While induction's speed is an advantage, it requires a rhythm and pace of cooking that differs from gas or electric, and may take time to adjust to. A home cook may initially be confused by the appliance's disappearing touchscreens—or the fact that when pans are removed from the cooktop, it turns off.
“They're far easier to clean down after use, which is one of the main reasons we chose induction over gas. It's much faster to cook with induction: you can increase or drop the temperature far more quickly, which is a more efficient use of energy.
An induction cooktop is faster, safer, and more energy-efficient than a ceramic model. Another difference is that you don't need special pans for a ceramic cooktop.
ARE INDUCTION COOKTOPS MORE EFFICIENT? Induction cooktops are not only a time-efficient option, they're also more energy efficient than electric radiant cooktops. Since less heat is able to escape to surrounding air and surfaces, less energy is required to cook, resulting in lower energy costs from using your kitchen.
Induction stoves are up to 10 percent more energy-efficient than conventional electric smoothtop stoves and about three times more efficient than gas stoves. And compared with gas, they're better for indoor air quality. They have a built-in safety feature.
If you've been forgoing cast iron cookware because you have an induction burner, you need not worry. If you're looking for a quick answer: "Yes!" You can absolutely use a cast iron skillet on an induction burner. In fact, cast iron is one of the best materials for induction friendly cookware.
There are many types of cookware that cannot be used on the Induction cooking surface. Aluminum or aluminum clad, copper or copper clad, aluminum foil, glass/ceramic and some stainless steel products (because these will not attract and hold a magnet) cannot be used.
There's no wrong choice, except gas
Both options are superior appliances compared to a gas range: superior cooking, better efficiency, and no indoor toxins. While we recommend an induction stove for its fast cooking times and energy efficiency, you can't go wrong with an electric stove, either.
You can use stainless steel cookware on your electric stovetop. Induction stoves require magnetic materials like stainless steel, while electric stoves can either heat through coils or a smooth-top surface. Stainless steel's compatibility with induction, electric and gas stoves make it a versatile option.
Industry scale: Induction cooktops and stoves have only been around since the 1970s. The induction cooking industry is still relatively new and not yet as popular as gas and electric cooking. Manufacturers don't produce enough induction appliances to reach an economy of scale yet.
Natural gas is known for its quick heating and precise temperature control, making it ideal for high-heat cooking methods such as sautéing, grilling and deep-frying. Gas also has a more natural feel to it, which some chefs prefer. It can be used with a wide variety of cookware, including cast iron and aluminium.
Common Issues
Another frequent problem is when the induction stovetop isn't heating correctly. This often happens with incompatible cookware, like aluminium pots or non-magnetic pans, which fail to create the magnetic field needed for direct heat. Error codes can also confuse users of induction cookers.
Induction, Williams told me, does not allow for “the same style of cooking; those pan flipping-shaking techniques you use on gas could crack your top.” Without an open flame, you can't char peppers or tortillas the way that some chefs, and even home cooks, do using a gas burner.
These zones are controlled via knobs, a touchscreen, or a combination of the two. Unlike electric and gas stoves, the lifespan of induction ranges is measured in work hours, not years. On average, consumer-grade induction ranges are meant to last for 10,000 hours—which typically equates to a decade or more.
Is my Le Creuset cast iron compatible with induction hobs? Yes, all our cookware (except our stoneware range which should not be used on the hob top) is suitable for use on an induction hob. Just remember to keep to a low to medium heat, for durability and delicious results! Food is sticking to my cast iron casserole.
You'll also need to get an electrician to install the hob. However, because induction hobs are energy efficient, they are cheaper to run than gas hobs. This can help you to offset the initial costs of buying the hob over the long term.
Daily Maintenance Tips for Induction Hobs
To prevent scratches, avoid using abrasive cleaning agents, steel wool, hard water and hard scrubbing tools on your cooktop surface, as they can damage your cooktop.
However, Calphalon Contemporary stainless steel and Calphalon Tri-Ply stainless are induction. If you have old cookware, not necessarily Calphalon, another way to check for induction compatibility is to take a regular magnet and see if it will stick to the bottom of the pan. If it does, it will work on induction.
If the magnet sticks, the pan will work on an induction appliance. You may discover that many of your existing pots and pans can be used with induction. Exceptions include a few nonstick pieces that are made of aluminum, a material that won't work with induction stovetops.
Ultimately, non-magnetic cookware like ceramic, glass, non-magnetic copper, aluminum and non-magnetic stainless steel cookware won't work. Some induction cooktops will flash an error code or indicator light when the cookware you're trying to use isn't compatible.