Is an induction cooktop the same as a glass cooktop?

Glass or ceramic smooth cooktops can have induction elements, but the majority of them are conventional electric coil. Induction element cooktops are significantly more expensive than conventional element smooth-top ovens, and they require special cookware.

Conventional models heat a metal coil under the glass, transferring the heat from the element to the surface and then to the pan. Induction-style elements have copper coils that do not generate heat. Instead they create an electromagnetic field that reacts with a magnetic material, such as iron in the pan, turning the pan into a burner. This process wastes less energy, making the induction method significantly more efficient.