Yes, restaurants use induction cooktops, though adoption varies by the style of the establishment. While gas is still popular for traditional line cooking, many high-end restaurants, open kitchens, and pastry shops are switching to induction for its speed, safety, and temperature control.
Many professional chefs historically preferred gas because it provides visible flame and immediate control. However, many chefs today also use induction because it heats faster and offers extremely precise temperature control. Both gas and induction can produce professional-level cooking results.
Yes, you can typically use an induction hob with a pacemaker, but it requires strict safety precautions. Because induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to heat cookware, they can theoretically interfere with pacemakers if you stand too close.
Five Chefs who say “Yes” to induction cooking
“It's so much safer. I have kids, right, and you can literally touch everything around it [the cooking area on the cooktop].” says Chef Ming of induction cooking. “And, you don't have to worry about the flame if you want to make stock overnight.
From Michelin kitchens to home wok burners, induction delivers consistency that gas can't match.
While induction cooktops offer incredible speed and energy efficiency, their primary drawbacks include a higher upfront cost, the need for magnetic cookware, and a glass surface that requires careful handling. They also lack the visual flame of gas stoves and are unusable during power outages.
Bobby Flay lost his only Michelin star because his Las Vegas restaurant, Mesa Grill, failed to retain the rating in the 2009 edition of the Michelin Guide. Michelin subsequently stopped publishing its Las Vegas dining guide, giving him no opportunity to win the star back.
It's expensive (but not wildly so)
Wells makes the great point that while induction technology appliances “are, on average, a bit pricier than gas or electric stoves, they're not some Veblen good meant for image-conscious elites.”
When designing his own New York City kitchen, celebrity Chef Bobby Flay chose a platinum series stainless steel BlueStar oven gorgeously trimmed in antique brass. Did you know you can choose from 750 colors to configure your knobs, trim, and oven color? You can also customize your burner options.
An induction stove requires cookware with a magnetic, ferromagnetic base to generate heat. If a magnet does not stick strongly to the bottom of the pot or pan, it will not work on an induction cooktop.
There has been concern about the use of induction hobs by people with pacemakers. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) advises staying at least 60cm away from an induction hob, far enough to ensure the high-frequency electromagnet doesn't interfere with the heart device.
With a pacemaker, you must avoid devices that emit strong electromagnetic or magnetic fields, as these can interfere with your device's signaling. Always keep any electrical device, antenna, or motor at least 6 to 12 inches away from your pacemaker site.
If you only remember one thing, remember this: induction heats the pan, while infrared (radiant) heats the cooktop zone first and then transfers heat to the pan. That single difference shapes almost everything else—speed, efficiency, safety, control, cookware compatibility, and even how easy it is to clean.
Induction cooking is safer
These pollutants are especially dangerous to children and our elders. A recent study showed that 12.7 percent of childhood asthma in the U.S. is attributable to gas stove use. Gas also stoves emit benzene, a harmful chemical that is linked to leukemia and other types of cancers.
Some restaurant and banquet hall operators are moving away from gas to all-induction suites because magnetic cooking addresses problems within commercial kitchens that fire simply cannot.
Why is California Phasing Out Gas Appliances? California regulators, especially the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), are enforcing rules to phase out gas appliances to reduce harmful pollutants called nitrogen oxides (NOₓ).
No, it is not recommended for anyone to use Windex on their induction cooktop. Windex contains chemicals that may not be suitable for the glass surface of your stove and might cause damage. Instead, use a cooktop cleaner specifically designed for glass or ceramic surfaces for safe and effective cleaning.
Fried eggs
Heat a non-stick frying pan with oil or butter on medium-high heat, induction setting 7. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until desired level of doneness.
You can safely use parchment paper on an induction cooktop to catch grease splatters and prevent scratches. Because induction technology generates heat inside the cookware rather than the surface itself, the paper will not burn or melt under normal cooking conditions.
Bobby Flay's 10-year marriage to actress Stephanie March ended in 2015 following allegations of infidelity, with reports alleging he had a three-year affair with a young assistant, Elyse Tirrell. March was reportedly left "sobbing uncontrollably" upon learning of the betrayal, and the divorce became contentious over a prenuptial agreement.
Not only is it dual-fuel for versatility, the Monogram 36" Professional Range, (Gwyneth Paltrow's exact model), features four burners and an additional griddle for pro sizzling and searing, for everyday cooking to expert hosting.
Preferences are shifting rapidly. While many older or classically trained chefs prefer gas for tradition and the physical visual of a flame, the majority of modern chefs, including Michelin-star pioneers, increasingly prefer induction for its superior power, precision, and efficiency.
Radiation from induction cooktops is not considered harmful for the vast majority of people. These appliances emit non-ionizing, low-to-medium frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF). This type of energy lacks the power to damage DNA or cells, meaning there is no known link to cancer.
Many people avoid or oppose labor induction because it forces the body into labor before it is ready. This can lead to the “cascade of interventions”, where the process causes more intense pain, increases the likelihood of a C-section or assisted birth, and limits maternal movement.
If you are a working professional who is not willing to spend most of your time in the kitchen, consider buying an electric induction cooktop. But if you enjoy cooking and like a more slow, precise, and elaborate cooking process, you may invest in a traditional gas stove.