Last updated: July 5, 2023 at 10:51 am
Induction hobs are great options for those who want to save money on their energy bills. They are also a safer stove top than the alternatives like electric hobs or gas hobs. For those who are not familiar with induction hobs, they can be daunting, and there’s a lot to learn. For example, why induction hobs tend to be a bit noisy.
Here’s what you need to know about the different noises you might experience with an induction hob, and what they might mean.
IN THIS ARTICLE
5 Induction Hob Noises to Be Wary Of
Whistling Noise
Induction hobs whistle quite often, and it is not anything that you need to worry about. Typically, your induction hob will whistle when you use two pans with different layers of materials.
Normally, the whistling will occur when these two pans are next to one another, and both are up at full temperature.
Whistling is not something you should be concerned with. But, if you want to stop it because you don’t like the noise or it’s distracting, simply turn the heat down on the hob. That should solve your noisy induction hob.
Humming Noise
If your induction hob is humming, it is usually just because you’re cooking on a high heat. The humming noise, often described as sounding like a small engine or transformer, is the result of the energy being transferred from the hob to the pans.
You can usually tell if this is the cause of the humming by adjusting the hob temperature – if the noise gets louder at a higher temperature, then it’s simply the energy moving.
Also read: 5 Best Quiet Cooker Hoods for a Peaceful Kitchen
Crackling Noise
Crackling sounds can be quite concerning, especially when you don’t know what it is that is causing them! But, do not fret. Often, a crackling sound coming from your induction hob is simply the result of vibrations being sent through the pans and utensils.
As the vibrations travel through the different layers of material, they cause the movement of the utensils and pan, which results in a crackling sound. This is more likely to happen with lower-quality utensils and pans, as they’re glued together less efficiently.
Blowing Noise
To keep the electronics safe and prevent them from overheating, induction hobs are equipped with a ventilator. This works to keep everything cool and prevent the temperature from ever rising too high.
It will be on at varying strengths depending on how the hob is being used and is often on for a little while after the hob has been turned off.
If you notice a blowing noise while using your induction hob, or for a short while after, it should not concern you.
However:
If this noise is intense, even when only using your hob on a low heat, or it continues persistently after turning the hob off – it may be worth investigating.
Ticking Noise
A ticking induction hob could be caused by several things. First, and possibly most commonly, a moist pan can cause an induction hob to tick. To prevent or stop this, you can simply dry the bottom of the pan carefully and continue to cook.
Sometimes, using your hob at low heat can cause a ticking sound. This is normal and is simply the sound of the electronics within the induction hob. Likewise, some older pans can cause a ticking noise; this is not anything you need to be concerned about.
Pans that are too close to one another may also make your induction hob tick. You can move them apart, or just allow the ticking to continue.
Other Induction Hob Noises
Induction hobs are inherently quite noisy, simply due to their nature as electronic and the way in which they deliver their heat.
However:
If you are hearing a noise that isn’t on this list, it may be cause for concern. The first thing that you should do if you notice a noise that isn’t a normal one is to check the hob’s manual.
If the noise is not in the hob’s manual either, then it is worth contacting the manufacturer.
This may come back to say that there is nothing wrong, but it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when heat and electronics are involved!
