You can switch to induction without replacing all your pans, provided the ones you use have a ferromagnetic base and are suitable for the zones on your chosen hob. If you want to keep using cookware that isn’t compatible, compare ceramic hobs too. A mixed induction-and-gas hob is worth considering if you really want to keep a gas burner. In every case, check the cut-out and have the installation’s compatibility confirmed before you order.
If you already own pans or oven dishes that you use regularly, check their bases before choosing a hob. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, induction requires a ferromagnetic base; the same requirement doesn’t apply in the same way to a ceramic hob.
If you cook several dishes at the same time or use large pans, compare the diameter and layout of the zones, not just the number of cooking zones. Some models have a combined or flexible zone; check that it suits the shape of your cookware.
If you’re keeping your worktop, measure the existing cut-out, its surroundings and the space beneath the hob. The visible width of an appliance doesn’t tell you whether it will fit the cut-out: for example, the Electrolux product details for the LIB60320CK give separate built-in dimensions.
Start with what you want to keep using: your usual cookware, the ability to cook several things at once, or a gas burner. Then compare the dimensions and installation requirements for the specific model.
Consider it if: your regular cookware has a ferromagnetic base and the zones suit its size.
Bear in mind: incompatible cookware can’t be used on the induction zones, so you’ll need to replace it or use it elsewhere.
Consider it if: keeping cookware without a ferromagnetic base is a bigger priority for you.
Bear in mind: it uses a different heating technology; Bosch’s guide says induction heats more quickly and directly.
Consider it if: you want to use induction while still having a gas burner, particularly for certain types of cookware.
Bear in mind: the gas and induction sections each have their own installation checks.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Existing cookware | Check the manufacturer’s guidance and whether the base of the cookware you use most often is ferromagnetic. | If I want to keep using my usual pans, their compatibility could determine which type of hob I choose. Around 36% of consumers put this first. |
| Number and size of zones | Compare the usable cooking zones and their diameters, as well as any combined zones for larger dishes. | When I prepare several parts of a meal at once, I want each pan to have a suitable spot. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Built-in dimensions and installation | Check the cut-out, worktop thickness and available space against the instructions. Ask a suitably qualified professional to confirm electrical compatibility. | If I’m replacing a hob without altering the worktop, I need to know whether the model I choose can be installed in that space. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this constraint. |
| Keeping gas | Check the layout of the cooking zones on the mixed model and the installation requirements for both its gas and induction sections. | If I want to keep a gas burner while switching to induction, a fully electric hob won’t meet my needs on its own. Keeping gas is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Two hobs with a similar overall width may need different-sized cut-outs. The Electrolux product details for the LIB60320CK specify a cut-out of 560 × 490 mm, for example. Always compare the built-in dimensions of the exact model with your worktop.
Measure the cut-out and worktop thickness, and check the clearance beneath the appliance before ordering.
An unsuitable cut-out could mean altering the worktop.
Cookware without a ferromagnetic base won’t heat up on an induction zone. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the material of the base rather than relying on how the cookware looks.
First, identify the pans you actually use, then check their compatibility with the manufacturer.
Any incompatible cookware you want to keep using will need to be replaced or reserved for another type of hob.
Three or four zones don’t tell you whether your large frying pan or rectangular dish will fit the available cooking areas. Bosch and Whirlpool product details show that zone layouts vary between models.
Compare the diameter and layout of the zones with the cookware you use, then consider a combined zone if its shape would be useful to you.
Check the appliance’s power rating, voltage and instruction requirements against your existing installation. Promotelec explains what to check for the circuit used by an electric hob in France.
Ask a suitably qualified professional to inspect the installation using the instructions for the model you’re considering. Don’t assume it’s compatible just because an old hob is already there.
Any required alterations could delay installation and use.
Worth considering for built-in induction hobs when installation dimensions are a key factor.
Models to compare if you’re choosing between induction and ceramic, or looking for a particular zone layout.
Models to consider if the size of your cookware or the use of several zones is guiding your choice.
Check the compatibility guidance from the manufacturer and make sure the base is ferromagnetic. UFC-Que Choisir explains that this property is essential for induction heating, so don’t assume that all stainless-steel cookware will work.
Measure both, but focus on comparing the cut-out and available space with the new model’s built-in dimensions. A hob’s overall width may differ from the size of the cut-out it needs, so check the instructions rather than relying on its advertised width.
Ask a suitably qualified professional to confirm that your existing installation meets the power, voltage and instruction requirements of the model you’re considering. Promotelec describes the requirements for a circuit serving an electric hob in France; checking whether they apply to your home means examining the actual installation.
A mixed hob is worth comparing if you genuinely want to keep a gas burner for that cookware or to suit the way you cook. If this is only an occasional need, also compare induction with replacement of only the incompatible cookware, and ceramic. With a mixed hob, check the available layout and installation requirements for each section separately.