Induction vs. Gas – Which stove is the better kitchen companion? 

Induction vs Gas

The stove is the heart of our kitchen as most of our cooking activities revolve around it. Our stove tops can also affect the quality and taste of the food we prepare.

That’s why we should pour a lot of thought when choosing between the two types of kitchen stoves: gas vs. induction. Which suits our cooking style best and which can cook faster?

Each has its own perks and quirks. We’ll explore their advantages and disadvantages in this article to help you get the best stove for your kitchen. 

Induction vs. Gas Stove: Which cooks faster?

Induction stoves cook faster than gas stoves because they heat up instantly as soon as they’re turned on. Meanwhile, gas stoves take time to warm up your pots and pans until they’re hot enough for cooking.

The incredible heating speed of induction cookers makes them very promising kitchen companions. But remember, many people still prefer the flamboyant and powerful gas stove flames for good reason! 

Let’s carefully dissect the pros and cons of induction and gas stoves below. This way, we’ll find out which really suits our kitchen the best.


Induction Stove Pros and Cons 

There are many advantages to using an induction stove, like instant heating, precise temperature control, even heat distribution, and energy efficiency.

On the other hand, you’ll find its limited cookware compatibility, loud noise, limited portability, and high selling price to be a deal breaker. 

ProsCons
Instant heatingLimited cookware compatibility
Precise temperature controlNoticeable noise
Even heat distributionLimited portability
Energy efficientHigh selling price

Pros of Induction Stoves

If you’re thinking about buying an induction stove, here are four reasons why you should get it. 

Instant Heating

Induction cooktops heat up with remarkable speed. As soon as you turn them on, your cookware gets hot instantly and is ready for cooking. 

Its instant heating is made possible by the induction stove’s ability to generate heat within your pot or pan, directly penetrating it. 

On the other hand, the flame from gas stoves takes time to transfer its heat to a cookware’s surface, which causes a delay and long warm-up time.

To give you a better idea of how fast induction stoves heat up, check this out:

Precise Temperature Control

An induction stove provides different heat levels, ranging from level 1 to level 9. This gives you precise control over the temperature, enabling you to adjust according to your cooking needs.

For example, its multiple low-heat levels let you do different cooking techniques such as simmering or melting. You don’t have to worry about burning your food from too much heat.

Even Heat Distribution

Because of their instant heating and precise heat levels, induction cookers distribute heat to your cookware consistently and evenly. 

You can rest assured that the heat is balanced all over the surface of your pan. This means that your food will also be cooked evenly with no half-cooked parts or burnt areas.

Energy-Efficient

Its instant heating lets you finish cooking faster, leading to more time and energy savings. Besides reduced electricity costs, you’re also saving from buying and consuming gas. 


Cons of Induction Stoves

Buying induction cookers sounds like a good idea, but what could make you change your mind? Check its disadvantages below. 

Limited Cookware Compatibility 

Induction cookers use a magnetic field to generate and distribute heat evenly to your cookware. 

Thus, the pans and pots you’ll use with induction stoves must be made from magnetic materials like steel and iron. This requirement narrows down your cookware options.

Induction stoves can’t heat up cookware made from aluminum, glass, and ceramics. Pans and pots with copper, enamel, and non-magnetic bases also won’t work with them. 

Noticeable Noise

While not exaggeratedly loud, induction stoves produce a noticeable humming or buzzing noise when turned on. The primary source of the sound comes from their built-in fans.

The fans prevent the induction coils inside the stove from overheating, so there’s really no way for you to stop the sound’s source.

Despite its humming, there’s no need for you to get worried about your induction stove when it’s making noises. The buzzing and vibrating sounds are not signs that it’s malfunctioning or overheating. 

Limited Portability

Induction stoves need electricity to operate. This means that you can’t carry it anywhere without a power source to plug it on. 

If you’re thinking about camping or going on a picnic, you won’t be able to use your induction cooker to prepare meals. 

High Selling Price

Their advanced technology and additional features make induction cookers expensive. For instance, they offer more heat levels and have automatic shut-off features for safety.


Pros and Cons of Gas Stoves

The gas stove is reliable due to its versatile cookware compatibility, powerful heat output, flame visibility, and reliability during power outages. 

However, a gas stove’s uneven heat distribution, energy inefficiency, big space consumption, and regular gas refills will make you think twice.

ProsCons
Versatile cookware compatibilityUneven heat distribution
Cooking techniques versatilityEnergy inefficiency
Flame visibilityBig space consumption
Reliability during power outagesRegular gas tank refills 

Pros of Gas Stoves

Gas stoves are still thriving in the market despite the emergence of more advanced cookers. Check why they’re still in demand below. 

Versatile Cookware Compatibility

Gas stoves can heat up any type of cookware no matter what materials it’s made of. You won’t need to invest in new pots and pans, and can just use whatever you have already in your home. 

Cooking Techniques Versatility

There are special cooking techniques that require intense heat and high flames, which only gas stoves can produce. These techniques include flambéing, char-grilling, and searing. 

Low or high flames, you can basically cook anything with gas stoves using any techniques required for your chosen dish.

Flame Visibility

The most important benefit of being able to see the flames while cooking is that you can be sure whether the gas stove is on or not. 

On the other hand, people tend to forget and leave induction cookers on as it’s hard to tell whether they’re on or off without double-checking.

Reliability During Power Outages

Houses can lose electricity when thunderstorms, circuit overloads, and other electrical fluctuations happen. Because gas stoves don’t rely on electricity, you can continue using them during a power outage. 

This makes them very reliable during emergencies. You can still cook food or even use your gas stove to light up candles and matchsticks. 


Cons of Gas Stoves

No matter how great gas stoves are, they still come with their own disadvantageous quirks. Learn them below.

Uneven Heat Distribution 

The flames that your gas stove produces are often concentrated in the center of the burner. This means that the middle of your pots and pans gets hotter than the edges, leading to uneven cooking.

In addition, burners can become clogged and have irregular flame patterns due to residue build-up or wear and tear. Regular cleaning is required to promote even heating.

Energy-Inefficiency

Gas stoves can either lose or add heat to the surroundings, making kitchens warmer and increasing cooling costs. They also heat unevenly, extending cooking times and increasing energy and gas consumption. 

Big Space Consumption

Compared to small and sleek induction cookers, gas stoves require big space for their burners and their gas tank. 

You also need enough clear space within its area to keep other items away from the gas stove’s flames lest they catch fire. 

Regular Gas Tank Refills

A gas stove naturally consumes gas every time you cook. Depending on how often you use your stove, you’ll run out of gas quickly and will thus need to purchase or refill your gas tank.

Standard 9-kilogram gas tanks run out within five to six weeks in a regular household. Not only will you need to go on gas runs, but you will also be spending money every time you purchase a new tank or have it refilled.


Which is better, an induction or gas stove?

Induction cookers are better than gas stoves considering the faster heating and cooking speed, kitchen safety features, and energy efficiency. 

However, gas stoves are ideal for establishments that do heavy and professional cooking, and homes in areas that always suffer from power outages.


At the end of the day, choose which stove you’re most comfortable with. If you’re used to and want to stick to the traditional gas stoves, so be it!

Consulting a professional in the field is also a great idea. Don’t shy away from experts so you’ll learn whether a gas or induction stove will satisfy all your cooking needs. 


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