Induction Hob or Gas

[Oscarmac]

Hopefully moving house this year into a new build that we are having some input into regarding fixtures and fittings. The original design had a gas hob included which was built into a standard wall unit.

We decided to have an island/breakfast bar added to the design and the hob will be included within this. A miscommunication has lead to this being an induction hob at extra cost. We can go back to the gas hob but this will cost almost as much as the induction option because the screed? Has been payed and a channel would have to be cut to allow gas pipe supply.

I've only ever cooked on gas and really like the visual element when cooking but I would think induction hobs have come on a fair bit since my parents had one fitted 10 years ago.

Any opinions out there?

Induction hob

http://www.aeg.co.uk/kitchen/cooking/hobs/inductio...

Gas hob

http://www.zanussi.co.uk/products/cooking/hobs/gas...

Thanks.

[ATG]

Maybe I'm a Luddite, but I don't like induction. It's better than the old ceramic electric rings, sure, but I can see a gas flame and judge precisely how much heat I'm sticking under a pan. It's far better than having to learn and remember what four different induction rings' 0-10 power scales actually mean in practice. And the heat soak from the pan back into the ceramic surface of an induction cooker means they aren't as controllable as gas; they hold the heat longer. Depending on cost and what stage of the build you're at, I might try getting used to the induction system just to see if I'd previously missed the point. Maybe it'd turn out to be brilliant after all. But if it were cheap and easy to change, I'd be getting the gas fitter in.

[tribalsurfer]

Moved into a house 3 years ago and it had an induction hob, I had always been a gas man but I have to say induction is as good, very responsive, easy to clean, safe with little hands around as the only heat is residual back from the pan.

I would actively be putting it in to any future house I own.

[boyse7en]

I went induction 15 years ago (when it was damn pricey) and don't regret it at all. Its as controllable as gas (no issues with heat-soak that I've noticed) and is much easier to clean a smooth glass surface than a fiddly gas ring/stand etc

I like having an auto-off timer on the hob, plus it cuts-out if something boils over the saucepan.
And I can let the kids cook using it. Nothing on there gets so hot as to burn them.

[louiebaby]

If you've got ferrous saucepans already, then that's OK. If not, make sure you factor those in to your calculations for comparison.

We went from Gas to Induction with a house move. It seems almost as controllable, is easier to clean, and (probably) safer with little fingers around.

I wouldn't have Gas again, Induction all the way.

[Oscarmac]

Saucepans will have to be factored in as none of mine are currently suitable and given that cooking is important to me they will have to be fairly decent.

[21TonyK]

Personally I prefer gas but all the arguments for induction are valid and I have a very good induction hob at work which will boil big 30+ litre pans far quicker than gas will.

For me its the fact that its near impossible to damage a gas ring and pan stand whereas I don't think induction would last too well with me around. Not being to move pans around over the heat would put me off a bit. I quite often just rattle a pan instead of actually stirring it.

[campionissimo]

Well, if you need new saucepans I can't recommend these enough. Bought my first pans 20 years ago and they still look like new. Perfect weight, good heat distribution. Just great.

http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-classic-lidded...

[mangos]

I find induction more controllable than gas.

Having used Gas on a holiday cottage last month, the simmer function never went low enough to just simmer.

I would go induction every time.

[souper]

I've just completed an island with a lovely induction hob as they are ace, but I also had fitted a new sleeved gaspipe fitted under screed and then capped it off under the island.

This was done with the option of ever needing to fit a gas hob or single wok burner but mainly as a resalable feature if the house is ever put on the market.

[Oscarmac]

souper said:

I've just completed an island with a lovely induction hob as they are ace, but I also had fitted a new sleeved gaspipe fitted under screed and then capped it off under the island.

This was done with the option of ever needing to fit a gas hob or single wok burner but mainly as a resalable feature if the house is ever put on the market.

I must admit if money was no object this is what I would be doing but as the screed is already down I think the money may be better used elsewhere.

[RC1807]

In the UK I always had gas. Since being on the continent, I've only used ceramic hobs, or, for the last 3 years, induction.
Induction's as good as gas for control, and more efficient, I think.
Induction hobs are also a lot easier to clean = seconds!

[miniman]

Having been forced away from gas on to a standard halogen hob, and not wanting to get involved with gas bottles (no mains gas in the village) we bought a Rangemaster induction range. I have to say I prefer it to gas for all the reasons listed already.

One thing about that AEG hob you've linked to - the controls look horribly fiddly. Obviously a range is a different beast, but ours has proper knobs. I guess if you want the totally flush look there's not much you can do.

[LotusMartin]

Gas - EVERY time!

We bought an off-mains rural property and the first thing on the list during the kitchen refurb was gas hob with bottled gas. Haven't regretted it for a second.

Get a decent hob (ours is 5 burner NEF) and fit the right jets and you're ready to rock - you'll also find bottled gas 'hotter' than mains for some reason.

At < £20 a bottle delivered with no deposit (WoldLink) which lasts us about 6 months it really was a no-brainer.

And for those struggling to simmer on gas - thats why there are different sized burners?!? I find gas totally controllable with zero issues.

Each to their own I guess.

[motco]

No electric hob, of any technology, fills the kitchen with water-laden asphyxiating fumes like a gas hob does. That's quite enough of a reason for me. I still have a ceramic hob pending a kitchen refurb, but also have a portable induction hob for appropriate tasks.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Induction all day long. But to sidetrack for a minute, don't put a hob on an island. A hob should have a wall behind it. If you knock one pot taking another off, you want it to bang against a wall, not go off the island all over the floor.

[LotusMartin]

motco said:

No electric hob, of any technology, fills the kitchen with water-laden asphyxiating fumes like a gas hob does. That's quite enough of a reason for me. I still have a ceramic hob pending a kitchen refurb, but also have a portable induction hob for appropriate tasks.

You're sooo right... if only someone could invent a device to be place above the hob to expel the smells and fumes... every house would buy one.

[breamster]

Another induction hob fan here. I have used gas for years but induction is excellent and so much easier to clean. Boost function on our Bosch hob is like an afterburner.

[motco]

LotusMartin said:

motco said:

No electric hob, of any technology, fills the kitchen with water-laden asphyxiating fumes like a gas hob does. That's quite enough of a reason for me. I still have a ceramic hob pending a kitchen refurb, but also have a portable induction hob for appropriate tasks.

You're sooo right... if only someone could invent a device to be place above the hob to expel the smells and fumes... every house would buy one.

Oh yes that device that sucks out all your expensively acquired warmth! Doesn't work quite as well with the oven we find.

[rich350z]

Induction are so easy to clean and cook on. I'd neve go back to gas out of choice.