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A hob is an essential part of any kitchen as it’s used to heat up food and liquids as well as enable frying. However, hobs come in many different varieties and it’s important to understand their characteristics in order to choose the right one for your kitchen. While both induction and ceramic hobs fulfil the same function – namely, heating up your food – they are quite different based on various criteria.
So, should you choose an induction or a ceramic hob? In this article, we will take you through the similarities and differences by looking at modes of operation, heating and energy efficiency, safety as well as cost to help you make the right decision.
Modes of operation
Induction hobs: whether you have an electric induction hob or an induction hob with a built-in extractor, the way in which they operate is through electrical induction. What this means is that there are copper coils fitted under the surface which produce a magnetic field. This, in turn, heats up only the area above it, meaning that the base of the pot or pan used will be heated up as opposed to the entire surrounding area.
Ceramic hobs: a glass ceramic hob is a common type of ceramic hob. It is different from induction hobs because the underlying principle of their operation is through conduction. As a result, the underlying heating structure underneath will heat up the ring above it as well as the surrounding area. This means that the hob will take a longer period of time to cool down when the hob has been switched off.
Heating and energy efficiency
Induction hobs: when it comes to heating and energy efficiency, the difference between an induction and a ceramic hob is that the former are regulated much more expertly. This means that you can heat up a pot or pan really quickly, and then just as quickly have them cool down. This usually results in greater energy efficiency over the long term.
Ceramic hobs: because of their properties of operating through conduction, they heat up slower compared to induction hobs. Also, since they heat up the surrounding area above the heating element, they also tend to utilise more energy as the entire area needs to cool down over time when compared to induction hobs.
Safety
Induction hobs: safety is important in any kitchen. Regarding safety, induction hobs tend to emerge as the winners when compared to an electric ceramic cooker because they cool down much faster, they have a much smaller area for heating up and they have a heat indicator light which can all help with preventing any mishaps or accidents, especially if there are young children involved. However, because they produce a magnetic field, they can also interfere with medical equipment such as pacemakers.
Ceramic hobs: as mentioned earlier, ceramic hobs can take a longer period of time to cool down because there’s a wider area for cooling. However, they do have a light that indicates that the hob is cooling down after use and this can be helpful.
Cost
Induction hobs: induction hobs are typically more expensive than ceramic ones. In addition, some sources indicate that special cooking materials should be used as these are well-suited for induction hobs. However, you can use any pot or pan as long as a magnet can stick to its base. In addition, because they heat up and cool down faster and because they heat up smaller areas, they can save a lot of energy over the long term. This can make them a more affordable alternative if you are willing to make a more long-term investment.
Ceramic hobs: ceramic hobs are considerably more affordable than induction hobs and they allow any sort of pot or pan to be used on it. This means fewer costs associated with purchasing new cookware. However, they can be costlier over the long term, especially when it comes to rising electricity costs.
Need some help?
For ceramic cooker repair, electric induction hob repair or any repairs or installation requirements related to hobs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the industry experts for a professional and guaranteed service.