Bought a Pot that's Wider than the Heating Element of my Induction Stove
The diameter of my Stainless Pot is larger than the diameter of the circle in my induction stove.
Is that bad?
Where can I find a portable induction stove (needs to be portable because I'm only renting) that has a larger heating element?
Hey friend, it is absolutely not bad, as long as youre cooking properly and stiring when needed its perfectly fine. And im sure amazon has some indiction stoves, if you buy one be careful
Should I worry that pot might be warped due to this?
all the portable induction units in the US will have small coils. It's a limit of the receptacle power.
it's not an issue at all. no worries about warping or anything. it's just gonna be a hot spot.
I agree with the other commenter, but I'm sure if helps I'd your pot has a laminated construction, or is made out of something very conductive like aluminum. You're less likely to have a problem with a hot spot in a fully clad pan where there's a layer of aluminum sandwiched between layers of steel (which helps conduct the heat more evenly), or with nonstick aluminum pan, than with single ply stainless (a single thinner layer the pot has been formed out of, usually very cheap. They're not super common) or like enameled cast iron, which will be more prone to the middle being hotter with the outer edges
But with a pot, stirring is a pretty straightforward way to minimize one spot in the middle getting a bit hotter than the outside edges. Its worth paying attention to how it cooks and you'll find there may be better ways to go about making your food (like being mindful to stir more) depending on how different cookware performs for you :)
Should I worry that pot might be warped due to this?
Probably not. Could kinda depend on what kind of pot, and how hot you crank the burner. And also what kind of "burner" it is. But probably not. Electric coil and induction I would imagine are more likely to warp a pan, probably moreso induction than electric coil.
And single ply stainless and carbon steel seem like they'd be more prone to warping. But pots don't really warp much, unlike pans which sometimes do. Cast iron definitely won't warp, and a gas stove is unlikely to warp anything because the radiant nature of the heat it produces is less prone to creating hotspots
If a pot/pan is gonna warp, usually unless you MASSIVELY overheated it, it will return to shape after it cools down: so pay attention to the pot if its somewhat cheaply made and if you notice its not sitting flat while cooking, maybe be mindful not to crank the heat super duper hot with that pot
Ultimately, its extremely unlikely you have anything to worry about, and any potential issues can be managed by paying a little attention
Hope this helps :)