Induction or Gas

[munkii]

Which do you have or which would you choose if you were doing a remodel? H and I had every intention of buying gas today but left the store empty handed so we can consider induction.

What I like about induction is the efficiency through direct heating and speed, it's cool to the touch, it's easy to clean, and the temperature is very controllable like gas. However, it can't do everything gas can such as cooking directly on the flame. So, I would no longer be able to cook tortillas or blister peppers the way I've always done.

The other option we've been discussing is getting induction for the main and installing a wok burner to the side.

What say H&G? Thanks!

[ssmjlm]

We are going to put in a gas line when we remodel for the stove. We already have gas water and heat.

[kaylie]

I'm a kitchen gal and would LOVE induction. In fact, gas is not an option for us (running a gas line to our house would cost half a million dollars, according to the utility company) so when we get a new stove it will be induction. That said, it does limit the type of cookware you can use so if you have a ton of fancy pans that aren't compatible it might be extra inconvenient.

If you're planning on selling anytime soon, I would go with gas since it's more universally appealing. If not, it all comes down to personal preference and practicality. I use my broiler to do peppers, so the loss of the flame wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

[Deleted]

We chose induction. When I was doing research on induction, I read that those who consider and research induction end up choosing induction over gas; this was at an appliance forum. At first I was adamant about getting a 36" open burner professional gas cooktop. I had my eyes on the 23k btu Capital Culinarian and the 22k btu BlueStar. In the end, H and I agreed that induction is best for us. If we need flame, there's a gas grill at the patio.

If you start leaning towards induction, try to go to a cooking demo or try using one first before finalizing your decision.

[craftymrs]

When we lose power it's often for an extended period of time. I chose gas cook top (so I can cook w/out electricity) with an electric double oven like PP.

[beer]

I have induction and I love it. Gas was not an option for us. One thing I like aside from the quick heating is the fact that it is totally smooth. No knobs, buttons etc on the surface. I have limited counter space and it is almost just like a counter top surface if I need it.

[Deleted]

We have been looking at induction since a gas line would be prohibitively expensive. We currently have a glass top stove and I also like the extra counter space it gives me when not in use.

Does anyone have an induction range like this one?

www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/home-appliances/ranges/ranges/FTQ307NWGX/XAC

[munkii]

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback. We're still talking it out.

The reason this became an issue, so to speak, is because our salesperson gave us a one-on-one demonstration of the induction when we asked her about it. We had the opportunity to interact with it, and we had a discussion with the store's chef about it. I think the bottom line is that I.hate.decisions. Gah!

[FoxInFiji]

We don't have access to gas at our house and since we went with a geothermal system we don't have propane either. Since we're limited to electric everything we're seriously considering induction when we get to our kitchen remodel. I hate to replace our nice pans from our wedding but it's going to be many more years before we get to the kitchen which is basically our last room to remodel and the pans will be fairly used by then.

[wawa]

I've struggled with this decision myself. But since we decided to put the kitchen onto the backburner I got to put it off.

My thoughts - gas is more buyer friendly. You can use a wider range of cooking equipment. (I'd be fine with my regular cookware, but I'd have to replace my canning pot, my pressure cooker, and my lone nonstick designated "fried egg pan") It's also more intuitive (for me) in that you can SEE the flame so you know exactly how much heat you are applying. But the grates can be a pain to clean. And you have to keep buying gas, which is a static thing in terms of environmental impact. (electricity can get "cleaner")

But induction is more precise and more controllable. It boils faster, sears really well and will also do a really really low constant heat for delicate sauces. It's also more efficient and heats your house less. But it's (almost always) more expensive, both in terms of initial cost and any repairs. It's harder to find somebody to work on an induction top in most areas of this country if it breaks. (if you're in a big city this isn't really an issue)

Cost aside, for me it came down to the fact that I love cooking. It's a hobby and a passion for me, and frankly I just enjoy cooking with gas. People can tell me till they are blue in the face that induction is amazing because of this stat and that stat - but it just seems...cold and impersonal. It's a totally BS emotional argument, but it's the one that was winning in my head when we tabled the dicussion. If you aren't all touchy-feeley about your kitchen time like I am, then you might feel otherwise.

I will say that $$$ aside, if it was a choice between conventional electric and induction I'd pick induction in a hot second.

[steamboat185]

We just finished our kitchen remodel and chose induction. So far I love cooking on it, but we did need to get new pans. Induction is so easy to clean we put a cheap sil mat under the pan when making anything messy and there is no clean up, the stovetop never gets really hot, and there is far less heat wasted then gas. The burners are very powerful and boil water amazingly fast- making pasta takes minutes less then with our old crappy burners. I'm sure gas would have been great, but as a messy cook I love the easy clean up. One thing to know it does require at least a 240v outlet our electrician had to get a special wire to make sure we could run all 5 burners at max power with no trouble.

[mie]

Gas wasn't an option for us so we went with a GE induction range. I had to get new pots and pans, but it was worth it!