For everyday cooking, induction is a good choice if your cookware is compatible and your electrical circuit can support the hob you choose. A ceramic hob doesn’t require magnetic cookware, while conventional electric hobs vary from model to model. With a gas hob, first check the room, ventilation and connection. Based on 409 cycles a year, ADEME gives a benchmark of 115 kWh/year for a highly efficient new induction hob and 200 kWh/year for an average ceramic hob. These figures don’t predict how much your future hob will use.
The cookware you already use and your installation options matter just as much as the cooking technology.
If you’re considering induction, check the base of every pan. According to UFC-Que Choisir, this technology requires cookware that works with a magnetic field. Ceramic hobs don’t require this magnetic compatibility.
Compare the worktop cut-out, cooking zone sizes and connection requirements of the new model. Promotelec’s kitchen installation guide notes that an electric hob needs its own dedicated circuit and circuit protection.
Having an existing gas supply doesn’t automatically mean a replacement is suitable. Get the location, ventilation, gas type, shut-off devices and connection checked to make sure they’re right for your home.
Start with the things you don’t want to change — your cookware, worktop cut-out and energy supply — then compare the cooking zones and usage information.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cookware | For induction, check that your saucepans and frying pans have a ferromagnetic base. Ceramic hobs don’t require this magnetic compatibility. | I’d like to keep using my current cookware, so I’ll check it before choosing induction. |
| Energy use | For 409 cycles a year, ADEME gives figures of 115 kWh/year for a highly efficient new induction hob and 200 kWh/year for an average ceramic hob. These categories don’t represent every model. | I cook regularly and want to compare figures based on the same usage, without treating them as a prediction of my future energy use. |
| Cooking zones | Compare the number of zones, their diameter and the sizes of cookware you’ll use at the same time. Some models have a Bridge function that joins two zones to accommodate a large pan. | When preparing several dishes at once, I need enough room for my larger frying pans without stopping me from using the other zones. |
| Built-in electric installation | Check the cut-out, connection instructions and dedicated circuit. In its kitchen installation guide, Promotelec specifies a 32 A cable outlet in 6 mm² with a 32 A circuit breaker for the hob. Have your actual installation checked. | I’m replacing a hob and want to check that my worktop and installation can accommodate the model before I order it. |
| Gas installation | Have the location, ventilation, gas type and connection checked. Cegibat states that, when a flexible hose is used indoors, the shut-off device must automatically stop the gas if the hose breaks or becomes disconnected. | There’s a gas supply in my home, and I want to make sure the hob and its installation are suitable. |
| Conventional electric | When replacing a like-for-like model, compare the cut-out, cooking zones, power rating in the instructions and connection requirements for the specific model. | I’d prefer to stick with this technology if a new hob suits my needs and installation. |
A pan with a base that isn’t compatible with induction won’t work as intended on the cooking zone.
Before choosing a hob, check your saucepans and frying pans with a magnet or refer to the manufacturer’s guidance.
Switching to induction may mean replacing incompatible cookware.
Four cooking zones don’t guarantee that a large frying pan or griddle will leave enough room for other dishes.
Compare the base of your largest pans with the size of the zones. Consider a Bridge function or flexible zone only if the format will be useful to you.
The cut-out and number of cooking zones don’t tell you whether the electrical connection required by a hob is suitable for your existing installation.
Check the model’s instructions and ask a qualified professional to inspect the dedicated circuit and its protection before any work is carried out.
The circuit may need adapting before the hob can be installed.
Suitability also depends on the room, ventilation and type of connection, not just whether there’s a gas supply.
Before choosing a hob or arranging installation, have the gas type, location, shut-off device and connection checked.
These examples highlight features to look for on specific models. They don’t, on their own, determine whether a hob will work in your kitchen.
On its PXE831HC1E induction hob, Bosch features a FlexInduction zone and a 28 cm zone to accommodate different sizes of cookware.
Electrolux describes a Bridge function on the EIV734, which joins two cooking zones.
Whirlpool features FlexiZone and HeatControl on its i300 range of induction hobs.
This selection of Joybuy hobs includes ceramic, induction and gas models for home cooking. Compare their technology and size with your cookware, worktop and home installation.
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Its four zones let you prepare several dishes at once, without the need for the ferromagnetic cookware required by induction. Before replacing your hob, check the cut-out and connection requirements against your kitchen.
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This semi-flush hob is worth considering if your cookware is suitable for induction. In particular, check the cut-out, intended location and whether the two-phase Perilex connection is compatible with your installation.
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The four zones are handy if you cook several dishes at once. This model lists features including a timer, Boost function and child lock. Check the built-in dimensions, cookware compatibility and dedicated circuit before deciding.
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This four-zone hob lets you use several saucepans without needing magnetic bases. The power ratings given for this model differ across its product description, so confirm them in the instructions, along with the cut-out and connection requirements, before buying.
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This built-in hob with four burners is designed for kitchens with a gas installation that can accommodate the model. Before installation, ask a qualified professional to check the gas type, ventilation, cut-out and connection.
Yes, as long as their bases are compatible with induction. UFC-Que Choisir explains that the magnetic field requires suitable saucepans and frying pans, so check each item before choosing this technology.
Check the hob’s dedicated circuit and installation instructions. In its kitchen installation guide, Promotelec specifies a 32 A cable outlet in 6 mm² and a 32 A circuit breaker for the hob. Have your existing installation checked before making any changes.
An open-plan kitchen doesn’t rule it out, but having a gas supply doesn’t automatically mean installation is suitable. Have the location, ventilation, gas type and connection checked in the context of your home.
Have the hose and the shut-off device checked to make sure they’re suitable for the connection. Cegibat’s guidance for homes states that using a flexible hose indoors requires an automatic gas shut-off if the hose breaks or becomes disconnected. The correct setup depends on your actual installation.
No. It’s mainly useful for a large or long pan. Electrolux describes the Bridge function as joining two zones on models that have it. Check that the dimensions suit your cookware rather than choosing a hob based on the feature name alone.