Gas Hob vs Induction Hob..

martco · 31-03-2026 10:13AM #1

this is maybe more of an energy cost/economics conundrum…wondering if anyone else faced this one

I am right in the middle of doing up the kitchen, typical family of 5 household. we don't have solar unfortunately (that question is for another day lol)

I currently have a very good Neff 5 ring gas hob which I was going to reuse as its in vgc and fits in well with the updating work

BUT given the current political landscape and the potential for unreal mains gas supply price hikes (depending on what you read/listen to could be x2 x3 x4 ?!) I was trying to work out whether maybe I should ditch the Gas hob now altogether and move to Induction? I've used both so I know the different characteristics. if say the outlay for a suitable 800mm wide Induction hob is €800-1200 to buy is that gonna pay off? or am I panicking..

DublinDilbert · 31-03-2026 10:21AM

The prices of electricity is tied to the price of gas and gas is approximately 3 times cheaper per kwhr than electric. Also the price of gas is the same at any time of the day, in the evening when you are likely to be using the hob the electricity is likely to be even more expensive. Purely form an economic point of view, i would stick with gas. Gas will also operate during a power cut etc.

There are some advantages to induction, but if I already had a gas hob i would keep it.

L1011 · 31-03-2026 10:28AM

If you can hear the PWM whine of an induction hob, which apparently you lose the ability to as you age, but I still can - gas all the way. It's like cooking with tinnitus.

Boardnashea · 31-03-2026 10:29AM

As with lots of things when looking at options for upgrades, the one you have that is working alright is the best option to go for from an environmental poinbt of view. Similarly from an economic point of view, until the price of gas starts to rocket, stick with what you have. I imagine a hob can be changed out very simply at any time.

And having said all that, I have just ordered an all elec free standing cooker with induction hob. The old one is nearly 20 years old and we are getting issues with the burners on the hob, and slow ignition in the ovens and grill. Environmental and health reasons to move away from gas (cylinders). The old cooker will move to the back kitchen for occasional use, or power outages.

Markcheese · 31-03-2026 03:13PM

Like everything else pluses and minuses,

Main plus - its super easy to clean ,

2 main negatives - the touch control - I'd rather old fashioned knobs

And make sure you have at least one very large ring - its a pain when the large pan you're cooking on has far bigger diameter than the induction ring - so things dont cook evenly ..

If you've already got a decent gas hob I'd stick with that , and maybe get a small bottle gas camping stove as back up ..

Rock Steady Edy · 31-03-2026 03:48PM

We moved into a house with a standard electric hob about 10 years ago. When we looked at whether to replace it with an induction hob or gas hob, we initially went for gas until the disruption and costs associated with installing a gas pipe to the hob were factored in.

Happy with induction but if we had a gas pipe there already, I would probably stick with that.

yagan · 31-03-2026 03:53PM

We switched out gas for induction and while I do miss cooking with gas sometimes induction is a hell of a lot easier to clean.

Our primary reason for the change was safety as we took in two elderlies during Covid who wouldn't be used to cooking with gas and there was always the risk they'd leave something burning etc..

It was the right decision in the end, and as much as I do miss the gas for a good wok stirfry I just wouldn't give up the induction now. Plus we'll probably get solar in the coming years.

martco · 01-04-2026 10:59AM

thanks everyone for the replies

I think I'll stick with the gas hob for now & see how this scenario unfolds

thinking the entire exercise of a changeover will probably hit me for ~€1200 - that's a lot of unit supply price differential to make up - although who knows where world affairs are headed right now & everyone is talking catastrophe etc. I'll wait see and keep very close eye on the bills. I think it would make much more sense if I had solar in play.

Incidentally…in the future I might go for one like this one:

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B0CGXQN4HV/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF&th=1

magicbastarder · 01-04-2026 11:17AM

on the economics of it, it's not nearly as simple as 'gas is cheaper' - yes, gas is cheaper but it's far less efficient for cooking on a hob; induction is hard to beat on this front, it's very efficient at turning the electricity consumed into heat. something like two thirds of the heat produced by gas is lost to the air*

for example - i'm paying something like 9 or 10c per kWh for gas - but if i cook with gas, it's actually costing me probably 25 to 30c per kWh of what is actually used to cook.

i'm paying 30c per kWh for electricity, and induction hobs are 85 to 90% efficient (apparently) so it costs me 32-35c per kWh in electricity.

so in the end, running costs should be a very minor factor in the decision, that should be made on functionality.

we have induction and really like it. the same instant on/instant off as gas, and easier to clean. bit more of a faff if you're looking for mokka pots or tiny pans, maybe.

*if you were being pedantic you could argue that on cold days, this heat is not 'lost', it's being used to heat the house!

Alun · 01-04-2026 11:49AM

The health impacts of the indoor air pollution created by using gas hobs shouldn't be ignored either… NO2, PM2.5 particles and gas leakage.

Gas Hob vs Induction Hob..

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