6 good reasons to choose an induction cooktop in 2024

Since their tentative first steps into domestic kitchens in the 1970s, induction cooktops have evolved from a niche cooking option into a genuine contender to be your next, and best, cooktop.

As with most new technologies, users of early induction cooktops experienced a number of frustrations and limitations with their appliances. Vast improvements over time, though, have largely remedied these issues, and today’s models are transforming stovetop cooking for more and more households.

In this article, we'll demystify induction cooktops and look at their operation, benefits, and other considerations.

Induction cooktops use magnetic fields to generate heat directly in compatible cookware, bypassing the surface of the cooktop itself. This means that, although the surface can get slightly warmer, due to having hot pans on it, it stays safe to the touch and cools down very quickly. Compared to traditional gas or electric cooktops, induction cooktops heat up very quickly and enable precise temperature control.

Cooking with magnet power does sound a bit mystical, so let’s demystify it. When an induction-compatible pot or pan is placed on the cooking zone, an electric current passes through a coil beneath the surface, generating a magnetic field. This magnetic field induces an electric current in the cookware itself, creating heat while leaving the surface of the cooktop relatively cool.

Using an induction cooktop is very straightforward. Place compatible cookware on the cooking zone, making sure it’s centred, and activate the cooktop using the touch control. Adjust the power levels to your desired setting, and the induction technology will rapidly heat the cookware. The magnetic field ensures that only the cookware becomes hot, providing a safer cooking environment.

The heat indicator on the cooktop is a light that indicates whether a cooking zone is still switched on or holding some residual heat after the cookware has been removed.

While both are electric cooktops, the key difference lies in how they generate heat. A traditional electric cooktop uses a heating element to warm up the surface, which then transfers heat to the cookware.

In contrast, induction cooktops use magnetic fields to heat the cookware directly. By ‘cutting out the middle man’ heat is not lost during the transfer process, making them more energy-efficient and responsive.

There are a few reasons you might move away from a gas cooktop to an induction one when the time comes to buy a new one.

While a traditionally cheap fuel source, the cost of gas has increased considerably across much of Australia in recent times. A significant amount of the energy from gas is also lost during its burning, making it comparatively less efficient than induction cooking.

In addition to this, a growing number of councils, as well as State and Territory governments, are introducing restrictions on gas installations in a bid to transition to more energy efficient economies. This means that new builds and redevelopments will soon be powered only by electricity. Gas use inside homes has also come under increasing scrutiny due to health and respiratory concerns.

One of the innovative features found in some induction cooktops is the flexi cooking zones function, which lets you combine individual cooking zones (aka ‘burners’) to create a larger, seamless cooking area. This is a handy feature if you’re cooking with oversized pots or pans.

Some high-end models also have special elements like teppanyaki plates and integrated ventilation systems that draw cooking vapours, smoke and smells downward directly at the cooktop surface. This is a discreet and stylish alternative to the traditional overhead rangehood.

There’s also a small number of hybrid cooktops on the market that combine induction zones with traditional gas burners, often as a dedicated wok burner. This dual functionality provides users with the best of both worlds, allowing for precise and rapid induction cooking alongside traditional gas flames.

For optimal performance, cookware used on an induction cooktop should be made of ferrous metal, such as cast iron or magnetic stainless steel. Induction-compatible cookware often features a symbol on the bottom to indicate its suitability.

There’s a common misconception that if you buy an induction cooktop you’ll need to replace your old pots and pans, but that’s often not the case. To check if your existing cookware is compatible, see if a magnet sticks to the bottom.

Cleaning an induction cooktop is easy because its surface is essentially a single flat piece of dark glass-ceramic material. Once the cooktop has cooled down, which doesn’t take long because it doesn’t really heat up more than a few degrees, you can simply wipe it with a damp cloth. As well as being simple to clean, this construction gives it a very streamlined and stylish appearance.

Unlike traditional cooktops, there are no burners, heating elements or physical dials that require extensive cleaning. Keep the surface free from spills, crumbs and other small debris that might interfere with the magnetic connection.

The price of induction cooktops varies according to size, brand and features. Appliances Online stocks over 100 models of induction cooktop from more than 20 brands including Electrolux, NEFF and Fisher & Paykel. These range in size from 2- to 6-burners, and range from less than $300 for entry-level models through to several thousand dollars for advanced models.

Appliances Online regularly includes induction hobs in promotional events such as Black Friday and aims to sell them at below RRP throughout the rest of the year, so you should always be able to find a good deal on a model for your kitchen.

While induction cooktops offer numerous advantages, there are a couple of aspects that you might consider drawbacks.

Like many appliances that use modern, energy efficient technology, induction cooktops can cost more to buy than traditional electric or gas cooktops. However, because they are so efficient, they may be cheaper to run in the long term.

Not all cookware is compatible with induction cooktops, so if your existing pots and pans don’t pass the ‘magnet test’, you might not want the additional cost of buying new ones on top of paying for a new cooktop.

There’s also another consideration for a specific niche of the population - those with pacemakers. If you have a pacemaker implanted, you should consult with your doctor, as the magnetic fields generated by induction cooktops may potentially interfere with certain medical devices.

With their combination of speed, precision, safety, energy efficiency, easy cleaning and sleek looks, it’s easy to see why induction cooktops have grown in popularity - especially as there are many more affordable models available these days.

Appliances Online has a wide range of induction cooktops from leading brands like Miele, Westinghouse, Bosch, Smeg and Bora, as well as an easy comparison tool to help you compare products, so you should have no trouble finding one to fit your kitchen counter and your budget.

Ready to make the move to induction cooking? We deliver to 95% of Australia's population with Appliances Online's legendary FREE delivery - and we can usually get your cooktop and other kitchen appliances to you by the next day (Mon-Fri) as long as it's in stock. Plus, we now offer paid Same Day Delivery in NSW, QLD, and VIC metro areas if you order before 12pm weekdays. We'll even take your old disconnected cooktop away for recycling, for free.

For more tips on choosing, check out our Induction Cooktop Buying Guide, call our friendly team 24/7 on 1300 000 500, or message us via the chat icon at the bottom right of your screen.