Induction Cooktop Vs Gas Stove, can they even be compared? Yes, and it is a smart choice to consider as well. As the world is turning smart, it is time to upgrade your kitchen also. After all, why does the kitchen of Mrs Next-door look so sleek? And she doesn’t seem to sweat as she cooks; how come her make stays intact as she stirs-up the dinner? She looks right out of a commercial, in her uber-cool kitchen with a sleek cooking top, which is not ‘Gas.’ Well, It is the ultra-cool Induction Cooktop that has taken the fancy of ‘smart people’ with smarter homes. Let us find out more:
Contents
Cooking Options: Through Time
It started with the discovery of ‘Fire.’ A man soon discovered that his food tasted better, softer, and easy to digest. He could walk through the dark and defend himself against the Wild. Open fire cooking is perhaps, still one of the most common forms of cooking practised to date. Be it the clay hearth, coal, or wood. The fuels have changed, but the popularity of open fire cooking is perhaps both economical and easily accessible across populations of various backgrounds. Today, the sophisticated forms of outdoor cooking in the form of ‘weekend Barbeque’ have taken shape. Man still enjoys his primitive method of cooking in the open, when he can take charge of his meat and eat it as he likes it.
When Stoves Hit The Market
It was in the early 1820s that the Gas stove caught the fancy of the masses. However, this was a rather gradual process and not a spontaneous one. An inventor by the name of James Sharp acquired the patent for his invention of the Gas stove. Smith and Philips successfully marketed it in the year 1828. By the year 1836, James Sharp opened his gas stove factory, which was moderately successful. Eventually, it was a Chef by the name of Alexis Soyer who popularised Sharp’s invention. He did so by utilizing the gas pipe in his kitchen and proved that the user could easily control the supply. Later in the year 1851, the Gas Stove was demonstrated at the World Fair in London, and the rest is history. It was widely accepted across Europe and forever changed the way we lived, ate, and cooked.
What is a Gas Stove?
Simply put, this cooking option utilizes natural gases for generating the heat source. These include Butane, LPG, and Propane, each of which is flammable gas sources.
Working Of Gas Stove
The gas stove comprises a burner that has a gas valve attached to it and is also connected to the main gas supply source. The outer body has a knob attached which can be turned on and off to allow gas flow through the Venturi tube and wide pipe with a narrow middle. As the gas enters through this ‘wide region’ and into the ‘narrow’ section, it experiences an increase in pressure. The pipe widens once again, and this section has a small hole. As the gas moves into this section, the pressure is released, and the Oxygen is sucked into the air hole. Now, as the Oxygen mixes with the gas, it turns combustible. This mix travels into the burner and is lit by the user as required. The quantity of the gas allowed into the burner is controlled by the knob situated outside the stove.
Advantages
- There is no power loss. A gas stove can work even in case of power loss.
- No heat is wasted as the burner is ignited. It stays concentrated within the burner and is used to heat and cook.
- One can easily control the amount of gas utilized for cooking purposes.
Disadvantages
- Needs to be installed.
- Is quite messy, with pipes and fixings all over the place.
- Is also dangerous if not handled well.
What is Induction Cooktop?
This cooking option utilizes the revolutionary ‘Induction technology’ for generating heat for cooking. Here, electromagnetism is utilized for heat generation within the pans themselves. So, instead of a heat source emerging from the body of the stove, it is ‘created’ in the pot that sits on top of it. In this type, electricity is generated using Magnetism, as the two are aspects of a phenomenon known as ‘electromagnetism.’
Working Of Induction Cooktop
The main body of the Induction cooktop comprises a metal coil that is electronically controlled to produce a Magnetic field. To produce fluctuating Magnetism, alternating current needs to be utilized. As you place a Pot made of suitable metal atop it, the magnetic field penetrates the Crystalline structure of the metal pot. This is termed the ‘Induction’ processor technology. Now, with the production of a magnetic field, an electric current is generated. It is also termed as ‘edgy current,’ as it is swirling and turning and has no place to go to. But, bear in mind, it is not at all like the ‘current’ in an electric wire. As it flows into the metal of the pot, it covers into heat. Thus, this heat energy raises the temperature of the pot and causes the process of cooking to proceed. So, the main body of the induction cooktop ‘does not generate heat of any kind.’ It is strictly the pot that sits on top of the stove that generates heat and does the cooking.
Advantages
- The heat is not wasted in any way.
- The cooktop does not get heated in any way; thus, a comparatively less amount of overall heat is generated.
- It is a safe option in comparison.
Disadvantages
- Requires ‘magnetic’ cookware only.
- Cannot work with erratic power supply.
- Strictly not for people with Px`ace-maker.
Difference Between Glass Top Vs Stainless Steel Gas Stove
So, between Induction Cooktop Vs Gas Stove, what is it going to be? Let us find out:
INDUCTION COOKTOP | GAS STOVE |
Is not as popular | Is widely popular across the globe |
Heat indication is not clear | Heat indication very clear |
More efficient as it receives 90% of the heat | Not as efficient with only 40-55% of heat utilized |
Keeps the kitchen cool | Generates too much heat |
Requires an electric outlet of 220V-240V | No electric outlet required |
Only special cookware can be used for cooking | Most cookware type can be utilized |
Brings down cooking time, as heat is rapidly generated | Cooking time is elaborate and heating takes time |
The initial cost is more | The initial cost is cheaper |
Are easier to clean | Are messy |
Is good to look at | Is good to look at |
Water boils rapidly in less time | Water boiling takes time |
The Conclusion
So, what is it going to be? Between Induction Cooktop Vs. Gas stove, what should you opt for:
No-Fuss And On A Budget: Are you on a budget and need a cooking option right away? Well, go for the good old Gas stove. It only requires a gas source, and you are good to go. Also, all kinds of cookware can be used on a gas stove, so there are no extra expenses for a new cookware set.
Stylish And Sleek: Your kitchen is your pride, and you have taken care of every bit of detail for it. So, an old-fashioned gas stove might seem out of place. For a complete ‘high-end look of your kitchen interior, get yourself a nice Induction stove. It looks futuristic, is sleek, not messy, and sophisticated.