Go to the Article: How Induction Cooktops Work
Hello,
I have a few of the control freaks, each one has a different software version. In the menu there is an update software, is the firmware stored somewhere that I can download?
I know you can transfer the created settings from one to another via the usb key that comes with the device. Is there an editing software to not have to use the knob to input the data? It would be nice to import the settings from here into the device.
Cheers,
Chad
I have a Control Freak as well and have the same question about the software update. I also hope Breville brings back the long probe as an accessory, the short one does not work for large stock pots for me and I wind up having to rig it with some string to reach - I've been looking everywhere for a long probe and no luck.
Most induction cook tops or plates are not all that accurate. Most do not incorporate a PID and rely on an "under over" combo pf adjustable on / off thermostats. Set the temp at 300 and the under thermostat closes allowing current to flow and when 300 is reached the over thermostat opens the power circuit and induction stops. The food with carry over to some temp above 300 then cool. When it reaches the set for the low thermostat current will again flow, induction will begin and the food will warm. Not a bad system but it will overshoot and undershoot a bit like most cooking devises. For the majority of application this setup is fine. High precision induction cookers use a PID which is a learning chip. As the food warms the chip is fed the temp increase rates. That is proportioned with the amount of induction current to predict an endpoint at the desired temp. Induction will stop prior to the desired temp and the food will carry over o the set temp. The food will hover at that point with the PID modulating induction such that under and over temps are checked. Under temp by precise modulation of induction and over temp by the near immediacy cooled cooking surface. Since there's no residual heat from a hot radiating coil the food will not carry over or over cook from residual heat in the cook top ( it's own specific heat will check it from rising ). Because of this trait, no heat after induction is ceased, (you can put your hand on an induction surface almost immediately after induction stops...but don't. Take my word.) a variable in precision, heat remaining in the cooking surface is eliminated. . This is the perfect system for precision but it is not employed in all induction cookers.
Imagine yourself old school trying to keep a pot of water at 150F. You put it on the burner. It goes up to 150 and you take it off the heat. The residual heat in the pan takes it to 155 and then it cools. It goes below 150 and you put it back on the heat. But it's now 145 or less. With each vacillations you get better and after a few on / offs you get where you can nail it to 148 / 152 or better. You successively approximated the adjustments needed in your system and "learned" how to maintain the desired temp. That's you being a PID. After a fashion.
Hi Chad! There are no software updates, and not much changes between different software versions. It is just the one that was loaded on at the time it was built. The USB was designed to work between Control Freaks in a commercial scenario, and it is able to be edited on the Control Freak only.
