How does induction work?

Induction hobs have a strong electro magnet (or induction coil) positioned just under the ceramic cooking zones. When you switch on the zone you want to use and place a ferrous metal bottomed pan on it, this completes an electric circuit and heat is transferred evenly to the pan and its contents. Induction cooking - it's clean and it's clever, and once you start using it, you'll never look back.

Styling

First of all there's the look. Ceramic induction hobs are sleek, shiny, and smooth - they complement the minimal, uncluttered lines of today's chicest kitchens. If you want a style that's as aesthetically pleasing as it's uncompromisingly modern, this is undoubtedly the hob for you.

Fast and responsive

But that's certainly not all. The speed of induction cooking is one of its major benefits. Cooking zones heat up remarkably quickly, and if you need a boost of power, it can be easily transferred from zone to zone when required. Induction is also extremely controllable and energy efficient; as soon as a saucepan is removed it breaks the circuit, so the heat diffuses instantly. Gas hobs have a deserved reputation for controllability, but induction hobs offer similar levels of sensitivity.

Easy to clean

Cleaning couldn't be easier. There are no parts to remove or difficult nooks and crannies to negotiate with a cloth. Just a flat, non-porous surface, which you can wipe over quickly. And because the areas around the circular zones remain cool even during cooking, if food spills or boils over, it won't ever get 'burnt on' to the surface. On a daily basis then, induction hobs are wonderfully easy to maintain and keep spotlessly clean - which is what you want when you're preparing food.

Energy efficient

Induction hobs are extremely energy efficient, a responsible choice, but also one that saves you money on electricity bills. Only the base of the pan heats up, so only the precise amount of energy you need is ever used - there's never any wasted heat disappearing around the sides of the pan.

Safe to use

We should all be safety conscious around the kitchen, but in households where children or elderly people live, you need to be particularly careful. Because of the way they work, induction hobs provide a virtually failsafe solution, particularly those with 'Point & Twist' control. Neff 'Point & Twist' models will only operate when the magnetic central control knob is in place. Even if the controls are turned on accidentally, the hob will only start heating up if a saucepan is placed on one of the zones.

Automatic pan recognition

All Neff induction hobs feature automatic pan recognition - the zone will only heat up if it "senses" saucepans with a smooth, fl at base with suitable diameter in position. This ensures that the hob will not heat up if smaller items such as metal spoons are accidently left on the induction zones. If you are unsure about the suitability of your existing saucepans, test the base with a magnet. In most cases if the magnet sticks, the pans are made from ferrous metal and are therefore suitable for use on induction hobs.