Despite the wealth of information and the huge range of models available, consumers often wonder whether it is better to buy a gas cooktop or induction hob. Today, gas models are still considered the most popular choice. In fact, cooking with such kitchen appliances is more economical, since gas is a cheap type of fuel and does not involve paying large bills.
Using an electric stove will cost the family much more. But does this also apply to the induction appliance? Read more on cookingtopgear.
It is worth understanding that in order to choose the best option, which cooktop is better, it is necessary to pay attention to all the advantages and disadvantages of the models. Not just the cost of maintenance.
Features of operation of induction cooktops
If everything is clear about gas models, many people have questions about the principle of operation of induction equipment. Why do you need special dishes for such a stove? How long does it take to cook? How does it differ from a conventional electric hob?
In fact, it is an electric stove with a glass-ceramic hob. Conventional electric stoves with the same surface has cast-iron heating elements in the form of a spiral or corrugated tape. But in induction devices, powerful inductors are used.
The main difference is the way heat is generated. In conventional models of electric cookers, first, the temperature of the heating element rises. Then the surface (the burner itself) is heated, then the dishes. From the dishes, its contents are already heated. In induction, the current is generated by a high-frequency magnetic field. All work is started by copper induction coils. Here the heating stage of the burner is passed — the interaction occurs with the disks of the bottom of the dish. As a result, they heat up to the user-defined temperature much faster, while the burner itself does not become hot.
The surface of the induction cooker is not heated more than 50 degrees (from the dishes themselves). Completely cools down in less than 10 minutes, when it takes about half an hour for the gas burners to cool down.
Pros and cons of induction cooktops
Of course, the cost of such a variant of cookers is higher, which makes sense. They need high power, which happens through the use of electricity. To sum up, we can highlight the following advantages of induction equipment:
- dishes and their contents are heated faster than for gas;
- no soot is formed on dishes, furniture or adjacent equipment;
- very simple maintenance of such a panel;
- when cooking, the burner itself is not heated, which eliminates the possibility of burning;
- it makes it possible to set the heating mode precisely.
Shortcomings of induction cookers:
- the high cost of such equipment;
- the cooker hob requires special cookware with a thickened bottom that is magnetized;
- the glass-ceramic surface itself is afraid of point impacts.
Pros and cons of gas appliances
The possibility of using such devices is limited by the presence of gas in the house. Let’s emphasize the main points of why these stoves have become widespread.
- They cost much cheaper. Even the latest model of the gas hob will cost much cheaper than the new-fashioned induction version.
- Saving the family budget when using gas cookers is the main advantage of gas appliances. As mentioned earlier, gas is consumed much slower than electricity and is cheaper. Therefore, when it comes time to pay the bill, this plus will be obvious.
- Any dishes will do. There is no need to change it when you buy a new stove.
Speaking about the visible merits of a gas cooking panel, the list is not so long. If we talk about minuses, their number exceeds the pros.
- The danger of explosion. If safety measures are not followed or equipment is damaged, gas may leak.
- Caring for the stove is more difficult.
- If you compare the efficiency, the gas cooker with 50% is inferior to induction, which has this indicator tends to 95%.
- In the absence of a hood, soot and carbon deposits form on adjacent equipment and items.
Comparison of parameters
It is difficult to compare gas cookers with induction cooktops because they are very different. And in different circumstances each of them has advantages.
Economical
The gas itself is cheaper, consumed economically, and gas stoves are usually a little cheaper. The benefits seem to be obvious. However, not all houses have gas. There is only one way out – you need an electric stove. And here, induction with its minimal energy consumption is leading the way. And you can also save on the number of burners, taking only two.
Comfort during operation
The advantage of induction is the ability to install automation on it. While in the gas cooker, at best, there can only be a gas control that performs an emergency shutdown of the gas supply.
Manufacturers of modern electric cooktops actively use sensors, software control, automatic circuits. As a result, you can set a timer or even an entire cooking program on induction. For economy and safety, the cooking panel itself is switched off if the sensors do not “see” the dishes on it. Or when the dishes are too small for a large burner. And also in the case of very long cooking. For example, if you cook something for 5 hours, the stove thinks that the hostess forgot to turn it off. Then the hob gradually reduces the power itself and then turns off the burner completely.
Safety
Induction cookers are the safest of all types of cooktops. There are many sensors that monitor the parameters of the device. If there is an overheat, a liquid spill on the burner, a long cooking time – all these situations are controlled by automation and lead to a protective shutdown of the hob. In the case of a gas cooker hob, it is only possible to switch off if the flame disappears accidentally while the gas is on.
Another plus of induction – it does not warm itself but warms the dishes. The surface temperature is not heated to such a degree that you can get serious burns by touching it.
The prices of cooktops
Despite the fact that induction cookers are very economical during operation, they are quite expensive. Unlike a gas stove, which can serve for years without the need for maintenance (only preventive inspections are needed). Induction often fails and needs service inspections and repairs.