Induction stoves can be a great cooking solution for many reasons, but if your induction cooktop is not working properly, you know that they can also be a source of frustration. Fortunately, you may be able to troubleshoot the issue and even get your appliance repaired affordably instead of springing for a new range or cooktop. But first, you need to know a little about how induction cooktops work.
How Does Induction Cooking Work?
Many Southern Colorado home chefs remodeling their kitchens have upgraded from traditional stoves to luxury induction cooktops from brands such as Thermador and Bosch. Put simply, induction cooktops use electromagnetic induction to heat your pots and pans directly, rather than going through a gas ring or electric coil. There are many reasons why these cooktops are so popular:
- Because they only get hot in the area around the pot, induction stoves are a safer option if you have small children or pets in the home, and are a great alternative for cooks who don’t want to spend a hot summer day standing over a hot stove.
- Induction cooktops also heat up quickly and can boil water in about half the time of their gas and electric counterparts.
- Induction cooktops are extremely energy-efficient and are a great option for Coloradoans wanting to shrink their carbon footprint.
For additional information on the advantages of induction cooking, check out this article from Whirlpool.
But induction cooktops, like many other appliances, can have frustrating issues. If something goes wrong, it helps to know where to look for a simple fix.
My Induction Cooktop Is Not Working – Troubleshooting Tips
Most people know how to investigate a problem with a standard gas or electric stove. But because induction stovetop technology works differently, the tricks you use to fix issues are different too. If your induction cooktop isn’t working, here are some of the things you can try to get your meal prep back on track.
Pan Compatibility and Position
As mentioned above, induction cooktops use an electromagnetic field to heat just the pan. That said, your pan must be magnetic compatible to work with induction heating technology. Copper and aluminum pots won’t work, but cast iron, carbon steel and most stainless steel will.
You can test your pots and pans with a magnet. If the magnet sticks, it’s compatible. Next, make sure your pot is directly on the burn area because the position of the pot matters as well.
Lack of Power to the Induction Cooktop
This might seem obvious, but if there is no power to your induction cooktop, check your plug first. Next, make sure there isn’t a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker in your home. If either is the case, replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker.
Induction stoves are meant to be child-safe appliances, so you’ll want to check the child lock before moving on. It might look like a padlock that will keep the appliance from being activated by little hands. Simply turning this feature off might be the answer to why your induction cooktop is not working.
Malfunctioning Touch Pads
If your induction stove isn’t responding the way you expect when you push the different touchpad buttons, there are a few things you can try.
First, this area can get damaged due to spills from liquids and other food substances. You might be able to remove any interference with the buttons with a simple cleaning. But if cleaning the touchpad doesn’t do the trick, you might have to replace that part. With many induction cooktop models, you or a local appliance repair company can order just that part and swap it out.
Another culprit could be your appliance’s circuit board. The circuit board is a separate part within the cooktop that could wear out over time. Reaching the circuit board to troubleshoot and replace it is different for every model of induction cooktop, so you may want to get assistance with this repair from an appliance repair company familiar with induction technology.
Get Help When Your Induction Cooktop Is Not Working
When your induction cooktop is not working, the troubleshooting tips we listed might get you back in business. But, induction appliances can be complicated and may require a more trained set of eyes. Just because you can’t figure it out with these tricks, you should not assume that it’s time to give up and get a replacement stove.
The professionals at Reliable Appliance Repair can often diagnose and fix your induction cooktop much more affordably than having to buy a nw one. With over 30 years in the industry, our appliance repair professionals are proud to serve the needs of customers throughout the Colorado Springs area. Contact us today to schedule service or for a free quote.
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