My favourite thing about my new kitchen is the induction cooktop. For all the good reasons you list above and I have had none of the concerns. I got the Gaggenau 2 burner induction module paired with the Gaggenau 2 burner gas module. I have always been a terrible gas snob and was worried about just getting the induction. I have rarely used the gas burners in the 6 months I've had the cooktop. Only when I need to blacken peppers or when the two induction burners are already in use. The only problem with it is I have to keep an eye on it if something is likely to boil over (pasta water mostly) because there is none of the hissing noise with a regular burner and it will just splash merrily (but quietly) all over the cooktop. Not a big deal though, I just move the pot aside, mop up the surface of the cooktop (it's not hot,) and put the pot back.

Cannot believe how much I like it! I'm pretty sure Wolf has some mix and match modules as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gaggenau induction

they are not sure yet if it can be a problem for someone with a pacemaker because of the magnets.

If you post this same question on the Appliances forum, you'll get a ton of answers from folks who love induction. It seems like a bit of a war often occurs there between those who love gas and those who love induction. It all depends on how YOU cook and what's important to YOU.

I considered induction, but one of the things that swayed me from them at the time was how most models had burners that shared power. It seemed like too much for me to do the math to figure out how much power was left for the unused burner based on what I had on the other one. I don't have time for that during the heat of the dinner battle. I'm sure someone with induction will chime in about how that might not be an issue with some brands now.

I have also heard cpartist's post many times about pacemakers. The other thing is that you can't bridge a large pot over two burners at once.

All of these issues led me right back to gas!! Fire, baby!

It really does depend on how you cook. I decided to keep my gas cooktop and use a portable induction unit for now. I love the induction for boiling water and grilling with the cast iron grill pan. It boils water so much faster than with gas so I really love that. Induction heats cast iron better too. Never had a problem with it shutting off when wet.

I need the gas burners to char peppers and for the wok. The induction can be annoying if you move a saute pan around because it shuts off and beeps every time you move the pan.

So take a look at how you cook and your budget. Wolf has a modular system so you can get both. Induction is still a little pricey though. If you go with Electrolux, make sure you get the newer model because the old one had a trim piece that collected gunk.

In the current kitchen, I have a gas cooktop and a portable induction hob that I bought to see if I liked it well enough to switch....and I love it. My husband says I cook from the backyard because I've been known to put eggs on to boil and go out back for just one little thing....and get absorbed in something out there....and forget the eggs are boiling dry. With the induction, I can get them boiling quickly, then turn it to simmer and set the timer and go about whatever. When the time's up, it turns off! Yippee! No more boiling dry! Same thing with cooking rice. The downside...is you can't have 1 pan cover 2 burners which I occasionally do. So the new kitchen will have a 5 burner gas cooktop and I can still use the induction when I want it. I don't have room for both all the time, or I would!

Ok, I'm beginning to understand...however, I'm still a little confused....

How do you do pancakes on a griddle if you can't cover more than one element with the cast iron griddle? (Steff, how big is your griddle pan?)

I like to make a large serving of gravy using an sided cookie sheet. Can I do that with induction?

Thanks for the help!

Can you use all the elements at one time?

Hi there -

We have both: a 4 burner/grill 36" cooktop and a two hob induction (not portable - built in). I LOVE my induction; my DH LOVES the gas (I do like the gas too, and we are really enjoying the built in grill). You can use both hobs at once, but what happens you have a set amount of watts (1000, 1200, 2400, whatever, depending on the number of hobs), and as you use one hob at maximum power, the other hob(s) cannot be used at the same level of power (you cannot exceed the total wattage available; the hobs "share" the power). So, yes, you can use all hobs but not all will be maximum power at the same time.

Not a very elegant description; read the attached link which does a good job of explaining the science and technology behind induction.

HTH,
Eliz

Here is a link that might be useful: Wiki on induction

"safety because no open flame or hot surface"

The top of the induction surface in contact with the pans still gets as hot, though many cool relatively quickly once you remove the pan.

They are great for simple boiling tasks, not so good for saute and some other tasks.

I am like you -- I never heard of induction before this site. I grew up with gas, have tolerated electric my adult life. We got a GE Induction range and I LOVE IT. I don't have problems with saute -- I don't do wok cooking, so can't tell you about that. As far as using the griddle, I have an electric griddle I pull out for pancakes, and that's the same i did with my electric range. I went home and cooked on my Mom's gas range again, found that I prefer my induction!

I forgot to say the thing I love most about my induction cooktop. It is so easy to keep clean. Unlike ceramic cooktops, nothing ever burns on and is easily wiped up. The issue of shared power between the burners depends on the brand you buy. I think things saute better on the induction, mine never beeps and turns off, again it depends on the brand. What you can't do is shake the pan back and forth on the surface of the cooktop like I used to do on the gas burner, it scratches the top. You have to pick it up and toss things around. I think the modular is the way to go, but I almost never use the gas burners.

Ok - I think we have it! The winner is...BOTH! We are going to get (at least today...) a 30" Wolf gas cooktop (not rangetop), with a 15" (2 hob) Wolf induction module. Since we can't decide, and it's really the first time in our lives that we feel like we would like to have what we want, as opposed to what came with the house, we decided to go for it. The kids are away at college and when they are home, their friends follow, and they're always hungry! For holidays, we have an mid-sized extended family and love to entertain everyone here. So, we figure at the very least, the induction will be wonderful in the summer months because of the heat a gas stovetop puts out, and for quick, easy meals (since we will only have 2 hobs). We can use the gas cooktop when we feel like imitating the contestants on "The Next Food Network Star." The best of both worlds :-) I have a sneaking suspicion that we will use the induction far more than the gas, but it'll be great to have options.

As soon as I figure out how to maneuver this site, we are going to post our progress on our kitchen remodel as it moves along. Our goal is to finish by Thanksgiving (yes, Thanksgiving) so we will be moving swiftly and working hard to keep our contractor on task - He promised! Look for our posts and we would LOVE to hear opinions on some of our design choices and the many questions we will have.

Kate

p.s. Gardenweb.com is my New Best Friend!