Induction vs Gas Cooktop — Which Is Better for a Sydney Kitchen?

The induction vs gas debate is one of the most common questions when renovating a Sydney kitchen. Both have passionate advocates. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide what's right for your household.

How They Work

Gas cooktops burn natural gas (or LPG) to produce a flame. The flame heats the pan directly. Heat is visible, immediate, and highly controllable.

Induction cooktops use electromagnetic coils beneath a glass surface. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the zone, the magnetic field creates an electric current in the pan itself, which heats the pan directly. The glass surface doesn't heat up independently.

Cooking Performance

Gas: Chefs have traditionally preferred gas for its instant visual feedback, the ability to char and blister at extreme heat, and compatibility with any cookware including round-bottom woks. The flame wraps around the pan, which suits certain traditional cooking styles.

Induction: Induction is faster at boiling and reaching temperature than gas. Temperature control is more precise — exact degree control vs "high", "medium", "low" on gas. Simmering is excellent. The main limitation is that you need induction-compatible cookware (magnetic base — most stainless steel and cast iron works; copper and aluminium don't unless they have a magnetic base layer).

Verdict: Professional chefs (especially Asian cooking styles) often prefer gas. For most home cooks, induction matches or exceeds gas performance, especially for precision cooking.

Energy Efficiency and Running Costs

Gas: Natural gas produces an open flame that loses significant heat to the surrounding air. Gas cooktops are approximately 40–50% efficient at converting fuel energy to cooking heat.

Induction: Induction is approximately 80–90% efficient because heat is generated in the pan itself, with minimal loss. Even with Australia's electricity costs, induction is often cheaper to run per meal than gas.

Important Sydney context: NSW is phasing toward electrification of homes. Gas network connection fees are rising, and future network costs are uncertain. New homes in many Sydney areas are now built without gas infrastructure.

Verdict: Induction is more energy-efficient. Long-term cost of gas (with network charges) is becoming less competitive in Sydney.

Safety

Gas: Open flame is a fire risk and produces combustion by-products (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide) that require ventilation. Gas leaks, while uncommon, are a safety concern.

Induction: The glass surface only gets warm from residual pan heat — it doesn't heat independently. No open flame. Spills don't burn on (they stay liquid on the warm surface and clean up easily). Much safer around children.

Verdict: Induction is significantly safer.

Cleaning

Gas: Multiple burner grates, pan supports, and the base plate. Difficult and time-consuming to clean thoroughly. Boil-overs get into the burner ports.

Induction: A completely flat glass surface. Wipe with a damp cloth after cooking. Easiest cooktop surface to clean, by far.

Verdict: Induction wins clearly.

Installation

Gas: Requires licensed gas fitter installation (legally required in NSW). If the property doesn't have a gas connection, adding one can cost $3,000–$6,000+.

Induction: Requires a 20A dedicated electrical circuit (may need an electrician if not already in place, but much cheaper than adding gas). No ongoing gas network charges.

Price Range

• Gas 60cm: $400–$1,500
• Induction 60cm: $500–$2,000
• Induction 90cm: $1,000–$3,500

Our Recommendation

For most Sydney homeowners renovating or building new, we recommend induction. It's safer, easier to clean, more efficient, and doesn't depend on a gas connection. The main reason to stay with gas is if you cook with a round-bottom wok at very high heat, or if you have a strong personal preference for flame cooking.

See Both at Oceania Appliances

We stock gas, induction, and ceramic cooktops from Westinghouse, Electrolux, AEG, and Bosch at our Wetherill Park showroom. Free delivery across Sydney. Open 7 days at 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park.