Home Improvement
Induction vs Gas Hobs – Pros and Cons You may also like:
In recent years more and more people, families in general, choose to go with an induction or a ceramic hob. The reasons are plenty, (especially for the induction type): they are eco-friendly, safe for kids and pets, they look stylish, and are generally good long-term investments.
Still, when it comes to cleaning, many people are less keen to try any DIY methods in fear that they might damage the hobs. We are here to tell you that there are plenty of safe and efficient DIY methods and home remedies you can choose from.
So, if you:
Then this article is for you!
You’ve probably seen many commercials and had many friends trying to lure you into joining the induction hob fan club. One of the appliance’s main selling points is the easy maintenance and cleaning process.
The induction hob has its name because of the way that it heats up. Old fashioned hobs use either a direct flame or an electric heater, whilst induction hobs operate through the process of magnetic induction to directly heat up the cooking pot.
The induction hob has a copper conductor coil, through which runs a high-frequency alternating current. The resulting magnetic field affects the cooking pot in a similar way as to how a magnetic core functions in a transformer, and thus, generating a large vortex current in the cooking pot. Due to the resistance of the material that the pot is made from, the vortex current heats it.
Maybe, you are still asking yourself about what this means for you and your family and whether induction hobs are any good at all.
The fact that almost no peripheral heat is released during the heating process, means that the cooktop itself never gets hot. This technology not only makes the hob energy-efficient but also ensures that it’s safe for kids. It only works if the pot is made of, or contains, a ferromagnetic material, such as cast iron or certain types of stainless steel. This means that no little hands or cat paws can activate the hob.
Now that you know how the hob actually works, it’s easier to explain why it’s so easy to clean.
When all the heat is concentrated into the pot and its contents, there’s a very little chance for you to end up with burnt spilt food on the hob. We can’t say the same about traditional gas-fuelled or electric stoves, though. So kiss the burnt spaghetti goodbye! A simple wipe with a damp cloth is what you need to bring back the initial shine of your cooktop.
The simple and stylish glass-ceramic surface of the induction hob is also a winning characteristic of its great design. Not only do they make them more contemporary looking and overall pleasing to the eye, but the flat, smooth surface turns the cleaning from a chore to a second-long wiping with one hand. No more wondering how to get around all of the bumps and parts of steel gas cooktops.
Now, that is a good question. An easy way to explain the difference between the induction and ceramic hobs is if we just say that the induction hob is the better, safer and more environmentally friendly younger brother of the ceramic hob. The induction type stops to work the second you remove the pot from it, whilst the ceramic one needs to be turned off manually.
As we’ve already mentioned, the induction hob directly heats up the vessel, while the ceramic hob heats up everything, which results in not only burnt food but in many potentially dangerous situations for you and your family. The only plus is probably the price – the ceramic brother is cheaper than its sibling.
Overall, in the battle of induction hob vs ceramic hob, most of the times, the induction type wins. So, think carefully if you are stuck between the two of them when choosing which one to get for your kitchen.
A word of caution!
If you have decided to personally take care of the state of your hobs, then keep away from any caustic and abrasive cleaners. This includes ammonia/bleach containing detergents and any other scrubbing agents. Naturally, you also have to completely exclude scouring pads and steel wool.
The glass surface is not just for the looks, it’s also an important part of the heating process and damaging it will lead to discolouration and white marks on your induction hob. And if you are experiencing problems like these, you might need to seek electrical appliance repair help from the professionals.
So, here is a summarised no-no list of products and materials, you need to avoid when cleaning.
Thankfully, induction hobs are super easy to clean. There aren’t any burnt food or cooking pot marks to take care of, so most of the time, some water and a standard kitchen detergent are more than enough to do the job. Before you start cleaning, make sure that the hob is completely cooled off.
Supplies you will need:
As with ceramic hobs, watch out for detergents with harmful ingredients, and any cleaning tools, which might cause damage.
You will need:
Even if they are many effective DIY cleaning methods, nothing could compare with a professional service.
We understand the needs of our clients, so that’s why offer the best option for your oven on the market.
Check our article on how much oven cleaning costs. Prices can differ on a variety of factors, so it’s best to have an idea of what you might be paying for!
Regular and proper maintenance is extremely important if you want your cooking appliance to be happy. It will not only reduce the time you will spend cleaning every time but also make it a lot easier and more pleasant.
We’re here to help. Get your hobs professionally cleaned with Fantastic Services.
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What is your experience with induction or ceramic hobs? What are the dangers you avoid when cleaning them? Let us know in the comments below and if you liked this article, don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.
Header image source: Deposit Photos by Andrey Popov
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