Appliances

Know The Difference: Gas vs Induction Cooker

Want to switch? Here's what you need to know.

Photography: Shutterstock (Main Photo)

It's no joke when prices of basic commodities rise to alarming rates. That's what's happening with the price of gas. You might think that the food you buy would not be affected, but the effects have an impact on more than just the actual food you buy.

Since liquified petroleum gas or LPG prices in Metro Manila went up, cooking food at home might cost more.

Here's where you can make a choice: continue to use your beloved gas stove or abandon it to switch to an electric one, specifically the induction cooker. Also known as the induction stove, this electric-powered stove became populae for many reasons, one of which was not through choice since many residential buildings prohibited the use of gas stoves in their dwellings.

READ: Which Stove Should You Buy?

You'll need gas to use on your gas stove, and this is an advantage should there be a power outage. Since induction cookers work using electricity, when the lights go out, your stove won't work either.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Even if you were not forced to use an induction stove and continue to use your gas stove, there are pros and cons that some feel is not enough to make them switch. Are you unsure about your choice of stove? Here are the differences you should know about the gas stove and the induction cooker:

1 Gas stove uses a flame. Induction cooker uses electromagnetism.

In the simplest terms and the most obvious difference, the gas stove uses gas aka a LPG tank to create a flame to heat up your pot or pan. This is known as radiant energy where the heat from the flame transfers to the cookware.

The induction cooker however works differently. An induction cooker works through electrical induction which basically means electricity or voltage is passed through coils to create heat. Here's where your cookware comes in: The material of the cookware is agitated by the electromagnetic reaction produced between the cookware and the induction stove's coil. This is how the stove heats up your pot or pan.

CONTINUE READING BELOW
watch now

READ: 5 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Stove

Photo by Shutterstock

2 Gas stoves work with any cookware. Induction cookers need special cookware.

One of the reasons why gas stoves are universally loved is because you can use any cookware on it. It doesn't matter what kind of cookware you use on the gas stove; if it can handle a flame and high heat, it can be used on the gas stove.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The induction cooker however is more particular about the kind of cookware you use. Remember that this stove relies on magnetism to heat up the food, so if your cookware is not magnetic, the stove will not work.

READ: This is the Best Type of Stove in Any Kitchen

To check if you need to change your entire set of cookware to a new set, take a magnet and place it on the bottom of each pot and pan. If the cookware is magnetic and the magnet sticks to it, it will work on an induction stove since that is what will trigger the heating coils.

If you do not have the right cookware but also do not want to buy an entire set of cookware, look for an induction stove plate to place on the stove before using your non-induction-ready cookware.

Photo by from Pixabay

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

3 Adjust the flames to control the heat on a gas stove. Use temperature and voltage to adjust the heat on induction stoves.

This is where it gets tricky for the induction stove. While it's easy to see the flame under your cookware and adjust your heat on a gas stove, the induction cooker is not as simple. Depending on the program you set your stove on, you can be looking at a voltage reading or a temperature reading. If the setting is in wattage, it's usually a range from a low or 150 (warm) up to 2000 (high heat). Basically, the higher the setting, the hotter it will make your pan while using up more energy.

If it's temperature, you'll see the numbers have the degree sign and range from 60 degrees C to 240 degrees C. Most cooking is done at around 180 degrees C so if you're stir-frying beef broccoli or searing steaks, you can jack it up to 240. If you're deep-frying, lower it down to 180 so your fried chicken doesn't burn before it's cooked through.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

You may need to practice working with an induction cooker if you're used to a gas stove and it goes beyond the settings.

Photo by Shutterstock

4 Gas stoves heat up gradually. Induction cookers heat up more quickly.

When it comes to speed, the induction cooker is the clear winner because the way that the cookware heats up doesn't need to travel from the flame to the cookware. This may be the biggest advantage of using an induction stove, and since it heats up so quickly, you spend less time waiting for the pan to heat up to temperature. You can start cooking almost as soon as you turn on the stove.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Are you going to make the switch or is it better to keep your gas stove?

 

This story originally appeared on Yummy.ph.

* Minor edits have been made by the Realliving.com.ph editors.

More on Realliving.com.ph

Shares

Latest Stories

Exploring the Exquisite Interiors of Parqal

It's now open to the public.

7 Condo-Friendly Vacuum Cleaners You Can Buy Online

They won't take up too much space, and they're also very affordable.

9 Simple Steps to an Organized Kitchen

Keep your cooking corner spotless with these handy hints and ideas.

We Found The Exact Lighting Pieces Mimiyuuuh Used in Her Bedroom

And where you can buy similar ones online.

Common Misconceptions About Minimalism, According to an Interior Designer

A minimalist home can most definitely still have splashes of color, and as long as it's done with restraint, those well-placed hues can actually be the highlight of your home.

Did You Know That Yassi Pressman Has A Lakehouse Airbnb in Canada?

Get a tour of Redkey Lakehouse in Ontario.

Ward Off Mosquitoes: Products to Buy During the Rainy Season

Because we want our homes to be safe havens.

Minimalist Furniture 101: How to Pick the Right Pieces for Your Home

Create a space that exudes simplicity and sophistication by choosing the right minimalist furniture for your home.

We Tested Different Mattresses, Here Are Our Top 5 Picks

Our writer tested (and lay down on) the beds in these mattress showrooms to see what feels good and which ones would fit within your budget

20 Common Construction Terms, Decoded

Don't get lost in translation with your foreman and avoid mistakes with this handy, on-site guide by a project manager

Here Are 7 Hotel-Like Bedsheets You Can Buy Online

Invest in your sleep and add these to your cart.
Load More Stories