When cooking on an induction cooktop, the heat is generated through electromagnetic induction, which directly heats the pot or pan placed on the cooktop. The heat is transferred to the food through conduction.
Induction cooktops work by creating a magnetic field that induces electrical currents in the pot or pan made of a ferromagnetic material. These currents generate heat, which then cooks the food. The heat is primarily generated in the bottom surface of the cookware, where the magnetic field is concentrated.
To answer your question, placing a pot or pan off-center on an induction cooktop may result in uneven heating. The heat will be concentrated mainly on the area where the pot or pan makes contact with the cooktop. The off-center portion of the cookware may receive less heat, leading to uneven cooking or slower cooking times.
Additionally, suspending a pot or pan above the cooktop surface may disrupt the magnetic field and reduce the efficiency of heat transfer. Since the cookware needs to make direct contact with the cooktop surface to generate the necessary heat, suspending it above the surface can hinder the heating process and potentially lead to inadequate cooking.
It's best to center the pot or pan on the induction cooktop's surface to ensure even heating and optimal cooking results.