What are the pros and cons of induction hobs, please?

(42 Posts)
GrimmaTheNome Wed 07-Sep-11 15:46:00

We're redoing the kitchen - just wondering if there is any downside to an induction hob (other than having to ditch my nice copper-bottomed pans).

Thanks!

Pannacotta Sun 11-Sep-11 21:30:40

So can't you use Le Creuset pans on an induction hob (will skupper my plans in that case....)?

Yes you can use le creuset on inductions.
And non stick.

I've used both professionally on an induction cooker. Using a le creuset is an art in itself however, so worth really learning how to do it.

Non stick induction pans are just fine.

I love it.

And much cheaper than either gas or normal electric.

northender Sun 11-Sep-11 22:57:57

I loved cooking on a gas hob and so really felt that the induction hob was a compromise (avoiding the cost of piping the gas in). If I had the choice now I would go for induction every time.

GrimmaTheNome Mon 12-Sep-11 08:46:49

I've got one Le Creuset pan which was given me, I realised that's one of the few I've got which should work. But its so heavy, I wouldn't want to handle a large one full of boiling water. OTOH I could do with increasing upper body strength... ah, do French ladies cook with LC instead of going to the gym? grin

jamaisjedors Mon 12-Sep-11 17:54:11

I don't think French ladies handle Le Creuset full of hot water - I've only ever seen them used here as casserole dishes - or for slow cooking meat on the stove-top.

Byeckerslike Mon 12-Sep-11 18:00:03

I have an ikea wok, it is the £2 one and it works on my induction hob. I have just had my kitchen re done, i have bosch appliances which are appaerently made by the same people as neff but cheaper, they are all excellent.

Love love love my hob, no negetives, have cast iron pans so they work fine

BerylStreep Mon 12-Sep-11 19:09:19

No negatives with induction - as people have already said, really responsive, fast, easy to clean (spilt food doesn't burn on to the hob, as it doesn't get hot). We have a Stoves 1100 range, which comes with 4 induction rings, 2 halogen (halogen is the same as ceramic hob) and a warming plate.

We're not overly concerned about power cuts, and could always use the bbq!

We got new circulon infinite pans, which are non-stick and dishwasher proof. Our old ikea 360 frying pans and le crueset also work on induction. Circulon also do a flat bottomed wok for induction hobs.

GrimmaTheNome Mon 12-Sep-11 21:08:19

For once, I'm going to be able to tell DH what to buy me for xmas grin

Poodlehorse Tue 13-Sep-11 18:30:38

for me all pros and no cons - unless you count having to buy new pans (if indeed you do) a con. I rather saw that as a plus wink. I have both nonstick and le creuset and have no problems with either - have had hob since about 2007. I have just bought some of those circulon pans and they are fab, just to replace some others that were getting a bit scratched thanks to some idiot using metal on them. I thought I would miss gas but now I wouldn't go back through choice. If you are really keen to have gas for a wok then you can always have a domino arrangement. But I honestly haven't felt the loss. Ours is an AEG. I was lucky to try out MILs before we bought ours and I couldn't get my head round them before I did, but once I did I was totally converted and have converted loads of others. As for power cuts - well we live in the middle of nowhere in Scottish Highlands and we rarely get them, but we do have a logburner so I have been known to cook on the top of there when I had to before the kitchen was put in. So that is my back up plan.

herogirl Sat 15-Dec-12 21:19:26

thought gas was the only way but now a covert to induction. Have just ordered circulon infinite wok at huge cost, has anyone used one?

Thelmapendragon Sun 27-Jan-13 11:00:14

Word of advice for those with le creuset non-sticks that have gone belly-up. I had an induction hob installed in 2011 and love it. Like many, I needed to replace all my saucepans and elected to go with le creuset including 2 non-sticks - a frypan an a milk pan. Within 9 months the non-stick surface on both went very bad! I took both pans back to John Lewis and le creuset replaced - no questions asked. Manufacturer has acknowledged that there WAS a problem with their non-stick formula, but this has now been remedied and their non-stick pans now come with a Lifetime warranty. So, if you've been affected, don't be timid about asking for a replacement.
Now my next challenge - finding a reasonably priced induction-happy wok! Any suggestions welcome!

Arithmeticulous Sun 27-Jan-13 11:26:59

Can't toss a pancake with a Le Creuset frying pan grin

Leather Sun 27-Jan-13 23:06:36

I've said this before but if it weren't for our induction hob we'd have a little boy with a skin-grafted left hand due to him planting it palm downwards on the ring.

Worth.every.penny

e1y1 Tue 29-Jan-13 23:52:35

Never had an induction hob.

But I do like my halogen hob, cleaner and safer than electric ring or gas (well to me anyway).

From what I understand the only difference between induction and halogen is that the actual hob gets hot on halogen and not on induction could be completly wrong though

MNPin2013 Tue 29-Jan-13 23:59:56

Love mine and we will very likely have an induction setup and a gas set up in the new kitchen.

Grandadad Wed 27-Feb-13 16:13:39

Assume it OK for a caring Grandad and retired Engineer to raise a point. These hobs heat things quickly, well that's because they use a lot of power for short bursts (that's Eco wise). Having experience of induction heating on production lines, way back, I did some digging and it took a lot !!!, they need to be fused at 30-32 amps on an exclusive feed, the power rating is 7.5watts or more. Suppliers recommend installation with qualified electrician as you would expect. Perhaps it is therefore best to check the practical availability of a suitable feed before getting too far into appliances. A new consumer units, or even additional cabling may double or treble the cost and perhaps you are not expecting this. Trust its helpful or just avoids any Shocks.

dragonfly18 Fri 12-Apr-13 11:39:40

I'm having an induction hob fitted next week when they install my new kitchen.
Does anyone know if I can use a diffuser on it please?

Some time ago I bought a ceramic Tagine but to use it on the gas burner (my old cooker is gas) it needed to be on top of the diffuser (it is steel, so is magnetic).

I can't bear the thought of not being able to use it.
Thanks a lot, hopefully someone will know.

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