One thing that tends to confuse online induction cooktop buyers, according to the number of queries raised on the internet, is the voltage requirements and power consumption of induction cooktops. If you are one of the people who have been looking for answers to the amount of power consumed by induction cooktops, this article is for you.
Some induction cooktop models have only one burner, which makes them portable and easy to carry around. Likewise, some models have two burners, four burners, and even five burners. The number of burners determines the power requirement.
If you want to understand more about induction cooktop and its electricity requirements, we also have an article for that. So be sure to check it out too.
Induction Cooktop Voltage Requirements
Each cooktop may require an alternate voltage to work, and each nation has different standards of voltage distribution. With that said, it is essential to note that most countries today observe the most well-known norm of 230 V ±10% at 50 Hz as their voltage distribution standard.
The vast majority of the European nations, just as numerous different districts, have made 230 V their standard voltage circulation. On the other hand, you will find a few countries, such as the United States, Canada, Japan, etc. use 100-120 V as the standard voltage.
Practically, all induction cooktops today are made in a way that they are compatible with the standard voltage distribution. While purchasing your induction cooktop, you will find most of them rated at 120 V or between 200-240 V, which infers that they will practically work in any nation.
What Affects the Electricity Usage of an Induction Cooktop?
By selecting the proper induction cooktop size for your needs, using appropriate cookware, and minimizing burner use, you can manage the electricity consumption of your induction cooktop. However, several factors influence how much electricity an induction cooktop consumes when you’re cooking.
These include:
- Total cooktop wattage – The higher the combined rating of all the cooking zones, the greater potential for power draw. 30″ induction tops rated at 3,600W will use more than a 2,200W model.
- Number of elements used – Using multiple induction zones at once multiplies power usage versus just cooking on a single burner. Operating on all elements requires the most electricity.
- Cooking time – The longer food cooks, the longer electricity is required to power the induction process. Complex meals require more cooking time and energy.
- Power settings – Induction elements use progressively more power when turned to higher heat levels. High sear settings consume much more than low simmer settings.
- Boost modes – Many induction cooktops have temporary boost modes that unlock additional power on demand for faster boiling or searing, pulling maximum wattage during this time.
- Pan size and material – Large pans and certain metals like cast iron require more energy to induce current and hold at temperature. Copper and aluminum pans use less power.
How Can I Estimate the Energy Cost of an Induction Cooktop?
You can approximate the electricity cost of your induction cooktop using this simple formula:
| Calculation Step | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Multiply the wattage by estimated daily use to get watt-hours. | 3600W x 1 hour = 3600 Wh |
| Step 2 | Divide watt-hours by 1000 to convert to kilowatt-hours. | 3600 Wh / 1000 = 3.6 kWh |
| Step 3 | Multiply kilowatt-hours used by your electric rate. | 3.6 kWh x $0.12/kWh = $0.43 per day |
| Step 4 | Multiply by 30 for a monthly estimate. | $0.43 x 30 = $12.90 monthly cost |
Here are actual steps to give you a clearer picture:
- Find your induction cooktop’s total wattage rating, often listed on the back or in the user manual. For example, 3600W.
- Estimate your average daily use time. For instance, 1 hour of cooking.
- Multiply the wattage by estimated daily use to get watt-hours. 3600W x 1 hour = 3600 Wh.
- Divide watt-hours by 1000 to convert to kilowatt-hours. 3600 Wh / 1000 = 3.6 kWh.
- Multiply kilowatt-hours used by your electric rate. 3.6 kWh x $0.12/kWh = $0.43 per day.
- Multiply by 30 for a monthly estimate. $0.43 x 30 = $12.90 monthly cost.
Induction Cooktop Power Consumption
Induction cooktops are well-known for their heat consistency and energy efficiency. We tried out top induction cooktop types to find out the rate at which induction cooktops consume power. Based on the characteristics which we observed, the power consumption was 0.35 kW/h, which we realized is about 5 times less than the power consumed by electric stoves.
Most induction cooktops have a function for displaying their consumed power. This can always show you the amount of power you use during every session of your cooking. Induction cooktops have different power ratings. This rating is the maximum power that can be consumed by an induction cooker.
They usually operate in varying wattage, which makes their power consumption vary. Based on the temperature setting you want, you will always have to set the wattage of your induction cooktop accordingly to achieve your desires.
To better understand the amount of electricity that can be consumed by induction cooktops, let us use an example.
Suppose your induction cooktop is made to use a maximum power of 2000 watts, 2 units of electricity will be consumed. This is because 1 unit of electricity consumed mostly depends on the number of kilowatts consumed per hour. You can, therefore, determine the amount of power consumed by your induction cooktop by multiplying the number of Kilowatts used by the total operational time of the machine. You can also purchase an electricity usage monitor to help you monitor the power usage of your appliance.
The induction cooktop has dominated the cooktop market because it cooks faster since it has an efficient energy usage system. They do not only come with good power controls but also features that ensure no heat is wasted as it quickly cools down after switching off. This alone proves to you that these induction cooktops are best when it comes to using energy-efficient appliances in your kitchen.
Every company manufacturing these induction cooktops builds its appliances as per the standards of the country they are operating in. A single burner induction, for example, rated at 1800 watts, needs 15 amps. If you are using an induction cooktop model with more than 3 burners, you will require 40–45 amps.
While researching this topic, I found out that people keep asking the following questions.
Do Induction Cooktops Use More Electricity?
No. Induction cooktops use the principle of electromagnetism to enhance your cooking. The induction technology allows the cooktops to generate magnetic fields using electricity.
The magnetic field produced is the one responsible for inducing current inside the cookware used for cooking. Therefore, you can see that as you use induction cooktops, you don’t usually use electricity directly to produce heat for your cooking. This can only mean one thing — you are not always using as much electricity as you do when using electric cooktops with a hotplate.
Also, you will note that induction cooktops cook faster as compared to others, such as gas and electric cooktops. All induction cooktops are both power and temperature-sensitive, which makes them cool down as soon as their induction is switched off. This again reduces the electricity consumption of these induction cooktops that you can ever imagine.
The induction cooktops are integrated with smart technology. It is made in such a way that its power supply is typically cut off if no cookware is detected on the cooktop. The same technology also prevents the appliance from working for a more extended period. This prevents the induction cooktops from using more electricity.
How Much Power Does an Induction Cooktop Require?
Before we answer this question, you must first keep in mind that the range of wattage for induction cooktops is broad. The power requirement for these induction cooktops ranges from brand to brand. So where do you find information about how much power is consumed by induction cooktops?
Well, you can always find this information attached at the bottom of your cooker. The best power for cooking in an induction should be 2000 watts. This means that you can even use power lower than that, and you will get better results as desired. Induction cookers that have multi-burners will require a higher amps circuit.
Ordinarily, a cooktop with 4–5 burners involves a minimum of 40–50 amps. It is always hard to always determine the power consumed by induction cooktops as people usually cook at different temperatures.
Note: The power rating attached by induction cooktops is the maximum. Any excess juice will damage your unit.
How Much Power Does a Portable Induction Cooktop Use?
One thing you ought not to overlook is the recommended circuit. All induction cooktop with single burner has a wattage between 1200-1800 W. This implies that if you use a single burner induction cooktop, the necessary least circuit would be 15 amps.
Wrapping Up
You can use the info and answers we have shared above as a guide to determine the amount of power consumed by your induction cooktop. You can also use it as a guide to making decisions on whether to purchase an induction cooktop for your kitchen or not.
As our final word: Remember that different induction cooktops have different power consumption rates. For this reason, you should always consult your induction cooktop vendor to understand the power consumption of their induction cooktops. (You can also find this information at the bottom of your induction cooktops.)
Common Questions
How much electricity does an induction cooktop use?
For a typical 30″ induction cooktop, expect around 2,000-5,000 watts used while cooking. Larger models and using multiple elements increases power draw.
Do induction cooktops use a lot of electricity?
Induction cooktops use more electricity than traditional electric ranges, but significantly less than comparable gas stoves. Efficiency features like auto shut-off timers help conserve energy.
Do induction cookers draw power even when turned off?
No, an induction cooktop only draws electricity when activated and heating cookware. It uses no standby power when switched off at the outlet or breaker.
