The Top 4 Reasons Why Induction Hobs Buzz

Induction hobs can get chatty. Find out what is normal and what is not!

When induction hobs make noise, some of it is completely normal. Humming is nothing to be concerned about as this is the working sound of the hob. But sometimes other causes like high heat, fan noise, and condensation in the kitchen needs to be corrected.

Hearing a strange noise emanating from your induction hob can be alarming. The good news is that most noises are harmless but stay safe and learn more about what each buzzing noise means.

Read Next: How to use a wok on an induction hob.

Why Does My Induction Hob Buzz?

Induction cooking is renowned for its many advantages, including power and cooking efficiency, and being user-friendly. Induction hobs are also safer compared to gas stoves and they are also easy to clean. But one of the most common complaints from hob owners is that their appliance is making a buzzing noise.

There are four culprits for this hum.

1. It’s the normal sound of the hob cooking.
2. High temperatures.
3. The fan is making a noise.
4. There is condensation in the kitchen.

Find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of cooking with an induction hob stove .

An Induction Hob Can Hum When It Cooks

When cooking on an induction cook-top, it is pretty normal to hear a slight humming noise. Depending on the type of cookware that you are using on the induction stove, it may produce some humming or buzzing. This is especially true for lightweight stainless steel cookware. You might not hear so much noise with heavier cookware like enamelled cast iron pans. The size of the cookware size, as well as contents, may also affect how strongly you hear the hum whilst cooking.

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High Heat Settings

Induction hobs use heat to prep your meal but sometimes, high heat settings can produce a buzzing sound that some find alarming. A few people have likened the noise to the muffled sound of an old-fashioned phone. The buzz may be constant, continuing for several seconds, stopping, only to resume again. Sometimes, the sound may even be completely absent.

Heat-related buzzing can be caused by the hob itself or the cookware.

The process through which induction stoves heat cookware - by producing a magnetic field - can cause vibrations. The buzzing noise might become more obvious when the pots or pans have poor construction, uneven bottom surfaces, or loose-fitting parts or lids.

Do you want to keep your induction hob in the best shape ever? Grab our article that is packed with the best tips and suggestions on how to clean an induction hob .

Should I Be Concerned About My Induction Hob’s Fan?

In rare cases, yes. But the good news is that in almost every instance when your hob makes a humming noise due to the fan, nothing is seriously wrong. You should, however, have it checked out if the noise sounds choppy, gets louder or is accompanied by strange smells. Ironically, you should also worry if you can no longer hear the fan’s buzzing.

Most people become aware of this buzzing just after they have finished cooking and switched the stove off. But why does an induction hob need a fan to cool it down when a hob does not actually generate any heat? The fan activates to cool the internal electronics which sometimes get hot and needs to cool down. This fan is in-built and automatic, simply kicking into action the moment you switch off the hob.

Do you want to arm yourself with more induction hob knowledge to prevent a future disaster? Learn more about the most common problems people experience with induction hobs and what to do when you encounter them.

Understanding The Role Of Condensation And Your Hob’s Humming

Condensation happens when water vapour comes into contact with a cold surface. The vapour then turns into water droplets. Unfortunately, condensation happens naturally with most cook-top stoves. The kitchen can be a steamy place and a lot of the steam hangs around your hob thanks to boiling pots. Condensation is then attracted to the cool glassy surface of the hob.

One might not worry so much about condensation and other types of traditional cook-tops. Indeed, their hot surfaces take care of the condensation by evaporating the water and effectively preventing the droplets from gathering on the cooking surfaces. Induction hobs cannot produce the same heat. This leaves them vulnerable to a layer of condensation.

Depending on the types of materials you have in your kitchen, such as wooden or stainless steel cupboards and kitchen tops, water damage from the moisture made by condensation can be a concern. It might also ultimately lead to a noisy hob and in some cases, a damaged hob.

How Do I Deal With Condensation In The Kitchen?

There is a simple way to deal with this. Turn on the stove's extractor for a while before cooking and also leave the extractor on for a good 10-20 minutes after you have finished cooking.

Condensation is also a huge problem in the bathroom. Find out why your bathroom ceiling is wet and how to deal with the problem successfully.

Quick Tips To Reduce Induction Hob Noise

• Raise or lower the power levels of the stove’s elements as you cook until the stove becomes quieter. This can help you to find the perfect heat setting for that pot.
• Ensure that the induction hob pans that you use are large enough to cover the surface area of the element.
• Invest in good quality cookware that is preferably made of ferromagnetic materials, especially cast iron that is enameled.
• Ensure that your cookware’s lids, handles and other pieces are well attached and fitted so that they do not create a noise when the pots are cooking.

READ NEXT: Is induction cooking better for the environment?

A Quick Summary On Why Induction Hobs Buzz

Generally, the noises made by induction hobs are harmless and for the most part functional. But that being said, when any buzzing is accompanied by other sounds or smells, then it might be safest to have a professional electrician have a look at your induction hob.

READ NEXT: Avoid the number one reason why induction hobs crack.