Did you know that gas stoves continuously leak volatile aromatic compounds (VOC) benzene, when not in use? High exposure to benzene is known to cause leukaemia and other blood cell cancers.
An induction cooker operates on the principle that when a power socket is switched on, alternating current flows through the coils located beneath the burners to generate a magnetic field. This magnetic field requires a magnetically compatible material, such as cast-iron pots and pans, stainless steel, porcelain-enamel-coated materials, or insulated or coated copper pots, to produce heat. Consequently, even when the power is on and nothing is placed on top, no heat is generated. Because these cooktops only heat compatible cookware, the surrounding surface remains cool, significantly reducing the risk of burns or accidents. This creates an ideal environment in homes with young children and/or pets.
Why the Shift from Conventional Gas Stoves Matters
Various researchers have found that cooking with gas releases a substantial amount of greenhouse gas in the form of methane to the atmosphere. This gas is known to be 34-86 times more potent than CO2 in terms of its warming effect. Stanford-led research found that 76% of total methane emissions produced by gas stoves were released when they were off. They also could not find any relationship between the age or price of the stove and the emissions it produced. Induction cookers offer efficiency and help end-users to align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13.
PSE California made the shocking discovery that gas stoves continuously leak volatile aromatic compounds (VOC) benzene, when not in use. This was again, seconded by Stanford University researchers who found that a single gas stove on high or a gas oven set to 350oF can raise carcinogen benzene indoor levels. High exposure to benzene is known to cause leukemia and other blood cell cancers.
These are just the dangers they pose when they are turned off. When there are on, they continue to cause havoc. Substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAH for short, are chemicals released from oil, gas, wood, and tobacco burns. But surprisingly! They are also released during meat charring, which means that both active smokers and steak lovers who use gas stoves are prone to lung cancer, worst case scenario, if you happen to fall in both categories.
Another study indicated that gas stoves also emit unsafe levels of nitrogen dioxide, which persists for hours even after the burner or stove is switched off. This gas has been linked to decreased lung development in children, early deaths, and childhood asthma.
Aside from health-related disasters, gas stoves normally run at efficiencies of between 32% and 40%, as much of the heat is lost to the surroundings. This is why the kitchen always feels hot when cooking with gas stoves and requires ample ventilation space. An experiment was conducted by LG Company using its appliances. In it, they compared the boiling speed of one liter of water on a gas stove, an electrical cooker, and an induction cooker at full-on. The results showed that with a gas stove, the water took 4 minutes and 36 seconds to come to a boil, an electrical cooker, on the other hand, took 3 minutes and 58 seconds, while the reigning induction cooker took only about 1 minute and 23 seconds to reach the boiling point.
The Reality of Electric Cookers
A traditional electronic stove passes an electric current through a metal stove coil, generates heat in the coil, which then heats anything placed on top of it. The huge benefit that comes with electrical appliances is that they concentrate their heat only on the burner and hence the cookware. This leads to a higher recorded efficiency of about 75% according to ENERGY STAR.
Much better than gas stoves as they have higher efficiencies of about. Electrical appliances also generally narrow their focus to the burner, which translates to less heat that is lost to the surroundings. There is, however, a notable delay when you try to lower the temperatures due to the effect of residual heat. This means that you have to think ahead while cooking to be able to anticipate the time the stove will take to match the setting on the dial. This comes with experience of using electric cookers and may seem daunting and challenging at first.
The Hype Around Induction Cookers
Cooking with an induction gives you the advantages of electric cooktops but with higher efficiencies of over 85%. Several models have an automatic shutoff feature after the set cooking time is over, similar to an oven. Induction allows you to cook at precise and consistent temperatures in a way that other cooktops have yet to emulate.
Reservations Around Induction Cookers
1. Hard limit on the size of cookware you can use
Companies like Samsung boast features like flex zone technology, which adapts to large, small or uniquely-shaped pot sizes. This does, of course, come with a higher price tag, but the company offers significant discounts and promotions like free cookware sets and the Ready2Fit™ installation rebate. There are available financing options with monthly payments that ease the upfront cost.
There are also cheaper alternatives which are circular. This can be used in almost any home that has a pan and can be useful in a ‘test-drive’ of some sort before deciding on a future big purchase.
2. Revamping Cookware Set
Induction cooking utilizes electromagnetic energy generated by coils beneath the cooktop surface. When a pot made of ferromagnetic and electrically conductive material, such as cast iron or certain types of stainless steel, is placed on the burner, the alternating magnetic field induces electric currents (called eddy currents) within the pot. The resistance of the pot’s material to these currents causes it to heat up rapidly, making it effective for cooking meals.
By convention, magnetism occurs when dipoles are aligned in the domains of other magnetic materials. This means that the consumer might have to look for specific cookware like iron-cast pots and pans, stainless steel, porcelain-enamel-coated material, and insulated or coated copper pots to enjoy a smooth experience. Some cookware comes with a specific image to indicate that it can be used in induction cooking. You could also perform a practical tip like testing cookware with a magnet (if it sticks, it’s induction-compatible) before deciding on an overhaul of kitchenware. Despite this, the proven long-term health and safety benefits surpass the relatively high upfront cost of a full transition.
3. Electricity Prices and Cost of Setting Up
Kenya Power's "Pika na Power" Campaign aims to increase e-cooking users from approximately 90,000 to over 500,000 within three years. Kenya Power has launched public awareness campaigns and established demonstration centers in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Mombasa to showcase electric cooking appliances and their benefits.
Uganda’s Electricity Regulatory Authority introduced a "domestic declining block tariff" in 2021 to reduce the cost of electricity for cooking purposes. Under this plan, units consumed between 81 and 150 kWh are charged at a lower rate, making electric cooking more affordable compared to traditional fuels like charcoal.
In Kenya, BURN has introduced locally designed electric induction and pressure cookers equipped with IoT sensors. Their "pay as you cook" financing option allows low-income households to pay in small instalments via mobile phones, making it easier to transition from traditional fuels to electric cooking.
California-based startup Copper has developed electric stoves that plug into standard outlets, eliminating the need for costly electrical rewiring. Government incentives help reduce the initial cost, making these high-efficiency stoves more accessible to consumers.
Induction cookers also come with a great deal of health benefits which translates to less healthcare expenditures from diseases caused by poor air quality. The cooktop is also relatively cool on the surface, which makes any spills easier to clean, this also translates to saving costs on cleaning equipment. Though it may seem marginal, small saves for a longer time will inadvertently make a difference.
Transitioning from the gas stoves and electrical appliances which have been the status quo for years may feel daunting at first especially since induction cookers operate in a stealthy manner, in that there is no visible flame and the cool cooktop may give a biased illusion. Luckily, companies like Samsung have added LED surfaces to their induction cookers to create virtual flames that ‘give the visual of gas cooking but with the precision of induction’. Some induction cookers also switch themselves off automatically when pots are lifted off. This adds to the list of safety benefits that are associated with this type of cooker since it eliminates any accidents that may arise from incorrect assumptions that you have switched it off manually, since there is no flame.
Conclusion
As we seek cleaner and safer ways to live, induction cooking offers a compelling alternative. Its health benefits, energy efficiency, and alignment with climate goals make it a worthy investment—especially as electricity grids shift toward renewables. With growing innovations and flexible payment options, induction technology is more accessible than ever, empowering households to cook smarter and live healthier.
