15 Oct Why doesn't the induction hob work?
Is the induction hob not working? What can be the causes
Before seeing the reasons why an induction hob does not work, it is good to understand how induction cookers work.
How does an induction hob work?
Firing is guaranteed by the coils located under the ceramic glass top. The electrical energy that powers the coils generates a magnetic field that heats the pots.
In this way an induction hob can guarantee an excellent efficiency, about 90%, while a traditional gas cooker has an efficiency of 40%, as a good part of the heat produced is dispersed into the environment.
In addition, cooking with an induction hob is faster and more precise, because the heat spreads evenly over the pan. Then, the absence of flames avoids the risks of any gas leaks. Induction hobs offer many advantages, but like all appliances, they can be subject to breakdowns and malfunctions.
Why doesn't an induction hob work?
There can be several reasons why an induction hob does not turn on:
- faulty power supply
- hob clamps damaged or incorrectly connected
- defective electrical board
In these cases, it is advisable to rely on a specialized technician who can verify any failure and carry out the appropriate operations to solve it.
Furthermore, it may happen that the touch recognition of the induction hob does not work due to liquids or substances that have dirty the keyboard with which you control the kitchen.
To solve this problem, just clean the hob with special detergents and a microfibre cloth. It may also happen that the induction hob does not recognize the pot. To cook on an induction hob, in fact, it is necessary to use enameled iron, cast iron, and stainless steel pots and pans. Those in ceramic or terracotta should be avoided.
The induction hob does not heat up
Are the cooking zones of the induction hob no longer cooking properly? Let's try to investigate the possible causes behind this problem.
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF THIS PROBLEM:
USED POTS AND PANS ARE NOT SUITABLE
THE POWER OF THE INDUCTION COOKER IS TOO LOW
THE HOB HAS BEEN CONFIGURED INCORRECTLY
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT UP TO STANDARD
THE ELECTRICAL CLAMP IS NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY
THE ELECTRONIC BOARD IS FAULTY
ATTENTION
Before working on the appliance, make sure it is disconnected from the mains.
Danger of electrocution.
Wear suitable gloves,
cut hazard.
Used pots and pans are not suitable
If you use aluminum pots and pans, you should know that these are not suitable for induction cookers. For this type of appliance, it is preferable to prefer materials in cast iron or steel. It is in fact necessary that the pots have a relatively high ferrous content in order for them to heat up properly.
Tip
To find out if the pots and pans are compatible with induction hobs, place a magnet on the lower end of the pan: if it sticks, they should be compatible.
Warning: some stoves are more sensitive than others. For this reason, even if the tools have a specific symbol for induction, it is recommended to try them on the hob to verify that they are actually suitable.
The power of the induction cooker is too low
Each hob has a different power, which depends on the number of electronic boards it is equipped with: a hob can have, for example, six cooking zones operating independently (at maximum power), since they have an individual electronic power unit.
On other cookers, the cooking zones work in pairs since there is only one electronic unit for every two burners. This means that, by setting one zone to maximum power, the other cooker that shares the same electronic board will not be able to do the same and will be less powerful.
There are also hobs where the cooking zones work in perfect harmony: all the burners are connected to a single power unit, and only one of the cookers can therefore operate at maximum power.
The hob has been configured incorrectly
You need to know that some hobs can be programmed to operate from 2,500 watts (16 amps) to 7,200 watts. If you find that your appliance is heating too little, it may be that the hob you just bought has been configured with too low a power. To understand the power that has been established and/or modify it on the device, it is necessary to consult the instruction manual!
The electrical system is not up to standard
To function optimally, induction hobs must be powered by the correct electrical voltage, typically 230 volts. Some stoves will not work properly if the voltage is below 210 volts, as they do not heat up enough.
Very often this voltage problem occurs in winter since the system is stressed by domestic heating, consequently causing a significant voltage drop.
To check the voltage of the electrical system you can use a multimeter in voltmeter mode and measure the voltage present in the kitchen from any electrical outlet. Then place several pots on the stove and activate the cooking zones. If the voltage drops dramatically towards a value of 210 volts (or less), this is the reason why the induction cooker does not heat enough. In this case, we recommend that you consult your electricity supplier.
The electrical clamp is not tightened properly
It may happen that the connection clamp on the hob or on the wall connection is not tightened correctly, causing only partial operation of the appliance. In this case, tighten the visible union screws and try again.
If your stove is new and only two of the four cooking zones work, we recommend checking that the wiring diagram is correct as the appliance may have been connected incorrectly.
Advice It is
better not to always use the same cooking zone but to make them work in rotation; if the same burner is always used, its coil could overheat and deteriorate rapidly.
The electronic board is faulty
The electronic board undergoes a lot of stress during cooking. Over time, this could lead to a loss of stamina. In this case, the hob will indicate an error code on the display and will only operate at low power, therefore at temperatures that are not sufficient to heat a pot. If you have difficulty diagnosing this component, do not hesitate to contact our customer service or a technician authorized by the manufacturer of the appliance.
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