A cooktop offers your kitchen precision, power, and performance while taking up little space. Whether you’re looking to refurbish your cooking space or you’re stepping into a new home with the objective to bring fresh kitchen interior design plans to be, these master cooks are great to have on your team.
But how do you know which cooktop to choose? Induction vs. electric cooktops is a hot topic and can provide your culinary desires with a few different options. Instead of waiting for your gas stovetop to heat up to sear your crisp zucchini, take advantage of the quick capabilities of these stove options. We’ll dive into the differences between an electric and induction cooktop and give you our top picks for each.
At a Glance:
- Comparing an Induction vs Electric Stove
- How Does an Induction Cooktop Work?
- Induction Cooktop Picks
- How Does an Electric Cooktop Work?
- Electric Cooktop Picks
- FAQ’s
- Why Trust Us
Comparison Chart: Induction vs Electric Cooktops
|
|
Induction |
Electric |
|
Price Range |
$600 - $3,500 |
$850 - $6,500 |
|
Heat-Up Efficiency |
Roughly 85% |
Roughly 75% |
|
0.25 Cup of Water Heating Rate |
Roughly 5 Minutes |
Roughly 10 Minutes |
|
Lifespan |
Eight Years |
13 Years |
|
Colors |
Black, Black/Silver Stainless Steel, Gray, Silver, Titanium |
Black, Black/Silver Stainless Steel, White |
What is an Induction Cooktop?
Induction cooktops provide heat through coils rather than gas which gives users faster cook times. And since excess energy doesn’t escape this means that energy is used to directly cook food; you’ll find induction cooktops give better energy efficiency and easily controllable temperatures. You can easily pair these appliances with your kitchen décor and cabinetry. On top of aesthetics, they produce no residual heat. Since an induction cooktop warms the cookware directly, the result will be an evenly heated pot of soup for dinner.
Pros and Cons of an Induction Cooktop
See how an induction cooktop can serve you below.
Pros
- Requires less energy to heat food
- Quick cook times
- No residual heat
- Even distribution of heat
Cons
- Only works with stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel pots/pans
- Higher price point than gas cooktops
Are Induction Cooktops Worth It?
If you have hungry kids who love a quick mac n’ cheese dinner, an induction cooktop is an excellent choice. We know it’s hard to get to school on time to pick the kids up, make dinner with relatively healthy results, and have the family at soccer practice by seven. An induction cooktop gives you those easy-to-make dinners while yielding perfect results. Another added bonus to this choice is you don’t have to worry about hungry hands getting burnt. The residual heat dissipates once the stove is turned off, giving you perfect peace of mind.
Induction Cooktops Picks
Induction brings to the family table quick cook times and no burnt hands.
Frigidaire Induction Cooktop: Frigidaire 36 Inch Induction Cooktop (FFIC3626TB)
Frigidaire knows the value of family, and their appliances show their heart. This Frigidaire induction cooktop will serve your family from easy to clean surfaces to speedy results. Even heat distribution will give you those perfectly fluffy omelets for Saturday morning. While Auto Sizing Pan Detection sensors the size of each pan and only uses heat for the needed areas.
What We Love:
- Temperature Precision
- Cool-to-the-Touch Surfaces
- Frigidaire Fit Promise
- 5 Burners
Samsung Induction Cooktop: Samsung 30 Inch Induction Cooktop (NZ30K7880US)
If you’re looking for something a bit more high-tech but a cooktop that will still give you incredible results, this Samsung induction cooktop is an excellent choice. Easily monitor your cooktop with Wifi connectivity, so you never have to miss a play of the game. Reduce temperatures or change settings all from your phone. This cooktop also offers a Bluetooth hood connection. When your cooktop is on, it will automatically turn on your hood fan and lights to reduce odors and smoke. Lastly, this choice provides Power Boost. This means it focuses energy and increases intensity on any burner to give you even quicker cook times to make it to music lessons.
What We Love:
- WiFi Connectivity
- Bluetooth Connection
- Power Boost
- 4 Burners
What is an Electric Cooktop?
Electric cooktops, known as radiant cooktops, use centralized heat with currents that flow through metal coils underneath their glass or ceramic surface. Using infrared energy, your food will cook by growing hotter due to the coils heating. Since electric cooktops provide residual heat (heat that lingers after the cooktop is turned off), most will have an indicator light telling you when the surface is hot.
Pros and Cons of an Electric Cooktop
Like anything, there are positives and negatives to an electric cooktop.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Most common choice
- Usage of residual heat to keep food warm
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Residual heat can cause injury
- Higher price point than gas cooktops
- Uneven distribution of heat
Are Electric Cooktops Worth It?
Electric cooktops are a perfect option if you live on your own or with roommates and need a quick and easy install for a stove. On top of a seamless installation, you’ll find that most rental properties come with the traditional design of an electric stovetop, so most people have had previous experience with this option. That means isn’t much of a learning curve. All you have to do is turn on the desired temperature, and voila, dinner! On top of that, for date nights at home, sauté your pasta sauce while saving heat. You can keep the burners warm and continue slow-cooking your food simultaneously.
Discover Our 5 Best 30 Inch Electric Ranges
Electric Cooktop Picks
Electric cooktops offer up traditional and convenient cooking techniques and easy installation.
GE Electric Cooktop: GE 22 Inch Electric Cooktop (JP3021DPBB)
GE is known for their durable and reliable appliances. That’s why we chose this GE electric cooktop is one of our favorites. This cooktop is considered compact, so for those living in a tiny home or a smaller apartment you won’t have to worry about if it will fit. Also, if you’re on a budget but still want a guarantee of quick cook times and efficiency, this is an excellent choice. The ceramic glass top gives you two heating elements that feature quick and consistent results. On top of that, the glass surface makes cleanups a breeze for those messy and fun exploratory dinners.
What We Love:
- Budget-Friendly Price Point
- Quick and Easy Cleanups
- Great for Smaller Homes
- 2 Burners
LG Electric Cooktop: LG 30 Inch Electric Cooktop (LCE3010SB)
This choice blends cooking performance and modern design into one. Our LG electric cooktop pick brings Steady Heat cooking elements giving you evenly cooked chicken each time. A warming zone allows your sauce to continue cooking without using excess energy. And easily determine which element is on with centralized electron controls.
What We Love:
- ADA Compliant
- Intuitive Controls
- Modern Design
- 5 Burners
Induction VS Electric FAQs
Q: Is an induction cooktop better than electric?
There are pros and cons to both, and depending on your needs will determine which one is best. Our advice is to know that electric cooktops give you easy installation and traditional styles. While induction cooktops provide you with better energy efficiency.
Q: Is a glass cooktop the same as induction?
They are not the same. The difference lies in how they heat food. An induction cooktop uses electromagnetic methods to directly heat food. While glass cooktops use electricity to first heat the burners.
Q: How long does an induction cooktop last?
The average lifespan of an induction cooktop is eight years or 10,000 hours of use.
Why Trust Us
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Shop Cooktops at East Coast Appliance
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop cooktops online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you find out if an induction vs electric cooktop is for you, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
Learn More: The Best Induction Cooktops of 2022