Induction hob or ceramic

[emanonsah]

Which one to go for and why? I have no idea of the difference. I am a die hard gas hob fan but no gas supply sadly.

Definitely induction - much more responsive ( even if you have to buy new pans).
Ceramic is very slow to heat and cool - you have very limited control.

You have to buy new pans? For both?

Good to know on the slow responsiveness

I've not used a ceramic but I've had an induction for years and love it. It's very adjustable, like gas, much more energy efficient and extremely easy to clean. The only thing I wish I had gas for would be for a proper stir-fry in a wok - induction can't replicate that heat licking up the side of the wok, but for everything else it's great.

If your pans are magnetic they will be fine.

If you are used to gas ceramic will drive you crazy, so induction, even if you have to replace stuff

Induction. I love ours. Fast, responsive and easy to wipe.

Induction everytime!
We got or first one to reduce the chances of our Dd getting accidental burns and never looked back.Its as fast as gas but you can also simmer on really low heats and very responsive.
A doddle to clean as the surface doesn't get hot enough for anything to burn on.
Get a wired in one though not a plug in.

Definitely induction. Ours has a 'boost' setting where you can bring to the boil very quickly, plus all the safety and easy cleaning benefits that others have mentioned. It's so much more responsive than ceramic, I feel like crying if I ever use a ceramic one now

The one we bought was on a deal where we got a few pans free with it.

I've used both. Induction is quicker, also cools down much more quickly so more responsive in that sense. It's also the most energy efficient solution, even better than gas. That said, I can live with ceramic. I can only imagine the posters who find it sluggish have never used a conventional electric hob - those were indeed maddening.

Should have added, ime there's zero difference between cleaning induction and a good glass ceramic surface. Same cleaning products, apply with a bit of paper towel, done.

Induction is SO fast. I used to boil a kettle of water for pasta/veggies but it heats up a pan of water faster!

You do need new pans though yes. For us it was a great opportunity for an upgrade.

You only need new pans for induction if your current pans are all non-magnetic. I switched to induction from gas and didn't need any new pans as mine were already all stainless steel or cast iron.

Ceramic is painfully slow if you're used to gas. My induction hob is even quicker than my old gas one.

Grumpy panda,you must never have burnt jam on a ceramic hob.The difference is that food doesn't burn easily on the induction glass as it isn't heated directly and cools quickly once the pan is off.

What do people use instead of cast iron on an induction hob? I love my cast iron pans for cooking/searing steak. I'm in the middle of a house renovation and need to make cooking decisions soon!

@emanonsah

induction

I like induction hubs but in my experience they don’t last longer than about 7 years before they start breaking. I’ve had several friends with this issue including me and they aren’t really fixable.

Like almost everyone else, induction every time. It's just so fast, and easy to clean because the hob itself never really gets hot, so food doesn't burn onto it.

Ikea stainless steel pans are great quality and value.

Cast iron pans work well on an induction hob.
Older stainless steel pans probably won't , unless they are made for induction with a conductive layer in the base.

I was a die hard gas hob fan until when we had a kitchen refit earlier this year they brought and induction hob by mistake. I checked my pans and found that they were magnetic so I told the fitter just to fit the induction hob anyway.

I don't think I would go back to gas now.

Magnetic pans don't have to be expensive. I have Scoville non stick pans and an induction friendly stock pot from Wilko.

Cast iron's fine. Some of mine dates back to the 70s. Still fine. Induction hobs are great.

@NotMeNoNo Thanks for that - induction hob it is then :)

I have had 2 ceramic hobs and been very happy with them, haven't found them slow or anything. Gas is better for a wok but so much harder to clean!

Get induction. Ceramic hobs are inefficient with electricity because they take so long to warm up and then waste heat when switching off. Induction is immediate and very responsive like an open flame you would normally have with gas.

Amazing, thanks so much for these answers!

Will have to get a magnet and check out my pans!! What about my lovely Le Creuset wedding gifts- are they now for oven only or do they work?