How to choose an adapter for induction stove. How to make with your own hands

If your apartment was first equipped with a conventional electric stove, which was later replaced by an induction stove, there is still some cookware that is not suitable for it. Or, on the contrary, you know that the pot you like is not suitable for induction cooktop, but you still want to buy it. There is a way out of this situation – to buy an adapter (“adapter”). How to choose a suitable adapter for induction cooktop and whether it can be made with your own hands in this article.

Why do you need an adapter

Adapter – a stand for an induction cooktop for ordinary cookware. It is a metal disk of ferromagnetic material (attracted by a magnet), which is placed on the burner under non-magnetic cookware, and it, heating up, transfers heat to any cookware. That is, using this device, it will be possible to cheat the induction stove and it will be possible to cook in dishes made of any non-magnetic material. Such materials include products made of copper, aluminum, ceramics, glass, clay and non-magnetic alloys of stainless steel.

In the article about choosing cookware for induction cooktops, the principle of their operation was described. In the ideal process should be so, the electromagnetic field created by the induction coil of the stove, causes in the bottom of the cookware eddy currents that lead to its heating. But if the bottom of the pot or pan does not have ferromagnetic properties, then the adapter comes to the rescue, it kind of imitates the bottom with the necessary properties.

However, its application is not limited to these cases. If for some reason you are not satisfied with cooking in any cookware because of its thin bottom, then it is quite justified to use the induction disk together with any cookware.

The video demonstrates the use of Tescoma PRESTO adapters with a diameter of 17 and 21 cm for induction plates.

Pros and cons of use

The disadvantage of using such a disk is the side effects that are inherent in classic electric or gas cooking surfaces. Heating up, the induction adapter dissipates some of the heat around, which reduces the efficiency of operation (efficiency) and increases energy consumption.

There are positive points in using such an overlay for an induction cooktop, too. Of course, the main thing is the possibility of using cookware when cooking food that is not designed for induction cooktops. And given that the adapter is a thick metal pancake, which has a thermal capacity, then it is convenient to use it for long “stewing” in cooking.

Material of manufacture and device

Since the material from which the adapter to the induction stove is made must have ferromagnetic properties, the best option is to use iron. But it rusts over time and loses its attractiveness. In addition, rust reduces the heat conductivity. Therefore, the best option remains stainless steel.

Important. Stainless steel may or may not have magnetic properties. It all depends on the amount of additives: chromium, nickel, molybdenum and others. With a large content of steel is not magnetic, small – magnetic properties are preserved, but the steel does not rust.

Stainless steel induction cooktop adapter will keep its appearance for a long time, and although it has slightly less ferromagnetic properties, it will perform its function perfectly.

As for the device, the adapter is a disc of one, two or three layers, with a total thickness of 3 to 6 millimeters. This is enough to make contact with the induction coil and distribute heat evenly across the plate.

Several layers are made for more even heating over the entire diameter of the adapter. With one layer everything is clear – it is homogeneous steel. Two or three layers are variants of combining ferromagnetic steel and aluminum.

Aluminum is perfect as an additional overlay over steel because of its high thermal conductivity characteristics. The thermal conductivity of aluminum is 203.5 W/(m-K), while that of ferromagnetic stainless steel starts at ≈ 17 W/(m-K), which is much lower.

This combination gives a number of advantages, firstly – the lower steel layer, heating up, transfers heat to the aluminum layer, which quickly distributes it over the entire diameter and gives it to the cookware. Secondly, it facilitates the construction of the adapter disk.

In a three-layer adapter, usually the outermost layers are made of stainless steel, and the middle part is made of aluminum.

How to choose an adapter for an induction stove

To choose the adapter for the stove correctly, you need to be guided by several criteria:

• Manufacturer. Of course, you want the purchased thing to justify its purpose and serve for a long time. Therefore, try to choose an overlay for induction stove from a well-known manufacturer.
• Device. Two and three-layer disks, will provide better cooking, but with them more hassle.
• Size. This is the most important criterion in the choice.

The size of the disk is the main parameter

In order for cooking to be fast, you need to choose the right size of the adapter for the induction stove. In cooktops or stoves, the diameter of burners can be different. This is convenient, since pots and pans have different base sizes. And when choosing a plate, it is important that its size is identical to the diameter of the burner and the bottom of the cookware. In this case, the efficiency of the plate will be the highest. But this is ideal, and in practice it is considered that a deviation of 20% in one direction or another is acceptable. This means, for example:

• The adapter on the induction plate for a turba or ladle, should be with the smallest diameter, within 12-14 cm.
• For a plate with a diameter of 16 cm, the actual bottom size is between 14 and 19 cm.
• And for a circle of 23.5 cm, pots and pans with bottoms from 18 to 28 cm are suitable.

These are approximate parameters, more precisely specified will be in the instructions, here is an example on the photo:

Pay attention to the necessity of using flat-bottomed cookware!

Look at the instructions for the panel, what is the diameter of its burners, and decide which cookware you need to buy an adapter for. It is desirable that the diameter of the plate cover is equal to the burner diameter and the size of the bottom of the cookware is within the tolerance.

Why is it important to choose the right size when choosing a device? It’s simple. If the plate of the induction disk is much smaller than the base of the pan, then the products at the edges will not warm up / fry well. And if the adapter is much larger, its edges will only heat the air, wasting energy and heating the handles of the cookware.

If the adapter is smaller than the size of the working part of the burner, then the induction coil will not be fully utilized. That is, part will be under load and part will not, which can lead to a malfunction of the panel and its repair.

In addition, the open or unused part of the burner at a distance of 1 centimeter from it has an increased electromagnetic radiation above the ICNIRP (international commission specializing in protection against non-ionizing radiation). However, the harm is minimal as these emissions are much lower at a distance from the burner.

With or without handle

The presence of a handle allows you to move the cookware adapter on the induction hob without waiting for it to cool down. And if the handle is made of non-heating ceramic or wood, you don’t need a tack. That’s why a handle on the adapter is definitely welcome.

• First: if you move the hot plate on the glass-ceramic surface of the panel, you will scratch it, and eventually the stove will lose its appearance.
• Secondly: you can hang the adapter by the handle for storage, and if the handle is removable, it will allow you to easily place the adapter in the dishwasher.

How to use the adapter

After purchase, read the instructions on how to use the adapter. In its operation there are several nuances, neglecting which is not recommended. In addition to the requirements specifically for the purchased model, the instructions will also contain requirements common to all adapters, they are as follows:

• the size of the adapter must be equal to the diameter of the burner;
• the adapter must not be overheated;
• the device must not be used without cookware;
• the bottom of the cookware must be flat;
• do not turn the burner on at maximum power when cooking;
• allow the adapter to cool on the hob after cooking is finished.

Following the rules is really important. If you put the disk on the burner and turn it on without the cookware, it is sure to overheat. If overheated, the metal will change color, can deform and even crack, and the disc of several layers will split. The use of damaged devices is prohibited.

Almost all devices can be washed in a dishwasher, but if this is not the case, it will be indicated in the instructions.

Important! Do not use a deformed induction disk. The cooking time will increase significantly or the food will not cook at all.

Usage options

Depending on the thickness of the adapter, it stays quite hot for five or even 10 minutes after cooking is finished. This property can be used and save electricity by turning off the panel a little earlier, and the food will “reach” readiness in the process of its cooling. This is not the only option for its additional use. In addition to its intended use on an induction cooktop, the adapter can be used:

• to maintain the temperature of cooked food;
• as an ordinary dish rack;
• instead of a tray for some dishes;
• as a flame spreader on gas burners.

And this is not all that can be solved with the help of this device. Given the usefulness of the adapter in the kitchen, is it possible to make it yourself? And the answer is yes!

How to make an adapter yourself

It has already been pointed out above that the best option for the adapter is stainless steel with ferromagnetic properties. But if you want to save money, and the appearance of the disk is not particularly important, then you can take and ordinary steel, as well as cast iron of sufficient thickness, since it is fragile.

Let’s look at how to make an adapter on your own, without having any special tools. To do this, you will need:

• a flat sheet of steel with a thickness of 3-6 mm;
• a Bulgarian machine (UShM), for cutting the metal to the diameter;
• sandpaper for grinding.

The manufacturing process is extremely simple. We take a flat sheet of ferromagnetic metal and further:

1. outline on it a circle equal to the diameter of your chosen burner;
2. saw it out with a bolgar;
3. grind the surface with sandpaper or a special tool.

The adapter can already be used. The requirements for it are the same as for the “factory” adapter.

Important! Do not allow the formation of a large amount of rust on the disk. If from the side of the stove its amount does not matter, then from the side of the dishes scale or rust, will affect the cooking time, since metal oxide has a bad effect on heat transfer.

Mnenja

If you need to buy an adapter, it is useful to read the reviews of real buyers. If the choice in stores is wide enough, then reviews will help narrow down the search and quickly decide on a choice.

As good as two and three-layer adapters, they also have negative reviews. To the usual assessment that the adapters do not warm well, added to the problem of delamination. And it is understandable, it is difficult to connect different metals in terms of characteristics. Delamination can be associated not only with the purchase of low-quality products, but also with violation of the rules of use. Here is one of the negative reviews:

amkasper Aceline A2IP040 adapter. Real Customer.
Usage period: Less than a month
Pros:
Looks nice when purchased, sleek hot plate stand, can use any cookware on induction cooktops.
Disadvantages:
After purchase turns yellow in a few uses, handle stays nice. Induction stove overheats with it in 5-10 minutes, so you can only use the cookware with it, but not cook. Eggs at most.

The number of positive reviews is higher for single-layer adapters, and this will incline you to choose them. Here is one of them:

Igor Deco 19 cm adapter, part number AI-19, stainless steel. November 3, 2020. Item purchased on OZON.
Advantages: it works.
Disadvantages: after the first use darkened.
Comment: a noticeable increase in cooking time with the same volume and area of the bottom. If you need to save money on cookware, then buy it. The total savings can not be calculated.

However, there are enough negative comments. Such, for example, a review of the steel disk manufacturer “Kamille” with a diameter of 19 cm:

Elena M Kamille adapter, article KM 5652. May 1, 2021. The product was purchased on OZON.
Advantages: There are none
Disadvantages: Darkened after the first use. No heating through it.
Commentary: Money to the wind, it is easier to buy a new skillet.

Bottom line

So, let’s summarize the results of the article. Having considered all the issues related to this device, we conclude that indeed adapters solve the main task of cooking in ordinary dishes on the induction stove. And this means that, you should not rush to buy new cookware after buying a cooktop or stove.

However, when making a choice, you don’t have to rush into buying the first appliance you come across. Analyze the situation, and using the advice given in this article, make a purchase.

Start using the adapter only after reading the instructions!

If the adapter is needed in rare cases and it is possible to make it with your own hands, it is quite possible to use a homemade adapter.