Cooking Times and Power Levels: A Complete Guide to Induction Cooking

Induction hobs generally offer levels from 1 to 14 but, for clarity, we can divide them into:

• High power (11–14) : boiling, heating oil, searing meat and fish

• Medium-high power (8–10) : grilling, sautéing, browning

• Medium power (5–7) : delicate cooking, defrosting, light frying

• Low power (1–4) : stews, broths, melting stocks, keeping warm

Meat

Here are the main cuts and indicative times:

🔹 Tip : Use a thermometer – the chicken breast needs to reach 167°F (75°C) to be safe.

👉 Learn more about meat levels and times

Fish

• Salmon steak : level 11–12, about 10 min

• Trout : level 11–12, about 12 min

Fish cooks very quickly: just a few minutes per side on a high induction hob. Discover this swordfish recipe on an induction hob.

👉 Learn more about cooking levels and times for fish

👉 Be careful with shellfish. Check cooking times.

Vegetables

Cooked in water or sautéed in a pan:

In a pan, on a medium-high level (8–10) the vegetables sauté in about 5–10 minutes, maintaining their crunchiness.

👉Check if you have the right cookware: Induction Pots and Pans

Eggs, legumes, soups

• Hard boiled eggs: boil for 5–10 min

• Lentils/peas/beans: boil 15–20 min

Pressure cooking

With pressure cooker:

• Rice and potatoes: 120°C level, 5–12 min

• Chicken: 120°C, 15–25 min

In practice: how to choose the right level

1. High power (11–14) : heat or brown quickly – meat, fish, quick sauces.

2. Medium-high (8–10) : grilling without burning, sautéing, cooking eggs.

3. Medium (5–7) : light frying or defrosting.

4. Low (1–4) : Simmer, make broths, melt chocolate or cheese

Final recommendations

• Preheat the pot : a few seconds at maximum level or with the “Boost” function.

• Different volumes : Quantities of water or food affect the times.

• Always check : especially at the beginning, use a thermometer or cutting board to check.

• Experiment : Every induction hob is a little different; learn from your results.