Induction vs gas cooktop?

[dk168]

@msop04 the same applies to all types of hobs in that certain amount of clearance is required above them.

Again, ventilation/extraction is required regardless of the type of hobs to remove steam/smoke etc. generated when cooking indoors.

I have an extraction hood above my gas hob plus and additional extraction fan in the ceiling near it.

In my camper van, I shall cook with the back doors open when the weather is good. I have asked for an extractor to be put in for the days when it is raining cats and dogs outside.

DK

 

[MJ_Mac]

We had a WOLF induction and it was a piece of crap (sorry for being blunt). We could get it to boil but low to medium heat was a major problem. We had a WOLF authorized technician come out and he didn't have a clue about how the cooktop worked. Long story but we eventually gave up in frustration and replaced it with a Thermador ceramic electric because we knew how it worked. We had an old coil Thermador cooktop prior to the induction which we loved but unfortunately parts were no longer available for it. I think our induction cooktop was a dud. We may try one again someday but we're afraid of going through the same thing. Our friends who have inductions love them so we were so surprised to have such a bad experience. I will say that the store where we purchased the WOLF induction cooktop no longer gets our business.

Gas isn't an option for us as I am terrified of flame.

 

[jaaron]

We had a WOLF induction and it was a piece of crap (sorry for being blunt). We could get it to boil but low to medium heat was a major problem. We had a WOLF authorized technician come out and he didn't have a clue about how the cooktop worked. Long story but we eventually gave up in frustration and replaced it with a Thermador ceramic electric because we knew how it worked. We had an old coil Thermador cooktop prior to the induction which we loved but unfortunately parts were no longer available for it. I think our induction cooktop was a dud. We may try one again someday but we're afraid of going through the same thing. Our friends who have inductions love them so we were so surprised to have such a bad experience. I will say that the store where we purchased the WOLF induction cooktop no longer gets our business.

Gas isn't an option for us as I am terrified of flame.

I think, here in the UK, Wolf stopped producing induction for a while due to issues and poor feedback. A couple of years ago, they came out with an induction range (as opposed to a cooktop) in the US only--not available here. I put one in our beach house in the states and have been pretty happy with it, but, to be fair, it's not the stove I use on a daily basis. I definitely don't like it as much as the (cheaper) ones I've had here in the UK. I think Europeans have been ahead on induction technology, but it's now catching up in the US. Having had pretty crappy service from both Wolf and SubZero in the past, though, I feel your pain on that!

 

[sonnyjane]

Several towns in my state (Washington) are proposing bans on natural gas in homes. Seattle wants to ban natural gas in new construction. Some other towns are proposing banning it in EXISTING homes as well. We currently have a gas range and I like it (I also like that if the power goes out, as it often does here, I could still cook). I'm curious to see where the legislation goes! The Seattle ban vote was postponed because, shocker, they didn't consult anybody on the logistics of what that actually meant.

 

[missy]

Several towns in my state (Washington) are proposing bans on natural gas in homes. Seattle wants to ban natural gas in new construction. Some other towns are proposing banning it in EXISTING homes as well. We currently have a gas range and I like it (I also like that if the power goes out, as it often does here, I could still cook). I'm curious to see where the legislation goes! The Seattle ban vote was postponed because, shocker, they didn't consult anybody on the logistics of what that actually meant.

I doubt this will pass but if it does (and maybe it will because I don't know the politics involved) I sure hope it doesn't pass in the Northeast. That would be very challenging indeed for many of us. We have a natural gas generator at our beach house and we need it. After Sandy it ran for over 2 weeks because we had no power and that natural gas generator was a life saver.

 

[asscherisme]

I am not familiar with induction, but I hate gas. I owned a home for 20 years that had electric, then I rented for a while, also electric. The home I bought in 2018 has gas, and I hate it. I hate the smell! And, no there is no leaks or anything wrong. But when cooking with gas, you will just have a certain smell. And that smell when you preheat the oven. I have had it checked out not only by the person who installed the range/oven, but I called the gas company too because I thought I was smelling too much. The gas company was super nice and tested and assured me it was normal.

Maybe I am odd because I have never heard anyone complain about the smell. I miss electric. Induction sounds intriguing. I don't have the funds for a remodel anyway so it does not really matter.

 

[rainydaze]

I'll just add that I got a Bosch induction, a 36" model. I looked at Wolf and Thermador but the reviews at the time (6 years ago?) were not favorable. The Bosch inductions had good feedback. It's been working perfectly since installation, no issues or complaints whatsoever.

On the other hand we had to install a downdraft hood because our kitchen did not allow for a overhead hood. That thing is awful. The motor rusts over and stops working from the moisture it's pulling and it's a nightmare to get at. My dad actually had to help me do it (he's a mechanic and has always done his own repairs on everything) because the repairperson wouldn't touch it. It broke again within months.

 

[sonnyjane]

Several towns in my state (Washington) are proposing bans on natural gas in homes. Seattle wants to ban natural gas in new construction. Some other towns are proposing banning it in EXISTING homes as well. We currently have a gas range and I like it (I also like that if the power goes out, as it often does here, I could still cook). I'm curious to see where the legislation goes! The Seattle ban vote was postponed because, shocker, they didn't consult anybody on the logistics of what that actually meant.

Washington (state) is quite famous for passing laws that look great on paper but don't accomplish their goals and create a huge burden on taxpayers so... who knows!

 

[AdaBeta27]

Induction can't be used by anyone who has a cardiac pacemaker. Just something to consider now, in case the issue suddenly comes up later.

 

[Austina]

I find my induction hob is every bit as controllable as gas, and I’ve never had a problem with anything boiling over when I’ve turned the heat down. I remember now I had a ceramic hob back in 1980, and that thing was ridiculous. Had to take the pan off if it was coming up to the boil otherwise it would boil over.

I’ve also got a Siemens downdraft extractor as my hob is in my island and I couldn’t have a conventional extraction hood over it. I love it.

 

[dk168]

Going off topic....

I did not want a range when I was planning the kitchen in my house when I bought it in 2006, as I dislike the idea of a hot oven blowing hot air at me while I use the hob.

I had no choice except to have a single under counter oven due to lack of space, and really miss having a mid-height double oven like I had in the house with my ex-hubby.

DK