Induction hotplates have scored favourably in a Consumer Council test on performance.
Furthermore, these household electric appliances have exhibited the capacity for high energy efficiency and relatively low operation cost.
The Consumer Council has tested 10 models of induction hotplates, priced from $299 to $1,098, to evaluate and compare their safety (abnormal operation, construction, markings and labelling), performance (heating and temperature control), and ease of use (handling, cleaning and storage, noise).
A matter of concern is the magnetic field (or magnetic flux density) generated by the use of induction hotplate, which may have the potential to affect human health.
In the test, two of the samples were put to magnetic field measurement (from a distance of 30 cm at different locations) in accordance with the European Standard. It was found that both samples had magnetic flux density within the reference level of 6.25 µT (microtesla) promulgated by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Pacemaker users are, however, advised not to be near an induction plate in operation as the pacemaker might be affected by the magnetic field generated.
Overall, the models scored good ratings on a scale of five - with eight of the 10 models awarded a rating of four or above, and the remaining two a rating of three and a half.
The test indicated that induction hotplates may be more expensive to buy than other similar cooking appliances, but they were found to be high in energy efficiency - 76 to 83% as attained in heating up water. A traditional electric hotplate sample have been measured to reach about 44% in heat efficiency.
One of the frequent uses of induction hotplates is as cooking stove for hotpot, a favourite of the local especially in the cold season. A comparison in energy cost was made between induction hotplate, traditional hotplate and cassette LPG stove.
The result, based on 2 hours of usage at full power, showed that induction hotplate fared the best (approximately $2.9 in electricity consumption at 1,600 W), followed by traditional hotplate ($3.6 at 2,000 W) and cassette LPG stove (which due to the packaging could run up to $10 and above in cassette LPG cost assuming the use of one and a half cassettes).
It was also found that the heat up rate of induction hotplate was in general faster than that of cassette LPG stove.
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