Advice on choosing an induction or gas hob comes up a lot in our conversations with customers. Making the right decision for your lifestyle and kitchen design can take some deliberating, so we thought we’d jot down a few pro’s and cons to help you decide. 

Key features 

Safety first 

One of the real benefits of using induction hobs is the safety aspect. Heat is created through a reaction between the pan and a copper coil beneath the hob surface. This transfers energy directly between the induction element and base of the pan. This copper coil only activates when an iron-based magnetic pan is placed on the hob. When you lift a boiling pan off the plate, the surface of the hob will still be cool to the touch. This is a brilliant safety feature if you have young children in the house. 

Tried and tested 

Many of us are used to cooking on gas hobs and are very happy to stick with one, after all they have been the go-to over electric hobs for so long. Gas hobs are especially popular for more oriental cooking where you can opt for extra wide models to accommodate big pans and woks. 

Styling 

Induction hobs are sleek and contemporary, barely there, an almost seamless addition to your worktop. If you have a very modern kitchen and want to continue that uncluttered and sleek styling throughout, an induction hob will slot in beautifully. 

With the gas hob, you get the more industrial look with the grates above the rings. Gas hobs sit very well in both modern or more classically styled kitchens but are definitely more of a feature piece. If you have a large feature hob with five rings and a statement style grate on top, it is an appliance to be seen. However, if you want your hob to almost disappear into its surroundings, an induction hob is the style for you. 

Practicalities 

One of the downsides, (or upsides if you needed a good excuse to replace your old pots and pans) is that induction hobs are only compatible with certain types of pans. If you are transitioning from a gas hob to induction, you may need a new set of cookware. 

For a pan to work on an induction hob, it must contain iron. Cast iron or steel pans are ideal but some copper and aluminium pans have an iron layer which means they’ll still work. 

No one relishes a messy hob to clean up but an induction hob does make the job pretty simple. There are no crevices and awkward spots to navigate unlike with a traditional gas hob. If the safety, modern style, ease of cleaning and sparkling new set of pans hasn’t quite won you over yet, induction hobs have one more trick up their sleeve. With a rapid heat up and no wasted heat, induction hobs are also considered much more energy efficient. 

Despite all the pro’s lining up for induction hobs, some of us just prefer cooking with a flame. If you’re one of those cooks, you love the visible flame and the control of heat that you get with a gas hob, and that is hard to beat. 

If, like us, you prefer to see and handle appliances for yourself to get the measure of them, pop into our Reigate showroom where we have both types on display. It is much easier to imagine them in your own space once you see them in person. If you have a few questions you’d like to run through with us, book an appointment at info@painesandgray.co.uk or call 01737 906 074.