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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Induction or gas

21 replies

vez123 · 07/12/2012 08:35

I am sure this has been discussed before but just thought to get some fresh opinions... We are just getting a new kitchen and now have to decide on the hob. For me it was always clear that I wanted gas. In all our previous kitchens we used gas, I am used to it, I like the speed and the controllability of it. The one thing I do not like is the obsessive compulsive constant checking if the gas is still turned on.
Now DH has done some research and is determined to get induction. I have read around it as well and it sounds mostly good but I am still not entirely convinced. It's probably also because it would going away from something that I know and like. I guess the one thing that could swing me would be the security aspect. The cleaning of the gas stove never bothered me so this would not be an aspect for me to swing me towards induction.
any opinions?

many thanks

OP posts:
DeckTheHallsWithBoughsOfBolly · 07/12/2012 08:42

I adore my induction hob, if we goon holiday and I have to cook on anything else it is a nightmare, unresponsive, dirty, and makes the kitchen look cluttered and I'm always worried about the kids. Mine is sleek, sparking, doubles as extra work tip space, heats up faster than gas and cuts out immediately is anything boils over, so no worries about gas leaking out. I'll never go back!

ELR · 07/12/2012 08:45

I have gas my best friend has induction, she hates it! If I go to her house to cook its a nightmare. Gas is loads better!

Original poster
vez123 · 07/12/2012 09:11

ELR, why is cooking on your friend's induction hob such a nightmare?

OP posts:
maillotjaune · 07/12/2012 09:22

I have had induction for 6 years, after being Envy of my Mum's hob for a few years before we had the kitchen replaced.

I love it and would never go back to gas.

Pros

Clean
Responsive
Fast to heat up - all rings as fast as the massive, fully turned up gas ring
Only gets hot due to transferred heat from the pan and cools to safe temperature quickly
Has lock so children can't fiddle with it
Has built in timer in each ring
Can't be turned on at all unless compatible pan on there so zero risk of children doing so

Cons

Needed new set of pans
Erm...

Really it is like cooking on gas for responsiveness with a whole load of other advantages.

ELR · 07/12/2012 20:38

I had brought stuff around in my pans and then had to switch everything into hers as mine were not induction friendly(le cruset) then I found it difficult to get the right temperature so I could simmer something. Then trying to make custard I burnt the cream as again difficulty in getting temerature right.
I'm not saying that I wouldn't have been able to master the temp problem but I just prefer gas.

ELR · 07/12/2012 20:40

Also I can't imagine that I would be able to char grill using a griddle but may be wrong. Can you not get a both?

EggNogRules · 07/12/2012 20:42

Dived in all Xmas Angry and was about to lobby that you should demand gas if you want it (during childbirth induction).

Anyhoo I like the cleaness of induction but prefer to cook with gas. It would depend on the kitchen

DorsetKnobwithJingleBellsOn · 07/12/2012 20:42

Gas

crochetqueen · 07/12/2012 21:03

elr I don't think a one off experience can put you off. I always used gas and wasn't convinced but have had induction for 2 years now. The rings are quick and responsive to heat up. A pan of water is quicker than boiling the kettle if turned up high. There are 9 levels on my rings and there is certainly a simmer mode....I had a few trial and errors to begin with but now know exactly what to do with what. I'm trying to teach DC a few things in the kitchen and allow them to stir stuff without being terrified of a naked flame and the induction lends itself to that. Plus, you literally spray and wipe and it is fabulously clean. No fiddling with several parts and digging out bits of leftover food. I also cook stir fries in a wok and griddle steaks....all on and in my Le Creuset which works beautifully on it.......as you can see, I'm a complete convert......

maillotjaune · 08/12/2012 08:52

Le Creuset pans are cast iron which are induction compatible, and yes you can get griddle pans made for induction.

maillotjaune · 08/12/2012 08:54

Pressed send too soon!

Mine has 15 levels - anything below 5 pretty gentle, 2/3 good for long simmering of casseroles over a couple of hours, and 1 just keeps warm.

aufaniae · 08/12/2012 09:08

I also thought this was a pregnancy thread! I was thinking why would you need to be induced if you didn't want G+A? And induction with no pain relief? Ouch!

Relieved to see this is in fact about kitchens Grin

I prefer gas btw. Just used to it I suppose.

EggNogRules · 08/12/2012 09:11

aufaniae I sprinted to the thread to add a message to offer all sorts of advice about getting gas and air. I loved it ( was induced too).

I like the look of inductions and like teh sound of 15 levels of control.

aufaniae · 08/12/2012 19:41

15 levels of G+A control you say?
I only found on and off, must have been doing it wrong, no wonder it hurt so much! Wink

MoreBeta · 08/12/2012 19:46

Some commercial kitchens are moving away from gas to induction hobs because it reduces the amount of heat generated in a kitchen. Gas burners generate a lot of heat that does not go into the pan but induction all the heat is in the pan.

I have a gas hob now which is great for controllability but I will go induction next time. I have used both and both are very controllable but induction is much much easier cleaning and the heat factor is also important for me.

RandomMess · 08/12/2012 22:03

Love my induction hob, I love gas too but would choose induction over gas everytime now. Also with gas prices rising I think electric is the way to go...

mercibucket · 08/12/2012 22:19

Induction all the way

(Not sure why le creuset didn't work on it, they should, altho mine are a bit heavy and I was terrified of smashing the top)

I find them to be as responsive as gas to turning up and down, safety is a massive bonus, partticularly if you like the kids to help out with stirring etc, and they look awesome

Rattitude · 10/12/2012 15:37

If you decide on induction, make sure you do your research. My Mum, who lives on her own, recently got an induction hob from Bosch with 3 rings (one large, one medium, one small). The rings will only work on pans that have roughly the same diameter as the rings they are on.

This is useless for my Mum as she will typically want to use two small pans at the same time.

Siemens induction hobs seem to work like Bosch's but there are other brands of induction hobs which will heat small pans even when they are on bigger rings.

Apart from that, I think induction is the way to go!

PetiteRaleuse · 10/12/2012 15:43

I've been using induction for three months, previously using gas. The only issue was replacing some of my pans. I liked gas, but love induction now I am used to it. Easy to cleam, control temperature, safer and more economic. Love it.

langho · 10/12/2012 15:50

I have had mine 3 years now and love it!
So much easier, looks better, fast response.
Wonderful!!

I had a load of Le Cruset and just use those and then got a couple of other pans from TK Maxx.

I wouldn't want to cook any other way now.

vitaminC · 10/12/2012 16:05

I moved house 6 weeks ago and the new place has both - 2 gas rings and 2 induction.

Luckily my pans were compatible, but OMG, I just can't get to grips with the induction at all! Everything burns and sticks in the bottom of the pan and the heat doesn't seem to circulate within the contents of the pan like it does with gas. Even if I stand there stirring continually (which is a big PITA anyway)!

So, I'm pretty frustrated with it and having to survive with just 2 rings, as we can't afford to change the hob right now Sad

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