Induction cooking began in Europe and Asia but has become popular throughout the world in various applications, including catering and buffet lines. Operators can use induction ranges for traditional gas and electric units. Induction units plug into almost any electrical outlet and are suitable for display cooking.

Service Q&A: George Loredo, service manager, PROTEX Restaurant Services, Inc., Corpus Christi, Texas

While it is most closely associated with display cooking applications, more foodservice operators now to turn to induction technology to serve as auxiliary cooking equipment. This type of equipment generates heat by inducing eddy currents and hysteresis, which are the physical processes harnessed to generate heat directly in the fabric of the pan.

Induction cooking is a cleaner and more sustainable way of cooking compared with using traditional gas or infrared electric burners. Operating at between 85 percent and 95 percent efficiency, depending on the unit, induction continues to be among the most energy-efficient heat sources available. Foodservice operators use these fast-heating appliances to prepare or hold food.

With the real estate costs remaining a concern, many foodservice operators continue to explore smaller, more compact kitchen designs that leverage the energy-efficient nature of induction, rapid cook ovens and other ventless technologies.