Induction Cooktop vs Gas Stove: Which One Is Right For You?

Your house can never become a home without appliances. And of all home appliances, the ones that help you in cooking are the most crucial. Because ultimately, the cooking appliance is what fuels us to face our life head-on.

When it comes to choosing the best home appliances for cooking, you may get confused between an induction cooktop or gas stove. While gas stoves are still the most prevalent in Indian kitchens, induction cooktops are fast catching pace and are emerging as the first choice for many.

So, figuring out the similarities and differences between induction cooktop and gas stove is essential before you can choose the best for your kitchen.

The Similarities

The primary similarity between an induction cooktop and a gas stove is that both enable you to prepare tasty dishes. You can prepare diverse dishes on both.

Another similarity is that both require some amount of energy to function correctly. While in the case of a gas stove, you would have to apply for an LPG/PNG connection; in the case of induction cooktop, you would need a stable electric connection.

The third similarity is that both require some investment in the beginning, and you have to keep some amount aside for its maintenance. Although there is not much difference in the initial investment, the cost of maintenance may vary significantly.

Lastly, both induction cooktop and gas stove make the task of cooking more convenient. However, cooking on a gas stove takes slightly more time than an induction cooker.

The Differences

Despite the many similarities between an induction cooktop and a gas stove, there are many differences which are hard to overlook.

How It Works

All home appliances have been invented to make our lives simpler. However, the method each device follows to achieve it is different.

A gas stove requires one or more burners, where you can keep your cookware for cooking. You have to either connect the burner to a cylinder or to a gas supply line from where it will get the necessary fuel to work. The flow of gas is controlled by a knob which determines the speed of gas. To switch on the stove, you may need a gas lighter which has a hammer and piezoelectric crystals.

In contrast, an induction cooktop uses electric magnetism to generate heat which enables cooking. An induction chulha has a mesh of copper wires under the glass or ceramic surface of the cooktop, which uses alternating current to heat induction-friendly cookware. While you can easily use a glass, copper, or aluminium cookware on a gas stove, they might not give you optimal heating on an induction cooktop.

Energy Efficiency

This is one of the most important factors that differentiate between an induction cooktop and a gas stove.

As an induction cooktop transfers the heat directly to the pot, there is minimal loss of energy. According to conservative estimates, an induction chulha uses up to 90% of the energy it generates. However, to get the best energy efficiency, you should choose an induction cooktop which has a heating element of 1500 Watts and above.

On the other side, a gas stove needs heated gas to work. As there is ample space between the burner and the cookware, much of the energy generated is lost. Moreover, you have to remain physically present near the stove to watch the status of the cooking. Even a slight loss of attention may spoil your food item.

However, the best induction cooktop, such as from Crompton, has an inbuilt auto-shutoff mechanism, which switches off the induction automatically as it senses completion of cooking. Additionally, you can stay assured that liquid food items, like milk, will never spill from the pot.

Put simply, if you want six cups of water to reach boiling temperature, you have to spend roughly 8 minutes on a gas stove; while the best induction cooktop takes no more than 5 minutes to do the same thing.

Safety

Without food, nobody can survive. However, you have to ensure that the same food does not put your life at risk.

A gas stove is more prone to leaks, which may trigger fire and breathing issues. Additionally, you cannot use the stove until the leak gets fixed, which means no home-cooked food, exposing you to the dangers that come with outside food.

In contrast, an induction cooktop does not produce fire and never gets heated. Hence, even when you or your family members accidentally put their hand on the cooktop, there is no risk of injury. Additionally, an induction cooktop only heats the cooking vessel and not the chulha, thereby keeping you safe from danger.

Induction Cooktop or Gas Stove – Which Would Suit You More?

How good would it be if your cooking device can modulate its cooking style according to the item you wish to prepare?

While both induction cooktop and gas stove allows you to cook various items, in the case of a gas stove, you have to regulate and cook the thing manually. In contrast, the best induction cooktop, such as the one from Crompton, enables you to select up to seven pre-set menus. So, whether you want to prepare dosa, curry, chapati, rice, dal, or others, the pre-set menu option can save a lot of time and guarantee no-frills cooking.

Another matter of consideration is space. You need a lot of space to install a gas stove, as you need to keep room for the burner, the cylinder, and the pipe. However, an induction cooktop requires a little space and can be moved anywhere. Hence, if you are economical on space or need space for other, more productive purposes, considering an induction cooktop would be a better choice.

Hence, if you are looking for home appliances that add value to your home and increases the weight of your wallet, an induction cooktop can be your best choice.