India LPG cylinder shortage: Preset cooking modes, utensils compatibility and other key things to check before buying an Induction Cooktop

Amid rising tensions in the middle east following the conflict between Iran, Israel and the US, concerns around LPG supply disruptions have increased, especially in India. While the government has prioritized domestic natural gas allocation for LPG production, compressed natural gas (CNG), and piped cooking gas, some restrictions have been placed on commercial LPG supply. As the Israel-US-Iran war 13th day, uncertainty over future availability has resulted in increased sale of electric inductions across the country. According to an Economic Times report, Swiggy Instamart is seeing a 10x spike in inductions sales. Tata-owned BigBasket also said it saw a 5x increase in induction cooktop sales since the start of this week. If you are also looking to buy the electric inductions, then read on. In this article, we have curated a list of some simple tips that can help you choose the right one.The power rating of an induction cooktop determines how quickly it can heat cookware. Most models available in the market range between 1200W and 2000W. Cooktops with higher wattage usually cook food faster and are suitable for regular use. Many induction cooktops offer preset cooking options such as boiling, frying, curry, rice or milk. These presets automatically adjust the temperature and power level during cooking. Before buying an induction cooktop, one should look for safety features such as auto shut-off, overheat protection, child lock and pan detection. These are important to help prevent overheating and ensure the cooktop switches off automatically if no cookware is detected.Induction cooktops are designed to work exclusively with cookware that contains magnetic materials. This includes stainless steel and cast iron.Utensils made of aluminium, copper or glass may not work unless they are designed for induction cooking.Checking durability of an induction is equally important as most of them come with a glass top surface. Another thing to consider before buying is that the induction is easy to clean and resistant to scratches.Choose the right control typeInduction cooktops usually come with touch controls or push-button controls.Touch controls are common in newer models, while push buttons are often found in budget and old models.Check warranty and service supportConsumers should also check the warranty period and service support offered by the brand before purchasing an induction. Most induction cooktops in India usually have at least a one-year warranty.