With time, people are shifting towards energy-efficient means of living. In the recent past, homeowners have largely started using induction cooktops instead of using gas cylinders or electric glass cooktops.
Though the price for induction cooktops is quite high, this new technology targets homeowners who are looking for value and reliability. There are hardly a few disadvantages of an induction cooktop. Its biggest advantage is its portability.
While an induction cooktop can be carried everywhere, we don’t always find a wall outlet in close vicinity to use the induction anywhere and everywhere.
This raises the question whether one can plug an induction cooktop to an extension cord and power it. If you use induction at home and are curious to find out this answer, you have come to the right place.
This guide gives you a clear idea of whether an extension cord is safe to be used with an induction cooktop or not. Read below to find out more.
Can I Plug Induction Cooktop Into An Extension Cord?
No, one shouldn’t plug an induction cooktop into an extension cord. It’s extremely risky. An induction cooktop requires a heavy flow of electricity for its functioning which extension cords cannot handle. Even if you get a heavy-duty extension cord, it can overload and melt down, risking a major fire breakout.
If you go through the manual of the induction cooktop, it warns homeowners against connecting it to an extension cord. It’s in the interest of everyone’s safety. Extension cords mustn’t be connected to devices that consume high amounts of electricity.
Ideally, one should always plug induction cooktops to a wall outlet directly. These receptacles contain durable power cords that can withstand the heavy flow of current that an induction demands.
Even then if you decide to power your induction with an extension cord, you must be aware of the risks you are undertaking. We have discussed some of these risks below.
What Happens When You Plug Induction Cooktop With An Extension Cord?
Extension cords aren’t designed to handle the heavy flow of current that an induction requires. As a result, these cords overload and a number of accidents are likely to occur. Before you think of plugging your induction into an extension cord, you must be aware of the risks of such a practice.
Ordinary extension cords fail to handle high current
You might think using a heavy-duty extension cord for an induction cooktop is safe. However, it’s not. Even if you are using a heavy-duty extension cord, there are chances of overloading, overheating, melting and fire breakouts. Therefore chances of accidents remain even if you are using a heavy-duty extension cord.
Any medium-sized induction cooktop would require a minimum of 1500 watts and 12.5 amps. Nothing can stop the device from drawing more current, because it’s an induction heating equipment there can be a sudden surge in power requirement.
When it starts to draw more from the source of power, it might exceed the extension cord’s ability. In such cases, the extension cord will clearly fail to handle the current requirement and meltdown.
Your induction cooktop can also fall over and get damaged
Sometimes, as you walk from one room to another you may step on extension cord, and the induction cooktop can fall down if it is connected to the extension cord. Needless to say, that will damage the appliance and affect its performance. A malfunctioning induction cooktop isn’t safe to be used.
Is It Safe To Plug The Induction Cooktop Into An Extension Cord?
No, it’s not safe to use an extension cord with an induction cooktop. Induction cooktops always require a dedicated, grounded circuit of 240 Volts, along with a protected 40 or 50 amps circuit breaker.
This circuit breaker ensures everyone’s safety. In case, there’s a power spike and an increased flow of current, this breaker melts and breaks the flow of current. Thus it prevents a major accident from occurring.
One shouldn’t ever consider using an extension cord for an induction cooktop, even if it’s a heavy-duty one, let alone using it routinely. A lot of homeowners have the tendency to plug electrical appliances with heavy-duty extension cords, when a wall outlet isn’t available.
While this can be done for some appliances, provided one follows the safety measures, it shouldn’t be done with an induction cooktop.
Don’t miss:
Can I Plug A Toaster Into An Extension Cord
Can You Plug A Coffee Maker Into An Extension Cord
Can I Plug A Portable Air Conditioner Into An Extension Cord
Can You Plug A Washing Machine Into An Extension Cord
Safety Tips: Things To Keep In Mind While Using An Extension Cord with Induction Cooktop
Experts do not recommend using an extension cord with an induction cooktop. Responsible homeowners must abide by this advice.
However, knowing the safety tips to be followed while using an extension cord wouldn’t do any harm. Keep these safety tips in mind while using an extension cord with induction cooktop at home. It will ensure everyone’s safety by reducing the chances of accidents.
Choose an extension cord of the right gauge
Choose a 10 gauge, 12 gauge or 14 gauge extension cord as per the requirement of the appliance you are powering. Note that a lesser gauge indicates more power carrying capacity. The Smaller the gauge, the more is its thickness.
Always check the condition of the extension cord
A lot of times, homeowners keep using the same extension cords for years. When you are frequently using your extension cord, give time to inspect it and look for cuts, tears and scratches. It’s dangerous to use a damaged extension cord.
Oftentimes, homeowners do not realize that they are using a damaged extension cord and end up receiving shocks due to their negligence. Hence, stay vigilant and replace damaged extension cords with new ones at home.
Do not plug multiple devices to the extension cord
While you have plugged one electrical appliance to an extension cord, never plug another device and run in on the same extension cord at the same time. The combined amount of current required by the two appliances together will surely overload the extension cord, causing a major accident.
Even if you are using a wall outlet, you shouldn’t plug two electrical appliances, especially if both require heavy flow of electricity, to the same outlet. It’s dangerous.
Check if the extension cord has a similar wattage rating
Every electrical appliance comes with a wattage rating. While picking an extension cord, you must ensure that the wattage rating of the extension cord matches with that of the appliance. It’s advised to pick an extension cord with a higher wattage rating than the appliance, as it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Don’t miss:
Can I Plug A Hot Tub Into An Extension Cord
Can You Plug A Laptop Into An Extension Cord
Can You Plug A Dryer Into an Extension Cord
Can You Plug an Iron Into An Extension Cord
The Bottom Line
We would emphasize on the fact that using an extension cord for an induction cooktop is outright dangerous and shouldn’t be done. If you have decided to use induction for cooking purposes from now on, you must install a wall outlet nearby before buying an induction cooktop.
However, make sure you plug and run only the induction cooktop and no other appliance at the same time.