The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (link is external)(BayREN), along with the counties of Marin, Sonoma and Napa, are hosting a free hands-on, in-person demonstration of climate-friendly induction cooking next week.
The event takes place at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, and Lighting Galley in San Rafael, 530 Francisco Blvd. West, on Thursday, May 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. It features local chefs Andrea Quinn, Diane Wheeler and Lisa Ham at the open-house style event Sizzling Summer Flavors: Master the Potential of Induction Cooking(link is external).
Those interested in attending should register online(link is external) prior to the event. As the chefs demonstrate, attendees can watch, taste the food, and learn more about induction cooking and other electrification projects.
Induction cooking is gaining in popularity as more residents are looking to cut gas usage and upgrade kitchen appliances. Local governments like the County of Marin are encouraging such conversions to reach sustainability goals.
Induction stovetops and ranges use electricity to power a magnet that directly heats cookware. It’s more efficient than traditional “hot plate” electric stoves and provides more cooking control. Attendees will receive a showcase of the capabilities of induction technology and learn tips and tricks to improve their culinary skills.
Another reason for the increased interest in induction cooking is the number of incentive programs available. Residents can receive funding to help pay for induction stovetops and ranges through programs at BayREN(link is external), the Inflation Reduction Act(link is external) and the Electrify Marin(link is external) program from the Sustainability Division(link is external) of the Marin County Community Development Agency.
Switching out gas cooking appliances can also improve indoor air quality, as documented in this Lawrence Berkeley National Lab study(link is external).