Induction vs Gas Hobs – Pros and Cons

Cooking is an important everyday activity, and there’s no reason why we can’t make it as enjoyable as possible. For many, this might mean choosing just the right kitchen hob. However, professionals and home cooking enthusiasts may get caught in a whirlpool of questions.

The biggest ones? Gas or induction hobs – which is best? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both options? Which one is more efficient? Which gives you more control?

Before you spiral downwards in the decision-making process, let us help! In this post, you will find all the answers you need to make an informed choice.

So, if you are:

• Thinking about having a new kitchen hob fitted;
• Torn between gas or induction hobs;
• Looking for the pros and cons of both;

Then read on! This article will answer your questions.

What are gas hobs?

If you’re looking for the MasterChef experience, look no further than gas hobs.

These have long been the standard in professional kitchens. They have the advantage of being easy to use, very controllable, and cheaper to run than electric hobs. However, people who don’t have access to mains gas may have to opt for different types of hobs, since not all homes can be connected to the grid.

When comparing gas and induction hobs, gas has the advantage. They are suitable for use with all pan types and their responsiveness is great since they provide instant heat and good temperature control. Some, however, can find it difficult to get their food to simmer, as they can only weaken the flame so much. But with a little practice, you’re sure to get the hang of it.

While gas hobs do have a number of advantages, it’s not all fun and games. They consist of gas burners, mounted on a metal or ceramic glass surface (called gas on glass), and pan supports. This setup makes them a hassle to clean, as you need to take them apart or try to get to all the nooks and crannies. Some people also think that their design is quite outdated and opt for the more modern, sleek look of electric hobs.

Another weak spot is their efficiency, especially in the battle of gas vs induction hobs. As they use an open flame to heat up the cookware, there is a lot of residual heat. Because of this, the efficiency of gas hobs is only around 40-50%.

Gas hobs can be considered unsafe to use around children, as they may burn themselves on the fire. Be careful when letting children near a functioning gas hob.

How they work

Gas hobs are very simple. Gas flows through the supply pipe to the burner, where a spark ignites it. This flame then heats up both the pan and the air around it, cooking the food. That’s it!

So, let’s go over the pros and cons of gas hobs:

So, let’s move on with the battle between induction and gas hobs.

What are induction hobs?

Nowadays, many chefs are embracing induction hobs in their kitchens. This type of ceramic hob has been around for a while, but in recent years, technology has improved and prices have dropped. This has, in turn, increased demand.

Working with an induction hob takes some time to master, but once they get the hang of it, many people say they prefer it over any other type. This is mainly due to advantages, such as their speed of cooking and how easy they are to clean, both of which make daily life easier.

When cooking with induction hobs, it’s only the pan that gets heated up. The ceramic glass surface remains cool, which makes it safer to use around children. Some heat from the pan can transfer to the glass, but the temperature is nowhere near as high as with ceramic or solid plate conduction hobs. The safety of this type of hob is also increased by the heat indicators, flashing red when the ring is on.

Still, we recommend caution and supervision when letting children near any cooking appliance.

Due to the ceramic glass surface, cleaning induction hobs is a breeze. All they need is a simple wipe with a damp cloth or glass cleaner.

Another advantage of induction hobs over gas hobs is how energy efficient they are. The only residual heat with induction cooking is produced by the pan itself.

Some induction hobs have zoneless designs, meaning that the entire surface can heat up your cookware and you can place it anywhere. Only the coils underneath the pan will heat it up, while the others will remain inactive. This gives you a great deal of space and freedom when cooking.

However, when comparing gas and induction hobs, the latter do have some downsides. One disadvantage is that not all pots and pans are suitable for use with them. You need cookware made specifically from ferrous metals like stainless steel and cast iron, so if you’re switching to induction hobs, you’ll more than likely have to invest in a new set of pots and pans. Aluminium, copper, and glass pans need to have an induction plate built into the bottom in order to heat up.

Induction hobs also have specific electrical requirements. While some kinds can be plugged into the mains, others run the risk of blowing the 13 amp fuse. So, installing induction hobs is a job best left to expert electricians.

How they work

Now, you may be wondering – how does an induction hob work? Well, it’s a bit more complicated than gas.

Induction hobs use electrical induction to cook your food (as you probably guessed). Copper coils are installed under the ceramic glass surface. When the hob is turned on, the electricity running through the coils creates a magnetic field.

When you place a ferrous metal pan on the ring, this magnetic field heats up the base of the cookware and, in turn, the food. This process means the surface of the hob remains cool and there is no heating taking place while nothing is placed on the rings. To cool down the coils and maintain or lower the temperature, automatic fans switch on.

So, let’s recap the advantages and disadvantages of induction hobs:

So, is an induction or gas hob better?

While we’ve given you the advantages and disadvantages of both gas and induction hobs, which one is best will depend entirely on you and your circumstances. Objectively, no electric hob can match the cooking speed and level of control that gas hobs offer. However, an induction hob is a great alternative for people who aren’t connected to the gas grid, or for those who are looking for a more energy-efficient option at no cost to its performance.

Thinking of getting a new hob installed?

We can help! Fantastic Services offers a complete electrical appliance installation service, including fitting new kitchen hobs or repairing your old one. The certified specialists come prepared with all the tools required for the job.

Your new hob will be installed safely and professionally, and your kitchen will be left spotless afterward. Whether you have a Hoover hob or Lamona, our gas safe experts can fix everything or install your new one. Booking is easy, too! Simply use our online form and choose a time that suits your schedule. Sit back and enjoy your free time while we handle the hard work for you.

Takeaways

• Induction hobs are more efficient than gas.
• Gas hobs are more difficult to clean.
• Both gas and induction hobs provide great temperature control.
• Gas is cheaper to run.
• Induction hobs need to be installed by a professional.
• You need specific cookware to use with induction hobs.

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Did you enjoy this article? Do you prefer gas or induction hobs? Let us know in the comments below!

Image source: shutterstock / Ivanenko.PRO, NavinTar