrounding the dangers of electromagnetic fields are myths at most.
Radiation and the EMF Spectrum
EMF is a form of radiation. Radiation does tend to sound frightening but there is a wide spectrum. From low-frequency radio waves to X-rays and gamma rays, they all produce an EMF.
We have two types of radiation around us. One is called Ionizing radiation and the other non-ionizing radiation.
Medical tests like X-rays and CT scans are ionizing radiation which means they can cause damage to cells and DNA.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Non-ionizing radiation like light, microwaves, and the one that comes from induction stoves usually tends to not harm a human body. These do not have the energy necessary to ionize atoms. So they are completely safe.
EMFs exist in a lot of frequencies. Even the light we get from the sun has radiation properties.
Most household appliances that emit EMFs do not have a strong enough frequency to do any damage to the human body.
Any Health Risks from Prolonged Exposure?
So the last question remains “Are induction stoves safe even after long exposures?” and the answer to that is yes, they are still safe. Induction stoves work within safe EMF limits.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no conclusive evidence of low-level EMF exposure damage like cancer or brain tumors from induction stoves.
They also say in their research on EMFs that “…most scientists and clinicians agree that any health effects of low-level electromagnetic fields if they exist at all, are likely to be very small compared to other health risks that people face in everyday life.”
Concerns for the Safety of the Environment
People are not just concerned about their health. There are also talks of EMF radiation causing damage to the environment and helping in greenhouse gas increase.
But it is the opposite. Induction stoves are efficient and lessen the impact of stoves on the environment. You use less energy on an induction cooktop and there is no residual radiation buildup.
The only environmental impact these stoves have is their manufacturing process. The production of these electrical components inside a stove is energy-intensive.
The disposal of induction stoves does create another challenge to the environment but it is so far negligible. Unlike gas stoves, induction does not even pollute the air.
So all in all, an induction stove is likely the safest cooking method out there. It surpasses gas, electric, and all other types of stoves by a big margin.
EMF’s Effects on Medical Devices
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) puts out strict rules to follow on exposure to different levels of EMFs.
Induction cooktops are made to comply with these rules so the emission of EMF stays within safe levels.
However, electromagnetic interference is a big deal when it comes to medical devices doctors put in to help with body functions.
Since induction stoves use electromagnetic fields, they can interfere with some medical devices. Devices like pacemakers, insulin pumps, or ICDs may be susceptible to malfunction.
EMF can cause them to malfunction and send incorrect readings or just flat-out stop working. It is a good idea to consult your doctor if you want to switch over to induction cooking and say have a pacemaker in your heart.
(Source: Researchgate)
Those who make these devices have guidelines that you have to follow so be sure to read them. If a device is prone to damage from EMFs it will be best if you do not get into induction cooking at all.
How to Minimize EMF Exposure?
If you still have concerns about EMF exposure from induction stoves or microwave ovens, you can take the necessary precautions to avoid long exposures.
Follow these instructions to reduce your exposure to EMFs:
- Maintaining a safe distance: An electromagnetic field’s strength decreases the farther away you are from the source. You can stand a few inches away from the cooktop while you cook so the exposure is minimal and it does not bother your health.
- Adjust the power settings: The more heat you want on the cookware, the stronger the field will be. Adjust the power settings to have moderate heat to reduce exposure.
- Limit exposure time: Do less cooking. That’s it. Cook only when you need and as much as you need. Giving up on cooking more than what you eat a day will reduce how much you are exposed to EMFs.
- Using the Right Cookware: There are quite a few cookware with ferrous metal that work on induction stoves. Pick the ones that heat up quickly and retain the heat so you do not have to run the stove for longer periods.
Are Induction Stoves Safe – (FAQs)
What are the negative effects of induction stoves?
There are a few negative sides. It feels different from gas and electricity, is expensive to buy, emits a humming sound that some people find annoying and you need special cookware that works on them.
Which is safer stove gas or induction?
If you are willing to adapt your cooking style and technique a bit, then induction is the safer choice. You will have the least amount of downsides from induction.
Is the food cooked on an induction stove safe to eat?
Unless you have a habit of mixing iron fillings in your food, the electromagnetic field does not affect it. It does not change the food’s chemistry at all.
References:
https://forum.dangerousthings.com/t/induction-cooktop-testing/7841
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s59/safety-induction-cooktops-60963.html
