Induction VS Electric Cooktops: What’s The Difference?

Whether you are remodeling your kitchen or you simply want to refurbish your cooking space, choosing the right cooktop will ensure that you have the power and performance to create the best meals for your family. Yet, how will you know what type of cooktop will best meet your family's needs? While gas stoves have been the preferred option for decades, electric and induction cooktops are rising in popularity. Not only has improved technology allowed electric and induction to catch up with the capabilities of gas cooktops, but homeowners are becoming concerned about the potential health effects of using a gas cooktop. 

If you want to move away from gas and install an electric or induction cooktop, you may wonder what the difference is between the two. Keep reading as we take a look at these two popular cooktop options and how you will know which is right for your family.

What's The Difference Between Induction and Electric?

Also known as radiant cooktops, electric cooktops have an electrical current that flows through a metal coil underneath the glass or ceramic surface of the cooktop. When the burner is turned on, the coil generates heat and starts to glow due to electrical resistance. The coil then heats the glass/ceramic cooktop, which in turn heats your cookware and causes your food to cook. Even after turning the burner off, your cooktop will remain hot until it has time to cool off.

Alternatively, induction cooktops don't produce heat. Instead, they produce an electromagnetic current that transfers directly to the cookware causing it to heat up without the cooktop getting hot. This improves efficiency as there is no heat lost trying to heat the surface of the cooktop.   

What Are The Benefits of Electric?

Electric cooktops have been a staple in many homes for decades, and many homeowners choose to install them simply because they are already comfortable cooking with them. In addition to being something you are probably already familiar with, electric cooktops provide additional benefits including:

They Come in a Wide Range of Options

Since electric cooktops are one of the most popular choices amongst homeowners, there are more options available to choose from when buying an electric stove compared to induction. This means that if you are particular about the style or design of your cooktop, or you are trying to stick within a specific price range, you will likely have an easier time finding what you need by choosing an electric stove.

You Can Use Your Existing Cookware

One thing many homeowners are not prepared for when they go to purchase an induction stove is that they may need new cookware. Induction stoves only work with magnetic metals like cast iron and some stainless steel. Depending on what you currently have, you may need to purchase all new cookware before installing an induction stove, which can get expensive. Of course, this is not something you'll have to worry about if you choose an electric stove.

Keep Food Warm

Since the cooking surface of an electric stove takes a while to cool down even after the burner has been turned off, this residual heat can help keep your food warm while it is being served. 

What Are The Benefits of Induction?

Of course, induction stoves also provide quite a few unique benefits compared to electric and gas stoves, which has caused them to become increasingly popular in recent years. Just a few of the advantages choosing an induction stove can provide include:

They're Safer for Families

Since the induction element heats the pan directly, this means that the cooktop itself does not get hot. In fact, you can touch the cooking surface immediately after removing the pan and it will barely feel warm. This makes induction cooktops a great option for families as you will not have to worry about your kids getting injured if they accidentally touch the cooktop after you're done cooking.  

Faster Cooking Times

With today's hectic schedules, anything that can save you time can be a lifesaver. One of the big advantages of choosing an induction cooktop is that they cook things faster. In fact, induction cooktops can boil water in half the time would take an electric or gas stove to do so. This is because you do not have to wait for the cooktop to heat up, and induction stoves provide even heating to the whole pan. Switching to induction can then save you a great deal of time. 

Save Energy

Since the heating process for induction stoves is both faster and more precise, this also means that you can save money on your energy bill by switching to induction. How much you save will depend on a variety of factors, but even using 10 percent less electricity when cooking can add up over time. 

Which is Right for Me?  

Ultimately, whether an electric or induction cooktop is right for your family will depend on your preferences and priorities. If you aren't a fan of change or you don't want to have to change your cookware, then stick to electric. If you're looking to reduce energy consumption, save time, and improve safety, then induction may be a good choice for you.

Feel free to contact us to learn more about your cooktop options and how you will know which option is best for your family.