Induction cooker on a wooden table?
I have an induction cooker like the one in the image below. Is it safe to place it on a wooden table?
Best Answer
Induction cookers utilize electromagnetic induction to heat the pots on them rather than the plate itself.
Induction cooking works by creating a magnetic field that is constantly oscillated (north and south pole are switched). This causes an electric current to run in the bottom of the pot and heat it up via resistive heating. Since the current literally runs in circles (around the bottom of the pot) it's safe to touch and you won't get electrocuted.
The magnetic field spreads out like an invisible ball around the cooker's plate, therefore it can interact with the table the cooker stands on. That's why you shouldn't put it on a metal table, the table could heat up like the pot (in reality this is very unlikely but not impossible).
Wood, on the other hand, doesn't interact with a magnetic field and doesn't conduct electricity. Therefore it's safe to place an induction cooker on a wooden table.
Wikipedia has additional information:
Persons with implanted cardiac pacemakers or other electronic medical implants are usually instructed to avoid sources of magnetic fields; the medical literature seems to suggest that proximity to induction cooking surfaces is safe, but individuals with such implants should always check first with their cardiologists. Radio receivers near the induction-cooking unit may pick up some electromagnetic interference.
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Quick Answer about "Induction cooker on a wooden table?"
Wood, on the other hand, doesn't interact with a magnetic field and doesn't conduct electricity. Therefore it's safe to place an induction cooker on a wooden table.Where should I place my induction cooker?
If you want to continue to use all the burners on your stove I would suggest using a countertop. You can use it anywhere. You don't need to be concerned about what type of surface it sits on. You could use it on a picnic table if you had an extension cord going outside.Can you put cooktop on table?
This induces a current in the pot, turning it into one giant heating element. All the advantages of an induction cooktop remain--instant-on and a non-hot cooker surface--only now you can crowd as many pans on there as you like. Not only that, you can move them around and the Freedom will follow them wherever they go.Can you put an induction cooktop anywhere?
Yes it can be used, as the induction normally concentrates on heating the centre bottom of the cooking vessel.TpB Tech invisible induction technology - 540 Studios
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Answer 2
If you've spent enough time on youtube you will see induction cookers on wood, usually cutting boards or butcher blocks, a lot of the time. In general I would say this is safe, but as Telsujin says, "check the manual" for safety guidance.
I would guess that wood, non-metallic, base is recommended. There could be a small chance that the induction could interact with any metal surfaces. Unlike the old school electric coils hotplate, which can be dangerous on a wood surface as they heat-up the induction plates should not get hot at all, causing only the metallic/magnetic cookware to get hot.
The manual will be your definitive source.
Side note, due to fear of fire on ships/boats induction cookware is getting more common than open flames or hot-coils for cooking.
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Images: Max Vakhtbovych, cottonbro, Max Vakhtbovych, Max Vakhtbovych