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Original poster

Anyone installed an induction hob after gas and regretted it?

154 replies

HalfWomanHalfChocolate · 06/02/2021 14:33

I’m planning a new kitchen. I currently have a gas hob as part of a range cooker (inherited with the house). Definitely going for separate oven /hob next time as the range cooker has been nothing but trouble, but I’m unsure what hob to go for.

Induction jobs are so much more streamlined and easy to clean... but I’m used to the fine tuning of gas. And I am a keen cook who cooks a lot.

Anyone made the switch? Were you happy with the induction hob?

OP posts:
Knittingnanny · 06/02/2021 18:29

I was a gas fan for 61 years. Then tried a touch induction Hotpoint job in a holiday cottage and sent my neighbour ( also my builder) a message to order me one! I love it, bought a new set of pans, it’s easy to clean, as responsive as gas, safe around children.
A couple of small downsides, none of which would make me go back to gas

  1. If there is a power cut we can’t make a cup of tea!
  2. Can’t really rest stuff on top of it like a gas hob, but that’s probably a good thing as it always looks tidy
  3. Unfortunately I have chipped a tiny piece off one front corner but have decided I can live with it and not attempt a rubbishy home repair job
Pashazade · 06/02/2021 18:48

Oh and if you're worried about scratching it you can get custom covers on Etsy! I bought one because I wanted to be able to put stuff on top when it wasn't in use (as it's on an island)and not worry about damage. It's good because it's become part of my evening habit. Run the dishwasher and put the hob to bed Grin

murbblurb · 06/02/2021 18:50

Gas hob here in an area off the gas grid. Two lpg bottles outside, pipe runs through the wall. Standard hob plus lpg conversion kit, took fitter two mins to change the jets. Bottle lasts around a year of twice daily cooking for under £40. Controllable, clean, easy and power cut proof.

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Home improvement
blimppy · 06/02/2021 18:52

I've always loved cooking on gas but chose to get an induction hob when we replaced the kitchen a year ago, primarily for environmental reasons. I love it. Took a little bit of getting used to, but it's as responsive as gas and much easier to clean.

idril · 06/02/2021 18:53

Had induction since 2013. Previously had gas. Woulf never, ever go back to gas.

We moved house 2 years ago and thankfully there was already an induction hob here as if not, it would have been one of the first things I'd change.

Updatemate · 06/02/2021 18:54

Thanks for this OP currently having a kitchen extension and need to make this decision.

filka · 06/02/2021 18:55

@Candleabra

Hmm yes that's a good point about buying new pans as well. How much (roughly) has it cost you to replace all your cookware with enough to manage - few different size saucepans, frying pan etc? Are any brands particularly good?
I've got on very well with stainless steel pans from Ikea, excellent quality, not outrageously expensive.
billyt · 06/02/2021 18:56

Always had gas before but went to induction when refitting kitchen in 2017. love it. Easy to cook with and control. No issues cooking stir fry, noodles, pasta or steaks etc. Easy to keep clean.

When out and I'm looking for any new pots I use the magnetic strap on my Apple Watch to test. It it stick sit will work Grin

billyt · 06/02/2021 18:56

if it sticks......

Greenevalley · 06/02/2021 19:01

I love induction jobs.
The only very small issue is making omelettes or stir fry, you can't get the heat up around the side of the pan .
Not worth changing back for though.

Itstheprinciple · 06/02/2021 19:07

Does an induction not always look smeary? We have very hard water and everything I wipe is left with water marks. I always think an induction hob would just be covered in smears.

AllBellyandBoobs · 06/02/2021 19:19

We have had induction for the past 6 years and love it. However, we have just had a new kitchen fitted and went for an induction plus a single gas burner. Bit of a luxury buy, but we eat a lot of stir fry dishes and found the wok never got hot enough with an induction.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 06/02/2021 19:20

@Itstheprinciple

Does an induction not always look smeary? We have very hard water and everything I wipe is left with water marks. I always think an induction hob would just be covered in smears.
Not at all- cleanest thing in my kitchen
itwaseverthus · 06/02/2021 19:56

I also had an induction hob in a villa in Portugal. Loathed it. Have a SMEG range and it's a breeze to clean and the gas wok burner is super powerful. Adore it.

ShaunaTheSheep · 06/02/2021 19:57

We have hard water and ours is spotless 2 years on. We keep a bottle of hob cream or spray handy for spills.

BringPizza · 06/02/2021 21:33

We have hard water but I don't clean it with water so no smears! I just spray with the multi purpose method kitchen spray I use on everything else, and wipe off. Comes up like new in seconds.

seepingweeping · 06/02/2021 22:04

Get a glass scraper if you get an induction hob.

I fucking hate mine and when it breaks, a gas hob will be replacing it.

DinoHat · 06/02/2021 22:31

@Itstheprinciple

Does an induction not always look smeary? We have very hard water and everything I wipe is left with water marks. I always think an induction hob would just be covered in smears.
Mine doesn’t at all, I just use kitchen spray. My parents does so maybe it depends on the lighting.
StanfordPines · 06/02/2021 22:36

The thing with an induction rather than ceramic is that the top never gets that hot. Nothing really sticks to it.
I had ceramic in an old house and once something boils over or spills then the glass scraper is needed. No need on induction as it doesn’t burn stuff on.

pinkcheesy · 06/02/2021 22:45

If you're planning on getting a boiling water tap as part of your kitchen, then the efficiency of induction for that won't matter. (I hugely recommend a Quooker tap)

I have cooked on two induction hobs and didn't find them very intuitive, especially as I'm used to being able to take things on and off and it not turning off in the meantime! I have a 5 ring Smeg gas hob (big middle ring for wok), with the knobs up the side rather than along the front. Maybe that would be something to look for if you're worried about your children and the hob. I cook a lot and find gas to be the easiest hobs. Cleaning it isn't massively hard - wiped down every day, sometimes gets an antibac spray, and every couple of weeks I strip the burners and wash those with the washing up.

Anyone installed an induction hob after gas and regretted it?
Whoopsmahoot · 06/02/2021 22:53

Would never go back to gas, quick and easy to clean. Love it

BringPizza · 06/02/2021 22:54

I had ceramic in an old house and once something boils over or spills then the glass scraper is needed. No need on induction as it doesn’t burn stuff on.
This. The only heat on an induction hob is what's conducted from the pans. I said before, I think some people are assuming any flat glass-topped electric hob is induction.

BringPizza · 06/02/2021 22:57

Besides, if you let something boil over, then keep cooking it on, then let it cool and harden then you deserve to have to scrub your hob Hmm

Love51 · 06/02/2021 22:57

You can't use one with a pacemaker.
My parents were looking at getting one, the saleswoman mentioned this in passing.

It may therefore affect resale speed/ value of your house as people might have to rip it out.

foxhat · 06/02/2021 23:02

We got an induction range a few months ago having had gas before. We did it for environmental reasons and for my health (I have asthma which is reasonably bad and gas releases a lot of particulates). We did it with some trepidation but I have to say I now love it! It is actually much more responsive than gas and heats things up in half the time.

Some people here are talking about hobs going orange - that's ceramic not induction. My dad has one of those and they are absolutely pants. I think some of the negative reviews you are getting here are confusing the two as at first glance they can look very similar. We chose an option with old-fashioned knobs rather than touch controls btw as I find touch controls unresponsive and pants.