Induction Stoves vs Gas – Which is Better?

As we continue our march towards home electrification, the push to replace gas stoves with electric induction stoves is gathering steam. Gas will not even be an option for many homes going forward since several towns have outlawed gas hook-ups on new construction projects. It’s a trend that is gathering steam in several jurisdictions across the country. 

Yet many cooks absolutely love their gas stoves and are going to take some persuading to give them up.

So we thought we would take a closer look at just what are the main differences between induction stoves vs gas. Which one gives more control, which one heats up quicker, which ones are easier to clean and, bottom line, which one cooks a better meal.

Here, then, is our face-off between induction stoves vs gas.

Induction Stoves are More Expensive

While standard electric stoves are generally less expensive than gas ones, the same is not true of induction stoves. The cost of induction cooktops is typically somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500, although some high-end models can cost as much as  $4,000.

There are even battery-powered induction stoves that are in the $6,000 price range. Meanwhile, the average cost of a gas stove ranges between $300 and $1,500.

But while their upfront cost is higher, induction cooktops are less expensive to run. Because they transfer most of the heat directly onto the cookware rather than emitting it into the kitchen environment, they reduce the exhaust and air conditioning to keep the kitchen cool.

As anyone who has stood in front of a gas stove with three or four rings burning can attest, keeping the kitchen cool can be a real challenge.

This has led to ENERGY STAR™ stating that induction cooktops can be up to three times more efficient than gas cooktops.

One other aspect of cost that can’t be ignored is the fact that induction cooktops require compatible cookware to operate (more on that later). If you already have induction ready cookware, that’s not a problem. But if not, the cost of replacing your pots and pans can be significant.

Induction Stoves are Safer

It is generally agreed that induction stoves are safer than gas. There are two reasons for this.

Firstly, while the cookware heats up, the cooktop itself always stays cool. This is particularly important for cooks who have children or pets in the kitchen.

Gas stoves, of course, have an open flame which can not only cause burn injuries but is a potential fire hazard. The second safety benefit is the induction stoves don’t pollute the home. There has been mounting concern over the past several years about the dangers of cooking with gas. Prolonged exposure to pollutants from gas stoves has been linked with a greater risk of severe asthma, especially in children.

Gas Stoves are Easier to Use

This may just be a matter of familiarity because, let’s face it, home sapiens have been cooking over flames for a very long time.  For this reason, most people find gas stoves very easy to use. In most cases, all you need to do is turn it on and ignite the flame.

Adjusting the heat is as simple as turning down the flame, even if it involves a bit of guesswork. The whole experience is very sensory.

Induction cooktops can be a little more complicated to get to grips with given their breadth of features and different settings.While the range of settings gives you more control over the amount of heat you apply (melting chocolate, for instance, is much easier), induction cooktops can leave residual heat on the cookware and adjust by just the right amount at exactly the right time takes a little practice.

Induction Stove Cookware

When it comes to cooking with gas, you can use pretty much any type of cookware you like.

With induction cookers, however, you can only use pots and pans with magnetic bottoms. The bottoms also need to be flat so cooking with a wok can be a challenge.

This can be a negative to some people, as it could involve buying a suitable range of induction ready cookware on top of the purchase of the induction oven.

Induction Stoves Look Better (To Me)

Appearance, of course, is very subjective but I think induction stoves are a very attractive option for my kind of kitchen. They come in a modern and sleek design, with either glass or smooth top surfaces. Most models have ceramic stovetops with clearly outlined circles where you place the pans.

If your preferred kitchen design veers towards a more traditional look, maybe a gas stove offers more aesthetic appeal. They are usually made of stainless steel with aluminum layers, and the burner grates are normally placed higher than the countertop. Compared to other types of cooktops, the gas variety has a more heavy-duty and bulky design.

Induction Stoves Are Easier to Clean

Many of the same features that make induction cooktops so attractive also make them easier to clean. You can clean up with just a few wipes in a matter of seconds and you don’t have to wait several minutes for them to cool down.

However, they do have the potential to scratch easily use a soft cloth rather than scouring pads and avoid dragging cookware on it.

Gas stoves tend to be a little harder to clean. But they can handle heavy-duty scouring pads. That said, you need to be careful when scrubbing or wiping around the fuel ports.

Induction Stoves vs Gas – Our Verdict

For a site that is focused on fighting climate change by electrifying our homes, it’s not going to be a surprise that we recommend induction stoves vs gas. What I hope this post has done is to make it clear that, regardless of the obvious climate benefits, switching to an induction stove is going to give you a comparable cooking experience to cooking with gas.

As adoption accelerates and prices come down (with the help of certain tax incentives), it’s likely to be a “no-brainer” decision by the time you purchase your next stove.