Induction hobs attract everyone due to their sleek design and cutting-edge technology. Due to its unique appearance, some people may think that it may consume a lot of power.
An induction plate is known for energy efficiency. But is running an induction hob economical? Or would you go broke using it due to soaring energy bills?
Well, our professional chefs have done detailed research to debunk facts and myths. So, here’s the information you don’t want to miss:
On average, by using one ring, your hob is consuming 1.95kW per hour. Currently, the average electricity cost in the UK is 34p per kWh. So, now, if you use one ring of induction plate, it’ll cost you £0.66 per hour.
But doesn’t it come with the label of energy efficient as compared to different types of hobs? Let’s find out the truth.
Is An Induction Hob Expensive To Run?
No, induction hobs are not expensive to run. While cooking, it transfers heat directly to food rather than heating the pan surface first.
It eventually reduces the cooking time. That results in less use of induction cooktops. So, it is cheap to use them in the long run compared to ceramic halogen hobs.
How do We Test It?
Being a foodie, our team loves to perform experiments all the time. So, to guide you properly, we decided to make English Tea for five on gas, ceramic and induction.
Here’s how long it takes to bring a boil to a saucepan full of water:
| Type | Time |
|---|---|
| For Ceramic Plate | 6 minutes |
| On Gas Stovetop | 8 minutes |
| For Induction Plate | 3 minutes |
As 90% of the heat was transformed to water directly. So, even though it utilizes more power per hour, the efficient transform minimizes the cooking time.
Induction Hob Power Consumption
A cooking zone of an induction cooktop consumes around 1.95kW of energy per hour.
The show-stopper feature is it only consumes electricity when you place the induction-compatible cookware on cooking rings.
Thanks to our chefs, we were able to get insight into several top brands. Here’s everything you need to know about induction hobs running costs.
| Cost | Using One Ring | Using Two Rings |
| 1 hour | £0.66 | £1.32 |
| Per Week | £4.62 | £9.24 |
| Per Month | £19.80 | £39.60 |
| Per Year | £240 | £480 |
How To Calculate Average Running Cost For Induction Hobs?
Here’s how you can find out the average cost:
Power Consumption X Electricity Cost = AverageRunning Cost.
For example, if you’re going to use your hob’s cooking zones for two hours, then you need to multiply 34p by 1.95(2x) = £1.32.
Induction Cooker Electricity Consumption Per Hour
Electricity consumption of induction cookers varies depending on size and model. It converts electricity to electro-magnet current, so most of the energy is saved.
On average, an average-sized induction cooker consumes 1300 – 1500 watts per hour. It mainly depends on operational hours and energy rating.
Gas Hob vs Induction Hob Running Cost
Still, across the UK, gas is considered a cheap substitute for magnetic induction cooking.
But how much is this fact supported by evidence? Let’s find out:
Cooking Time
Based on our test, it is safe to conclude that the induction hob requires less time to cook food. As 90% of energy is directly transferred to the pan.
On the contrary, gas hobs need almost 110% more time to bring a boil or simmer curry.
So, the induction hob is clearly a winner here.
Energy Rates
Currently, Brits have to pay 10.3p per kWh for natural gas. So, if you use one ring of gas hob, you’ll be spending only 20p per hour.
This is really cheap. It is almost 28% of the cost of running induction hobs. For your better understanding, here’s our quick table.
| Cost | Induction Hob | Gas Hob |
| 1 hour | 66p | 10p |
| Per Week | £4.62 | 70p |
| Per Month | £19.80 | £3 |
| Per Year | £240 | £36 – £40 |
Gas is pocket friendly. But you may have to wait for more, and eventually, you’ll be using more power.
So, at the end of the day, you’re paying almost the same but emitting more greenhouse gasses and destroying the planet.
Induction Hob Running Costs FAQs
How much electricity does an induction hob use?
Most induction hobs use 1.9kWh of electricity. The current energy price cap in the UK is 34p. So, running an induction plate will cost you 66p per hour.
Is it cheaper to cook with an induction hob?
Yes, it is cheaper to cook with an induction cooktop. Even gas is cheaper but only transfers 74% of heat energy to the pan.
While on the contrary, induction cooking requires less time, and there is minimal energy waste.
Do chefs prefer induction or gas?
Chefs love induction cooking. In high-end restaurants, induction plates are mostly used as they cook 60% faster compared to freestanding gas cookers.
Do induction pots get hot?
No, the surface of induction-compatible cookware never gets hot as the heat is directly transferred to food inside the pot.
Do induction hobs glow red?
No, the cooking zones of the induction hob never glow red. Usually, the orange glow indicates the hot surface. But, the surface of the induction plate never gets hot.
Wrapping It Up!
In a nutshell, using an induction hob is not expensive at all. It may seem expensive while buying, but eventually, it is cheaper in the long run.
Compared to gas hobs, it takes half the time for a perfectly cooked dish. Due to the electromagnetic energy, almost 90% of the heat is transferred to food.
So, we can safely conclude that induction cooking is the best choice for Brits across the UK, keeping the energy cap in mind.
