Gas or induction – this has been an ongoing battle between home chefs and cooks like myself, and it doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon.
On one side, gas users say that gas stoves are super flexible as they work with any pan, they are easy to master and offer massive BTUs even for commercial cooking. On the other hand, Induction cooktop enthusiasts hail their appliances for precise temperature control, easy cleaning, kid-safety, and less energy cost.
So which of these kitchen fighters will knock out the competition? I have used both, and I can tell you this is a hard decision. But hey, let’s check out what both have in store for us and their downsides, so that you can make the ultimate decision.
We have a review on best induction cooktops, as well as one for best gas ranges. Check out my recommendations and what they offer.
Induction Cooktop vs Gas: Key differences
Induction cooktops provide precise temperature control, and have a digital interface. They also run far cooler than gas, since only the pan gets hot, not the entire cooktop surface. This makes the kitchen more comfortable on hot days.
The smooth glass surface wipes clean easily, too, unlike gas burners that require frequent scrubbing. For families with kids, induction minimizes risks with no open flames or hot elements to touch. It uses less energy as well, saving around 70% on cooking costs over time.
However, induction has a learning curve for those accustomed to gas flame control. It can only be used with specific magnetic cookware, requiring new purchases for many homeowners. Some find it makes an annoying humming noise.
Gas stoves still have their strengths, like instant full power heat at the turn of a knob. You have more flexibility on cookware choices, too. Portable propane hookups allow gas to be used in outdoor cooking. Visible flames provide nice heat feedback. Gas stoves can also reach the high BTUs needed for things like wok cooking.
But gas has downsides – flames spread unevenly for potential hot and cold spots. Having open flames indoors isn’t ideal for homes with kids. Gas is inefficient with wasted heat, and requires frequent cleaning of messy grates and caps. Powerful BTUs generate too much ambient heat in warm weather as well.
Cost Comparison
| Appliance Type | Cost Range | Installation Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Stove | $500 – $2500 | with potential $1000+ in gas line installation fees |
| Induction | $1000 – $4000 | with approx. $300 electrical upgrade installation costs |
Induction Cooktop Facts and Stats
Check out the infographic below:
Gas Cooktop Facts and Stats
Check out the infographic below:
Are Induction Hobs As Good As Gas?
Yes. In fact, experts consider induction hobs more environmentally friendly than gas hobs. As induction hobs run off of power, you can use other renewable sources to power them. Gas hobs, on the other hand, depend on gas fuel, which is a fossil fuel.
According to our results, we found that the working principle of an induction hob makes it more energy efficient. We realized that most of the heat produced by our induction hob was not lost as compared to the gas hob.
Which Is Faster, Gas Or Induction?
From our tests, we found that the induction can generally convey 80% to 90% of its electromagnetic at the base of the used cookware. This makes induction cooktops quicker in heating. This is in contrast with the gas, which we found can only convey 38% heat energy to the cookware.
We noticed that the temperature controls of the induction cooktops are precise, making them your best option when it comes to cooking. The most efficient way to heat cookware is the direct way rather than the indirect way. Induction cooktops take the prize on this one.
Is an Induction Stove Cheaper Than Gas?
Yes. We conducted thorough research on the internet and found that gas cooktops are cheaper than induction cooktops. When it comes to the cost of running the two, we noted that the cost of running induction is cheaper than that of running a gas cooktop.
Induction is heat efficient and faster; it should be your best option as it will save you some money when buying it and during use.
Are Induction Hobs Worth the Money?
You might be worried about the amount you will spend on an induction cooktop, and you may be wondering: Are induction cookers really worth the money? Will you get value for your money?
The answer to this question is yes. The induction cooktop provides a faster cooking experience and minimal energy loss, which makes it worth the money. By using the induction cooktop, you will save more in terms of cost.
Do Professional Chefs Use Induction Hobs?
Yes. Most of the top chefs from all over the world are turning to induction cooktops. Yes, you read that right. Despite being known for their mastery in using gas flames, most chefs are turning to the use of induction cooktops because they have realized that induction cookers are environmentally friendly, easy to clean and maintain, and energy-efficient.
Speed is also another reason why chefs are embracing induction cooking. The less time they spend preparing a dish, the more customers they will serve, and this translates to more revenue and more profits,
What Are the Disadvantages of Induction Cookers?
While induction cookers come with so many advantages, they also have some cons. Here are the disadvantages of induction cookers:
- Induction cooktops are a bit pricy than gas cookers
- You will need special cookware to use on your induction cooktop
- You must have a reliable power connection to use an induction cooker continually
- Induction cooktops are fragile and can scratch or break easily
How Long Do Induction Cooktops Last?
How long will your induction cooktop last? This is a great question. Most companies indicate the number of expected hours throughout the lifetime of an induction cooktop. You, therefore, have to check this figure before you buy your induction cooktop.
On the induction cooktop we used for our testing, we noted that the manufacturer stated the lifespan of the machine as 30,000 hours. This means that if you are averagely cooking for 10 hours a day, you will use this induction cooktop for over 8 years.
When comparing the induction and the gas cooktops, you must ask about their lifetime hours to figure out which one will serve you better.
Can I Use Cast Iron on Induction?
The answer is yes. Cast iron is a ferrous metal, which makes it great for use on induction cooktops. For any port to work on an induction cooktop, you must make sure it contains a high amount of cast iron.
Most stainless steel cookware nowadays has a massive plate of cast iron at its bottom. If you are interested in buying quality cookware, you should look at the amount of cast iron contained in the cookware.
What is the Best Induction Cooktop
If you decide to purchase an induction cooktop, you must go for the best. What do we mean by the best? Well, the induction cooktop you go for must-have features that makes it safe to use and more efficient than the others. Here is a list of things to consider before you choose your best induction cooktop:
- Your induction must have a safety sensor
- Auto switch-off feature
- Auto heat-up feature
- Man detection
- A proper power management system
When you go to the shop, make sure you take a look at the critical features that the induction cooktop comes with. That way, you’ll know if it fits your need or not. But regardless of your needs and wants, make sure the cooker contains all the five features we have listed above.
Top cooktop manufacturers, such as Bosch, have quality induction cooktops, and therefore you can consider looking at their list to see if they suit your needs.
Induction Vs. Gas Cooking Pros And Cons
There is no doubt that both induction and gas stoves have their strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a close look at the details of both gas and induction to get a clear picture of their differences.
Pros of Gas Cooking
- One advantage of using gas for cooking is that once your gas tank is full, you will always use it. It doesn’t matter if you have electricity or not.
- Compared to induction, gas stoves cool down faster. This reduces the risks of you being injured after cooking.
Cons of Gas Cooking
- Gas stoves have a high risk of a flame breakout as the tanks can explode
- Most of the heat produced by your gas escapes into the air
- It is always expensive to refill the gas tanks
Pros And Cons of Induction Cooking
As we mentioned earlier, most people are turning into the use of induction cooktops. Why is that? Let’s find out.
Advantages of Induction Cooking
- Induction cooking is much faster than gas cooking
- Induction cookers are more energy-efficient and thus fit for your faster cooking experience
Disadvantages of Induction Cooking
- You must have a reliable power connection to use an induction cooker continually
- Induction cooktops are fragile and thus can scratch or break easily
- Induction cooktops are more expensive than gas cookers
- You will need special cookware to use on your induction cooktop
If you are one person who believes in technological advances, you should consider trying out induction technology to have a feel of how great it is.
Common Questions
Which is better for cooking in a wok – induction or gas?
Gas stoves are generally better suited for wok cooking, as they can generate extremely high BTU burner output and the quick responsiveness of open flame heat is ideal for tossing and stir-frying. Induction can technically work with a flat-bottomed wok but won’t provide quite the same cooking experience.
Is induction or gas more environmentally friendly?
Induction cooktops are considered much greener than gas appliances. They have lower carbon emissions from generating electricity versus directly burning natural gas. Induction is also over twice as energy efficient as gas stoves, saving resources. Gas stoves can leak methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Is it safe to have a gas stove if you have kids?
Gas stoves are still reasonably safe for homes with children as long as proper precautions are taken, such as keeping knobs out of reach and teaching children not to touch. However, induction removes open flames and hot elements from the equation, providing an extra degree of kid safety.
Can induction cooktops match the temperature control of gas?
In terms of precise temperature adjustability, induction cooktops generally allow more fine-tuned control through digital interfaces. However, gas stove flames do provide intuitive visual feedback that some cooks prefer. Both can achieve excellent cooking control.
How much more does it cost to operate an induction cooktop compared to gas?
Induction cooking uses 50-70% less energy than comparable gas cooktops, so it is typically significantly cheaper in the long run to operate an induction appliance despite often higher upfront costs. Exact savings depend on local energy prices.
