Going electric - induction hobs

GOING ELECTRIC – The Induction cooktop

The comments shown here are based on the personal experience of the writer only. There is no connection with any commercial enterprise. For further technical advice, please consult an electrician.

Why make the change?

• Gas is methane – a known potent greenhouse gas.

• The combustion products in gas contribute to asthma – especially in children

• Gas is less efficient than electric. 90% of the energy in gas is converted to heat, however 70% of that is lost up the sides of the pan and into the kitchen.
  
  

Advantages of an induction cooktop

• Kitchen stays cooler - no heat lost from under the pan 

• No fumes or smell

• Food heats up more quickly as we are not heating the kitchen as well

•  Control is very precise – just as quick as gas

•  Spills clean up very easily and don’t get baked on

• Cooktop is one flat sheet so pans are very stable

• Cooking with electricity is cheaper than gas, especially if you have solar panels!
  
  

Safer for the family

• The induction method only heats the pan, so less chance of burns to little fingers

• Heat switches off automatically when a pan is lifted up

• Heat switches off also if pan boils dry or liquid boils over

• Cooktops operate by touch switches, there are no knobs protruding which could be accidentally turned on or off

Other features commonly found

• Bridge Function – allows a large pan to spread over two cooking zones

• Control panel can be locked to avoid accidental changes to the heat setting

• Countdown timers can be set to control length of cooking time

• Low settings can be selected to keep food warm
  
  

Important to know!

• A 30 amp circuit breaker is essential, so a certified electrician will need to do the installation

• It is a requirement that the cooktop has a local power switch, which can simply be a replacement double socket as shown below.

• All pots, pans, frying pans etc. must be suitable for induction ie. they must be magnetic. Check with a magnet on the base of the pan or choose ‘suitable for all cooktops’ label on the underside. Examples:

Unsure if it’s for you?

There are various makes of portable single induction plates which use a normal power socket, but they are not quite so responsive as the full cooktop.

SAFETY WARNING

Induction cooktops generate electromagnetic fields.

The British Heart Foundation advises against the use of these cooktops if you have a pacemaker.

An ABC Sydney (19/1/23) interview with a cardiologist also advised keeping at least 3 feet away from these stoves  if you have a pacemaker fitted.

Article written by a member of TGG in 2024