Induction cookware is becoming increasingly popular and some predict that the sale of induction hobs will overtake that of gas hobs in the next 5 years.

The key to induction hob appeal is energy efficiency. The manufacturers of the hobs claim that they are 90% efficient as opposed to around 55% for gas hobs and evern lower for ceramic hobs.

Induction hobs work through the use of magnetism. Cookware has to have a magnetic layer in the base of the pan in order for the hob to switch on. It is the pan that is heated and not the hob itself. So when you remove the pan, the heating stops. This is both energy efficient and safer as there is no hot surface left exposed.

This form of flameless cooking has other advantages over conventional gas flame and electric cookers as it provides rapid heating, greater heat consistency, plus the same or greater degree of controllability as gas

There are some drawbacks to induction hobs. One is that you must have cookware that can work them! Cast iron will do so as it is already magnetic. Most ranges such as Swiss Diamond Induction, the new Gastrolux Induction, add a magnetic layer to their original pan ranges. This does make the pans more expensive that those suited for more convention hobs. Other ranges, such as Mauviel M Cook and Demeyere, have just one range which includes the magnectic layer. These ranges are at the pricest end of cookware in any event.

A second disadvantage is that pans placed on an induction cooker must contain oil or a liquid to absorb the heat; otherwise, the rapid increase in temperature will cause food to burn. This is rather like placing food on an already hot gas range.

A final disadvantage I would say is the general one, that applies to all new technologies. There are teething problems! The new Induction cookware ranges have not yet stood the test of time and are constantly being improved. Not all pans will work on every size of hob top either. I would recommend reading the guidelines to your induction hob carefully before buying your cookware, as they could give guidelines as to which cookware is recommended.