If you’ve ever seen a “hands and pans” cooking video on Instagram, chances are they’re using an induction burner. Induction elements directly heat the cookware itself using an electromagnetic current, allowing more control and faster cooking. Boiling water takes less than half the time of a traditional gas or electric cooktops. The glass cooktop surface makes it easy to clean (no grates to worry about like with gas ranges).

Induction cooking is great for super precise applications, like making candy or deep-frying, because you can reliably control and read the temperature throughout the process. They also work beautifully with slow cooking recipes and stews, because they’re incredibly energy efficient and maintain a consistent temperature. Yes, you’re also saving on electricity and gas in the process.

In our test kitchen at Food & Wine, we’ve got a few favorite tools when it comes to induction burners. If you don’t have an induction range in your home, these countertop versions will do the trick. Read on for the best induction cooking methods and tools to use.