Gas, Induction, or Electric? What’s the difference?

Sonia Hwang
2019-12-10T11:00:00-05:00

A cooktop is a cooktop, right? There are a few key differences between them that you should consider before you upgrade your kitchen again.
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Induction and gas are both great options for cooktops, but what are the key differences between them?

How Induction Works

Unlike other cooking methods, which heat your pan and then your food (often unevenly), induction uses electricity and magnetism to make your pan the source of heat.

As soon as you turn on your induction stove or cooktop and it can detect a pot or pan, the coils beneath the surface generate a magnetic field that excites particles in your pots and pans.

It’s important to use pots and pans with a high ferrous metal content because as currents run through these high resistance pans, the currents are converted to heat. Iron pans, for example, have a high resistance.

Why You’ll Love Induction Cooking

It’s faster. Now you can take the waiting out of cooking. Some induction stoves can boil water in 90 seconds. In fact, induction is the fastest cooking method—faster than any professional gas stove at its highest heat setting. When it comes to kitchen appliances, Kelowna, Kamloops, and Vernon families are always looking for convenience.

It’s safer. Do you have curious two or four-legged little ones in your house? Induction gives you the peace of mind of knowing no one will get burned on an empty cooking surface because induction only works when cookware with magnetic properties is on the surface. Only pots or pans get hot, not the surface, and not little hands.

It’s easier to clean. Since induction surfaces have no heat when the cookware is removed, you can clean instantly with just the wipe of a cloth.

It’s more energy efficient. With induction, the pan is your heat source, so less heat escapes and it takes less energy to generate that heat.

Take a look at our Induction Stoves

How Gas Cooking Works

Gas cooktops use gas as the source of energy and ignite it. If you don’t already have a gas range, you probably already have a gas-fuelled furnace and can get a gas line into your kitchen without too much trouble or expense.

Once your line is ready and your stove is installed, all you have to do is ignite your flame quickly and easily with self-ignition from an electric spark. It’s a lot like lighting the barbecue. An even, precise source of heat is just one of the joys of cooking with gas.

Why you’ll love gas cooking

It’s familiar:No worries about making sure you have the “correct” pots and pans to work with your stovetop. The operation is simple and familiar.

It’s reliable:As long as the gas tank is full or the lines are open, you’ll be able to use your gas stovetop. The mechanism isn’t connected electricity, so if you’re in an area that tends to get power outages in poor weather, you might want to consider it.

It’s accurate:Changes in temperature are instant. As soon as you turn the knob, the temperature will go down. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about fluctuations in power. Once you have the flames set to a certain level, you know it’ll stay there.

Take a look at our Gas Ranges

Electric cooktops are probably the most familiar and plentiful on the market, and with good reason!

How Electric Cooking Works

As far as mechanics go, electric stovetops are pretty simple. Turning the dial sends electricity to the coils on top, which in turn heat up. That warm orange glow is a product of energy flowing through to create heat! While pretty easy to set up due to having no additional lines to attach, electric stovetops can be a little finicky. The flow of electricity can fluctuate, which means not all cooktops will have the same constant temperature. While this won't generally affect the average home chef, it's something to keep in mind if you work within strict temperature ranges while cooking.

While everyone is familiar with the coil-style top, there are also smooth glass top stoves as well, which can add stability if you're worried about pots and pans shifting and spilling off their burners.

Why you’ll love electric cooking

It’s easy: The set up is essentially plug and play! Plus, it tends to be quite (visibly) obvious when a burner is left on, due to the glow from the heat.

It’s tough: Electric stovetops are quite durable! They're usually made with stainless steel and can handle almost anything, including heavy cookware, like cast iron pots. Plus, it's pretty easy to find and install replacement coils, and other parts of the stove if you do happen to have any malfunctioning parts.

It’s multi-function: Newer stovetops aren't just off-on, being electric powered means that the stove can have unique features added, such as dual element functions, which adjust which rings are heated on a single burner. Furthermore, there's more opportunity for smart appliance integration, allowing you to turn off/on the burners through an app or voice system.

Take a look at our Electric Ranges

What's the Best Option?

When it comes down to it, there are a few existing factors to take into consideration before making your choice. If you don't already have a gas line installed in your kitchen, it's important investigate what is required to add one. If you're leaning more towards electric, keep in mind that any electrical fluctuations you have will affect your stovetop. If you live in an area that tends to experience power outages, or your lights flicker a bit, you may want to consult with an electrician before making your purchase.

So which one works best for you? It depends on what kind of chef you are and what you require from your cooktop. But don’t worry, if you’re not sure, just come to our showroom at Genier’s Appliances! Our friendly staff can work together with you to make sure we can get you the best fit for your lifestyle.

Feeling thirsty? Consider upgrading your kitchen with these: Drink Up: Must-Have Kitchen Upgrades