Induction cooktops became very popular in the past years. They are reliable and many times, more performing and comfortable to use than gas or electric cooktops. These cooktops function on electromagnetic energy which makes them less resistant over time, even if they might be better in terms of efficiency and safety.
On average, induction cooktops have a lifespan of 2500 hours. But you will find that different models have slightly different lifespans and commercial cooktops tend to last the longest.
If you want to know how long an induction cooktop can last, keep reading and you will find out everything about the lifespan of such a product.
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How long do induction cooktops last
The lifespan of induction cooktops varies according to the manufacturer and the model you choose. They can come with a lifespan of 2500 hours which means about ten hours of cooking a day for a year. Since there are slim chances of cooking daily for this time, your cooktop will most likely last about five years if you cook for one-two hour each day.
Commercial or industrial cooktops have a lifespan of about 30,000 hours. This lifespan will allow you to use the product for ten hours a day for eight to ten years.
What happens over time is that the power of your cooktop will decrease and therefore, it will take longer to cook your meals. How long the cooking time will be will depend on how old your induction cooktop is and the model of the product.
When you purchase your induction stove, check the lifespan that the manufacturer lists in the product description. This amount of time is the time you can expect your product to function with no cooking delays. The first sign that your stove is not working properly is the increased cooking time.
Tips to prolong the lifespan of your induction cooktop
If you want to be able to rely on your induction stove for a longer time, there are certain things that you can keep in mind!
1. Choose a stove with a thicker glass
Most domestic induction stoves have a glass that is 4 mm thick. But the commercial cooktops come with thicker glass. The thicker the glass on your induction stove is, the more durable it will be. You can find such stoves with a thickness of 6 mm as well and such products usually come with a longer lifespan too.
2. Go for the product with higher power
Domestic induction stoves come with power between 2kw and 5kw. The bigger the power, the lower the cooking time will be. Since the stove will have enough power to cook your meals in a shorter time, you will be able to enjoy it for a longer lifespan.
3. Check the warranty of the product
The warranty of a product is a fair indicator of the lifespan you can expect from it as well. An induction stove with a warranty of two years is an indicator of an average induction stove that will most likely work properly for two to three years. A top product will come with four years of warranty or more.
4. Decide between a domestic cooktop and a commercial cooktop
Before you invest in such a stove, evaluate how much you are going to use it. If you are planning to cook several hours a day, you might need a commercial stove. At the same time, if you will only cook a few times a week, a domestic cooktop should be all you need.
5. The size of your cookware will also impact its lifespan
If the cookware you use is larger than the cooktop, the cooking time will increase, and therefore, the lifespan of your stove will be reduced as well. This happens when the heating element of your stove is not touching the entire surface of the cookware.
On the other hand, if you don’t choose to use cookware that matches the size of your cooktop, your food will get cooked in the middle of the pot, where the heating element touches the pot and it will take more time to cook on the edges of the pot.
The bigger the size of your stove is, the better you will cook your food in the shortest time possible for the device you are using. Also, the induction board should be a PCB board labeled with Siemens IGBT to make sure it withstands your cooking needs even for the most complex meals.
6. Maintain your cooktop properly
Keeping your induction stove clean is not just a matter of aesthetics but also, it is important for its functionality. The clean cooktop will work properly for more hours than those that were neglected. So, make a routine of wiping your stove after every use to eliminate any grease or residue that might be on it after you finished cooking. You will find cleaning instructions in the product description and it takes only a couple of minutes but the benefits are significant.
7. Keep good ventilation during cooking
While gas and electric stoves require more ventilation, induction ones are not so pretentious. But that doesn’t mean they can do without any ventilation. You want a ventilation system in your kitchen to avoid a build-up of heat that could reduce the performance of your stove and its lifespan. Also, proper ventilation will keep the grease build-up to a minimum and reduce smoke, steam, and odors.
Final thoughts
Your induction stove might come with a limited lifespan, but the way you use and maintain it will be crucial in enjoying the product as much as possible. You want to also use your cooktop correctly and in combination with the right cookware so you don’t have to invest time and money in repairing it or even replacing it before its time. We have to mention that the pots, pans, and other containers you will use on an induction stove are different than those you would use on a gas stove. So, check the compatibility between your cookware and your stove as well before you start cooking!
