Induction Stove vs Gas Stove: Which Is Better And Why?

By Consumer Advise Team
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If you are looking for an induction stove, firstly, you must compare it with your existing gas stove. You should check whether it will benefit you in terms of Cost, Operation, Maintenance, and Safety. Comparison of induction stove vs gas stove is a crucial step before you invest more in buying one.

As the cost of petroleum increases day by day, the price of LPG, Petrol, and Diesel is also increasing. The cost of the LPG cylinder is high and fluctuates.

On the other hand, the cost of electricity is almost steady with varying tariffs from Rs 1.2 to 13 depending upon the slab. Whereas, for domestic usage, the unit rate of electricity usually varies from Rs 1.2 to 6. The power consumption by an Induction cooker depends upon the wattage consumed.

The following comparison table of induction vs gas stoves can surely help you consider various options like safety, operation, cost, and energy efficiency before you make any decision to buy.

induction vs gas stove

Induction Stove vs Gas Stove Comparison

FeaturesInduction StoveGas Stove
Energy Efficiency 80-90% 40-50%
Electricity RequirementYesNo
Working PrincipleElectromagnetismCombustion
Safety High Moderate
Cooking EnvironmentDoes not heatHeats up faster
Weight and Space Requirement Low High
Comfortability High Low
Cookware CompatibilityNeeds only ferromagnetic flat-bottom cookwareNo such limitations
Use of Cooling Fan when CookingCan be usedCannot be used
Cleaning and Maintenance Low High
Harmful Gas EmissionDoes not emit harmful gasesProduces Carbon Monoxide, Formaldehyde, Nitric Oxide, and Nitrogen-di-Oxide.
Capital Cost Moderate High
Recurring Cost Low Moderate
Ease of UseMedium DifficultyVery Easy
Our Rating 4.8/5 4.2/5

Benefits of induction cooktops

  • The best induction cooktops are more energy efficient with easy operating procedures.
  • They are safer than gas stoves as no fire is involved in cooking.
  • Electric cooktops need a limited working space compared to gas stoves.
  • Operating an induction stove is very comfortable as there is no heat generated due to fire.
  • The frequency, time, and effort for cleaning and maintenance of induction cooktops are low.
  • The cost of an induction cooktop is not very high, making it affordable to everyone.
  • Significantly low recurring cost compared to gas stoves.
  • Induction stoves heat faster and distribute heat more evenly to the cookware.
  • Very little heat is wasted during cooking. Available with programmable temperature controls.
  • The generated heat is transferred to the cookware only inside the circled area on the cooktop. Thus, the cooker’s body stays cool.
  • As no fuel is burnt, carbon monoxide, Formaldehyde, and nitrogen-di-oxide are not produced.

Limitations of induction cooker

  • It can only be used with cookware with ferromagnetic materials. Aluminum, copper, and bronze cookware are not suitable.
  • You can only use utensils with a flat bottom. Maximizing surface contact is the key to efficient induction cooking.
  • You cannot cook on an induction stove if there is a power supply problem or voltage fluctuation unless it has an automatic voltage regulator.
  • Elders with a pacemaker should not operate an induction stove as the electromagnetic field can affect it negatively.

Our Recommendation for Induction Cooktop

pros and cons of gas stove

Advantages of Gas Stove

  • Gas stoves are easier to use than induction cooktops.
  • Power cut or voltage fluctuation does not affect cooking.
  • Using a gas stove can let you control the cooking necessities more.
  • No specific type of utensil is required for gas stoves.
  • Gradual heating allows us to guess the temperature of the heated cookware, whereas the induction stoves set the exact temperature of cooking.

Drawbacks of gas stove

  • Gas stoves have lower energy efficiency than induction cooktops. 
  • Cooking on gas stoves involve fire hazard. It can cause burn if the user is not attentive.
  • It can heat the oven and kitchen environment, which can be uncomfortable during the summer.
  • You cannot use a fan while cooking on the gas stove.
  • As LPG/ CNG burns during cooking, it releases PM2.5 particulate, Carbon Monoxide, Formaldehyde, Nitric Oxide, and Nitrogen-di-Oxide into the environment affecting the health of the user.
  • Gas stoves need a significant area to place the oven, cylinder, and gas pipe.
  • They need more effort and time for cleaning and maintenance.
  • The recurring cost for gas stoves is more than that of induction cooktops.

There can be many problems while cooking on a gas stove for a long time. Check for various issues and their solutions for stoves and ovens by The Appliance Doctor who deals with them every day.

Our Recommendation for Gas Stove

Induction Stove Vs Gas Stove – Differences & Similarities

1. Working Principle

An induction stove works on the principle of Electromagnetic Induction. In this process, electricity is converted to heat energy that is used for cooking food.

On the other hand, gas stoves work on the principle of combustion. Here the chemical energy from LPG gas is converted to heat energy after burning.

2. Energy Efficiency

This is one of the most important factors when you compare an induction vs a gas stove. As induction stoves work on the principle of Electromagnetic Induction, it does not work without a flat iron base of the pot.

With electromagnetic induction, the magnetic field of the cooktop induces another magnetic field on the iron base of the cookware. Around 80-90% of energy is effective to induce the magnetic field on the pot. Very minimal energy is lost during the process.

Thus, it increases the energy efficiency of the induction stoves.

The gas stoves heat up the cooking pot with flame generated by burning the LPG gas. Around 40-50% of the energy generated is effective to heat the pot for cooking. Therefore, gas stoves are less efficient than induction stoves in terms of Energy Efficiency.

3. Safety for Cooking

Safety is a very crucial factor when determining the better one between an induction stove and a gas stove.

As induction stoves generate no flame during cooking, it provides you with maximum safety. No fire or burning hazard is there during cooking. However, you should not touch the heated surface of the cooktop just after cooking.

Those who have a pacemaker are not advised to use an induction stove as there might be a magnetic interference that could lead to the malfunction of the pacemaker.

During cooking with a gas stove, there could be a chance for burn or catching fire whether there is a misoperation, unsafe handling, or leakage of LPG from the cylinder, gas pipe, or regulator. Moreover, the cooking environment also gets hot when using a gas stove.

Hence, when safety is concerned, an induction cooktop is recommended over the Gas stove. The best auto-Ignition gas stoves do not require light up manually and can help the user to the largest extent.

4. Weight and Space Requirement

A gas stove has multiple components to install and place in your kitchen. Its main components consist of- an LPG cylinder, regulator, gas pipe, and burner/ oven. Overall it is huge to keep in your kitchen in terms of size, space, and weight.

However, on the contrary, an induction stove is a single component with far less size, space, and weight. All you need is a 2 phase electrical plug point near the place where you want to keep the induction stove.

5. Comfort when Cooking

In the long run, comfort is an essential factor when you select between induction stoves and gas stoves.

For an induction stove, you can get the most comfort when using it. Whereas, cooking with gas stoves is less comfortable as there is a heated environment, more chance for burning and catching fire.

6. Cleaning and Maintenance

While you compare gas vs induction stoves, maintenance is crucial to determining ease of handling. More maintenance means more headaches.

A gas stove is high maintenance prone. Whereas, induction stoves are less maintenance intensive as it has fewer components to maintain.

7. The capital Cost

A gas stove, there are a lot more components when compared to induction stoves. The total cost is significantly higher for a gas stove. But, for an Induction, the price is considerably less.

If the price is concerned, you should go for an induction stove. A good induction stove will cost you between Rs 1500-3000. Whereas, a gas stove with 2 burners will cost you Rs 2000-4000.

8. Recurring Costs for Induction and Gas Stoves

To calculate the recurring cost, let us assume boiling 10 L of water from 25°C to 100°C on an induction cooktop and a gas stove separately.

We know that, Absorbed Energy= Mass x Specific Heat x Change in temperature.

Where,

Mass of 10 L water = 10 Kg

Specific heat of water= 4.18 J/g°C

Change in temperature= 75°C

Therefore, the energy needed to heat water from 25°C to 100°C= (10 x 4.18 x 75) kJ or 3135 kJ.

Whichever source you use (induction or gas stove), it must generate 3135 kJ of energy to heat 10 L water to 100°C.

induction cookting

Induction Stoves

The cost of electricity depends on the slab and the corresponding unit rate. To understand in detail, let us consider that we need to heat up 10 L of water.

For an induction stove, if it runs for 1 hour with the 2000-watt power setting, it will consume approximately 2 kWh of electricity. Considering a medium range of slab with a unit rate of Rs 5/ KWh, it will cost you around Rs 10.

Calculation

Let us assume to use 2000 watts of power on the induction cooktop to boil 10 L of water.

But considering 90% efficiency, effective power= is 1800 watts or 1.8 kW

Approx. time is taken to boil water= 3135/(1.8*60) or 29 minutes.

Electricity consumed= (2*29)/60 = 0.96 kWh or units

If the electricity cost in your area is Rs 5/unit, then,

Cost of boiling 10 L water on induction cooktop= 4.8 INR

cooking on gas stove

Gas Stoves

On the other hand, an LPG cylinder will cost you around Rs 600 if you have a subsidy. If you don’t have a subsidy, it might cost you around Rs 800. You can check the latest price of the LPG cylinder in your city HERE.

Calculation

The calorific value of LPG is around 46 MJ/Kg.

Ideal mass of LPG to be used to boil 10 L water= 3135/46000 = 0.068 Kg

Considering the efficiency of the gas stove to be around 50%, the actual LPG consumption is 0.136 Kg

The price of a 14.2 Kg cylinder varies for different states.

Assuming an average LPG price of Rs 600 (subsidized) and Rs 800 (non-subsidized), we find that,

Cost of boiling 10 L water on the gas stoves (approx.)

  • subsidized consumers= 5.74 INR
  • non-subsidized consumers= 7.66 INR

NOTE: The calculation is valid on the assumed standard parameters.

Conclusion: Induction vs gas cost

The recurring cost for cooking with an induction cooktop is much lower than cooking with a gas stove. Thus, we can conclude that induction cooking is cheaper than using a gas cylinder. The following table is based on the boiling of 10 L of Water from 25°C to 100°C.

ParameterInduction CooktopGas Stove
Theoretical
Energy Consumption
3744 kJ3128 kJ
Actual
Energy Consumption
4120 kJ6258 kJ
Power and Fuel Consumption0.96 units of electricity0.136 Kg LPG
Cost4.8 INR5.74 INR (subsidized)
7.66 INR (non-subsidized)
Induction stove vs gas stove

Frequently Asked Questions

Is induction better than gas cooking?

Yes, Induction cooking is much better than gas cooking in terms of recurring cost, safety, maintenance, space requirement, cooking environment, and ease of maintenance. An induction cooktop is a better alternative than gas stoves today, with fluctuation in LPG price.

Is induction cheaper to run than gas?

Yes, an induction cooktop is cheaper than a gas stove when your concern is both the capital and recurring costs. With a unit rate of Rs 5, you can save Rs 1.92 to boil 10 L water when using an induction cooktop.

Is induction cooking safe for health?

Induction cooking is safe for health as there is no naked flame. But if you have a pacemaker, you should not use it as the electromagnetic field might cause a negative effect.

Do I need special pots for induction cooking?

You should use a flat bottom pot made of iron or steel (ferromagnetic) to cook efficiently with an induction cooktop.

Induction stove vs gas stove

Which One Should You Prefer – An Induction or Gas Stove?

From the above calculation and comparison of gas stoves vs induction stoves, it is clear that if your electricity unit rate is around Rs 5/ KWh, induction stoves are very economical compared to gas stoves. However, it might cost you equal to or more than a gas stove for the higher slab.

Considering the above points wisely, you may find that an induction stove is better than a gas stove and electric stove in terms of Energy Efficiency, Safety, Space Requirements, Comfort, Maintenance, and Cost.


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Last update on 2024-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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