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Original poster

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

69 replies

GrimmaTheNome · 07/09/2011 15:46

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!

OP posts:
PaloAlto · 07/09/2011 15:48

There are no pros and lots of cons. I hated mine.

2madboys · 07/09/2011 15:53

Was just going to say the opposite to Palo! The only cons I've found are that I had to get new pans. Love everything about it.

Original poster
GrimmaTheNome · 07/09/2011 15:55

Ah, just what I need Grin - go on, specifics please?

OP posts:
northender · 07/09/2011 15:57

Definitely no cons.

northender · 07/09/2011 16:01

There have been threads on here before about them and I've been sure when people are negative they're talking about ceramic not induction.

  1. They are so easy to clean
  2. Mine cuts out if a pan boils dry
  3. Incredibly controllable heat
  4. Energy efficient
  5. No direct heat generated so safer with kids around

I have genuinely not found any cons with it. I cook so much and just would not swap it.

twooter · 07/09/2011 16:39

I love mine. Very very controllable, no worries re naked flames/ gas etc. Don't always need new pans - most of my old ones still worked.

PorkChopSter · 07/09/2011 16:50

I like mine now.
I like that it boils a vat of water quicker than the kettle.
I like that it is so easily cleaned - it doesn't get hot and it's flush with the worksurface so you DH just wipe s over.
I like that it is programmable - you set it to stop cooking in 10 minutes and it does.
I like that it stops and starts when you turn it on and off. There's none of that lag of warming up you get with electric.

The only thing that's a bit dodgy is that you can't hear or smell when something is boiling over - I was used smelling gas to a gas hob hissing loudly when something had come to the boil, there was more than once in the early days where I stood staring at water coming over the top of the pan thinking there was something I ought to be doing, but what was it?

TattyCatty · 07/09/2011 16:57

Biggest con is that you seemingly can't use non stick pans with them. We went through around one a year, including the Le Creuset frying pan that I invested in at an eye watering £95. No matter how careful I was, it created hot spots which basically knackered the non stick surface and, you guessed it, caused the food to stick.

We've recently moved to a house with a beautiful new kitchen and I was disappointed initially when I realised that they had halogen instead of induction, but it's been a refreshing change. Just as easy to clean / fast to heat up (mind you, it is a Neff, so pretty swish). It's also a myth that induction cools down straightaway - in a moment of madness I decided to try the theory out by touching a ring that had been turned off 2 minutes beforehand. Ouch!

BananaMontana · 07/09/2011 16:59

Inherited one in this house. It's fantastic. I can think of no cons.
Have stayed in holiday home with a Miele one. Don't get Miele. It was really annoying in comparison to our perfect hob. (Neff)

Original poster
GrimmaTheNome · 07/09/2011 17:02

Oh, I really wouldn't like not to be able to use non-stick pans. I'd never scramble an egg or make an omelette again. I realised the ones I've got won't work but assumed it was just a matter of finding steel-bottomed replacements.

Halogen Confused - never even heard of those!

OP posts:
campergirls · 07/09/2011 17:02

We've been using cheap IKEA non-stick pans on our induction hob for ages with no problems.

Original poster
GrimmaTheNome · 07/09/2011 17:04

Don't get Miele. It was really annoying in comparison to our perfect hob. (Neff)

interesting - we were originally thinking of Miele but the bloke who owns the kitchen company said he has all Neff himself so were tending that way anyhow.

OP posts:
BananaMontana · 07/09/2011 17:17

We have two non-stick pans. One is from Ikea. It's not true that you can't use non-stick.

northender · 07/09/2011 17:32

We have non stick pans too, no problems. We have a NEFF and certainly don't have any of the problems mentioned. 2 minutes after you've switched off you would definitely be able to touch it safely. The whole point with the new pans thing is that the rings themselves don't generate heat it's through electromagnetic induction, therefore the only heat on the hob is what comes back from the pan if that makes any sense!

Original poster
GrimmaTheNome · 07/09/2011 17:47

Yes - the pans have to be ferromagnetic I think. So aluminium doesn't work and I don't think my copper-bottomed pans will either (a fridge magnet wont stick to their undersides) - and obviously non-metallic casseroles also won't work.

OK, majority view positive but maybe I should check out halogen too?

OP posts:
RedorLead · 07/09/2011 17:49

You can't use a wok on an induction, so we're getting a gas wok domino to match the induction and that way I can keep all my favourite pans!

Original poster
GrimmaTheNome · 07/09/2011 17:56

Surely someone must make a flat-bottomed iron wok?

Domino? Confused (we don't have gas in the kitchen anyway, else I'd be having a gas hob to start with!)

OP posts:
northender · 07/09/2011 18:11

This is another similar thread you might find useful Grimma

RedorLead · 07/09/2011 20:07

Oh and you can't char aubergine for baba ganoush. I'm sure you can get a flat bottomed wok but I really don't want to let go of my favourite pans and yet I still want the convenience of induction. I'd like to teach the dc's to cook and flames close to their clothes concern me...and besides the wok burner looks cool. Grin

chocoroo · 07/09/2011 20:29

You can use a wok...in fact I'm using one on ours as I write.

Have also had no problems with non-stick pans either.

Love, love, love my hob.

Original poster
GrimmaTheNome · 08/09/2011 20:33

Thanks everyone - all very helpful. The kitchen designer chap reckoned it'd come with a free set of pans (though I bet I still have to buy steamer, wok and good nonstick pans.)

Not going to try to find those online just now - last night browsing for suitable wok my computer picked up a helluva nasty virus. First one I've had in 25 years with my company.

OP posts:
squishysquashy · 09/09/2011 23:03

My dad had one it broke down and IIRC couldn't be fixed. Given the cost he went back to cheap gas.

jamaisjedors · 10/09/2011 21:34

Thanks for the thread - very useful - we are considering the same but DH is reluctant to abandon the gas in case of a power cut.

Also I think it might be horrendously expensive compared to a bog standard gas hob.

Original poster
GrimmaTheNome · 11/09/2011 21:26

Unfortunately the builders idiotically omitted to run gas pipes to the kitchen. Our last house had gas hob, electric oven, which is obviously ideal.

OP posts:
Pannacotta · 11/09/2011 21:30

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