Gas Vs Induction Cooking: Pros And Cons

By 17th August 2019Cooking Tips
gas vs induction cooking

Gas vs induction cooking, what’s better? Gas stoves have been used a lot longer than induction cooktops. They are the automatic choice for most people looking for a new cooktop for their kitchen.

But induction cooking has become more popular in recent decades. It offers many advantages over a traditional gas hob.


Gas Cooking

Zachäus Winzler made the first gas stove in 1802. But it wasn’t until 1826 that the first proper gas stove was patented. By the early 1900s, many people in Europe and the US were cooking with gas.

Most people prefer gas stoves because they produce instant heat and once you turn it off, the heat goes away (almost) unlike electric coils that remain hot. It’s also easy to adjust the temperature simply by turning the knob.


Another advantage of gas is that you don’t need to buy any special pans. Any pan, pancake griddle, or tea kettle be it aluminium, copper, cast iron or stainless steel, will work fine on a gas cooktop.

On the downside, cooking with gas is less efficient compared to induction cooking.

Only 40-55% of heat from a gas hob reaches food, the rest getting wasted. In contrast, 90% of heat from an induction hob reaches food.



Induction Cooking

Induction cooking works through electromagnetism.  When you place a pan on top of the hob, it creates a magnetic field that makes the pan heat up.

The heat is then transferred to the food.


This is what makes induction cooking so efficient. Only 10-20% of the heat is wasted.


Induction hobs also provide more precise temperature control compared to gas cooktops. This is important for recipes with specific temperature requirements.

For families with young kids, safety is one of the biggest reasons to go with induction over gas. Even when it’s on, the cooktop stays cool to the touch. This reduces the risk of accidental burns. But remember that the pan itself will get hot.


The main one is the cost. A good quality induction hob is expensive though costs are coming down.


Gas vs Induction Cooking: Which One Should You Choose?

The overall winner is easily induction cooking. It’s faster, cleaner, safer, more efficient and cooks more evenly than gas.

But that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for everyone. The ideal choice for your kitchen depends on your needs and situation.

If your home already has piped gas, you may find it easier to just get a gas cooktop. But if your home is not gas-ready, an induction cooktop makes more sense especially in terms of your budget.


Before you get an induction hob, check if your pans are induction-ready. A quick way to check is to stick a magnet on the underside of the pan.

If it sticks, it’s induction ready.


Most induction-ready pans are made from stainless steel. But there are also aluminium ones with a stainless steel bottom.

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