Benefits of Induction Cooking

Every new technology that comes along tends to remain popular for some time.  That can be said for catering equipment and chafers that warm or cook through induction.  This technology is growing to be common in many household kitchens and upper class restaurants; however it’s a real blessing for caterers. One of the primary benefits is that induction catering equipment holds food extremely well under warm temperatures – it’s perfect for long-duration hold times without compromising taste or food quality.

They can also be used as food warmers through correct temperature control.

Induction Catering Equipment – Significant Energy Savings

One of the problems with catering equipment and chafing dishes is that – through halogen or heating coals – better than 50% of the energy is lost in the transfer of the heat.  With induction cooking, there is no element-to-vessel contact or heat transfer.  The electro-magnetic coils, the source of the energy in induction cooking, provide optimal cooking and warming without energy loss.  That can save a significant amount on energy use.

With induction, roughly 90% of the heat transfers into the chafing dishes and into the food.  Even gas only transfers about 47% of the heat, so you’re looking at a respectable energy saving.  Next to the long hold times and even heating, the energy savings is one of the primary reasons induction catering equipment has become so popular.

Big Investment, Big Savings

Induction equipment is going to run you a lot more than the standard stainless steel catering equipment most caterers purchase.  While that initial investment will be high, it pays for itself through reduced energy cost.  Buying secondary fuel sources and paying premiums on electricity will be reduced.  These cumulative savings pay you back for investing in smart, safer technology.

Easy Maintenance

Because induction catering equipment does not actually emanate heat, the equipment will often last much longer.  That reduces the blackening and staining of the chafing dishes, and wear and tear is dramatically reduce.  Because there’s no heat transfer on the surface, induction cookers and stoves are also easy to clean.

Simple Installation

Induction cookers are like a plug and play device when paired with your induction ready stainless steel catering equipment.  There’s no retrofitting unless you buy an expensive cooking center or stove.  You can just plug the induction units and you’re good to go.

Induction Cooking is Safe Cooking

Burning yourself while cooking, put simply, sucks.  It’s a normal part of the business though.  Thankfully, induction cooking doesn’t generate heat or open flames, no fumes, etc.  This makes them an extremely safe cooking alternative.  You can actually place paper on an induction cook top, put your catering equipment on it, and the paper won’t burn while you cook.  Only the chafing dish gets hot to the touch.

Worker-friendly Kitchen Temperatures

Working away in the kitchen can make you work up a sweat.  It gets hot over grills and open flame.  It’s not uncommon for the temperature in commercial kitchens to push over 100 degrees or more.  Induction cooking offers some relief from that, since the heat source is internalized and a lot of the heat stays within your catering equipment.  You can get a bit of relief in this manner by a few degrees overall.

No more Cooked-on Food or Sauces

The cooking surface of an induction cooker always remains cool to the touch, so that means that burn, cooked on spills and splatters are a thing of the past.  While you’re working, you can simply wipe up and sauce or food debris; or not, and just get it later while you’re cleaning.