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Original poster

should I get an induction hob or 'normal' ceramic hob - any recent recommendations?

54 replies

NumptyMum · 30/12/2017 21:32

We need to get a new hob, we've got a ceramic hob at the mo. However I'm getting so confused by reviews for new ones - it looks like the ceramic hobs of 10 years ago were better than the ones available now, as the reviews are so mixed. So I'm wondering what people's experiences are with recent brands of electric/ceramic hob, and whether I should consider an induction hob (and if so, which brand). Prob max £350 though... esp if I have to buy a whole new set of pans (mine are lovely but ancient habitat ones, bought over 10 years ago). Help!

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applespearsbears · 30/12/2017 21:35

We got a Zanussi induction job with electric fan oven 2 years ago, it's fantastic! Boils water almost instantly is easy to clean etc . I don't use a huge range of pans but founds good affordable frying pans in Argos for induction. Bought it from John Lees.

applespearsbears · 30/12/2017 21:36

Lewis!

namechangedtoday15 · 30/12/2017 21:43

I bought a ceramic hob about 4 years ago and then re-did the kitchen about 18 months ago and got an induction hob (Neff). It is completely different. Much more responsive, fast, easy to clean. Love it. I don't think it was much more than your budget and the John Lewis pans we got as a wedding present 14 years ago work with it!

LovingLola · 30/12/2017 21:45

Doing a kitchen revamp shortly. Getting induction hob. Which comes with an integrated extractor fan.

Crumbelina · 30/12/2017 22:09

Oh God, 100% go for induction! I thought I'd never swap from gas but they're absolutely amazing. So much better than ceramic or electric. And a doddle to clean.

Original poster
NumptyMum · 30/12/2017 22:18

Great, thanks for all the replies! So if I go for induction, is there anything I need to know? Other than getting the right pans... I've seen something about pan sizes fitting the rings; if they aren't the right size, is that a problem? I'm also guessing they have to be flat bottomed (unlike my frying pan, which has somehow warped and goes up in the middle...). Would that be right? Any recommendations for brands/models??

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Original poster
NumptyMum · 30/12/2017 22:20

Oh - and is there some difference re the wiring, ie if we've got wiring in place that's for the ceramic hob, will we need something different for the induction hob?

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Crikeyblimey · 30/12/2017 22:24

Induction all the way. No need to bother about Ian sizes cos the ‘induction’ but only works where the pan touches so a small pan on a large ring will only heat the small pan area (if that makes sense).

I used my sister’s ‘normal’ electric hob on Christmas Day and was unpleasantly surprised how slow it was.

When we first got the induction, ds and I tested it by boiling a mug full of water. Hob vs kettle. Hob won hands down.

Also v responsive, just like gas. But a million times easier to clean.

No contest.

Geneticsbunny · 30/12/2017 22:25

Shape won't matter as the electromagnet heats the metal directly regardless of how much it is in contact with the hob. Anything you can stick a magnet on will work. Most saucepans including cast iron are ok. My main problem was finding frying pans as most of them are aluminium. Wiring should be the same as any other hob.

Crikeyblimey · 30/12/2017 22:26

Ian sizes obviously could read ‘pan’ sizes.

As induction only works where it touches, your ‘warped’ pan may have issues.

No idea about wiring but can’t see there being a problem (not a qualifying Ed electrician).

Puffthemagicdragongoestobed · 30/12/2017 22:26

Speak to an electrician if you go for induction. When we did our kitchen 5 years ago and considered induction we would have had to have stronger cabling laid. In the end we went for gas as we just like to cook with gas. Have heard good things about induction though. I was at my Dad’s over Xmas and he has a big ceramic stove and cooking on it is rubbish even though it’s a Neff.

lashy · 30/12/2017 22:26

We recently got a fab AEG induction hob from John Lewis which required 35 amp cable (ie. it needed to be hardwired whereas some hobs can be plugged into the mains) - and so an electrician was necessary for us.
Wiring therefore, may or may not be necessary - it depends what you decide to go for.
We always had gas before but following some house remodelling it was going to be very messy and expensive to relocate the gas pipe. Getting rid of the gas hob and going for induction was the better option for us.
It's amazing and I don't think I'd ever go back to gas again.

Puffthemagicdragongoestobed · 30/12/2017 22:29

I find gas hobs really easy to clean. Just a sponge, water and a bit of washing up liquid job done.

Original poster
NumptyMum · 30/12/2017 22:30

God, just looked at a Lakeland one which says it's 'not suitable for use if you have a pacemaker'. I'm assuming it's only if they are in close proximity, but does make me nervous for visitors! Fingers crossed I don't require one myself, I'm planning on this set-up lasting for 10 plus years... ShockConfusedGrin

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MummySparkle · 30/12/2017 22:35

Frigging love my induction hob! It's by baumatic and I'm assuming it wasn't too expensive as we live in rented. It's fast, responsive and a doddle to clean. I've never had to scrub it in 3 years of living here Grin

The only thing is that it doesn't work with tiny pans. Somehow the ring doesn't register it. I'm wondering whether the electromagnets are around the edge of the ring, when they don't register a pan assuming it won't come on. Only other issue is The touch sensitive buttons are sometimes annoying. Can't fault it for cooking though

Aturkeyisnotjustforchristmas · 30/12/2017 22:36

Induction is amazing. You might need new pans.

Original poster
NumptyMum · 30/12/2017 22:41

Is there such a thing as a bad induction hob?? The price seems to range from quite low (less than I'd expected) to eye-watering. What do I need to look for?

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Original poster
NumptyMum · 30/12/2017 22:41

and thanks MummySparkle for your recommendation!

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TheNemesisOfLame · 30/12/2017 22:44

I went from gas to induction hob.

Totally love it - its super responsive and a doddle to clean. But we did get our cabling upgraded as it's heavy on the juice.

I also picked a hob with a frame as I was worried about dropping stuff on the edge and chipping it

Some of my old pans worked- and I've just bought a couple of frying pans from TKMaxx.

Original poster
NumptyMum · 30/12/2017 23:17

Another question, having done a bit more reading up - a review of an Ikea induction hob said it was very noisy. Are induction hobs noisy in general, or was it just because this one was defective??

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Original poster
NumptyMum · 30/12/2017 23:19

...and thank you for all the replies so far, all very helpful Smile

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verystressedmum · 30/12/2017 23:43

I went from ceramic to induction last year and would never have a ceramic again. Ceramic was just so rubbish to cook on so slow to heat things up and when you turn a pan down i had to take it off the ring til it cooled down or it would carry on boiling.
If you can go induction then do you definitely won’t regret it.

Crikeyblimey · 31/12/2017 00:05

Ours only makes a kind of ringing ‘electrical’ noise at full blast. So, no, not obviously noisy.

MiaowTheCat · 31/12/2017 07:55

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