Need a new cooker, gas or induction?

JohnSwift10

My wife (78 years old) wants a new cooker but is unsure whether to get a new gas cooker or a new electric cooker with an induction hob, as she doesn't know if she will like it after cooking with gas for over 35 years.

I don't suppose there is a place where she can rent one for a week or 2?

There is a electric cooker switch and circuit and also the present gas cooker is connected with a bayonet fitting so is easily removed.

DullGreyGuy

JohnSwift10 said:

My wife (78 years old) wants a new cooker but is unsure whether to get a new gas cooker or a new electric cooker with an induction hob, as she doesn't know if she will like it after cooking with gas for over 35 years.

I don't suppose there is a place where she can rent one for a week or 2?

There is a electric cooker switch and circuit and also the present gas cooker is connected with a bayonet fitting so is easily removed.

What's the rating on the cooker switch? There are many very underpowered hobs out there and wouldnt personally consider one of them but would require a decent amperage on the circuit to take a properly powered one.


Dont know where you can rent one but you can buy a plug in single ring for a low price and either resell it after or just keep for "emergency". For example this one  is £40 or Tefal have one at £54 if you prefer a known brand. Also allows you to test if your pans work with it to know if thats something else you will have to factor in. 

JohnSwift10

45 Amp.                                     .

debitcardmayhem

I have an induction hob, and my wife thinks it’s much better than gas, pans stay clean, very easy to control the temps, easy to clean. The power rating my need an upgrade to your circuit though.

DullGreyGuy

JohnSwift10 said:

45 Amp.                                     .

Ok, so it won't support the most demanding cookers but is certainly better than many

The above are 2Kw burners which is probably appropriate to have a look at. Some of the more expensive option can go up to 3.5Kw on a single burner but thats really for limited applications beyond getting a very large pot of liquid to boiling quickly. 

Misslayed

I cooked with gas for most of my adult life, switched to induction about12 years ago when I had a new kitchen, it’s SO much better! As fast and easily controllable as gas but so much easier to clean. I couldn’t be doing with the faff of dismantling, cleaning then reassembling the gas rings. If something boils over it doesn’t burn, just a quick wipe. And most pans are suitable these days. 

matelodave

As above, we changed from gas to induction 15 years ago when we moved to a gas-free location. Wouldn't dream of going back to gas and we've evn got a portable induction hob (from Ikea) for our caravan.

Induction is as controllable as gas, no condensation from burning gas and, as said, so much easier to clean as food doesn't burn onto it. Just a wipe over with a damp cloth.

We had to get new pans as our 50 year old aluminium ones wouldn't work. We got Tesco's finest stainless steel - really cheap as a set. They still look as good as the day we bought them and they get used nearly every day.

MattMattMattUK

I agree with the others, induction is head and shoulders ahead of gas (or normal electric), I would not install anything else and if I moved somewhere without induction I would replace it with induction. 

daveyjp

One aspect to consider given the age is stated of the user is how fiddly the buttons can be on induction hobs.

They are generally very small (size of a 5p) touch senstiive areas on the hob itself and placed close together, compared to a nice large tap used on gas hobs they can be more of a faff to operate.

DullGreyGuy

daveyjp said:

One aspect to consider given the age is stated of the user is how fiddly the buttons can be on induction hobs.

They are generally very small (size of a 5p) touch senstiive areas on the hob itself and placed close together, compared to a nice large tap used on gas hobs they can be more of a faff to operate.

If you actually look, for cookers, rather than standalone hobs, many of them have the same big dials to control them rather than touchscreen though there are some touchscreen ones if you prefer. 

Bigphil1474

If she is a baker she might struggle with electric oven. Takes a bit of getting used to but I've been baking in electric oven for a good 15 years now and my cakes and pies are still awesome.

Can't disagree with the hob comments, my brother has one and when I tried it, it was as good as gas for controllability and response. We had electric hobs years ago and they took ages to heat up. I think we'll be getting induction hobs when our oven next needs replacing.