The ongoing geopolitical battle between Iran, Israel and the United States has triggered a severe energy crisis around the world. India is suffering from a lack of liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) as commercial and domestic consumers struggle to secure gas cylinders. Bengaluru is now cooking electric.
Sales of induction stoves have soared among the major e-commerce sites in the last month, with a 5 to 10-fold increase. With this increase, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has taken to social media to give people transitioning to induction cooking an advisory on safety and energy efficiency.
BESCOM’s Safety & Purchase Guidelines
On its official X (formerly Twitter) account, BESCOM outlined 5 critical points every consumer needs to be aware of before getting a new induction cooktop home:
- Certification and efficiency: All ISI certified appliances should be viewed as such. A high energy efficiency rating (3-star or above) is important to keep your monthly electricity bill manageable during this period of high usage.
- Safety features: Make sure the unit has an automatic-off function and child lock. These features are crucial in preventing accidental burns or fires.
- Dedicated power source: An induction stove is a high-load appliance. BESCOM recommends installing a separate 15A (Ampere) socket to handle the load, instead of standard 5A points meant for light electronics.
- Wiring and Earthing: Never turn on an induction stove if your home’s electrical wiring is broken and there is no proper earthing system. If the grounding is poor, you can receive an electric shock when touching the metallic parts of the cookware.
- The 3-Pin Rule: Only purchase stoves with a 3-pin plug. That is how the appliance is well grounded through the socket.
ಹೊಸ ಇಂಡಕ್ಷನ್ ಸ್ಟವ್ ಖರೀದಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀರಾ? ಈ ಅಂಶಗಳು ನೆನಪಿನಲ್ಲಿರಲಿ
— Namma BESCOM | ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಸ್ಕಾಂ (@NammaBESCOM) April 2, 2026
ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಸಂಬಂಧಿತ ಅವಘಡಗಳು ಸಂಭವಿಸಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ, ಕೂಡಲೇ ಬೆಸ್ಕಾಂ 24x7 ಸಹಾಯವಾಣಿ 1912 ಕ್ಕೆ ಕರೆಮಾಡಿ#Bescom #InductionStove #ElectricitySafety #SafetyAwareness pic.twitter.com/k3z5oWyLVJ
Designing the Right Power and Features
When shopping around the market, experts suggest paying attention to the Power Rating. Induction cooktops are generally 1200W to 2000W.
- High Power (1800W–2000W): These models cook food much faster and are recommended for large families or those who do heavy cooking (boiling large quantities of water or deep frying).
- Standard Power (1200W–1600W): A lot of cooking can be done with it but it will take longer for some tasks.
Pre-set menus for modern stoves are also provided. Options for boiling milk, making curry, frying, or cooking rice automatically adjust temperature and power consumption, which is much more convenient and energy-efficient than manual settings.
Advanced Safety: Pan Detection and Overheat Protection
Pan Detection technology is even more important than the child lock. The stove only heats up when a suitable magnetic pan is placed on the surface and shuts off instantly when the pan is removed. Overheat Protection is another must-have that cuts off power if the internal temperature of the stove reaches a dangerous level.
BESCOM reminds citizens that in case of any electrical emergencies or short circuits, they should immediately call the 24x7 helpline at 1912.
Because the global energy landscape is still volatile, induction cooking is a good choice if it is done with the right equipment and electrical setup.
