Convection, Conduction, and Induction: What’s the Safest Cooking Method?

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Every day, the average American spends nearly forty minutes in the kitchen. Over a lifetime, those numbers really begin to add up—particularly for those who make a living with food. Since you're investing quite a bit of your life in your kitchen, you'll want to be sure that you're staying as safe as you can in the process. 

Basic Cooking Methods 

The three basic methods for cooking food are convection, conduction, and induction.  

Convection

Convection is a very efficient method for cooking food. Generally accomplished in a convection oven, this process heats the air around the food to high temperatures, using fans to blow the air around and ensure even cooking.

Convection ovens can reduce cooking times by 25% or more compared with ordinary ovens. They also tend to increase the browning of food by concentrating more heat on the food's outer surface. (The Spruce Eats)

Conduction

With the conduction method, food is directly in contact with a source of heat in order to cook. Whether you fry your eggs in a pan or hard boil them in water, you're using the conduction method. 

Induction

Similar to the conduction method, induction uses direct contact to transfer heat. With this method, however, the heat source is electric:

Induction cooktops use electricity to create energy, just like every other appliance in your home. But unlike most other home appliances, induction cooktops have a fairly powerful magnetic field. This is what makes people wary about them.

Although there has been some concern about electric cooktops emitting elevated levels of radiation, no tests have ever substantiated these concerns. 

Which Cooking Method Is Safest?

When it comes to cooking, the question isn't necessarily which method is safest. Convection, conduction, and induction are all relatively safe, with no one posing more danger than the other. The important thing is to follow instructions carefully, set timers, and keep your mind on your cooking at all times. 

We Can Help

Here at Thermodyne Foodservice Products, Inc., we have spent the last thirty years providing high-quality appliances for commercial, industrial, and institutional kitchens. To hear more about our food warmers and other premium products, please feel free to contact us.

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