Eat Well, Live Happy

To cook in Italian... Mangia bene, vivi felice

Cooking with Lofra: The Benefits of Induction

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In recent years, induction cooking has spiked in popularity throughout the United States. An increasing number of homeowners are making the switch from gas cooking to induction ranges and stovetops. Curious what’s making induction ranges so appealing? Read on to discover what induction technology is, how to distinguish its differences from electric and gas and uncover the various benefits to induction cooking!

What is induction cooking?

So, what exactly is induction cooking? Different from typical electric cooktops, induction cooktops utilize copper heating coils underneath the surface to produce electromagnetic energy. This energy is only ignited when the iron in designated induction cookware, typically made of cast iron or stainless steel, makes contact with the cooktop surface. This energy transfer turns the cookware into its own source of heat, as opposed to the stovetop producing the heat.

Photo Credit: Lofra Italy

What is the difference between induction, electric and gas?

The most notable differences between induction, electric and gas ranges is their appearance and how they create energy. Induction and electric cooktops are similar in appearance as both feature smooth top surfaces. In contrast, gas ranges feature burner grates raised over the cooktop surface.

When it comes to generating heat, gas cooktops rely on a flame produced through natural gas or propane. On the other hand, traditional electric stovetops employ an electrical current that flows through a metal coil that is either visible on the cooktop or hidden under a glass or ceramic surface to heat up the burner.

Both electric and induction cooking require 220V electrical connections and a good amount of amperage to function properly.  It is important to understand power and gas requirements before choosing a cooking appliance suitable for your home.

Dolcevita Gas Cooktop
Dolcevita Induction Cooktop

What are the benefits of induction cooking?

Although there are diverse advantages to cooking with both gas and electric, induction cooking marries the best of both worlds while also offering unique aspects not found in either. Continue reading to learn the top benefits of induction cooking:

Photo Credit: Lofra UK

Kitchen Safety Excellence

Induction stovetops automatically shut down after a pot or pan is removed from the cooking surface, reducing the risk of accidentally leaving a burner on. If a knob or button are accidentally activated, the element will not heat up until proper cookware is placed on top.  These features are particularly important for households with children as they enhance kitchen safety and peace of mind!

Faster Cook Times

Since induction cooktops heat pots and pans directly, the extra step of heating up the burner and transferring that heat to the cookware is eliminated, therefore, cutting cooking times in half! All Lofra induction ranges feature a rapid boil setting on every burner, which delivers maximum power to boil liquids promptly. 

Exact Precision

Cooking with induction offers excellent precision when it comes to temperature control. By leveraging electromagnetic energy to produce heat, induction stovetops react extremely fast to any temperature adjustments. For example, when you turn the burner off, the heat transfer stops immediately, and conversely, when you turn the burner up, more heat is prompted instantly. This is ideal for instances when you require a quick transition from boiling to simmering, as induction enables an immediate adjustment, guaranteeing perfectly cooked results every time. Check out the ‘Keep Warm’ setting on Lofra induction cooktops, which instantly lowers the heat to stop the cooking process while keeping the cookware warm to ensure the perfect temperature for serving.

Cleaner Cooking

Gas appliances emit harmful air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and methane, even when they’re not in use! Switching to an induction range can reduce your risk of asthma and other illnesses associated with these pollutants, while also lessening air quality issues and climate change. Though induction ranges don’t produce harmful air pollutants, a range hood is still essential to vent grease, oils, smoke and strong cooking odors. However, due to their lower emissions, induction ranges require hoods with less CFM (cubic feet of air moved per minute) than gas ranges, meaning less energy is used. Because of this, they also can easily meet make-up air requirements in certain municipalities while still having adequate cooking ventilation.

Energy Efficiency

Induction cooktops consume far less energy than electric or gas stovetops because they heat the pan directly rather than the cooking surface first. Moreover, because food is heated up much faster with induction cooking, the appliance isn’t required to be on for as long, conserving further energy.

We hope you are now supplied with ample knowledge on induction to utilize when you’re contemplating your next range! To learn more about Lofra’s induction offerings, visit https://lofra.us/products/?ed05e88-filter_plan-type=induction.

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A Modern Kitchen for a Photographer’s Brooklyn Studio

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Verona Appliances recently partnered with Deborah Main of the Pillow Goddess to create a modern kitchen for Brooklyn-based product photographer and director Cason Latimer. Cason recently expanded his studio with an on-site, modern kitchen to better serve his growing client portfolio. “I recommended the Designer Series ranges and hoods from Verona Appliances because of my personal and professional experience with the luxury brand’s superior quality and diverse options,” said Deborah Main, designer of Cason’s studio kitchen.

Continue to read below for more details on Cason’s kitchen.

Photo Credit: Cason Latimer

Affordable Luxury

A photographer’s studio is fast-paced, with multiple photoshoots happening simultaneously. Cason needed a range and ventilation hood that would be a reliable workhorse for his client’s projects. “[His] need for a professional-grade range without the price tag was essential for his business to attract top-notch clients,” she says.

Photo Credit: Cason Latimer

Create Your Own Custom Verona Range

What’s great about the luxury Verona Designer Series ranges – whether your personal preference is induction, gas, or electric – is that homeowners and kitchen designers can customize their range with the Designer Range Builder.  

Cason chose the Verona Designer Series 36″ Induction Range and 36” Wall-Mounted Range Hood for its professional performance, superior craftsmanship, and affordability. The design of his kitchen, a very modern, clean look, necessitated a range that seamlessly fit in with his new countertop, cabinetry, and classic white backsplash. Plus, the luxury appliances were easy on his wallet.

Photo Credit: Cason Latimer

“With Verona’s many color options, Cason chose a stainless steel finish for his Designer Series Induction 36” range, as it offers that clean, fresh look, which is an excellent choice for any modern kitchen,” says Deborah. “Plus, to be honest, his new range and hood had to look stunning to impress his new clients, and Verona ranges are gorgeous!”

The Details Make All the Difference

The Verona Designer Series 36″ Induction Range and hood make Cason’s studio kitchen a real stand out. “He has many new photography clients in the food industry, and I know he is thrilled to be able to prep and cook on Verona’s magnificent luxury range. Plus, he has the Chefs Pak to make it all a breeze!” says Deborah.

Photo Credit: Cason Latimer

In addition to the range and range hood, Cason also has a variety of accessories from the Chefs Pak, which will significantly help preparation for food and beverage photoshoots. Deborah has a few of the accessories herself and says, “my husband and I recently used the Verona griddle for pancakes and steaks last night, and its performance is excellent!”

Note: Verona recently released a new and improved Chefs Pak, swapping out the stainless steel griddle for a cast iron griddle, which is more lightweight and works well on induction cooktops.

Deborah cannot recommend Verona more highly. “It is of superior quality and will elevate your kitchen to luxury status and professional performance,” she says. “Before you know it, you’ll feel like a professional chef!”

Are you ready to add a Verona range and hood to your kitchen? Explore our many options at www.veronappliances.com. For more products, projects, trends and news Verona Appliances, you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest.