Tips / Should you get a gas, ceramic or induction hob?
Reading Time: ~15 minutes
Should you get a gas, ceramic or induction cooktop?
With your first key comes great responsibility. You will have to plan and budget your kitchen at a certain point. Choosing the right cooking stove that fits your cooking habits, space requirements, and household needs can make a huge difference. With so many options available in the marketplace, knowing the different types of stoves (or hobs) can be a good starting point. Let us give you a hand in making your decision.
Gas Cooktop
The classic choice that many of our parents prefer. The gas hob is powered by either piped town gas or LPG (liquefied Petroleum Gas) in gas cylinders. When ignited, the flame provides direct heat to the cookware.
Cooking Speed
The gas hob takes approximately 8 minutes to boil 2 litres of water. The open flame system means that there is a lot of residual heat. Although modern gas burner design has improved significantly, only about 40% - 50% of heat energy is transferred directly to the food.
Energy Saving
Although a gas hob is less efficient in converting energy into heat, we must also consider that gas is still more efficient in generating heat than electricity. Furthermore, in addition to savings, gas costs are cheaper than electricity in Singapore.
Ease of Maintenance
The gas hob's uneven griddles and grates require more effort to clean thoroughly. The gas burners also require regular maintenance from hidden food residues in the gas ports.
​
Safety
Open flames are unsafe around children and pets.
Gas leakage is also another safety concern. Even as modern gas hobs become safer with an auto-gas-stop feature, you will need to pay more attention when using them to avoid accidents.
Cookware Compatibility
Gas hob works well with most cookwares. The additional support from cast iron griddles ensures stability for rounded base cookware such as woks and stir-fry pans.
Additional Considerations
The perfect hob if you are a foodie/Masterchef-in-the-making. The responsiveness of the gas knob allows us to turn up high heat for wok cooking or down quickly for gentle simmering. Also, being able to see the flame feels like we have more control too.
In summary, gas hobs offer maximum flexibility in cooking methods, firepower, and cookware.
Ceramic Cooktop
Ceramic or Vitroceramic hob has become one of the more popular choices due to its excellent flexibility. They are perfect for cooking with all utensils, from clay to metal. They transfer heat from a coil to the cookware through the ceramic glass cooktop. The heating is gradual and provides gentle heating to dishes.
Cooking Speed
The vitroceramic hob takes approximately 7 minutes to boil 2 litres of water. Heat energy is lost when transferred through the ceramic glass medium to the utensil's surface, leaving residual heat on the cooktop's surface for longer.
Energy Saving
Due to the heat loss, a vitroceramic hob is less energy efficient than an induction and gas hob.
Ease of Maintenance
The ceramic glass cooktop is tough, smooth, and easy to clean.
Safety
The vitroceramic cooktop remains hot even after it is turned off. Be cautious when attending to the surface to prevent any accidental burn from the residual heat.
Cookware Compatibility
Suitable for any cookware with a flat base.
Additional Considerations
If you are a low-maintenance, takeaway meal person, then vitroceramic hob is your best choice. Because when you do cook, you can still enjoy your dishes with ease, even the cleaning afterward.
Induction Hob
The induction hob uses electromagnetic waves to heat your cookware directly, turning your metallic pots and pans into heat sources. The induction system makes it highly energy efficient with very little heat loss. And best of all, the entire cooktop remains cool to the touch, so burns become less of a worry.
Cooking Speed
With a high 90% energy efficiency, induction hobs are undoubtedly the fastest when cooking. As a point of reference, we have measured the amount of time required to boil 2 litres of water on each type of hob.
The induction hob takes approximately 4 minutes. The temperature is also more consistent, so occasional spills or boil-over occur far less often.
Energy Saving
If you are looking for the lowest energy consumption, gas and induction hobs are your best option. Keep in mind that although the induction hob costs a little more, the savings on your electricity bill will be much more significant in the long run.
Ease of Maintenance
Most modern induction hobs have smooth ceramic glass surfaces that are scratch-resistant and easy to clean—making light work of chores.
Safety
The induction hob turns off instantly when you remove the pan from the cooktop, so there is no risk of burns. The ambient heat from your cookware may still cause a slight increase in temperature on the cooking surface, but it cools down much faster. A much safer option if you have curious young children and pets at home.
Cookware Compatibility
You must use iron or stainless steel cookware for the electrical induction system to work. You can still use pans in other materials as long as they have an induction plate at the bottom to work with the hob.
Additional Considerations
Food cooks faster, and meal prep is easier with an induction hob. Excellent for making dinner on a busy weekday.
Suppose you also cook regularly for your family. The induction hob's heavy-duty performance, cost efficiency, and safety will benefit you greatly.