Electric stove not heating up - causes and troubleshooting tips

Cooking with an electric stove is quick and energy-efficient. However, there are instances where despite the stove being plugged in, it fails to heat up, resulting in uncooked food. What could be the reasons behind this? And is there an effective way to address this issue? Let's delve into it!

Electric stove not heating up

Indications of an unheated electric stove include: Plugging in the stove and it still emits a beeping sound indicating power, the lights of the buttons illuminate, and the cooling fan spins. However, even after placing a pot on the cooking zone for a period of time, there is no sign of the food boiling or the pot becoming warm.

Electric stoves are designed to operate at specific voltage levels. When the household voltage is lower than that required by the stove, it still receives power but operates weakly and intermittently. Such low voltage is insufficient to heat the cooking utensils, or if it does, it only heats them mildly. Weak electricity disrupts your cooking process.

Ensuring stable electrical connection and appropriate voltage for the induction cooker

When using an induction cooker for cooking, it's advisable not to share the same power outlet with other appliances. Check the household voltage being used; too many electrical devices in operation can weaken the voltage. Instead, prioritize connecting power to essential appliances first. Additionally, if you live in an area with unstable voltage, consider installing a voltage stabilizer to ensure convenient cooking.

Induction cookers only provide heat to cookware with ferrous bottoms. However, many people overlook this and place cookware made of other materials such as clay pots, glass pots, or cast iron pots on the induction cooker. This is entirely ineffective because materials other than magnetic steel are incompatible with induction cookers. As a result, the food remains uncooked.

Choose cookware with an induction-compatible base

To avoid repeating this mistake, you should opt for cookware with an induction-compatible base. If you're unsure which pots or pans have an induction-compatible base, you can test it with a magnet. Place a magnet against the bottom of the cookware; if it's induction-compatible, the magnet will stick. Additionally, select cookware with a flat base to prevent uneven heat distribution. Choosing cookware with thick steel walls helps distribute heat efficiently.

Cookware should be placed at the center of the induction zone so that heat can spread evenly around the bottom of the pot. Placing cookware off-center from the induction zone or selecting pots or pans that are too small or too large for the size of the induction zone can result in the cooktop displaying errors and not heating up.

 Cookware with a smaller base than the induction zone

Whenever cooking with an induction cooker, it's essential to note that a small induction zone is suitable for pots with small bases, while a large induction zone is suitable for pots with large bases. Choose the appropriate induction zone to place the cooking pot for compatibility. Additionally, when placing the pot, lift it up and position it at the center of the cooking zone to avoid dragging the cookware across the cooktop, which can scratch the glass surface.

Modern induction cookers are equipped with a safety lock feature to prevent accidental touches on the cooktop surface. If, during power setting adjustments, you accidentally touch the lock button instead of the power button and leave it on while cooking, the features will be disabled, resulting in the cooktop not heating up. Therefore, be careful not to touch the lock button unnecessarily while cooking.

Underneath each heating zone of the induction cooker is a coil of copper wire to generate an electromagnetic field. If this coil is worn out, it may easily malfunction, leading to the heating zone not functioning and the cooktop not heating up.

Heating element of the induction cooker

To address issues related to the heating element, you should not attempt to check it yourself as this component is directly related to internal components. Take the cooker to the service center for timely inspection.

To ensure the durability of your induction cooker, here are some key points to remember:

- Avoid placing empty pots or pans on the cooktop.

- Adjust the power level according to the type of food being prepared.

- Avoid spilling water onto the control panel while cooking, as it may cause the control panel to malfunction.

- After cooking, remember to turn off the cooker using the Off button and allow the cooling fan to cool the components before unplugging the cooker.

Here are the reasons why induction cookers may not heat up and some simple solutions. Additionally, users should be aware that external factors causing the issue can often be resolved independently. However, if the cause is related to internal components, it's advisable to contact the service center for safety and assurance.