If you're planning a kitchen redesign, when choosing your kitchen appliances, you're almost certainly considering a new hob to match your vision for the space. It might be easy to pick one that complements your design eye, as they all look very similar. However, choosing between ceramic vs induction hobs isn't just about how they look.
Both are popular choices when buying a new hob, and understanding what the differences are is essential to ensure you make the right choice.
Here, we examine the pros and cons of both, along with their prices and running costs, to help you make the best purchasing decision.
Ceramic vs induction hob: How do they work?
There are key differences in how ceramic and induction hobs work, and understanding them will help you choose one over the other, explains Maurizio Servergnini, managing director at Bertazzoni UK.
"Induction hobs use an electromagnetic field to specifically heat the pan rather than the cooktop," he explains. "This enables faster cooking times and maximum energy efficiency.
“Ceramic hobs on the other hand use radiation to begin heating cooking zones, which then transfer energy onto the pan and then to the food," says Maurizio. A circular heating element beneath each zone is powered by electricity, which then warms the glass top. "This makes the cooking process slower but less energy efficient," he adds.
Maurizio Severgnini is MD at Bertazzoni and holds extensive experience in kitchen appliances. Having qualified in Industrial Engineering, his career includes tenures at Motorola and Hoover Candy.
Benefits of ceramic and induction hobs
While both types of hobs are easy to clean, they can feature changeable cooking zones for irregular pan shapes (on selected models), and there are some features that make induction hobs more advantageous than ceramic hobs.
Benefits of choosing an induction hob
The popular induction hob brings with it a host of benefits, as Steve Larkins, kitchen expert and CEO of Kitchen Door Hub, lists below:
- Efficiency: Induction hobs channel energy directly into the pan instead of the hob, which can reduce cooking time
- Safety: Compared to other types of hob, induction hobs can immediately recognise when a pan is removed and will turn themselves off
- Cleaner: Induction hobs only heat a small area, so food spills can be cleaned up faster and are less likely to burn onto the hob
- Cooler kitchen: Due to the way in which induction hobs heat pans, less heat is wasted and therefore does not escape into the kitchen, keeping it cooler
Steve Larkin is the co-founder and CEO of Kitchen Door Hub with years of experience in kitchen design, carpentry and fitting. Kitchen Door Hub are passionate about helping homeowners craft their dream spaces and is with them for every step of their renovation journey.
Try these induction hobs in your home
With six induction zones and 14 power levels (and boosters) on each zone, this black glass induction hob is a powerhouse for reliable and flexible cooking
This four zoned induction hob from Bosch comes with a PowerBoost function, which boils water much faster and a Control Panel Lock so you don't accidentally change settings
The four induction zones on this hob are spacious and energy-efficient. They use special electromagnets that target the base of the pan instead of heating the whole surface
Benefits of choosing a ceramic hob
Ceramic hobs differ from induction hobs, but they still offer plenty of benefits for users, as Steve Larkins explains:
- Even heat distribution: The ceramic surface of the hob distributes heat evenly, ensuring consistent cooking and no hot spots on the cookware
- Responsive: Ceramic hobs can heat up quickly and respond quickly to temperature setting changes, allowing for better control over cooking
- Safety features: Some ceramic hobs are equipped with safety features, such as residual heat indicators. These warn if a surface is still hot after use, reducing the risk of burns or other injuries
- Compatible with all cookware: All types of pans can be used with ceramic hobs, meaning that special cookware or specific materials are not required
- Easy to clean: Ceramic hobs usually have a flat surface, and can be wiped down with a damp cloth after cooking
Unlike induction hobs, which require pots and pans with magnetised bases, ceramic hobs will heat up any type of cookware – meaning you don't have to re-stock your kitchen with new pots and pans. The set cooking zones may also work better for some cooks.
They're also cheaper than induction hobs, making them a potential option for those undertaking a kitchen renovation on a budget.
Choose one of these ceramic hobs for your home
With touch controls and a residual heat indicator this ceramic hob looks stylish and practical. A double ring also allows for differently sized pans
This four zone ceramic hob has easy to use traditional knob handles and an indicator to show when the hob is still too hot to touch
A four zone ceramic hob with easy to use twist sword knobs and a Residual Heat Indicator to show where its hot so you don't burn yourself
What are the disadvantages of ceramic and induction hobs?
Although both hob types will cook your food, there are some significant disadvantages to both which can't be ignored.
Downsides of induction hobs
- Expensive to buy and repair (though this may change with the right to repair)
- New pot and pans may be required
- Surface can be scratched
If an induction hobs has won you over, before you go out to buy all new cookware, test your current pans by holding a magnet to the base of each pan. If the magnet sticks, then the pan will be ready for an induction hob.
Although good deals can be found for induction hobs, some of the mid and higher-end models are still prohibitively expensive for many, especially if you include buying new cookware.
The glass surface is also prone to scratching if pots, pans or the wrong material is dragged from one area to another.
Disadvantages of ceramic hobs
- Not very efficient
- Can be very slow to heat up
- Difficult to adjust temperature once hot
- Less safe
- Surface can be scratched
"Ceramic hobs heat the full cooking zone, creating increased opportunities for heat to escape, as well as risking accidental burns," says Maurizio Servergnini, "and they only achieve approximately 70% efficiency."
Overall, the modern technology of an induction hob means it is better prepared to cater for busy lives where the kitchen is the hub of the home. Safety settings and a cool-to-the-touch surface will far outweigh any negatives for those with children or pets.
Meanwhile, the benefits of ceramic hobs do little to offset the practical downsides of the inefficient, long-lasting heat that comes with them.
Still unsure? Check out our guide to 'what is an aga?' It features a cast-iron top that gently cooks food.
Alternatively, gas ovens and hobs might be the choice for you if easy, responsive cooking is top priority. Although some of the best range cookers can also be specified with ceramic or induction hobs.
Ceramic vs induction hobs: Which is more expensive?
The question of which is more expensive in ceramic vs induction hobs will come down to priorities in budgeting. "Induction hobs will usually require more up-front investment than a ceramic alternative, however the former can achieve greater energy efficiencies when cooking," advises Maurizio Servergnini.
The price gap is, however, closing. A ceramic hob can cost under £100 (particularly when supplied as part of a package with an oven), but there are induction hobs out there which can cost from just £150 upwards.
If you don't want to invest right away, an induction hob won't be for you, but if you're looking for long-term savings, ceramic falls flat.
Which is cheaper to run induction or ceramic hob?
Induction hobs use overall less electricity than ceramic hobs, but require more when used for the same amount of time. However, "approximately 90% of energy used on induction hobs is transferred to heating the food," says Maurizio Servergnini, meaning that induction hobs are more efficient to run than ceramic hobs.
For instance, according to Trusted Reviews, an induction hob will cost £199.29 if used every day for an hour while a ceramic hob will cost £168.63.
However, when boiling a pot of water the induction hob took about half the time (4 minutes) as a ceramic hob, costing just 3.64p compared with 5.49p.
As such, as they'll be cooking food quicker, you'll be using them for less time, saving money overall.
Find out what other energy efficient appliances will save you money with our guide.
Which is better: Induction or ceramic hobs?
While ultimately this decision will come down to budget as well as convenience, induction hobs have by far, more advantages than ceramic hobs, due to their more modern technology and efficiency.
Ceramic hobs, while still perfectly functional, fall down in almost every category when compared to induction hobs but might be the only option for those not connected to gas or on a budget.
"Personally, I found switching to an induction hob better than I thought it would be," shares Sarah Harley, assistant editor of the Homebuilding & Renovating website. "It cooked food far more quickly than I expected, and for me, the fact it only heats up when there is a pan on there makes it a no-brainer when you have children in the home. And, while the surface can occasionally get marked, I find Hob Brite (which is available online from Amazon) perfect for removing any residual stains or marks."
Deciding whether to go with a ceramic or induction hob is just one of the tasks when designing a kitchen. A hob will need a cooker hood to help remove smells and steam, and installing one of the best kitchen extractor fans will help prevent condensation and mould growth.
