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How to Fix Induction Cooktop Overheating or Uneven Heating?

An induction cooktop – also called an “induction hob” or “induction stove” – is fast becoming a crowd-favourite among Canadian households. It is not hard to see why. After all, it is incredibly efficient and cost-effective, as well as enjoys fast cooking times. As if that is not enough, this type of cooktop is also an absolute breeze to use and clean, helping you save precious time and effort.

However, an induction cooktop is only a kitchen appliance. You can’t expect it to remain foolproof after months or years of use. Eventually, it may run into a problem. For instance, it may begin overheating or heating the food unevenly. This includes not cooking the meat well or perhaps even failing to boil the water.

We know it is frustrating, but there is no need to call an appliance repair company immediately. Our guide will help you identify the root cause of the problem. And, if luck is on your side, you may even be able to resolve it by yourself.

Why Your Cooktop Is Not Heating Properly and the Solution

Before getting started with the troubleshooting process, it is important to understand how an induction cooktop works first. Essentially, it relies on an electromagnetic field to heat the cookware, as opposed to an electric or gas cooktop, which uses either a heating element or a flame. This innovative mechanism – coupled with its advanced features – offers some notable advantages, including:

  • The cooktop directly heats the bottom of the pan, boasting superior efficiency and rapid warm-up times.
  • It is far more responsive to temperature changes, which means that it can offer precise temperature control.
  • The lack of flames eliminates the risk of burning or unexpected fires. This also makes it safe even if there are kids or pets nearby.
  • This sophisticated product is packed with safety features. For instance, it has a control lock function, which places the unit in lock mode or prevents it from being turned on via the control panel. The cooktop may even come with heat sensors, causing it to turn off automatically in case the temperature gets dangerously high. Lastly, it also has a maximum cooking time limit to help preserve energy.
  • This type of cooktop hardly generates a mess, and even if you accidentally spill something, it is fairly easy to clean up. All you have to do is take a damp rag and wipe the area.
  • Induction cooking uses less energy, translating to lower electricity bills.
  • Being efficient makes it eco-friendly.

As with any home appliances, an induction cooktop may malfunction after some time. One of the most common problems that you can encounter is overheating or uneven heating. There are several possible reasons behind this. We explore the most common ones below, and the respective solution of each.

Notes:

  • Before getting started, you might want to check the manufacturer’s guide. It may contain some useful information on why your unit is not heating properly, as well as the corresponding solutions.
  • Induction cooktops need electricity to generate an electromagnetic field. So, if there are issues with the power supply (such as a power outage or a circuit overload), the appliance may struggle to produce enough heat. Alternatively, there may be some problems with the wiring or power connection to the cooktop instead. In either case, it is best to let professionals handle the problem, especially if you don’t know much about electrical work.

Related article: How to Fix Induction Cooktop Not Turning On

1. Check the Cookware

One of the most important things to know about induction cooking is that it requires a specific type of cookware. In other words, the cooktop may not work properly if you are using the wrong type of pan. It may overheat or heat food unevenly, for example. Lightweight cookware, to be specific, tends to heat up faster than usual, running the risk of burning the food.

Preferably, you should be using a pan made with ferromagnetic materials. Specifically, the cookware should either contain iron or have a layer with magnetic properties. Popular options include cast iron, enameled cast iron, and some types of stainless steel pots. Meanwhile, pans made with glass, aluminum, or all-copper are out of the question.

Does it sound confusing? Don’t worry; there is a quick and easy way to check the compatibility of your pan. All you have to do is bring it close to a magnet. If the magnet clings to your chosen cookware, then it is induction-compatible. Simple as that.

Aside from the material, you would want to check the bottom of the cookware too. It should be evenly balanced and sport a flat bottom to guarantee uniform heating. 

induction cooktop fixing

2. Take a Look at the Cooking Surface

Are you already using the appropriate pans? If so, the next step is to check the cooking zone or the area where you will be putting the pots. After all, induction hobs are not only fastidious when it comes to the type of pots – but their positioning as well. That is, if the cookware is not placed right at the centre of the burner, the food might not get cooked or heated correctly.

The size of the cookware is also an important consideration. If the pot is either too large or too small for the burner, then it won’t get centred no matter how much you reposition it. Ideally, the pot should not be jutting out of the cooking zone. 

Essentially, you want the bottom size of the pot to be a perfect match to the burner size to ensure even heating.

Related article: Six Common Reasons Why Your Cooktop Isn’t Turning On

3. Adjust the Temperature

Is your food not getting cooked properly or not getting hot enough? Or, perhaps you simply can’t prep your dish the way the recipe demands it? If so, there may be issues with the temperature. That is, you are probably not using the right heat setting for the type of cooking you are doing.

In this case, it is just a matter of being familiar with the temperature setting guidelines for induction cooktops. Again, make sure to read the manual, check the specifications of your unit, and examine the cooktop touch controls. After all, each model has its own control panel, switch controls, and temperature settings. 

Lucky for you, induction cooktops boast excellent temperature precision, so after getting the right temperature control setting, you should be able to whip your desired dishes to perfection without any problems.

Call an Expert for Faulty Induction Cooktops

Like any other kitchen appliance, induction cooktops may also go kaput at one point – such as failing to heat the food properly. Thankfully, this issue is often simple to resolve and may not even require expert help.

But, what if you have dutifully followed the steps above – but to no avail? Or, maybe you suspect that you have a problem with some of the more complicated components of the cooktop? This includes the copper coils on the burner, heat sensors, cooktop touch controls, or circuit breakers, among others.

If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, then it might be time to seek the services of a professional. As always, do your research and stick only to a reputable appliance repair company.

At Prime Appliance Repair, you are in capable hands with our team of highly-trained repair technicians. Rest assured that we only provide top-quality repairs and 100% customer satisfaction. Plus, we also boast one of the lowest service fees in the Greater Toronto Area, and you may even score some discount as a new customer. Call Prime Appliance Repairs at 647-931-1114 or fill out this online form to schedule an appointment right away.

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