Induction cooktops almost sounds like a piece of futuristic technology out of science fiction. Using electromagnetism, they are able to heat up your pots and pans while keeping the cooktop cool.

According to the Switzerland Federal Office of Public Health, induction cooktops create a magnetic field which in turn creates a current in the pan or pot. The resistance of the pot or pan to the alternating electromagnetic field causes it to heat up, allowing you to cook food or boil water.

There are several benefits to induction cooktops that may convince you to put one in during your next kitchen upgrade. However, there are also some drawbacks as well.

One advantage is energy efficiency. The home improvement site HomeAdvisor says only about 40 percent of the heat in natural gas cooktops and 50 percent of the heat in electric cooktops actually goes toward warming up a pot or pan. The remainder is absorbed by the cooktop or lost to the surrounding air. By contrast, 90 percent of an induction cooktop's energy goes toward heating up the pot or pan.

Since the energy is concentrated more on these materials, you'll spend less time waiting for a pan or pot to heat up to the right temperature. However, this speed advantage is sometimes fairly negligible. Consumer Reports says induction cooktops will only beat traditional cooktops by a few minutes when heating six quarts of water to a near boil.

Like other cooktops, you can change the intensity of the heat. Craig A. Shutt, writing for HGTV, says induction cooktops allow more control over this factor. In this way, it is easier to keep your food simmering without overcooking it.

The magnetic coils used in induction cooktops are located beneath the surface. This feature means the cooking surface itself is easy to clean.

Since the induction process heats up your pots and pans rather than the surface, these cooktops are very safe. The heat is produced by an electromagnetic process and concentrated in the cookware, so you won't get burned if you accidentally put a hand on the cooktop. But Consumer Reports warns that you'll still have to be aware of how hot your pots and pans can get, and how this heat can transfer to the cooktop surface.

Induction cooktops are easy to install. HomeAdvisor says the glass ceramic surface is usually thin enough that it can be added to any countertop you choose, as long as there is access to an electrical outlet. Portable induction cooktops are also available and can be set up anywhere you choose.

One drawback of induction cooktops is that they will not work with all types of cookware. Your pots and pans need to be ferrous in order to resist the electromagnetic current and produce heat; the best way to test this quality is to see if a magnet sticks to the cookware. Cast iron or stainless steel are fine, but induction cooktops will have no effect on materials such as aluminum, glass, or copper.

Induction cooktops also tend to be more expensive than other options. Shutt says their price is often about 20 percent higher than other cooktops.

Consumer Reports says homeowners may also be bothered by a buzz or hum at higher settings. The electromagnetic field can also interfere with digital thermometers.

Some homeowners may be concerned about the health effects of producing an electromagnetic field within their kitchen. Stray fields can be produced when a pot or pan does not completely cover a cooking surface, thus increasing the chance that a person will come into contact with a magnetic field. The Switzerland Office of Public Health says magnetic fields can induce electrical currents within the human body, but that induction cooktops are kept below a level where they can stimulate the central nervous system.

Homeowners can reduce the chance of exposure to an induction cooktop's magnetic field by using correctly sized pans and using the rear cooking surfaces to allow a safe distance from any stray fields. Those with pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices should consult with a doctor and check with the manufacturer to see if an induction cooktop might affect them.