Summit TEM665BW 24-Inch Induction Range: Efficient Cooking for Compact Kitchens

Small Kitchen, Smart Cooking: Introducing Induction

Modern living often means maximizing space, especially in the kitchen. Whether you’re in a city apartment, a cozy cottage, or simply prefer a streamlined cooking area, every square inch counts. Traditional stoves, with their bulky designs and often inefficient heating, can feel like they’re working against you. But there’s a smarter way to cook: induction. And the Summit TEM665BW 24-Inch Induction Range is a prime example of how technology can transform even the smallest kitchens.

Unlocking the Magic: How Induction Works

Induction cooking might seem like magic – you place a pan on the cooktop, and it heats up seemingly out of nowhere. But the real magic lies in the science of electromagnetism. It’s a fascinating process that’s both efficient and precise. Let’s break it down:

• Faraday’s Law and Electromagnetism: At the heart of induction cooking is Faraday’s Law of Induction. This fundamental law of physics states that a changing magnetic field can induce an electric current in a nearby conductor. In an induction cooktop, a coil of copper wire sits beneath the ceramic glass surface. When you turn on the burner, an alternating current (AC) flows through this coil, creating a fluctuating magnetic field that extends upwards.

• Eddy Currents and Heat Generation: This is where the cookware comes in. When you place a pot or pan made of a ferromagnetic material (like cast iron or some types of stainless steel) onto the cooktop, the magnetic field penetrates the base of the pan. This fluctuating magnetic field induces eddy currents within the cookware itself. Eddy currents are essentially small, swirling electric currents that circulate within the metal.

• The Role of the Cookware: The key here is that the cookware must be ferromagnetic. This means it’s attracted to a magnet and can sustain the induced currents. The resistance of the cookware material to these eddy currents is what generates heat. Think of it like friction – the electrons are “rubbing” against the material’s atomic structure, creating thermal energy. This heat is generated directly within the pan, not on the cooktop surface. This direct heating is what makes induction so efficient. It’s also important to note a secondary, smaller contributor to heat generation: hysteresis loss. This occurs in ferromagnetic materials as they are repeatedly magnetized and demagnetized by the alternating field. The material’s internal magnetic domains resist these changes, generating a small amount of heat.
  

The Summit TEM665BW: Compact Powerhouse

The Summit TEM665BW is specifically designed for those who need to make the most of their kitchen space without sacrificing performance. Its 24-inch width is perfect for smaller kitchens, apartments, studios, or even as a secondary cooktop in a larger home. But don’t let its compact size fool you; this range delivers a powerful and versatile cooking experience.

• Space-Saving Design: The 24-inch width is a significant space saver compared to standard 30-inch or larger ranges. This can free up valuable counter space for food preparation or other appliances.

• EuroKera Glass: Beauty and Durability: The smooth, white EuroKera ceramic glass cooktop is more than just aesthetically pleasing. EuroKera is a leading brand of glass-ceramic material known for its exceptional durability, resistance to thermal shock (sudden temperature changes), and scratch resistance. It is easy to clean.

• Four Heating Zones: Versatile Cooking: Despite its compact size, the TEM665BW offers four separate induction heating zones. This allows you to cook multiple dishes simultaneously, from simmering a delicate sauce to searing a steak at high heat.

• Intuitive Controls: The combination of touch controls and a traditional knob provides a user-friendly experience. The touch controls offer precise temperature adjustments, while the knob provides a familiar and tactile way to control the heat.
  

Efficiency and Safety: The Induction Advantage

Induction cooking isn’t just about sleek design; it offers significant advantages over traditional gas and electric cooktops in terms of efficiency and safety.

• Energy Efficiency: Saving Money and the Planet: Because induction heating is so direct, very little energy is wasted. The heat is generated in the pan itself, not on the cooktop surface or in the surrounding air. This translates to significant energy savings compared to both gas and traditional electric stoves. Studies have shown that induction cooking can be up to 84% efficient, compared to around 74% for smooth-top electric ranges and a mere 40% for gas ranges. This not only lowers your utility bills but also reduces your carbon footprint.

• Safety Features: Protecting You and Your Family: Induction cooktops are inherently safer than traditional stoves. The cooktop surface itself doesn’t get dangerously hot – only the pan does. The TEM665BW includes several safety features:

  • Automatic Shutoff: If a pan is removed from the burner, the heating element automatically shuts off, preventing accidental burns and wasted energy.
  • Residual Heat Indicators: Even though the cooktop surface doesn’t get as hot as a traditional electric stove, it can still retain some heat from the pan. Residual heat indicators warn you when a burner is still warm to the touch.
  • Child Lock: A child lock feature prevents accidental activation of the cooktop, providing added safety for families with young children.
  • Pan Detection: The burner will not activate unless a suitable pan is placed.

• Speed and Precision: Mastering Your Recipes: Induction offers incredibly fast heating times. Water often boils in a fraction of the time compared to gas or traditional electric stoves. And because the heat is generated directly in the pan, you have precise control over the temperature. This allows for incredibly responsive adjustments, making it easier to achieve perfect results, whether you’re simmering a delicate sauce, searing a steak, or melting chocolate without burning it.

Delving Deeper into EuroKera

Summit chose a EuroKera glass surface.
EuroKera is a glass-ceramic material specifically designed for cooktops.

• The Composition: Primarily composed of quartz sand, the specific blend also includes other proprietary ingredients that enhance its strength, thermal resistance, and stability.

• Thermal Shock: Can go from ice cold to blazing hot.

• Easy Cleaning: The smooth, non-porous surface of EuroKera glass makes it incredibly easy to clean. Spills and splatters won’t stick or burn onto the surface, and a simple wipe with a damp cloth is usually all that’s needed.

ADA Compliance: Accessible Design for Everyone

The Summit TEM665BW is designated as ADA Compliant. ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means the range is designed to be accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, including those with mobility, visual, or hearing impairments. This can include features like:

• Front-mounted controls: The controls are located at the front of the range, making them easier to reach without having to lean over hot burners.
• Easy-to-use controls:The controls are designed to be easy to operate with one hand and without requiring tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.

Induction Cookware: Choosing the Right Pans

One of the most common questions about induction cooking is, “Do I need special pots and pans?” The answer is yes, but it’s not as restrictive as you might think. The key is that the cookware must be made of a ferromagnetic material – meaning it’s attracted to a magnet.

• Cast Iron: Cast iron is an excellent choice for induction cooking. It’s naturally magnetic and provides excellent heat distribution.

• Stainless Steel: Many stainless steel pots and pans are induction-compatible, but not all. The key is the composition of the stainless steel. Some stainless steel alloys contain enough iron to be magnetic, while others do not.

• The Magnet Test: The easiest way to test if your cookware will work on an induction cooktop is the magnet test. Simply take a refrigerator magnet and see if it sticks firmly to the bottom of the pan. If it does, the pan is likely to work on an induction burner. If the magnet doesn’t stick, or only sticks weakly, the pan is not suitable for induction.

Induction Cooking: Addressing Concerns & Tips

• Addressing Radiation Concerns: It’s a common misconception that induction cooktops emit harmful radiation. Induction cooktops generate a non-ionizing electromagnetic field. It is very low.
• Easy Cleaning Tips:
  Since food doesn’t burn, cleaning up spills is easy.