Induction vs gas cooking cost

Compare the energy cost of the same cooking task on an induction hob and a gas hob. Use a similar meal and finished result for both. Different cooking times are allowed, but comparing unrelated meals would not show a useful cost difference.

Collect measured input power, cooking minutes and the share of that time the heat is on for each hob. Input power is the energy drawn from electricity or gas. It is different from heat reaching the food. A maximum burner rating alone does not show energy used for a whole meal.

Enter the number of comparable meals you cook in a year. The calculator repeats your entered task that many times. Personal numbers start empty, and the worked example is only an illustration.

For an electric hob, convert input watts to kW by dividing by 1,000; gas input is already in kW. Energy per meal (kWh) = input kW × (minutes ÷ 60) × heating-on fraction. Annual cost = energy per meal × matching fuel price per kWh × comparable meals per year.

Use a percentage as a fraction once: for example, 50% means 50 ÷ 100 = 0.5. Use 0.5 in the energy formula; do not divide it by 100 again.

Energy prices are entered in pence or cents per kWh unless the field names another unit. Divide by 100 to obtain pounds or dollars. Fixed supply charges are excluded unless explicitly entered. Use tax-inclusive bill prices for personal scenarios.

Read each cost alongside its energy per meal. A cheaper fuel price does not by itself mean a cheaper meal: the entered power, heating-on share and cooking time all affect the total. Annual costs keep the same meal and prices throughout.

These illustrative inputs are separate from your saved answers. Prices, use and performance are held constant for this worked scenario; they are not personal defaults.

Use input power and the heating-on share at the actual setting. Heat output, burner maximum rating and a different meal do not establish equivalent energy use.

Convert Australian gas bills from price/MJ to cents/kWh using 3.6 MJ per kWh. Fixed supply charges are excluded.

Use 100% for the heating-on share if a measured power figure already averages the whole cooking time. Reducing that average again would count the same off-time twice. Keep measurements for the same appliance setup and include only the cooking energy being compared.

This compares running energy costs. It does not price a new hob, cookware, installation or removing a gas supply. It does not assess cooking quality, ventilation or safety. Actual meals and settings vary, so the result describes your entered task rather than every meal.

Use the country version that matches your bill. UK published electricity uses the stored Ofgem regional and payment record. Australian published electricity uses the stored AER or Victorian network record. Those dated reference prices may differ from your contract.

Use your own tax-inclusive electricity and gas prices for a personal comparison. Check whether gas is billed per kWh or per MJ before entering it. The page does not fetch live tariffs or verify the personal prices you supply.

Ask a qualified installer about supply capacity, compatibility and installation before changing a hob. Gas and electrical work need the appropriate local professional. The cost result cannot confirm that an installation is suitable.

Bring the equipment details, cooking measurements and both fuel bills. Ask the installer to identify any purchase or installation costs outside this comparison. Follow the maker instructions for using and caring for each appliance.