The Growth in Use of Induction Technology within Home Appliances
The main benefits of induction cooking are faster cooking, precise programmability and ease of cleanup.
Natural gas remains the dominant heat source in regions where electricity is at a high premium and natural-gas infrastructure has been established. Italy, for example, continues to prefer gas for its reliability and lower cost. In other countries, including Spain and the UK, combination gas and electric cooktops are popular because when the electricity is out, consumers can use the gas plates to cook. In U.S., gas-based cooktops are more common and popular amongst households compared to electricity-based cooktops, but we have started to see a shift in preference towards induction cooking.
On the other hand, steam ovens have been popular in professional environments, and now have started to gain visibility in the residential/household segment. Steam ovens reduce cooking time while maintaining the nutritional value of the food. Because of the faster cooking time, steam cooking also uses less energy. Recently we have seen many large cooking appliance companies adding a steam-cooking function into their traditional ovens and cookers/ranges. One can now witness an increase in level of interest of those who want to explore a steam cooking option at home.