I’m ditching gas for an induction cooktop in my new kitchen — and my reason might surprise you

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

After over 25 years with a kitchen I’ve never been happy with, I’m finally planning a new kitchen design. I can’t put into words how excited I am at the thought of ripping everything out and starting again.

But taking on a complete kitchen overhaul is no easy task, even for me as a homes writer, who has interviewed both homeowners and kitchen businesses about this most prized room in our homes. What’s more, a kitchen redesign is an investment, and it’s worth taking the time to research and get everything just right.

More control, less overspills

GE appliance induction cooktop with cast iron pans on top — (Image credit: GE Appliances)

However careful I am about getting the flame level just right, my pans always boil over. What’s more, there isn’t just the base of the cooktop to clean, but the grates, burner caps and controls. And it’s one task that this cleaning fairy despises.

One swipe to a clean cooktop

That’s why I’ll be choosing an induction cooktop for my new kitchen. The controls are more precise, reducing the risk of spills and messy splashes.

I can already imagine wiping it down in seconds, saving me time and reducing my frustration. The sleek surface of an induction cooktop is much easier to clean and maintain than its gas counterpart, making it a strong reason to consider an induction cooktop over a gas one.

Of course, there are many other reasons to switch to induction cooking, as shared by my colleague, Grace Dean, who has been cooking with induction since 2024.

Woman cleaning induction cooktop with a microfiber cloth — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

It’s cool to clean

Besides extra cleaning, the cooktop has a flat, glass-ceramic surface with no extra parts to clean, so it stays cool, reducing the risk of burns. Why’s this? Instead of traditional heat-transfer methods for gas and electric, induction uses electromagnetic fields to pass heat directly to the cookware.

This means you’ll need to use magnetic cookware, such as stainless steel and cast iron, as non-magnetic metal, such as aluminium cookware, won’t work. If you’re unsure whether your pans will work on induction, you can try a cheap hack using a magnet.

However, don’t let the pan issue put you off. You might find that switching from what you’re familiar with to an alternative cooking method could make your life easier.

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Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides.

Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.

Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

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