Induction vs Gas vs Electric Cooktops

• Induction vs Gas
• Induction vs Electric
  

It's time: you've decided to upgrade your kitchen's cooking capabilities in the form of a new cooktop or range! Since the advent of induction cooking has brought a third option to the "Gas or Electric" dilemma, we've decided to take a look at the most notable differences between induction and those two classic options. Read on, and get a better idea of the perfect choice for your kitchen!

Induction vs Gas

• Simply put, many people are loyal to gas cooking because it's the method most familiar to them. Many chefs prefer to use a cooking method they already know inside and out instead of switching to one they've never used before. When pitting an induction stove vs gas, gas certainly wins in the familiarity department.
• Another feature that many chefs value is visual indication of heat levels while you cook. A gas range's flames allow you to clearly see the heat level better than induction, although many induction cooktop models feature LED "flames" to give users a clear visual of the pan's heat.
• A major difference between a gas and induction stovetop is that induction is significantly more efficient than gas - food being cooked with induction will receive 90% of the heat generated, as opposed to only 40-55% for gas. This keeps your kitchen much cooler and more comfortable while you prepare meals. Induction cooking also decreases risk of burns and accidental fires, as there is no open flame and the cookware itself is the only heat source.
• If budget is your major concern, your kitchen's gas-readiness will be an important factor in your induction stove vs gas stove decision. On one hand, induction appliances tend to be more expensive up front; on the other hand, most don't require any special hookup beyond a 220-240v electrical outlet. If your kitchen isn't already equipped with a gas line for your oven or cooktop, adding one can be costly and time-consuming. Another budget-related consideration is that induction might require you to shell out for new pots and pans, as only certain types of cookware can be used for induction cooking. To see if a piece of cookware is induction-ready, place a magnet on the bottom. If it sticks, it can be used for induction cooking.

Induction vs Electric

• Electric cooking is slightly more similar to induction cooking than it is to gas, but there are still many distinctions between induction cooktops vs electric cooktops. Unlike with gas, an electric or induction range don't require any special kind of hookup beyond a 220-240v outlet. However, induction does give a chef more direct control over the heat level than electric; when a pan is being used for induction cooking, its temperature changes the moment the current is adjusted. This is not the case for electric, as it takes time for the pan to catch up with the temperature of the heat source.
• While electric is certainly more energy-efficient than gas, induction is still the clear winner for efficiency. An electric cooktop allows only 65-70% of heat to reach food as opposed to induction's 90%. This results in your kitchen staying cooler with induction than it does with electric cooking. While risk of fire is lower with electric than with gas, the risk is lower still with induction. Since the pan itself is the only heat source in induction cooking, your risk of kitchen burns is also greatly decreased.
• If upfront cost is a big concern, electric will probably prevail. Electric cooktops cost less than induction, plus an electric stovetop doesn't require the special cookware that induction does. While induction cooking has plenty of other benefits, electric is definitely the more budget-friendly option.

So which is the best choice? Is induction cooking better than the more traditional gas or electric method? It's all a matter of weighing the various advantages against your own personal preferences and priorities. When you are finally ready to commit, P.C. Richard & Son is the perfect place to get the range or cooktop that's perfect for you. We offer a huge variety of cooktops and ranges in different fuel types, styles and sizes, all at the guaranteed lowest prices. For the best in gas, electric, or induction cooking for your kitchen, shop P.C. Richard & Son now!