Last Updated On November 19th, 2020
There is a silent revolution taking place in the kitchen concerning the hob, with induction hobs being preferred over the more traditional gas hobs. And not surprisingly so, considering the fact that gas prices are consistently rising at an alarming rate. But before we get to the itty bitty part, first things first:
What is an induction hob?
As the name suggests, induction hobs are a type of hob that produce heat through the process of induction, unlike others that heat through conduction. For the induction hub to work, it has to make contact with a ferrous metal like an iron or steel saucepan. An electromagnetic current then passes through the saucepan, and the resultant vibrations lead to the production of energy, which in turn radiates heat.
While the pan heats up to cook your food, the hob stays completely cool because the coil does not produce any latent heat. As a result, the heat produced by your saucepan is radiated back into the induction hob.
Why are induction hobs cheaper to run?
It’s easy to question whether induction cooking is really worth the investment, if it means having to purchase new saucepans in addition to the hob. In a nutshell, induction hobs surpass the more traditional hobs because of the following reasons:
Induction hob prices
Generally, since induction hobs were introduced into the market, they have been relatively costlier than other types of hobs. But since they began growing in popularity, prices have reduced significantly and made induction hobs more affordable.
This has been complimented by the fact that utility prices (particularly for Gas) have experienced a considerable surge over the past few years, subsequently discouraging consumers away from conventional gas hobs. What’s more, when you purchase an induction hob, you won’t incur any additional cost for installation, which would usually apply for gas hob connections for safety and legal purposes.
Induction hob speeds
Integrated power boost options result in a 50 percent increase in power output. As such, using an induction hob can actually heat your pan twice as fast as the other equivalents, which makes it perfect for our busy, modern lifestyles.
Safety
Since the induction hob does not heat up (only gets slightly warm), it means that it is relatively more controllable. It reduces the risk of burns while waiting for the hob to cool after cooking, and the induction hob can actually switch itself off automatically when you remove the pan.
Furthermore, the absence of gas emissions eliminates the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning or fire outbreak, and reduces the risk of gas leaks.
Cleaning
It is much easier to clean induction hobs than gas hobs because of their smooth surface, which makes it easier to clean around. In addition, since the hob does not heat up, it reduces the instance of spillages baking onto the surface of the hob. You can quickly wipe them away without having to wait for the surface to cool.
Bottom line
Principle factors you should consider when purchasing an induction hob include price, safety and lifestyle. Induction cookers are quickly increasing in affordability and popularity, which makes them a more realistic alternative to the conventional types of cookers.
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