Founder | BPI® Energy Auditor Certified Professional
Your choice of cooktop plays a vital role in leading a sustainable, energy-efficient life. However, in your journey towards sustainability, the cooktop can incur expenses and maintenance.
Therefore, it is mandatory to determine power consumption differences between an induction cooker and gas to make your decision appropriately.
So, How Much Power Do Induction Cookers Consume?
Heating 10L of water consumes 1.04 kWh (kilowatt-hours) on induction compared to 0.012 units in gas. An induction cooker is more energy-efficient as 85% of heat is transferred to food while less than 50% is for gas, making gas more expensive.
To understand if an induction cooker is cheaper than gas, we must consider different factors, including efficiency, power consumption, and sustainability.
Let’s begin!
Induction Cookers vs. Gas Power Consumption
Research conducted by Electric Power Research Institute indicated that a medium-sized gas burner consumes 2,637 watts per hour compared to an induction cooker, which consumes 1,400 watts per hour.
These values indicate that the power consumption is higher for gas burners than electric and induction cookers.
We can find several 1500 W and 1800 W induction cookers on the market. With a per-unit price of 12.20 cents in Florida, let us calculate how much power an induction cooker of 1500 W consumes for two hours of operation each day.
Using a power consumption calculator shows that the induction stove can consume 3 kWh/day, accounting for 90 kWh. These values result in an electricity bill of $10.98.
As we mentioned earlier, your gas cooker is more likely to run for an additional one hour since the efficiency of a gas cooker is comparatively lesser. This time consumption means that increased power consumption racks up high bills.
Perhaps, some days might not require two to three hours of cooking. In that case, an induction cooker is likely to incur 0.1kWh to boil one liter of water.
Wanted to find out the power consumption of the stove you are using? Here are a few formulae to add more value.
The power consumption (kWh) is calculated as Watts * Operating Hours/1000
To determine the exact electricity bill, multiply power consumption by per-unit price.
We have used a gas-powered cooker and an induction cooker in the past and should admit that we had preconceived notions that induction cookers are impractical and expensive—but we were wrong.
After calculating costs incurred for three months, the induction cooker supposedly saved our time and required limited human intervention.
Is an Induction Cooker Cheaper Than Gas?
An induction cooker is cheaper than gas since the former is energy-efficient and makes the utmost use of heat compared to gas.
In a research finding presented by Electric Power Research Institute, induction costs $8.49 with 71 kWh as its annual energy consumption, unlike natural gas, which costs $7.05 for yearly energy consumption of 720 kBtu.
If you are looking for an affordable and sustainable gas source to cook at your net-zero home, you should always go with a cheaper, lighter, renewable, and efficient option.
The induction cooker is chosen over a gas cooker because the former lights up fast and cooks faster with utmost efficiency compared to a gas cooker.
Connect your induction cooker to the solar rooftop setup at your home, and the investment is going to pay off in less than a year!
Even when you relocate, an induction cooker comes in handy. All you need to do is again plug it in one of the sockets in your kitchen, and it usually functions. This plug-and-use model is not typical of a gas-powered cooker.
Note: The cost varies according to the fuel source and the number of hours used per day.
Induction Cooker vs. Gas – Which Is More Energy-Efficient?
Here is the critical section of the article.
Induction cooktops record an 84% energy-efficiency rate compared to gas that documents 40%. Multiple cooktops were chosen in research made by the US Department of Energy.
In the case of an ideal setup, induction and electric sources of fuel are more energy-efficient than gas.
Likewise, other research states that an induction cooker guarantees cooking efficiency up to 77% while natural gas averages 40%. This efficiency difference is sufficient rationale to switch from a gas-powered cooker to an induction cooker. You get good food at a faster pace with more energy savings.
Have you ever thought about how long it takes to cook rice on an induction cooker? It takes an average of 15 minutes when you set it up to medium-level heat, while it takes an average of 17 minutes in a gas base.
The outcome is almost the same, but a gas cooker will consume more time because of the time needed to light up and develop pressure to cook the food.
In the case of an induction cooker, the coil quickly heats up and begins cooking in less than 2 minutes from the time you have turned it on.
There are other reasons to call induction cookers or induction cooktops more energy-efficient than gas. Perhaps, you can optimize the cooking routine when using induction cooktops, thereby saving more energy and costs.
Here are a few ways to save more energy with an induction cooker:
- Set a timer for every food, saving you time and cutting down the unnecessary coil function.
- Use copper coil stove as it heats up quickly compared to other materials, including aluminum.
- Use the cooker made exclusively for induction, as this saves more energy.
- Turn off the cooktop immediately upon completing cooking for the moment.
Perhaps, some of us might know these ways, but we tend to miss adopting them for some reason. However, when you decide to hop on to a sustainable journey, you should make basic switches and be aware of ways to save power and costs.
Induction vs. Gas Cooker – Which One To Buy?
After setting up our first net-zero home, we have made a quick switch to an induction cooker for many reasons based on our experiences. I’ll analyze the benefits and drawbacks of an induction cooker to give you a balanced view of the options available in front of you.
Pros & Cons Of Induction Cooking
Pros
- Even Distribution of Heat
All induction cooktops can evenly distribute heat and cook faster than other fuel sources. It is natural for us to expect foods to be cooked quicker. Evidently, an induction cooker is a solution to it.
- Negligible Heat Waste
It is nearly impossible to claim that an induction cooker does not waste heat. However, being practical in our recommendation based on experiences, I’d say that there is negligible heat waste far lesser than any other fuel source.
As much as it heats up faster, it also cools down more quickly. So, it is safe to keep at your sustainable homes.
- Controlled Cooking Approach
When you turn on a gas-powered cooker, you are restricted from making any changes to settings. As a result, you may have to wait until the food is ready.
This restriction is not the case with an induction cooker, as it comes with programmable controls. From setting up the temperature to deciding the time, it listens to your need and is more usable as well.
Didn’t you crave an option like this that listens to your needs?
- Highly Safe
Unlike electric stovetops and gas stoves that remain vulnerable to safety issues, an induction cooker is ideal for your home, irrespective of who the user is.
Further, it does not affect the room temperature, unlike gas. Hence, it makes no difference or negative impact on your eco-friendly home.
We have used an induction cooker for our family comprising children and the elderly. Never have they ever suffered from an illness or a side-effect due to this appliance!
Cons
- Limited Choice of Utensils
When you want to use an induction cooker, you need to ensure that it is industry-certified and ideal for the induction model of cooking.
Perhaps, there are not many options left for you in picking up random utensils to cook food on the cooker, unlike a gas stove. However, with numerous advantages comes a disadvantage that you can undoubtedly manage!
- Requires a Continuous Power Supply
Your induction cooker will require a regular power supply to cook food faster. Otherwise, the cooking is going to get delayed.
If you are in a region with weather fluctuations, you need to customize the cooker so that the power spreads evenly.
Pros & Cons of Gas-Powered Cookers
We have used gas-powered cookers earlier but have had to make several changes since the onset of a journey towards a sustainable lifestyle.
One of them was to replace a gas-powered cooker with an induction cooker. However, gas-powered cookers have their advantages and disadvantages.
Let us take a look at them!
Pros
- Gas-Powered Cookers are Self-Reliant
When you plan to cook on a gas-powered cooker, it does not require you to check for a continuous power supply or restrict the type of utensil.
Pick a utensil you like to saute or mix food inside the cooker! Then, light it up and cook on the go. That makes more sense if you are touring regularly and want a fuel source for your tiny home.
- Moderate Energy Efficiency
Gas-powered cookers were the choice for ages. Although not as great as induction stovetops, they were readily available and achieved significant energy efficiency.
Cons
- Unsafe
When you use a gas-powered cooktop, you need to be cautious in handling it. It is hazardous and can also lead to burns as it is inflammable.
Creating a safe environment is all that matters!
- Indoor air quality remains affected
Although you use a gas-powered cooker with the lid closed, it still has the potential to affect indoor air quality. This is because the flames circulate the place, leading to congestion.
According to research published by Environmental Health Perspectives, gas stoves are more likely to add an average of 30-35% nitrogen dioxide concentrations within indoor environments. This high ingestion of nitrogen dioxide concentrations can suffocate people inside the home.
As you move closer towards eco-friendly living, you should also stay cautious about air quality.
How To Buy the Best Induction Cooker
If you have decided to buy the best induction cooker for your net-zero home, there are three factors you should consider.
Choose an Induction Cooker Based on Family Size
An average of 1500-1800 W for an induction cooktop is all a mid-sized family needs. In the case of a cooker, you should go with a higher wattage if your family size is more extensive.
Use Suitable Cookware
When you purchase an induction cooker, it comes with a range of utensils and pans that work well on induction bases. However, when you buy a random utensil, it can affect the heating aspect because heat is only spread in specific regions.
Consider Controls Needed on the Cooker
Some people love to use cookers with minimal controls. However, to maximize return on investment (ROI) from your induction cooker, you need to go with the one that has an auto shut-off option and over-flow protection.
Timers and other touch control buttons can potentially increase usability and performance.
Conclusion
In comparing induction cookers and gas-powered cookers for your eco-friendly home, it is evident that an induction cooker is an ideal choice in terms of cost, efficiency, safety, and power consumption.
Although there are minimal differences in power consumption and energy efficiency rates, an induction cooker is a better choice as it works well in the long run. It saves your pocket and health without compromising the quality of food, cooking time, and indoor air quality.
I have used both types of cookers. However, an induction cooker serves excellent for those particular about power consumption, efficiency, and ROI. It takes about a year to recover your investment and is safe to use long-term.
What more would you want to create that perfect, attainable kitchen that you have always longed for?
References
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1306673
https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a
https://www.aceee.org/files/proceedings/2014/data/papers/9-702.pdf
https://www.kitchenarena.in/induction-stove-power-consumption-calculator/
Interesting article! I recently purchased an induction cooker and was curious about its energy consumption. It’s reassuring to know that it’s generally more efficient than other cooking methods. However, I do have a concern about the initial cost of the cooker being higher than other options. I’d love to see more information on the long-term cost savings of using an induction cooker compared to other cooking methods. Anyone have any experiences they can share on this topic?