When you have finally decided to change your kitchen’s cooking method in the form of a cooktop, and you are wondering what to go for, you are on the right page. The advancement in technology has brought a dilemma when choosing the suitable cooktops for your home.
Do not worry. This article will take you through a look, make a comparison, and see the benefits of an induction cooktop vs. a gas cooktop.
Although many people find it comfortable using gas cookers, seeing that they have been around for years and are easily accessible, induction cooktops are speedily increasing in popularity and demand.
Induction cooktops haven’t been around for long, but it is just now that they are slowly making invasions into kitchens everywhere.
So before you start scratching your head over which cooktop to go for, let’s take a look at these two most highly prioritized cooktops and help you in your decision-making.
What is an induction cooktop?
An induction cooktop is different from gas cooktops in this manner; the method in which heat is produced for cooking purposes.
An induction cooktop is electric, and it uses electromagnetic radiation to heat the cookware. This happens through heating a metal coil that is fitted under a ceramic or glass cover. Once it’s turned on, the coil will create magnetic fields (radiation) that will then begin to react with the cookware on top of the cooktop, creating a current.
It is this current that combines with the magnetic forces then causes the cookware to heat, and the food inside begins to cook. The heating process might be long and complicated, but the experience is comparatively quick.
What makes the induction cooktop unique is the fact that the cooktop never gets hot. This is because the heat produced goes directly to the cookware while the entire surface of the induction cooktop remains cool to the touch.
When Do You Use An Induction Cooktop?
When you need to cook tasty meals for your family, an induction cooktop will come in handy. The induction cooktop produces heat that does not waver, giving you constant boiling without burning the food.
Cook enthusiasts will love using induction cookers, whether for pleasure, pure necessity, or a combination of both. It’s because the induction cooktop offers them a good working relationship with their cookware to get the job done efficiently.
Also, the cooktops allow for exact control of heat from very low temperatures to very high temperatures depending on the food being cooked and your preference. The controlled heat will give you much quicker conduction and even spread of heat on the cookware.
Its only downside is when you must use specific cookware with a magnetic field, such as iron, cast iron, and enamel.
Different Types of Induction Cooktop
When using an induction cooktop, the heat being produced will only heat the pan quickly, without the cooktop becoming hot.
This is made possible with a magnetic field that radiates and heats the coils underneath the cooking surface. That is why it is highly ranked, very safe, and useful when you have small children at home.
With the rise of technology, it is becoming more challenging for one to choose the right induction cooktop for their kitchen.
But it would be best if you did not worry; we have gathered a bit of information and highlighted the best types of induction cooktops in the market for your choosing.
Built-in induction cooktops
With a built-in induction cooktop, the unit is fitted in a customized or set-in cut-outs space as per their countertops’ size. The cooktop is energy-efficient and heats up in seconds once turned on.
What makes a built-in induction cooker outstanding is that the cooktop doesn’t heat up, but the pan itself does. Once you are done cooking, and it’s switched off, the cooking surface will remain cool to the touch. On the other hand, if it’s switched on, but there’s no pan on it, it won’t flare-up.
That is very safe when you have small children running around. Besides, stains don’t burn on the surface because the area outside the circles isn’t heated, making it easy to clean.
Free-standing induction cooktops
A free-standing induction cooker or stand-alone cooktop, as many might know it is yet another energy-efficient induction cooktop that heats up within seconds. This type of induction cooktop doesn’t require a countertop.
It is free-standing, just as the name suggests. They look more like free-standing gas cookers and are usually placed between countertops, but they also come in handy for outdoor cooking.
Most outstandingly, they give you freedom of movement, and they can be placed anywhere without making any significant changes in the kitchen layout.
4-burner induction cooktops
With a 4-burner induction cooktop, you can quickly and safely cook different meals simultaneously and put a delicious meal on the table thanks to its 4 cooking pits. The cooktop provides you with enough space to cook meals and has a large high-sided skillet or roasting tray.
5-pit induction cooktops
A 5-pit induction cooker offers you more than enough cooking space if the 4 cooking zones aren’t enough for you. With this cooktop, you have access to 5 cooking pits and one slot for that extra pan.
It also comes in handy when you want to cook many different meals simultaneously. The high-sided skillet or fish pan is suitable for frying fish or roasting. If you desire more flexibility, opt for a 5-pit induction cooktop. For a plus, the cooktop only heats the part that your pan is on.
Flexible induction cooktops
A flexible induction cooktop is designed to bring flexibility back into the kitchen. Meaning, it has flexible cooking zones for preparing your delicious dishes. Besides, you also decide for yourself how you use your cookware on it.
Flexible induction cooktops come in handy for users who like using large cook pans like a roasting tray. Furthermore, it only uses the surface of your pan. With this design, you will always use the exact amount of energy.
What is a Gas cooktop?
A Gas cooktop has been the oldest and most preferred method of cooking by most people. They will use either natural, butane, propane, or liquefied petroleum gas to allow you to cook your food evenly.
Unlike its counterpart, which takes time to heat up when you turn it on and uses special coils to heat cookware, the gas cooktop uses the heat source as its flame. It heats up when turned on, and the surface remains hot after turning it off.
Also, gas cooktops do not use any unique cookware for cooking their food. Generally, they have been termed as the cheapest method of cooking compared to induction cooktops. You can also use Corningware glass, pyrex, and stainless steel cookware efficiently on these cooktop’s elements.
You will also find that a typical gas cooker has four outlets; two medium burners, a high-speed or wok burner, and one simmer.
When do you use a gas cooktop?
Gas cooktops offer a few great benefits to choose from compared to an induction cooktop. Cook enthusiasts will find gas cooktops as a suitable and a better option, thanks to their versatility.
If you have kids in the house and need to cook a meal quickly, a gas cooktop would be the best option. For students or camp enthusiasts who are always on the move, a gas cooktop will be the best choice.
If you are looking to change your kitchen as to how you cook your meals and are tight on the budget, a gas cooktop will be best suited for you. In general, gas cooktops allow for complete control of the heat source, and it gives a fast on and off response. Meaning, once you turn it on, it will flame up immediately, and once turned off, the flame will cease.
Different Types of Gas Cooktop
With the ever-increasing technology, opting for a gas cooktop in your kitchen comes with loads of benefits. One, it heats up faster and cooks your food within few minutes thanks to its powerful flame. Secondly, they offer great control over temperature and allow for a quick response time when you need to regulate the temperature.
This gives you the freedom to cook your meals within a defined heat, and you won’t get worried about burning your food. Technology has made it difficult for one to choose a suitable gas cooktop for their kitchen.
But it would help if you did not worry. We have gathered a bit of information and highlighted the best types of gas cooktops in the market for your choosing.
5-burner gas cooktops
With this type of cooktop, you are getting a powerful 5 wok burner with different cooking zones. The 5-burner gas cooktop has got great wok dishes, and it also heats a lot faster.
Besides, it is an ideal choice for those looking for a budget-friendly gas cooker. For a plus, each burner is designed to provide even heat distribution on your cookware and for a range of cooking tasks from boiling to stir-frying and steaming.
4-burner gas cooktops
A 4 burner gas cooktop is a standard gas cooktop that offers you and your family enough room for cooking a meal. This gas cooktop has a potent wok burner that heats up quickly. It also comes with a simmer burner that is ideal for simmering. Further, it also features a brushed stainless steel finish that allows for easy cleaning and is resistant to corrosion.
Besides, its cast-iron pan holders come in handy to hold your pans from slipping while frying.
Gas-on-glass cooktops
This design of the gas cooktop features gas-on-glass burners on the cooker. It stands out because of the built-in gas cooktop that makes it easy to clean after cooking. Gas-on-glass cooktops have a black cooktop surface, giving them a sleek glamourous look and is appealing to the eyes.
Besides, food residues spilled on the surface don’t get roasted as the glass won’t get hot. Also, the gas-on-glass cooktop is frameless and have their own pan support that is removable when cleaning it. This type of cooktop is blends well in a modern kitchen or industrial kitchen.
Coolblue’s Choice Gas cooktops
This is the best unit when you are looking for a unique gas cooktop. Coolblue’s choice features a robust cast iron pan holder and an impressive quick start switch that alternates to a wick quickly and easily.
Besides, it is affordable, has a unique design, and is hardly ever returned by users after being bought. With its quick start switch, you don’t need a lighter to flare up the gas.
Induction cooktops, gas cooktops, or both?
There is not a Yes or No answer to this question. Because the difference between these two cooktops is noticeable, an induction cooktop uses electricity to flame up. You can easily get a gas cooktop that you can operate concurrently with what you already have in the kitchen.
You will also find that an induction cooker is much more efficient in cooking some meals than gas cookers and the other way round. For instance, cooking on induction cooktops will get 90% of the meals on heat, whereas gas cooktops usually get between 40-60% of heat on the meals. This also depends on what you are cooking and heavily on what cookware you are using.
Using cookware that is not suitable for the induction cooktop would be expensive and time-consuming, but again cheap and time-saving when using a gas cooktop.
Majority of cook enthusiast will prefer gas cooktops due to the flexibility it offers in a busy kitchen. On the other hand, some professional chefs would opt for induction cooktops because they provide several benefits over gas, such as stress-free cleaning.
However, gas cooktops are generally cheaper and less complicated than its counterpart, whereas induction cooktops are cheaper to run. It’s because they use electricity, and to some extent, heat food more efficiently than gas cooktops.
Can an induction cooktop be used for the same purpose as a gas cooktop?
We must agree that this is a million-dollar question. In this case, an induction cooktop would be the best option you should most seriously look at. You cannot compare its efficiency in cooking meals compared to gas cooktops.
If you are a person with a particular interest in food and love cooking, then, gas cooktop might be a better option for you due to its versatility. If you have been used to gas and other different types of cooktops and need to change to something different, the induction cooktop is probably the one you should be looking at.
Differentiating the Two
If an induction cooktop can do your cooking, why would you still need a gas cooktop? The major difference between the two cooktops is their efficiency and the type of cookware used on them.
Meaning, foods being cooked on an induction cooktop will get up to 90% of the heat generated. This is different from gas cooktops, giving only 40-55% of the heat to the food being cooked on them.
Also, an induction cooktop will keep your kitchen much more relaxed and more comfortable while cooking. When it comes to safety, an induction cooktop is safer to use and ideal for families with kids.
They decrease the risk of burns and accidental fires, as their flames are not open, the cookware itself is the only heat source, and the surface is cool to the touch. For users who are tight on the budget, a gas cooktop will be a reasonable plan in your decision-making.
Benefits of owning an induction cooktop
- An induction cooktop is the fastest method of cooking on the market.
- The cooking surface does not get hot therefore making it safe for use in large homes with kids.
- There are no chances of spilled food baking itself with its smooth cooking surface, and cleaning it is a breeze.
- While using an induction cooktop, the reduction in heat flow will improve air circulation, and your kitchen will remain cool.
Benefits of owning a Gas cooktop
- Gas cooktops heat faster. There is nothing that needs to heat up to get your food cooking. When it’s turned on, you have heat.
- With gas cooktops, you will have better chances of getting food cooked to the right temperature.
- Gas cooktops come in handy during power outages.
- Gas cooktops are a lot more versatile and accurate, thanks to their rapid temperature control.
So, induction cooktop vs gas, these aforementioned pros, and cons of both the setups would surely let you choose the best suitable equipment for your kitchen. Remember, a huge range of induction cooktops is available these days and some of the above mentioned points might not be the same, depending upon the product model you purchase.
You can perform gentle market research and check out the options available to you whether you wish to opt for the gas or induction stovetop for your kitchen.
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