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POLL: Gas or induction hob?

Emmeline Westin
6 years ago
We know Houzzers are passionate about their kitchens and we suspect you might be vocal about your hob choices, too.

So let's do this, which one do you prefer for your kitchen - gas or induction hob?

(As someone who grew up with a sad electric hob, I give both thumbs up!)
Gas
Induction
Something else - please share!
Featured Answer
  • culverdenkaty
    6 years ago
    I love induction, not only are they as responsive as gas and easier to clean, your pans and their handles don't get hot, so no setting the tea towel on fire trying to take a burning hot pan off the oven!

    Comments (50)

    • deepah
      6 years ago
      I vote for gas hobs but i am still in search of an unusual gas hob available in UK
    • PRO
      24mm Photography
      6 years ago
      Induction here. Much easier to clean, just as reactive as gas, makes 'slaving over a hot stove' a thing of the past and it's cat proof!

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    • alant1000
      6 years ago
      I've got an induction hob but actually I prefer gas.
    • PRO
      Razina Bargit
      6 years ago
      I learned to cook and grew up using a gas hob. I recently started using an induction job and can't believe how much bad press they get for being slow.
      They're a dream to clean and much safer, and not at all slow.
      Am I too spoilt to ask for both in my future kitchen?
    • Barbara Craig
      6 years ago
      In an ideal world where I don't have to do any cleaning - both. Gas superior for frying/sealing meat, but then the cleaning :(
    • Sarah Dixon
      6 years ago
      We have always been avid fans of gas but chose to put an induction hob in when we had a new kitchen back in June- and we would never now go back to gas...

      You have all the benefits of cooking on gas with the added benefits of far more control, the very quick "cold to boil" features and the cleaning is very easy. All our friends and family who have been round and used it have commented on how brilliant it is.
    • Luisa Rollenhagen
      6 years ago
      I prefer gas, because I feel it's easier to control the heat level for searing, simmering, etc!
    • PRO
      Jessop and Cook Architects
      6 years ago
      Induction hobs are great for cleaning and ever day use, but the magnetic fields they use have the potential to interfere with medical implants such as pacemakers and insulin pumps.
      Something which should be considered before buying if you or your family and friends have one fitted. Its worth checking the manufacturers guidance before buying.
    • jacksplash
      6 years ago
      Just put in induction hob in the last few months and find it great. I had gas many years ago and also found it good,so maybe a vote for both!
    • PRO
      Hale and Murray Ltd
      6 years ago
      If you buy the right induction hob, it is quicker and had more control than gas. You can melt chocolate in a saucepan if you so wished. They are cleaner and safer to use.
      Yes they have magnetic fields but so do sliding doors into most shops. It pays to check with the manufacturer of the hob and also your consultant, but I have sold induction hobs to customers with pacemakers.
      Saucepans have come down in price, some manufacturers offer a free set when you purchase their hob. You can also buy pressure cookers, griddle plates, roasting tins, etc to use on them now.
      I had one until I moved house and for the time being I have to put up with a slow, labour intensive gas hob!!
    • standroid
      6 years ago
      Gas hobs look dated now and are a pain to clean. Induction is cheaper to run. Good excuse to bin horrible old pans and have some new ones. No brainer.
    • dikiz
      6 years ago
      induction,switched from gas 2years ago
    • PRO
      Julie Sheldon
      6 years ago
      It may be me,but I prefer the taste of the food from a gas hob. I do prefer the induction for cleaning purposes though and how quick everything heats up.
    • pavinia
      6 years ago
      I don't trust inductions - they don't feel real. I like to be able to see the flame and quickly adjust it when I need to.
    • Sarah
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago
      I agree with Pavinia - I need to see the flame to believe it! Though the easy cleaning of induction hobs is very tempting...
    • Sam Hill
      6 years ago
      Induction is not very responsive. Also if you have gas pans (curved on the bottom) they don't work on induction.
      With gas, either curved of flat bottoms work.
      But gas is harder to clean.
    • PRO
      Adaliza
      6 years ago
      Definitely gas every time and cleaning is no problem if you use a steam cleaner!
    • Average Jo
      6 years ago
      The gas flame is so intuitive. I do like that. And it's a small, strange point but I have a bit of a thing about cutting down on the number of shiny black void surfaces in my home.
    • oirishgal
      6 years ago
      We chose induction because the gas company wanted to charge us a fortune for piping gas into our home. We love induction. Also, we only have one bill ( electricity), as opposed to gas and electricity.
    • PRO
      Anthony Edwards Kitchens
      6 years ago
      We have had positive feedback from our customer. We always advise pay close attention when first using an induction hob, they come to heat fast, much faster than gas !
    • PRO
      Anthony Edwards Kitchens
      6 years ago
      other points are they are energy efficient, have a discreet look, and they don't get left on. But as hinted at above we have had customers burning things in the first couple of weeks.
    • telabadmanwot
      6 years ago
      gas. I hate cooking on electric. but electric looks better.
    • teenytinyhouse
      6 years ago
      My BF has a gas hob, and swears by it. But cleaning it is an absolute nightmare and takes the best part of an hour to do properly! I have an induction hob. Just as reactive, sleeker looking, cools instantly and with a quick wipe of the microfibre cloth, it's sparkling clean in seconds! It's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned!

      Only pain is that I had to chuck and buy pans, as they need to be magnetic. Did raise a chuckle in the shop, though (in the days before they were clearly labelled) as I was wandering about tapping a fridge magnet to all the saucepans!
    • macmuser
      6 years ago
      Induction slow? Rubbish, just like the induction hob that you used to judge them slow. Far more controllable than gas from a huge amount of power to boil water quicker than a kettle, down to a tiny trickle for leaving stocks on all day. When I make jam I know what 'number' to leave the induction hob on so I can walk away and do something else for 15 minutes while the jam reaches the setting point and doesn't burn the bottom of the pan or boil over. Try that with gas.
    • PRO
      Homejoy
      6 years ago
      If you prefer your gas hob but have trouble cleaning it, these tips might help:
      - Soak removable parts overnight to make them easier to clean the next day
      - Use a Magic Eraser to remove dried spills
      - Use a stainless steel scouring pad or scrubbing brush to remove burnt-on food (unless your hob surface is easily damaged, in which case avoid abrasive tools)
    • PRO
      Aflux Designs
      6 years ago
      I would say it depends on the user. I don't cook much, but my clients prefer gas hobs. more flexibility, and there are simply more pans available. However some people prefer aesthetic to function, and they prefer the flat, clean minimalistic look that induction gives you (and yes easier to clean). However, also note the induction pans are expensive!!! Given all this, if I was refurbishing my own place, I would play safe and go for gas
    • PRO
      Aflux Designs
      6 years ago
      apologies - noted that the picture has no hob, but a sink! (equally valuable in a kitchen I might add!)
    • macmuser
      6 years ago
      Aflux, why do you say induction pans are expensive? Apart from the trashy, very cheap pans, nearly all are induction-friendly nowadays. Ikea do a range of own brand pans, as do Robert Dyas. Meanwhile on Amazon I see a set of 5 Tefal induction-safe pans for £36. Personally I like Circulon brand because they are excellent quality and their life-time guarantee is honoured by the manufacturer.
    • pilarj
      6 years ago
      After years of gas hob (Smeg) we now have an induction hob and I LOVE it. So much better then gas, more sensitive/reactive, easier to regulate, safer, so many more options linking timing to the hobs; and yes so much safer & easier to clean. Yes I did have to replace a few pans but I would never go back to gas now!
    • Tom Flanagan
      6 years ago
      Induction! I've got a gas hob and it scares me a little...
    • PRO
      86 Baily
      6 years ago
      Would have to say gas all the way
    • Susie
      6 years ago
      I like my induction hob for all the reasons mentioned above, but find it frustrating that you cannot tilt a frying pan(you need to maintain contact with the cooking surface) when cooking an egg to keep it in a small area, or to baste it with hot fat. The ease of cleaning more than compensates for this though. One other point I feel the heat is more concentrated on the base of the pan (gas spreads up the sides of the pan) and I have had a few burnt batches of marmalade.
    • macmuser
      6 years ago
      When I make marmalade I keep it on maximum (not boost) stirring all the time, until the setting temperature is reached, then turn it to 70 or 80% to reduce the liquid if there is too much. That's the point I can walk away and know it won't burn. I've had two induction hobs and both were the same for cooking although I have to say the lower cost Zanussi had more scratch-resistant glass and better controls than the expensive Bosch I bought recently.
    • PRO
      Winchester Kitchens
      6 years ago
      Induction hobs are certainly the way forward! Approximately 80% of our clients now choose this way of cooking. Instant control, easy to clean and looks sleek in any kitchen. This new Miele model even incorporates a wok solution.
    • philip mills
      5 years ago
      Was not sure about induction before but now wouldn't be without it just brilliant so responsive you can watch the boiling water go to simmer. One wipe and it's clean were as with gas you've all the pan supports and burners to clean
    • southernpointofview
      5 years ago

      Who couldn't love gas on a lovely range like this? Cooking is an art and "live fire" is essential to the human soul.

    • PRO
      Adaliza
      5 years ago

      I've just found my comment from February 2015 - I voted for gas. Then late last summer I found myself passing a John Lewis of Hungerford showroom and an ex-display kitchen quite literally flew out of the door, shook me by the shoulders and shouted 'BUY ME, BUY ME'! So I listened and I did! The kitchen came with a Neff induction hob so I thought I'd give it a go - with deep scepticism. Within one meal, cooked by induction I was converted! It's a breeze - so incredibly sensitive. Much more sensitive than gas - and FAST. I love it and would never have considered it as an option for me, having loved gas hobs forever. My vote's now changed - induction hob for me!

    • Jonathan
      5 years ago
      I have an induction hob. It is useful as it is an additional flat surface in the kitchen but I just don't believe it is as fast as gas and frankly I don't like it as much.
      However the more we use fossil fuels the faster they will run out so we may all have to have induction in 40 years time.
    • PRO
      Dajon Interiors Ltd
      4 years ago

      Induction hobs outselling gas hobs 10 to 1.

      Clients love the flat surface, easy to clean and look nicer.

    • PRO
      McEvoy & Rowley
      4 years ago

      We've seen a big increase in sales of induction hobs, very popular with our customer base. They're easy to clean, super responsive and their sleek look is a big selling point too.

    • PRO
      Illustrate Kitchens Limited
      4 years ago

      Gas all the way!!

    • PRO
      Acre Design LTD
      4 years ago

      I like the immediate temperature control of gas.

    • Mr T
      4 years ago

      Do you still use gas for lighting and running your fridge? Are your kitchen floors still hard-packed dirt, with wattle and daub walls? The reason they aren't is because things have moved on and far better options are available. Until you actually use an induction hob you will never realise how silly it sounds to say gas is more controllable. The only thing gas has going for it is that the hobs are cheap. Otherwise they are wasteful of heat, expensive to run, dirty and lack the controllability of even the lowest cost induction hob.

    • Daisy England
      4 years ago
      Induction without a doubt. On my second. I'd never ever go back to a dirty gas hob.
    • PRO
      CONSTRUCT A SPACE LTD
      4 years ago

      I totally agree with Daisy !

    • PRO
      Pamela Langbridge Curtains and Upholstery
      4 years ago

      Just had my kitchen redone and love the induction hob. It heats up and cools down so quickly. I do love my Aga though. Never had gas. The pain is having to buy pots and pans suitable for induction

    • Mr T
      4 years ago

      Induction-safe pots and pans are low cost and available from Ikea, Dyas, Aldi and Lidl. On Amazon you can buy a complete set for £35. My preference is for Meyer's Circulon which seem expensive (good discounts available on the Web) but they come with a lifetime guarantee that Meyer honour if you send a photo of the pot and damage. Which is only, in my experience, the gradual loss of non-stickiness over 10 or 15 years.

    • teenytinyhouse
      4 years ago

      Winchester Kitchens you have made my day, I didn't know you could get an induction wok solution! Happy days, there goes my partner's final objection to induction, lol.

    • PRO
      Langtry Fitted Furniture
      4 years ago

      Induction for sure......Speedy Like Gas, Controllable like gas but a LOT easier to clean as opposed to a Gas Hob!

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