Gas vs Induction Cooktop: Choose the right one for your home

Cooktops are a staple in modern kitchens. Their sleek and flexible design adds style and provides more storage space. If you want to buy a cooktop for a kitchen upgrade, you have to choose between an induction and a gas stove. 

This in-depth comparison guide explains the main differences between an induction vs gas cooktop. It covers the cost, design, installation, functionality, efficiency, and maintenance of each type of cooktop, helping you decide which to buy for your kitchen. 

What is a gas cooktop and how does it work?

A gas cooktop uses natural gas to cook food. Most modern gas cooktops come with an electronic ignition switch that produces a spark to ignite flames when turning the control knob. 

How it works is simple: the control knob triggers the gas valve to open, allowing pressurised gas from the fitted gas line to flow through and exit the burners. Once the natural gas mixes with air, blue open flames are produced. 

What is an induction cooktop and how does it work?

An induction cooktop is a more advanced kitchen appliance that uses electromagnetism to cook food. The electromagnetic process is fascinating because electric currents flow through a copper coil underneath, creating a fluctuating magnetic field. So, when ferromagnetic cookware comes in contact with the induction surface, the fluctuating magnetic and electric current flows through the cookware and starts generating heat. 

What is the difference between ceramic and induction cooktops?

Induction cooktops are sometimes mistaken as ceramic electric stoves as both have metal coils and flat glass surfaces. However, there is a significant difference between these two electric cooktops in terms of cooking speed, design, functionality, and safety. 

For one, an induction cooktop uses copper coils as a magnetic field to generate heat, whereas a ceramic cooktop uses metal coils as heating elements. Between the two, induction models cook faster because they directly transfer heat towards the conductive cookware instead of heating the surrounding glass-top surface.

Moreover, an induction cooktop’s flexible design gives you more control over arranging your pots and pans on the stovetop. Meanwhile, a ceramic electric stove has fixed cooking zones, so you should always place your pans and pots in exact cooking zones to ensure proper heat distribution. 

Lastly, when it comes to safety, induction stoves come on top. Their glass stovetop does not heat up, unlike ceramic electric stoves. 

Induction or gas cooktop: Which is better for your needs?

You might be planning a kitchen renovation soon, so you are here contemplating whether an induction or gas cooktop is better. Choosing the right one is tricky as you must consider many factors. 

In terms of cost

Gas cooktops are more affordable, with some units as low as $300. Meanwhile, induction model prices start at $750. Although a gas cooker is cheaper, installation and repairs also add to the total cost of owning one. They can be expensive, especially if your house needs a gas connection. Additional cooling costs might also occur when using a gas cooker because it emits radiant heat.

Induction stoves also have a fair share of disadvantages. Although they help save electricity with their energy-efficient features, they usually require special connections. You need an expert in kitchen installations to add at least a 20A connection for the induction stove to work. Moreover, this type of cooktop will only work properly if you have induction-compatible cookware at home. You need to buy new cookware if you decide to switch, which adds to the overall cost.

In terms of design

When it comes to design, it depends on what kitchen style you want to achieve. For example, an induction cooktop looks great in kitchens with a modern or contemporary style because of its sleek glass cooktop. You can also integrate them into a kitchen island or peninsula for a seamless look so you can hang out with your family and friends while you prepare and cook food.

Meanwhile, a gas cooktop with elevated burner grates looks bulkier, adding a traditional, country-style look to the kitchen. This type of kitchen stovetop would look lovely in a Hampton-style kitchen because the elevated iron stove grates add an interesting accent to the iconic light Hamptons colour theme. Seek some professional advice from kitchen designers if you want a similar style for your kitchen.

If you are still trying to figure out the rest of your kitchen design aside from your cooktop, consider checking out this renovation checklist to understand how and what to prepare for a complete renovation. 

In terms of installation

Installing a gas cooktop is easy if you already have a gas line connection at home. But if that is not the case, you may still need to call for gas installation services, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Moreover, remember that some states are now banning gas installations in new homes, so you might want to reconsider getting a gas cooktop. 

Installing induction cooktops also requires some extra work. They use more energy than other kitchen stovetop types, so you need a licensed electrician to install a new outlet with enough amps to support them. Most induction cooktops need a 240-volt wire with a 50-amp circuit outlet.

In terms of functionality

If you are using a gas cooker at home, switching to induction cooking might pose some challenges. Aside from the installation woes, you might find it jarring to cook without a visual indicator of flames coming out from the burners. But give it a few weeks, and you will find cooking with an induction stove convenient. Unlike gas cookers, it heats food faster, and the induction cooking surface does not heat up. 

Furthermore, induction cooktops are a great addition to modern smart kitchens because they have built-in safety features. This includes temperature monitoring, automatic switch-off, child locks, and pan detection. The only downside is that they need compatible cookware to function properly. This is where gas cooktops gain the upper hand because you can use any pot and pan with this type of stove.

In terms of efficiency

Induction stoves are more efficient. When turned on, they instantly heat up after placing a ferromagnetic cookware on top of the glass surface. Meanwhile, gas cooktops would take some time to heat and cook food because the open flames coming out from the gas burners are slow to adjust to a desired temperature. 

Hotspots are also a problem in gas cooking, causing food to have burnt edges or be undercooked after cooking. Fortunately, this won’t be an issue in induction cooking because the pot becomes the heating element, so heat is evenly spread while cooking. This ensures food is always evenly cooked.

Another interesting fact is that induction cooktops boil water 20 to 40 per cent faster than gas and electric cooktops. This further proves that induction stoves are more efficient.

In terms of maintenance and durability

Maintaining a gas cooktop requires more work because it has burners and grooves with crevices and holes, which are difficult to clean. Moreover, you should first remove the cast iron grates (or pan supports) to clean a gas cooktop properly. 

Meanwhile, the flat glass-top surface makes cleaning and maintenance more manageable for an induction cooktop. You can easily wipe off grease and food spills with only a microfiber cloth soaked in a homemade baking soda and vinegar solution. Also, since the cooktop surface doesn’t get too hot (unlike in gas cookers), you can clean your induction cooktop right after cooking.

However, since induction cooktops are made of glass, they are prone to scratching and breaking. Thus, gas stoves are more durable as cast iron grates are incredibly strong and can last years. Even if you accidentally drop a pan, the gas stove won’t break.

In terms of eco-friendliness

Gas cooktops produce dangerous greenhouse gases, increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This causes our planet to heat up and hastens climate change. Moreover, a lit gas cooker produces indoor air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde, which can harm one’s health. Some reports even found that gas cooktops contribute up to 12% of childhood asthma burden. 

Since gas cooktops are environmentally harmful, more people are now switching to induction cooking to build sustainable kitchens. As mentioned, induction cooktops use electromagnetic energy, directly heating your pots and pans instead of transferring heat around the glass surface. This reduces heat loss and increases energy efficiency, with 85% of the energy transferred to cookware. 

Make your dream kitchen a reality 

Deciding whether to install a gas or induction cooktop is only one of the many things you must do in building a beautiful and functional cooking area. Connect with kitchen renovation experts at Airtasker to learn more about kitchen renovation costs and interior design hacks. With their skills and experience, they can guide you in creating your perfect space for cooking.