Considering an induction stove? Here's what to know before switching from gas

Emiko Davies used to only cook with gas — but since installing an induction cooktop recently, she's "fallen in love" with it.

Before switching to an induction stove, the Australian food writer and photographer says she wondered if she "would miss the sight and feel of actual flames while cooking."

"But my husband, a sommelier, was working in the Michelin-starred restaurant of the Four Seasons in Florence at the time and pointed out that the kitchens there are all induction-only and obviously how beautiful the food coming out of there is. The hesitation didn't last long after that!"

Emiko, who's based in Tuscany, is one of a growing number of Australians embracing induction cooktops in favour of gas.

Here's what to know if you're considering making the switch.

A more eco-friendly option

Induction cooktops may look like regular electric cooktops — they're flat and smooth, with no naked flames — but they heat food differently. Essentially, they produce an electromagnetic field that creates energy around their glass surface and heats your cookware.

Induction stoves are also more energy-efficient than both traditional electric and gas cooktops, according to Daniel Daly, a research fellow at the University of Wollongong's Sustainable Buildings Research Centre.

They have particularly pronounced environmental benefits when compared with gas cooking, he explains: While electric cooktops will be associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions over time (as the amount of renewable energy supplying electricity into the grid increases), burning gas "will always generate greenhouse gases and other pollutants," he says.

Switching from gas to induction cooking removes this source of indoor air pollutants and "improves the air quality in homes".

It was these environmental benefits that prompted Ms Davies to make the switch from gas.

When she read that in some parts of the world — such as the Netherlands, New York State and California — natural gas will soon be banned in new homes and constructions, "it made me realise that induction is the future," she says.

Australia doesn't at this stage ban natural gas in new homes, but Mr Daly says many jurisdictions are starting to consider how to shift away from gas — for example, the ACT has a goal to be all-electric by 2045, and Victoria has a Gas Substitution Roadmap.

"I would expect this [trend] to continue across the country," he says.

Quicker, easier and cleaner: The user benefits

Other benefits of induction cooktops include their precision, speed and ease of use.

"It's not at all like electric stovetop cooking, which is very slow to react to changes, and it is so much more efficient than natural gas cooking, where a lot of heat is wasted and dispersed," says Ms Davies.

Unlike gas and ceramic cooktops, no heat is conducted between the cooktop and the cookware with induction cooktops — and that means less energy and heat is wasted, according to consumer advocacy group CHOICE.

So the moment you change the temperature on the induction stove, the pan reacts immediately — turning the heat up or down happens instantly, explains Ms Davies.

That means a much easier and quicker cooking experience: "A pot of water only takes a couple of minutes to come to a boil," Ms Davies says.

Induction cooktops are also simple to clean: "Just wipe it and you're done," she adds.

What about the cost?

Gas and electricity prices are expected to continue to soar, so reducing household utility bills might be worth considering.

Ms Davies says choosing an induction cooktop has made "a huge difference" to her energy bills, particularly as she cooks a lot for her job.

But the up-front costs of an induction cooktop can be prohibitive for many — between about $599 and $4599, according to consumer advocacy group CHOICE.

You may also need to fork out for new pots and pans if your cookware isn't suitable. Generally, glass, aluminium and copper won't work for induction stoves — although Ms Davies says she "was surprised at how many worked fine, like all my favourite cast iron pans".

Keep in mind also that the real financial benefits come when the induction cooktop is installed as part of a broader electrification of a home, Mr Daly says.

"[T]hat might include replacing gas hot water with efficient heat pump hot water systems, and gas heating with efficient reverse cycle air-conditioners."

If your gas cooktop is the only gas appliance in your home then the supply cost of being connected to a gas network may be the largest component of your gas bill.

So if you can afford the up-front costs, Mr Daly says "moving to an all-electric home can make real financial sense".