Is induction really faster than gas?

Yes — consistently so. A 1,800W induction burner brings 6 quarts of 70°F water to a rolling boil in roughly 5 min 30 s, versus 8-10 min on a 15,000 BTU gas burner. Induction transfers 85-90% of its energy into the pan; gas delivers only 40-50%.

Do I need new pans for induction?

Only if yours are non-magnetic. Put a kitchen magnet on the base of your existing cookware — if it holds, it's induction-compatible. Cast iron, most stainless steel and enameled cast iron work. Aluminum, copper and glass don't, unless they have a ferromagnetic disk bonded to the base.

How much does cooktop installation cost?

Expect $250-$600 for a drop-in electric, induction or ceramic cooktop, $400-$900 for gas (plus gas-line work), and up to $1,500 for a downdraft or pro-style model requiring circuit upgrades or venting.

Can I replace a gas cooktop with induction?

Yes, but you'll need a licensed electrician to run a dedicated 240V / 40-50A circuit, and a plumber to cap the gas line. Budget $500-$1,200 on top of the appliance itself.

Independent editorial SINCE 2024

The cooktop, decoded for the kitchen that matters.

Induction, gas, electric. Boil times, simmer precision, fan noise, installation gotchas. Long-form, data-backed reviews from a working test kitchen — not a spec sheet rewrite.

Best induction 2026 About Marc

VOL. 3 No. 67

Montréal · test kitchen

Three technologies

One editorial standard.

tested side-by-side

01 10 guides

Induction cooktops

Fast, precise, and now the benchmark. Buying guides, physics and real-world boil tests.

Explore →

02 9 guides

Gas cooktops

Blue-flame tradition, BTU ratings, burner geometry and why pros still insist on them.

Explore →

03 1 guide

Electric cooktops

Coil, radiant, ceramic — what still works in 2026 and when to skip it.

Explore →

The Hidden Dangers of Gas Stoves: Indoor Air Quality & Health Risks

Gas stoves release NO2, CO, and benzene into your home. Learn the real health risks, exposure data, and practical steps to protect your family's indoor air quality.

Cooktop Hunter

Read the guide →

The magazine

Latest guides

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Guides Oct 12, 2026

SEO Gibraltar: 2026 Ranking of the Top Agencies

SEO Gibraltar in 2026: ranking and comparison of the top agencies for Google SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), led by seo.gi.

Read the full guide

Stainless steel wall-mounted range hood above a lit gas cooktop in a modern kitchen

Ventilation Sep 6, 2026

Range Hood CFM Guide: How Many CFM Do You Actually Need?

Two rules decide range hood CFM: 100 per linear foot for induction and electric, 1 per 100 BTU for gas. Sizing tables by cooktop width, plus why the number on the box is not what reaches your kitchen.

Read the full guide

Cutaway comparison of a ducted range hood venting outdoors beside a ductless hood recirculating through a charcoal filter

Ventilation Sep 6, 2026

Ducted vs Ductless Range Hoods: Which One Actually Works?

Ductless hoods filter odor and grease but remove zero moisture and zero combustion byproducts. Why that disqualifies them over gas, why induction is the honest exception, and what they really cost.

Read the full guide

Slim wall-mounted range hood above an induction cooktop searing a steak in a stainless pan with visible smoke

Ventilation Sep 6, 2026

Do Induction Cooktops Need a Range Hood? The Honest Answer

Yes — but for different reasons and at roughly half the airflow. Induction removes combustion byproducts entirely, yet cooking still generates PM2.5, grease and steam. What changes, and what does not.

Read the full guide

Rigid galvanized round duct connected to the top of a range hood in an open ceiling during kitchen installation

Ventilation Sep 6, 2026

Range Hood Installation: Duct Size, Height & Static Pressure

Rigid metal duct, never flex. Never reduce below the hood outlet. Each 90-degree elbow costs 15 equivalent feet. The duct rules that decide whether a 600 CFM hood delivers 600 CFM or 400.

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Motorized makeup air damper and insulated duct installed in a basement mechanical room beside a water heater

Ventilation Sep 6, 2026

Range Hood Makeup Air: When Code Requires It & What It Costs

A kitchen exhaust system capable of exceeding 400 CFM triggers a makeup air requirement in IRC jurisdictions. What the code says, why backdrafting is the real hazard, and what a system costs.

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Editorial promise

Measurement-grade writing, not content marketing.

Primary sources, real data

Every number on this site comes from the test kitchen, a manufacturer service manual, or a government agency we name. Blog posts are not evidence.

Updated, not abandoned

Cooktop lineups change yearly. Firmware ships. Prices move. Every guide carries a dated revision note and gets re-tested when the underlying model does.

Plain language, physics respected

Induction is electromagnetism, gas is combustion chemistry, and neither deserves hype. We explain the physics, then tell you what it means at the counter.

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FAQ

Questions we hear every week.

Is induction really faster than gas?: Yes — consistently so. A 1,800W induction burner brings 6 quarts of 70°F water to a rolling boil in roughly 5 min 30 s, versus 8-10 min on a 15,000 BTU gas burner. Induction transfers 85-90% of its energy into the pan; gas delivers only 40-50%.
Do I need new pans for induction?: Only if yours are non-magnetic. Put a kitchen magnet on the base of your existing cookware — if it holds, it's induction-compatible. Cast iron, most stainless steel and enameled cast iron work. Aluminum, copper and glass don't, unless they have a ferromagnetic disk bonded to the base.
How much does cooktop installation cost?: Expect $250-$600 for a drop-in electric, induction or ceramic cooktop, $400-$900 for gas (plus gas-line work), and up to $1,500 for a downdraft or pro-style model requiring circuit upgrades or venting.
Can I replace a gas cooktop with induction?: Yes, but you'll need a licensed electrician to run a dedicated 240V / 40-50A circuit, and a plumber to cap the gas line. Budget $500-$1,200 on top of the appliance itself.