Cooking with electricity

Pans

Induction needs pans with a magnetic base. If a fridge magnet sticks firmly to the bottom, the pan will work. Cast iron and most stainless steel pans do; aluminium, copper and glass usually don't unless they are marked as suitable for induction.

Try one first

A single-ring induction hob plugs into an ordinary socket and costs about the same as a kettle or toaster. It's a cheap way to see how you get on with it before replacing the whole hob.

Fitting a full hob

A built-in induction hob usually needs its own circuit from the consumer unit, like an electric cooker. If you already have a cooker circuit it can often be reused. An electrician will check.

If you have a pacemaker or another implanted device, ask your clinic about induction. The usual advice is to keep a short distance from the rings.

Indoor air

Burning gas on a hob releases nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants into the kitchen, which is why extractor hoods matter with gas. Induction burns nothing.

Capping the gas

If the hob is the last thing on gas, you can have the supply capped or the meter removed and stop paying the gas standing charge. Ask your gas supplier. See closing the gas account.