Jul 28, 20232 min read

Induction 411

A quick tutorial on the hows and whys of induction cooking.

Homeowner? Renter? Confused cat pawing at the screen? We’ve got freshly rewired resources to share with all of you. From cooking your food to drying your clothes, we have guides for how to electrify all of your household happenings. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the most common electrical appliances and machines. Up first: induction stoves!

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Induction, duction, what’s your function?

An induction stove can boil water 2 to 3 times faster than a gas stove (Watch your pasta!)

Induction cooking does use electricity, but it’s not “electric” the way most people describe the stove their grandma had. As in, no scary pinwheel of hot coils that stays red for hours. The only scary thing about induction stoves is how quickly they boil water. 😱

Induction > gas and it’s not even close. Really.

We know we are obviously “Team Electric,” but seriously, we stand by that header. Induction stoves are better than gas stoves in every category: performance, versatility, efficiency, and fanciness. Just ask famed Property Brother Jonathan Scott.

These appliances are also the safer and healthier choice for you and your family. No gas line in your home. No indoor air pollution comparable to second-hand smoke. No boiling water at a sloth’s pace. This is the era of induction cooking; better for your home and the planet. But if you need more reasons to upgrade, we’ve got ‘em.

Cooking With Induction uses electricity, and provides a safer cooktop, wipeable surface, better indoor air quality, less wasted heat, and there's no gas line capable of leaking. Cooking With Gas uses fossil fuels and produces bad indoor air quality, grimy grates, and more wasted heat. Gas cooking also involves exposed flames and can leak harmful gases.

Even more, gas stoves emit benzene, a harmful chemical that is linked to leukemia and other types of cancers. A recent Stanford University study of 87 homes in California and Colorado measured benzene emissions from gas stoves and found that having a single gas burner on high or the oven set at 350ºF can raise indoor benzene concentrations above the level of second-hand smoke! No household should have to endure that just to cook food. You deserve better and now, courtesy of the Inflation Reduction Act, there is help to get it.

A single gas burner on high or the oven set at 350 Fahrenheit can raise indoor benzene concentrations above the level of second-hand smoke.

Rebates and magnets

The average cost of an induction stove is $1,300, which is a higher price point than gas and electric stoves. But, there are ways to save, including household rebates on point-of-sale purchases. Available later this year or early next year, households can save up to $840 on an induction stove purchase. Visit our calculator to see what savings you qualify for!

Cue the cookware

Since induction stoves are powered by electromagnets, you’ll need pots and pans made of compatible metals to take advantage of the direct heat and fast cooking times induction cooking offers. Simple test: pull a magnet off the fridge, slap it on your pots and pans: if it sticks, you’re golden. Most modern cookware is compatible with induction. And plenty of online and brick-and-mortar retailers offer a variety of frying pans, skillets, dutch ovens, and more to match your style. Fashion + function + induction 💁‍♀

An upgrade you’ll love

Modern cooking starts with induction. Home cooks and executive chefs consistently praise induction stoves for their unbelievably fast cooking times, responsiveness, and smart technology like auto-shutoff, burner timers, and precision heating. From simmer to boil, and everything in between, induction stoves are brilliant appliances and an excellent way to cook your favorite meals. Who’s hungry?

Mr. Heat Pump is chugging along on the race to rebates! Yesterday, the Department of Energy released guidance to state energy offices on how to implement the electrification and energy efficiency rebate programs under the Inflation Reduction Act. It's now in the hands of states to design their own "race to rebates" programs to get those upfront $$ discounts delivered to qualifying households. Still some miles ahead of us on the rebate front, __but remember: tax 👏 credits 👏 are 👏 available 👏 now!


From the wire

Electrify Everything: What Does The Pace of Progress Look Like? RA's Director of Research, Cora Wyent, is this week's guest on the ImportantNotImportant podcast.

The Property Brothers Want to Make Your Home Smarter and Greener “We don’t want to be the ones that are “doom and gloom.” But if we just educate people on their best opportunity to have that safe, healthy home, they always come on board.”

We can't afford to be climate doomers. We are all about the clear-eyed optimism in this piece by Rebecca Solnit.

A letter to the editor that has us heat pumped! Home electrification saves, penned by Isabelle Le Guay of San Carlos, CA.