The induction cooker mat we want to mention here is the protective mat for induction cookers made of silicone or rubber, not the heat transfer mat used for induction cookers or induction plates. You can refer to the article What is an induction plate? The best types of induction plates for induction cookers to distinguish between these two products.
This protective mat for induction cookers is one of the accessories that many users place on the glass surface of the cooker. It provides several benefits such as preventing scratches on the induction cooker’s surface, anti-slip, avoiding impacts, and minimizing dirt on the cooktop surface.
However, many people are unsure whether to use an induction cooker mat or not, as there are many conflicting opinions suggesting that this protective mat should not be used because placing the mat on the cooktop surface may hinder the heat transfer to the pot’s bottom, causing the induction cooker to take longer to heat up, or even preventing the cooker from recognizing the pot and triggering warning signals. The truth about this protective mat for induction cookers raises many questions. Let’s find the answer right now by looking at its pros and cons to see whether it should be used or not. Read more: 5 things to know when buying a used induction cooker
Pros/Cons of Silicone Induction Cooker Mats
Each accessory designed and manufactured specifically for induction cookers has its own significance and must be compatible with the cooker. The creative scientists have also calculated the structure, technology, and compatibility of these accessories in advance. The induction cooker mat is one such accessory.
However, you need to be selective, gather information, and use it for the right purpose and needs for the silicone mat to effectively prevent scratches on the induction cooker’s surface. First of all, you should find out what characteristics this accessory has?
Should you use an induction cooker mat or not?
- Anti-slip capability while cooking. Since the glass surface of the cooker is quite smooth and flat, the bottom surface of the pot is the same. It is at risk of slipping on the cooktop surface when you are stirring food, causing spills or boiling over that can lead to burns. A rubber induction cooker mat will help you keep the pot in one position, making cooking much safer.
- It is rightly called a protective mat for induction cookers because it can protect the induction cooker from scratches on the glass surface while cooking due to your cooking utensils. For example, when you use a cast iron pot, which is a cooking product suitable for induction cookers but can easily cause scratches. Or when you want to use ceramic pots for induction cooking combined with a heat transfer plate, dragging these heavy items across the glass surface will no longer be a major concern. With a protective mat for induction cookers, you can confidently cook with any pot and other utensils without scratching the cooking area.
- It is a mat that keeps the cooktop surface clean, minimizing dirt buildup.
- A plus point of these induction cooker mats is that they come in various sizes for you to use for each cooking zone.
- You can easily wash and dry this induction cooker mat regularly with soap or specialized dishwashing solutions. It is quite durable, allowing you to use it for several years before needing replacement.
- The mat works on all types of induction cookers today; however, if you place the mat too thickly, causing the distance between the pot’s bottom and the induction coil to be too far apart, you may encounter sensor system errors and the induction cooker not recognizing the pot, interrupting the meal preparation process.
- Very suitable for cooking with induction cookers on boats or mobile homes.
These are the main advantages of silicone induction cooker mats. Should you use this induction cooker mat, fearing that the silicone layer may melt during cooking?
In fact, you can rest assured that this induction cooker mat will not melt when cooking at permissible temperatures. Each mat is produced based on induction technology, capable of withstanding high temperatures of about 240 degrees Celsius without melting.
I think you should use this induction cooker mat to keep the cooktop surface clean, avoid scratches, and keep your cooking utensils from shifting while you cook. I am sure that your cooker will always look brand new when using this product.
However, it also has a few disadvantages, such as melting if you cook at maximum power continuously. At that time, the temperature of the induction cooker exceeds 250 degrees Celsius, causing the induction cooker mat to melt as shown below.
The protective mat for induction cookers melts if cooked at high temperatures
Advice on whether to use an induction cooker mat
An accessory produced for induction cookers must have a function for it to be manufactured. Therefore, using a protective mat for induction cookers will be particularly useful for kitchens on mobile vehicles or boats to prevent pots from shifting while cooking.
If you want your cooker to always look new and not get scratches on the glass surface, you should also try using it and see the benefits it brings.
However, for those who frequently cook specific dishes that require high temperatures, I advise you not to use this induction cooker mat as it may cause the mat to melt as shown above.
You should also note that this is a protective mat for induction cookers that only serves to keep the cooktop surface clean and prevent slipping, not for heat transfer like specialized heat transfer mats for induction cookers. Do not confuse the two products with each other.
Moreover, if you want to cook without slipping, instead of buying and using this silicone mat to prevent scratches on the induction cooktop, you should choose a set of pots with appropriate weight. Or simply choose an induction cooker with a cooking zone that has a non-slip textured surface. Another special thing is that after each cooking session, you only need to spend 5-7 minutes cleaning the cooker to make it as clean as new. No additional tools are needed.
Have you answered whether to use an induction cooker mat or not? Above are the pros and cons of the protective mat for induction cookers that are being heavily advertised. I hope you will make a suitable choice for your usage needs after knowing the information about this accessory.
Köcher is proud to be the pioneer in Vietnam bringing German technology into induction cooker products.
