The answer is no. You can’t and shouldn’t attempt to charge your phone with an induction hob.
Before going any further, allow me to confess something. I’m among the 29% of people hooked on wireless charging. No one can blame me for that. I’ve dealt with tangled wires before and always try to avoid that extra headache as often as necessary.
Now, being a fan of wireless charging, I recently did some research and discovered something interesting. Both induction stoves and wireless charging work off the same principle: electromagnetic induction. Imagine my surprise! Then, a light bulb went off in my head: maybe I could charge my phone with my cooktop.
But as it turns out, that was the worst idea I’ve had in a long while. Read on to find out why.
Can You Charge Your Phone on an Induction Hob – 3 Reasons Not To
Here’s an expert view to ponder upon:
“Induction cooktops generate electromagnetic fields that could potentially damage electronics like cell phones. I would not recommend placing any electronic devices directly on the cooking surface, even if turned off.” – Dr. Michael Chen, Electrical Engineer at Stanford
Now, there are many reasons why trying to boost your phone’s battery with an induction cooker is a terrible idea, including:
1. Mismatched Technology
Although both induction cooktops and wireless phone charging systems rely on electromagnetic induction, their underlying technologies differ. On the one hand, cooktops use magnetic induction to heat compatible cookware. Conversely, modern wireless charging devices are based on electromagnetic resonant and radio frequency technologies.
Since the technologies in induction stoves and wireless charging devices aren’t made to be compatible, charging your phone with a cooktop is a no-no.
2. Different Coils and Sizes
Each standard induction cooker has a copper coil beneath the glass or ceramic plate. When you place an induction-ready pan or pot on top of the plate, an alternating current passes through the coil, converting it into a heat source. Wireless chargers operate on fundamentally the same principle. But here’s the difference.
Whereas a standard induction hob’s cooking zone is equipped with a single coil, wireless chargers have transmitter and receiver coils. Also, the coil in a cooktop is significantly larger than those installed in wireless charging devices.
3. Risk of Damage and Voided Warranty
Charging a phone with an induction stove exposes the latter to a greater risk of damage. Suppose you place your phone on the stovetop while it’s mildly hot. In that case, you will likely destroy your gadget’s casing, screen, or camera. Moreover, a phone can’t withstand the power and frequency that a cooker emits. So, the appliance can annihilate your smartphone’s internal components.
Moreover, charging your phone with a cooktop might lead to a voided warranty. Most manufacturers have clauses that cover this sort of behavior. For instance, Samsung doesn’t cover damage resulting from the owner’s failure to adhere to the operating procedures outlined in the user manual. I’m 100% sure no phone manual advises the purchasers to charge their device with a cooktop.
Is Wireless Charging Bad for Phone’s Battery?
I’ve heard people campaigning against wireless charging countless times. Some claim that the technology can cause harm through radiation. But last time I checked, wireless chargers emit less radiation than a smartphone connected to a mobile network. So, no, you won’t get cancer from a wireless charger.
Then there’s the group that claims wireless charging is bad for the battery. That is one of the misconceptions that irks me the most. Let me set the record straight.
Wireless charging can’t do your phone battery any harm because:
- A) Wireless charges manage heat by regulating charging speed. When a charger like the Samsung 9W senses excessive heat, it reduces charging speeds promptly. So, your phone battery should be safe.
- B) While charging wirelessly, a phone battery shouldn’t heat up. Only the coiled copper wire inside your phone is supposed to heat up. Most devices also have protocols for containing the generated heat and preventing it from affecting other components.
So, if you are considering switching to wireless charging, go ahead. And don’t worry about getting cancer and joining the 10 million people who lose their lives yearly or prematurely damaging your phone’s battery. This technology is safe for use. If it weren’t safe or effective, industry experts wouldn’t be expecting the global wireless charging market to expand in value to a mouthwatering 129.02 billion by 2030.
Bottom Line
I can’t stress this enough. Don’t try to charge your phone with an induction cooktop. That is an unwise move in my books because a phone and an induction cooker rely on different technologies. As such, if you try to charge your mobile gadget with a cooktop, the outcome can be disastrous.
That said, I highly recommend wireless charging using the right accessories. I’ve been charging my phone wirelessly for a while now, and my phone has never overheated or suffered a faulty battery. And I love wireless charging because I have fewer cords to worry about. Try this charging method today, and thank me later.
Common Questions
Why doesn’t it work to charge a phone on induction?
Induction cooktops operate at high-power frequencies optimized for heating ferrous cookware quickly. Cell phone chargers operate at much lower frequencies that are safe for electronics. The improper frequencies can fry phone circuitry.
What are the risks of charging a phone on induction?
Trying to charge a phone on an induction cooktop risks permanent damage like battery swelling and rupturing, melted wiring, fried processors, and destroyed ports. The phone could overheat and even explode in rare cases.
Can you modify an induction cooktop for phone charging?
No, modifying the internals of an induction cooktop is extremely dangerous and will also void any manufacturer warranty. The components are not designed for safe phone charging in any way.
Are there induction chargers for cell phones?
Some companies are developing special mats and cases that use magnetic induction tech to wirelessly charge phones. But these operate at very different and safer frequencies compared to an induction cooktop.
Is it safe to use electronics near an induction cooktop?
You should avoid placing any electronics directly on the cooktop surface, even when turned off. The residual electromagnetic activity could impact devices over time. Keep phones and other electronics a safe distance away.
