Frigidaire FCFI3083AS Complete Owners Guide - Page 13

13 BEFORE SETTING SURFACE CONTROLS How does induction work? Most cooking uses radiant heat that must pass through the cookware to get food hot. Induction is a process that induces heat with an energy reaction. When each cooking zone is turned on, power goes to a coil under the cooktop. The powered coil creates an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field reacts with compatible materials in cookware, creating heat in the cookware itself. The power level controls the heating level, delivering precise results. Induction Benefits Because heat starts in the cookware instead of the cooktop, induction offers several advantages. Cleaner cooking: Because induction works by heating the cookware and not the cooktop, spills don't cook or stick to the surface. Cooler Cooktop: An induction cooktop will be cooler when you remove cookware than a conventional cooktop would be. The only radiant heat produced in induction is from the cookware itself, so the kitchen stays cooler, too. Fast Heating: Cookware will heat up faster than on a conventional electric cooktop. Pay close attention to avoid scorching food when starting to cook. You may need to use a lower setting for cooking food than you are used to. Precise Control: The heat going into the cookware will change immediately when you change the setting of the cooking zone. Even Heating: Cookware will typically heat more evenly on an induction cooktop, so you are less likely to have hot or cool spots in the cookware. Energy Efficiency: Because induction creates heat directly in the pan, it uses less electricity than a conventional cooktop. CAUTION Although induction cooking zones do not produce heat, they can become hot from contact with hot cookware. Burns may occur if a cooking zone or the surrounding area is touched before it has cooled to a safe temperature. Sounds The magnetic field over the induction cooking zone may cause cookware to vibrate, creating a buzzing or humming noise. These sounds are not unusual, especially at high settings. Cookware that is not perfectly flat on the bottom may vibrate slightly against the cooktop. A loose handle may vibrate in its socket. Multi-material cookware may allow small vibrations in its structure. Figure 1: Induction sounds Sounds are less likely to occur with heavier, higher quality cookware. An induction cooktop may also produce faint clicking sounds from the electronic switches that maintain the desired cooking temperature. You may also hear a fan that cools the electronics inside the cooktop. Before Using Your Cooktop Before using your cooktop for the first time, apply a ceramic cooktop cleaning cream (available in most hardware, grocery, and department stores) to the ceramic surface. Clean and buff with a clean paper towel. Cooktop cleaning creams leave a protective finish on the glass that will make cleaning easier when the cooktop is soiled from cooking and help prevent scratches and abrasions. NOTE Be sure to read detailed instructions for induction cooktop cleaning in the "Care and Cleaning" section and "Before You Call" checklist section of this Use and Care Manual.