Gas, ceramic or induction hob – what’s the difference?
Gas hobs
Gas hobs are popular and for good reason. They heat up quickly, are easy to control, and distribute heat evenly across the pan. They are perfect for simmering and frying. Plus, they can be used with all types of pans.
But standard gas hobs can be fiddly to clean. An alternative is a gas-on-glass hob (a gas hob on top of ceramic glass), as its smooth surface is quick to wipe down.
Gas hobs must always be installed by a registered and qualified gas engineer. These hobs can run off mains gas or LPG cylinders, but the gas hob must be designed for your specific gas supply.
Ceramic (electric) hobs
Most hobs – whether electric, gas or induction – are ‘ceramic’ as ceramic refers to their sleek glass cooking surface, not the hob itself. But most retailers use ‘ceramic hob’ to describe a standard electric hob. Electric ceramic hobs are a sleek, modern addition to kitchens. They’re easy to clean and, like gas hobs, can be used with any pan.
But electric hobs are slower to respond to heat adjustments, and tend to spread heat less evenly across the base of the pan. A qualified electrician should hardwire in a ceramic hob.
Induction hobs
Induction hobs use electricity to create an electromagnetic field that delivers instant heat directly to the bottom of the pan. This makes them safer than other hobs as the hob itself remains (comparatively) cool, reassuring if you have young children around. Additionally, most induction (and electric) hobs feature integrated child-safety locks for added peace of mind.
Induction hobs are also more energy efficient than gas or electric hobs and heat food faster. A qualified electrician should hardwire in an induction hob.
All induction hobs require iron-based magnetic pans to function correctly. This means you’ll need to invest in a set of induction hob pans if your current cookware isn’t made of cast iron or stainless steel.
Many induction hob pans are marked with a symbol to show they’re compatible. This looks like a series of loops.
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