Congratulations! You just made the smart decision to purchase a brand new Nuwave Induction Cooktop. You’re on your way to cooking smarter, faster and more efficiently but before you get there the question remains – how do you use this thing? Fear not because we’re here to help with plenty of information, tips and tricks that will help you start cooking like a pro on your Nuwave Induction Cooktop in no time!
Before we start cooking, there is one important question we have to ask.
What Is Induction?
Induction technology uses electromagnetic energy to generate heat directly in the cookware and cook the food. Induction cooktops have coils beneath the cooking surface that create a magnetic field that reacts with the metal in the cookware, vibrating the molecules and generating heat. This is in contrast to your old gas or electric stoves, which generate heat under and around the cookware to heat the food indirectly, a very outdated and inefficient method of cooking. While traditional stoves only use about 30% of the heat for cooking, induction cooktops use up to 90% of the energy for cooking!
So now that we know what induction technology is and what it can do, we can use this knowledge with our brand new Nuwave Precision Induction Cooktop, also known as a Nuwave PIC.
What You Need Before Cooking With The Nuwave Precision Induction Cooktop
A Stable, Flat Cooking Surface
Just like any stove or cooktop, Nuwave Induction Cooktops need to be steady and level for both safety and optimal performance. You don’t want to balance your Nuwave PIC on top of your stove where it can tip over and spill your hot food as you cook. Make sure it’s directly on a stable countertop without anything underneath that can potentially shift or move while you cook.
A Power Source
While all Nuwave Induction Cooktops are portable, they do need to be plugged into an outlet in order to function. The good news is that they all come with a standard US wall plug so just about any electrical outlet will do the trick. The necessary wattage does vary from model to model but every Nuwave PIC does have adjustable wattage so if you’re in a situation with a limited power supply, you can lower the wattage used with the press of a button so you can still enjoy.
Induction-Ready Cookware
As with all induction cookware, you need to make sure your pots and pans are compatible with your Nuwave PIC. Cookware intended for use on induction cooktops must be constructed from an iron-based metal and feature a flat bottom. Materials such as glass, clay, or aluminum are not compatible with this type of cooking surface. However, there is a positive aspect to consider: the majority of cookware sets manufactured today are designed with induction compatibility in mind so don’t feel like you have to run out and get all new cookware to use your new Nuwave PIC!
If you’re not sure about your cookware, there are three simple ways to check if your existing pots and pans or future cookware purchases are compatible with Nuwave Induction Cooktops:
- A magnet is typically a great indicator. If it sticks to the bottom of a piece of cookware, that typically means the pot or pan is induction-ready.
- Place a small amount of water in a pot or pan. If the vessel is induction compatible, the water will begin to boil.
- Look for the induction-ready symbol, which may be printed on the bottom of the cookware.
Tips To Make The Most Of Your Nuwave Induction Cooktop
Now that you’re all ready to get cooking with your brand new Nuwave PIC, we have some extra tips to make sure you can cook like a pro and impress your family and friends with your new cooktop.
- Be mindful of the induction heating area. The induction coils are located under the large ring on the cooking surface. While you may use pans up to the total width of the Nuwave PIC, heat transfer will be most efficient within this circle.
- If you remove your cookware from the Nuwave PIC surface for more than a few seconds, the unit will shut off for safety purposes so if you’re sautéing or flipping your food, make sure you return your cookware to the PIC quickly.
- Mind the vent on the back of the cooktop and make sure it’s unobstructed so that excess heat can escape while you cook.
- Don’t forget the Nuwave PIC’s precise temperature control and expansive temperature range! You can cook at super high heat or simmer at low temperatures no problem.
The most important tip of all – have fun! Cooking is supposed to be a fun experience whether you’re just making a meal for yourself or cooking for the whole family, let your Nuwave Induction Cooktop cooking experience be one that’s fun and enjoyable for years to come.
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