Cook With Gas or Go Induction in Your Kitchen Design
It’s an exciting time to remodel your kitchen. There has never been more choice, making key trends accessible for every budget, and products that offer the perfect marriage of style and functionality. While storage, color schemes, flooring and lighting are all important, kitchen design always centers around cooking. Technological advances mean your refrigerator can order food while you follow recipes on your tablet, streaming your favorite music. What about your cooking appliances? A wide range of appliances are available, from the most basic to professional level appliances. When it comes to choosing a range, the big decision you must tackle is whether to go for a gas, electric or induction cooktop. Each has pros and cons when it comes to both style and functionality, so read on to learn more!
ELECTRIC COOKTOPS
Pros
Electricity is clean and safe, and electric cooktops tend to be the least expensive options on the market. The most budget-friendly models are electric coil and solid disc cooktops, which are relatively easy to clean. The level rings are usually different sizes to cater for all pots and pans. Smooth electric cooktops have heat elements underneath them, so it’s a breeze to wipe down their sleek surfaces.
Cons
Obviously, a power cut means you’ve no way of cooking if you rely on an electric range. Electric rings are slow to heat up or respond to temperature adjustments, so aren’t ideal if precision is what you need. Smooth cooktops are also slow to cool, which might not suit households with children or elderly residents. Their shiny surface looks great in a contemporary kitchen design but can be prone to scratches or cracks.
GAS COOKTOPS
Pros
Despite its popularity over the last 100 years, people used to be wary of gas cooking as it had a reputation for being less safe than electric. It has come a long way though and is now one of the safest and most energy efficient ways to cook. Unlike electricity, gas responds immediately when you turn the knob, resulting in precision cooking. Its responsive nature also means your bills are lower as you only use what you need.
Cons
Gas cooktops are more intricate and therefore time consuming to clean. If you’re getting gas for the first time you need to include the cost of the gas line installation in your budget. The open flame of gas cooktops means you must be cautious around the burner. Keep gloves and towels away from the burners and always supervise children using them.
INDUCTION COOKTOPS
Pros
The sleekness of induction cooktops makes it a popular choice for contemporary kitchen designs. An electromagnetic field heats a copper coil under the surface of the cooktop, meaning it only heats a metal pot touching the burner and nothing else. Being cool to the touch makes these cooktops incredibly safe. Induction cooking is even more responsive than gas, which reflects in its energy efficiency, balancing out its expensiveness.
Cons
As induction cooking only works with metal pots and pans, you may have to invest in new cookware. The results you get from this cooking method should be worth it though, as your kitchen design’s style and functionality increase. Prices of induction cooktops have come down in recent years, making them realistic options for a budget-friendly kitchen remodel. It’s important to note, that for all its advantages, this technology can interfere with medical devices such as pacemakers. Bear this in mind if you’re designing for aging in place or have an elderly family member.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a cooktop, but often the pros outweigh the cons. Think about the way you cook, the cookware you use, the style of your kitchen design, safety, energy efficiency, your budget and who is in your household. Browse our kitchen remodeling gallery to see more real-life examples of ranges and other kitchen appliances. Don’t be daunted by choice or installation complications as we can help you every step of the way. Contact Woodmaster Kitchens of Michigan today to talk to one of our experienced kitchen designers about any element of your remodeling project.