Electric, Gas and Induction Cooking. What's Right For Me?

 

There are many selections that have to be made during a remodel or new build. One of the most important decisions will be choosing which cooking appliances best fit your lifestyle. You don’t have to stick with what you had before just because you’re used to it. That goes for anything in your kitchen, but it’s especially true with appliances and the way you prepare a meal. Save yourself two hour’s with the appliance store guy and read our quick list to find what’s right for you!

 
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ELECTRIC pros

  • Easy to clean; the top’s smooth surface is convenient when it comes to cleaning up messes

  • Can be less expensive than gas and induction

Electric CONS

  • Electric stoves with coil burners can be time consuming to clean

  • Can be slow to heat and cool off

  • Can cause uneven cooking (when compared to gas)

  • Must remember to turn off otherwise heat will continue to be emitted (when compared to induction)

GAS PROS

  • Most cooks prefer the instant heat

  • Can change amount of heat/level of heat instantly

  • Usually cooks more evenly (when compared to electric)

  • Some people prefer the look of gas cooktops/ranges



GAS CONS

  • Can be considered unsafe with an open flame

  • People with asthma or allergies may have issues with gas in the home

  • Can be expensive to install if you need to have a gas line into your home

  • Cleaning is more difficult than a smooth-surfaced electric or induction cooktop

INDUCTION PROS

  • Fastest cooking technology: 2 to 4 minutes speedier than the competition to bring 6 quarts of water to a near-boil

  • Delivers the precise, consistent, low heat demanded by certain sauces and confections

  • Safe: since heat is transferred through conduction, as soon as you remove the pot/pan from the cooktop the heating stops immediately. If you turn on an induction burner with no pot on it (or no magnetic object on it) by mistake, it won’t get hot

  • More “green” – uses less energy

  • Sleek, attractive style

INDUCTION CONS

  • Pots and pans need to be “induction-compatible”.  All cookware needs to be magnetic “If you want to know whether your existing arsenal of cookware will work with an induction range, use a magnet to see whether it strongly sticks to the bottom of your pots. If it does, it will work on an induction burner.” (Consumer Reports)

  • The magnetic field of an induction cooktop can interfere with digital meat thermometers

  • Some induction cooktops have a buzz or hum at higher settings

  • More expensive compared to electric and gas

What spills over will not burn on the cooktop because only what is in the pan will have heat transferred to it!

What spills over will not burn on the cooktop because only what is in the pan will have heat transferred to it!

 

Induction is actually the fastest growing kitchen trend and we don’t see it going out of style anytime soon. These cooktops are masters of the quick change—gentle enough to melt butter and chocolate, but powerful enough to bring 48 ounces of water to a boil in under three minutes.

Still not sure which option would be best? Stop in and share with us all the ways you use your kitchen!

Christina Sample