Induction Stove vs Gas Stove: Which one is Better?
One of the main things that come to the mind while setting up the kitchen is Induction stove vs Gas Stove. Having the right cooking appliances in your kitchen makes your work more comfortable and easier. With the rising popularity of induction stoves especially in India, many of us are thinking of buying one. However, many doubts regarding the cooking process between induction vs gas cooktops arise like the time taken for cooking, safety, price, etc.
Induction cooktops are considered modern and advanced compared to gas ones since they heat up faster and use energy more efficiently. These stovetops also allow you to control the temperature more precisely and thus achieve specific results in your cooking. But Gas stoves on other hand have their own advantages and became a standard in Indian kitchens.
So, without further ado, we will dive into the differences and induction vs gas cost comparison to help you make the best choice for your kitchen.
The Main Differences: Induction Stove vs Gas Stove
Both induction stove and gas stove have their pros and cons. Even though induction cooktops are becoming more popular these days, it is important to consider all the differences between these two appliances before making a purchase as gas stoves have a great demand and still tops the market. With that in mind, here is a gas vs induction cooktop comparison.
Time for Cooking
Induction cooktops make cooking faster and simpler because these cooktops take less time to heat up pots and pans. With more efficient energy transfer levels, induction cooktops will significantly shorten your cooking time. Gas stovetops convert lesser energy to the pans, which means it will take more time for cooking.
Power Source
Electricity serves as the power source for induction stovetops. The downside of this feature is that induction cooking depends on available electricity and at times of a power outage, you will not be able to use the induction.
A gas stove, as the name suggests, is powered by combustible gas, which means you can use it as long as you have a supply of gas or a gas cylinder. This makes gas stoves more efficient at times of natural disasters or power outages when there is no electricity.
Steady Heating Efficiency
Induction cooking provides much better heating efficiency because it heats up pots and pans more evenly as even heating will not only help to cook faster but also to prevent overheating or underheating of certain portions of the meal.
Gas stovetops, on the other hand, are not so reliable when it comes to steady heating as the flame generated is heavily influenced by the wind flow from your kitchen window or from your ceiling fan.
Compatibility with Pots and Pans
This is where gas stoves take the win because they are compatible with a wider range of pans, including cookware of different materials such as aluminum, steel, and copper.
The thing about induction cooktops is that they require conductive cookware that has a compatible induction base. Most recent models of Induction cooktops are nowadays working with normal kitchen utensils too, but not with all, especially with round-based ones.
Therefore, if you are transitioning from a gas or electric cooktop to an induction one, keep in mind that you might have to purchase different cookware, as all the utensils cannot be compatible to work on induction stoves.
Comfort while Using
Induction cooktops are a lot more comfortable to use because of their simplicity. The stovetop will remain cool around the central cooking area to touch even when cooking at the highest heat. This makes it easier to move around the stovetop without worrying about getting burnt.
Moreover, many induction cooktops come with auto-shutoff function, which will make you feel safe even if you forget switching off.
Space Requirements
whether gas stove or induction, the space requirements depend upon the model and manufacturer behind the product.
However, gas stove tops are guaranteed to take up more space because of their stove size as well as you are going to need room for the gas supply container. Induction cooktops, on the other hand, don’t take up any space beyond their actual dimensions.
Cost Effectiveness
Induction cooktops (single models) are less expensive than gas stoves and they will be more cost effective in the long run. What this means is that induction cooktops will cost you less in terms of energy used during cooking.
Their power source is electricity, and, with a high heat transfer rate, these cooktops won’t overload your energy bills. Gas stovetops, on the other hand, require more time and energy to reach certain heat levels, which means they use more of their power source for the same type of cooking.
Safety
Between induction stove vs gas stove, Induction cooktops allow for maximum safety in the kitchen because there won’t be any fear regarding the gas connection, whether they are leaking, or thinking did I switch off or not and such situation and moreover the top of induction stove around the cooking pan spot does not heat up along with the pan.
Induction cooktops use electromagnetic energy instead of actual flames produced by gas stoves. That means you are less likely to set things on fire with an induction top compared to a gas one. With induction cooktops, electromagnetic energy is only transferred to certain materials such as conductive cookware. That means you can place your hand on the stove at the highest heat and you will not get burned.
Noise Levels
Induction cooktops can sometimes be really loud and noisy while working, but it’s not the case with all the inductions. These sounds are mainly due to the cooling fan present to cool the stove. When using a gas stove, you can hear a slight humming sound but it’s completely normal.
The noise coming from the induction stove is normal as long as there are no loud clicking sounds that indicate that something is wrong with the appliance due to compatibility.
Settings & Options
If you are looking for an appliance that offers a variety of settings and heating functions, then an induction top is a much better option for you. Gas tops are very plain and offer only a certain amount of settings that are adjusted by the knob.
Even with knob available, you cannot control the heat on a gas stove as precisely as you can on an induction stove. Moreover, induction stoves come with a preset cooking setting for several Indian dishes. That is why induction cooktops are a better option for a variety of cooking styles.
Portability
Both gas and induction cooktops come in portable versions, that is, miniature-sized stove tops that can be taken on the go. However, induction takes the lead here because induction ones are quite easy to carry, plugin and use it anywhere you want as long as the socket is available.
While Gas stoves are a bit difficult to carry and sure you need the gas cylinder to be carried, which is really a hectic task, especially if it was fully filled. A portable small gas stove with an attached gas supply, even though a bit heavier and bulkier, is a better option for campers or those who need a cooking appliance in an area where there is no electricity available.
Maintenance
Induction cooktops are much easier to clean than gas ones for two reasons. Firstly, an induction cooktop is completely flat, which means there is no space around the burners that can get stained or filled but with food residue.
Gas stove tops, on the other hand, might be difficult to clean because of that area around the burner, which might be difficult to reach. The second reason is that most induction cooktop does not heat up the surface top area around the central area for placing the vessel, meaning if any food drips on the cooktop itself, you can easily wipe the top clean after each use.
Price
Finally, we must consider the induction vs gas cost comparison. Single Induction stoves are generally a lot cheaper compared to gas stoves. Gas stoves are standard and are built of strong materials and those kinds of adjectives es come with a high price tag. Although the price of induction is less, they are not as durable as gas stoves.
Final Words
We think our guide had helped you learn more about the differences between induction stove vs gas stove cooking, as well as their benefits and cons. Even though induction cooktops are considered better and more advanced, keep in mind that there are certain situations where you might want to choose a gas stove.
For instance, if you don’t want your cooking to depend on electricity, you can opt for gas stoves. These stoves can operate in areas where there is no electricity available, as long as you have a decent gas supply to run on.
What we prefer is if you are a bachelor or living in a PG better go for induction. If you are household, prefer getting a gas stove and later, save some money and buy an induction too and use it whenever required. Induction stoves really matter in summers because you can simply switch your fan on and work in your kitchen as inductions are not influenced by wind flow.
If you have more questions or if you want to share your views, simply comment below as it helps other visitors too.
