At a Glance:
Induction Cooktop Vs Gas Cooktop
In Summary: Induction Cooktop vs Gas Cooktop
Here’s an Excellent Gas Cooktop Recommendation
Cooktops are must-have appliances for all types and sizes of kitchens and there’s no doubt about the fact that every kitchen has one. Of course, it’s pretty easy to see why cooktops are such popular kitchen appliances. Cooktops offer so many benefits in terms of contribution to cooking ease and effective cooking results. There’s also the fact you’ll likely find it difficult or next-to-impossible to prepare a meal in your kitchen without a cooktop unless you have a cooking range and even those come with cooktops built into their design.
Because cooktops are so important to the cooking process, it’s important you pay attention to the type of cooktop you’re getting for your kitchen if you’re in the market for a new cooktop. At this point, it’s worth mentioning that there are actually two major types of cooktops (technically three but we’ll get to that) based on the fuel they run on. These two cooktop types include the following:
Gas Cooktops
As the name implies, gas cooktops are a type of cooktop that run primarily on gas fuel. There’s hardly any kitchen you go into where you won’t find a gas cooktop. This is because these cooktop type rank among the most widely used. The mass adoption of gas cooktops ahead of electrical cooktops is all down to the fact that gas cooktops offer a lot more control and cooking precision.
Because gas cooktops burn with an open flame they lend a sort of versatility to the entire cooking process since you’ll be able to use them to try out different novelty cooking styles such as sauteing and open-fire roasting. In addition to offering excellent cooking versatility, gas cooktops also tend to be a lot cheaper than their electric and induction counterparts. That said, however, if you intend to opt for a gas cooktop, you should know that you’ll have to factor in the safety issues. As earlier mentioned, gas cooktops burn with an open flame and this makes them serious safety considerations, especially in homes with children. That said, lots of gas cooktops come with an added safety feature known as child-proof knobs to prevent them from getting accidentally turned on.
Electric Cooktops
Unlike gas cooktops that run on natural gas fuel, electric cooktops run fully on electric power. This of course means that you won’t have to deal with having open flames in your kitchen. While this is certainly good for safety purposes, it does mean that you won’t be able to enjoy quite as much cooking versatility as you would have enjoyed if you were using a gas cooktop.
That said, you should know that electric cooktops more than hold their own versus gas cooktops. Electric cooktops offer fast and impressive cooking performance alongside easy-to-use controls and several other features all of which are housed in stylish attractive builds. In fact, it has to be said that electric cooktops tend to be a lot more aesthetic in nature than gas cooktops so if you’re looking to build an attractive, integrated kitchen design, you’ll certainly want to consider getting an electric cooktop.
Now you’re likely already familiar with electric and gas cooktop appliances, in fact, you may have even used one at some point in your life. So now you’re probably wondering, “What’s the third type of cooktop?” The answer to that is pretty straightforward; the third type of cooktop is the induction cooktop. Don’t know what an induction cooktop is? Read on to find out!
What is an Induction Cooktop?
Remember how we earlier said that there are two major types of cooktops in terms of cooking fuel? Well, that remains true because if you get to the brass tacks of it, an induction cooktop is basically a type of electric cooktop because just like electric cooktops, induction cooktops also run on electricity, fully. That said, however, this is pretty much where the similarity ends.
This is because while electric cooktops produce heat energy via an indirect method by running electrical currents through a metal coil lying right under their glass or ceramic surface, induction cooktops take a different approach to heat energy provision. Induction cooktops use electromagnetic radiation to deliver heat directly to the base of the cookware.
Because of this, these cooktop types tend to heat up and cool off faster than electric cooktops since there’ll be no need to wait for a coil to heat up before you’ll be able to cook. Because of their unique design, induction cooktops are a lot more efficient than their electric cooktop counterparts since about 90% of the total heat generated actually goes to heating up the cookware. That said, these cooktops tend to also be a lot more expensive than regular electric cooktops so that’s something you’ll want to consider.
Installing An Induction Cooktop
Just like electrical and gas cooktops have their specific installation tools and parts, you should know that an induction cooktop also has its own special installation requirements you’ll need to pay attention to so as to ensure the longevity of the cooktop. For starters, you should know that you’ll need to get a dedicated electrical circuit for your induction cooktop because induction cooktops draw a lot of power and you won’t want that affecting other electrical appliances in your home. In addition to this, it’s important you create some clearance space under your induction cooktop to ensure that it has all the ventilation it needs to function properly.
Induction Cooktop Vs Gas Cooktop
From all that has been said so far, it’s pretty obvious that induction cooktops are quite different from gas cooktops. However, this raises the question, ”Induction cooktop vs gas cooktop: which one is better for me?” Good question! Let’s take a look at how these two cooktop types differ from each other.
Fuel Type
As earlier mentioned, gas cooktops run on gas as a fuel source and this, of course, is what is primarily responsible for the fact that Thor burners burn with an open flame. Induction cooktops, on the other hand, are designed to run solely on electric power
Cooking Styles
One of the reasons why gas cooktops are so popular and preferred even among professional chefs is the fact that they offer impressive cooking versatility. There are some cooking styles or techniques that you’ll only be able to carry out using a gas cooktop. Examples include sauteing, flambeing, and even charring.
With an induction cooktop, however, you should know that beyond cooking using a pot or pan or some other kitchen cookware, there really isn’t much room for exploring cooking styles.
Cooking Speed
Another important point of note in the induction cooktop vs gas cooktop comparison is the cooking speed. In terms of cooing speed, induction cooktops come out trumps. An induction cooktop heats and cools down a lot faster than a gas cooktop. So if you’re looking for a cooktop option that can guarantee you less cooking time, then an induction cooktop is a perfect choice.
Safety
In terms of kitchen safety, you should know that induction cooktops are a lot better than gas cooktops. For one, they don’t burn with an open flame so the risks of kitchen accidents are significantly reduced. In addition to this, they also cool down pretty rapidly and the cooktop surface itself remains cool while it's in use.
Cleanup and Appearance
Gas ovens tend to have an industrial-like appearance compared to induction cooktops which tend to be pretty sleek and very attractive. Ultimately, however, the final choice on which is better appearance-wise depends on the type of kitchen layout design you’re going for. Also, you should know that induction cooktops are usually a lot easier to clean or wipe down compared to gas cooktops.
In Summary: Induction Cooktop vs Gas Cooktop
|
Features |
Induction Cooktops |
Gas Cooktops |
|
Cooking Styles |
Less versatility |
More cooking versatility |
|
Cooking Speed |
Faster |
Slower |
|
Safety |
Safer thanks to the no-flame design |
Less safe due to open flame design |
|
Fuel Type |
Electricity |
Gas |
|
Appearance |
Sleek, minimalistic look |
Industrial design |
|
Cleanup |
Easier to clean |
More challenging to keep clean |
Here’s an Excellent Gas Cooktop Recommendation:
The Whirlpool® 36" Stainless Steel Gas Cooktop
Whirlpool is a very popular manufacturer of high-quality appliances so it’s no surprise that a whirlpool appliance is one of the best gas cooktop options available on the market. Make no mistake though, the Whirlpool® 36" Stainless Steel Gas Cooktop’s ranking as one of the best gas cooktop appliances on the market goes far beyond just hype. This 36" gas cooktop has several premium-quality features that more than make it a worthy purchase.
For example, it has EZ-2-Lift™ Cast Iron Grates that are strong enough to bear the full weight of your cookware without any problems whatsoever. In addition to this, it also offers five different burners so you’ll always have more than enough space for all your cooking purposes. Other features of this gas cooktop include:
- Upswept SpillGuard™ Cooktop
- SpeedHeat™ Burner
- AccuSimmer® Burner
- Full-Width Grates
- Wall Oven Compatible
- ADA Height and Side Reach Compliant
User Reviews: “Love the tilt-up grates. So much easier to clean than stainless. Lighting is so easy. Various burner sizes go from a quick boil to simmer or sear.”
On the other hand, if you’ll prefer to have an induction cooktop in your kitchen, here’s a pretty amazing induction cooktop recommendation for you:
The Frigidaire Gallery® 36" Black Induction Cooktop
If there ever was an induction cooktop that could swing the induction vs gas cooktop argument in favor of induction cooktops, it’ll be the Frigidaire Gallery® 36" Black Induction Cooktop. This Frigidaire cooktop is arguably one of the best induction cooktop appliances on the market and this is primarily due to its seamless combination of impressive ensign quality and awesome aesthetics.
Asides from having a strikingly-attractive black design, this induction cooktop also offers several pretty impressive features that guarantee you’ll always enjoy having and using it. For example, thanks to its induction design, you’ll be able to enjoy faster cooking and exceptional cooking results. In addition to this, it is also ENERGY STAR® certified so you can be sure you’ll be able to use it as often as you want without running up your electricity bill.
Some other features of this induction cooktop include the following:
- Auto Sizing™ Pan Detection
- Auto Pot Detection
- Safer cooktop surface
- Even-Heat Feature
- Convenient Bridge Element
- TempLock™
- Built-in Installation
- 36” Size
Asides from getting a cooktop for yourself, you should also look into getting an oven. Ovens generally have lots more inbuilt features that guarantee you’ll be able to enjoy even more marvelous cooking experiences in your kitchen. Some ovens have convection roast and convection bake features that you’ll find perfect for creating perfectly crisp baked goods. Don’t know the difference between convection roast and convection bake? Find out here!
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Thanks to John and his team, John’s Appliance & Bedding has been able to provide our customers with the best appliances, mattresses, and cabinet solutions in South Florida. We view our customers as an extension of our family and seek to provide the best service and expertise that we always have.
Shop Induction and Gas Cooktops at John’s Appliance & Bedding
At John’s Appliance & Bedding, we provide high-quality, name-brand products for the best possible price. Shop cooktops online or visit one of our four South Florida showrooms and experience world-class customer service. Our friendly product experts are always happy to help you make the right induction cooktop vs gas cooktop decision and find the perfect cooktop for you — whether you call us, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
Learn More: Convection Roast vs.Convection Bake: What’s The Difference?