Higher tariffs for household gas, plus publicity highlighting how methane emissions from gas cooktops risk your health and contribute to global warming, have many owners considering switching to induction cooking.
Gas cooktops are being targeted by organisations such as the Global Cooksafe Coalition. Its goal is to stop gas cooking because of the methane issue. At its launch, many property developers were present to support the initiative.
Induction cooktops are the height of fashion now, and they have the pulling power to attract buyer interest.
If you’re considering selling your home and believe its value will benefit from renovating the kitchen, then an induction stove is worth considering.
Buyers will see it as cool, modern technology, and many will be aware of the environmental benefits.
Switching from gas to induction requires coordination as it’s not a plug-and-play scenario. Here are some basic steps to help you make the switch from gas to induction cooking.
Why make the switch
Seek an appraisal from your trusted agent to understand whether upgrades to your kitchen, including an induction stove, will push the price higher. We want to ensure you achieve a return on your investment.
Call the tradies
You will need the services of a licensed gas plumber and an electrician. Coordination is the key to avoid going days without a stovetop.
Electricity supply
Some owners have been caught out by insufficient electricity supply for an induction stove. Induction cooktops need to draw on a strong electrical current. Talk to your electrician to get an assessment before you buy your induction stove.
Measure up
It’s wise to purchase an induction stove with the same dimensions as your current gas cooktop. Neglecting this essential task runs the risk of finding your new purchase won’t fit in the pre-cut hole in your benchtop requiring everything to be replaced.
The cost
A good quality induction stove will be $1,500-plus. But don’t forget the installation costs. And you may need new pots and pans that are induction friendly.
Outcome
Cooking on an induction stove takes some getting used to as the speed of heating is fast and the response time almost instantaneous. It’s easy to burn things until you’re used to it. But once you’ve used an induction, its hard to go back to more traditional cooking methods.