I had a simple corningware type cooktop in our last house, because bottled gas wasn't going to work where we were and there was no piped gas. Couldn't wait to get back to a gas cooktop in our new house. I've got it. I hate it. Just so messy. I'm cleaning up all the time, and for what? Our last cooktop was every bit as good (and induction would be better) and much easier to keep clean. Grrrr. Go for induction.

If you have a ceiling fan in your kitchen (as you might if in the tropics) then gas isn't a preference. The flame can go out but also it will never get hot enough to work at high temps. My last gas cooktop couldn't even boil water (with the fan off it was OK, but by then I was melting!). My new one is induction.

I have always preferred a gas cooktop over electric. I recently moved into an apartment where there was no gas and I had to replace the oven. I purchased a Blanco 900mm oven with induction cooktop...I love it! I wouldn't go back to gas, It heats up really quickly and temperature is so easy to control. The best thing is it is so easy to keep clean!

Hi Emma, the good thing about induction is that it doesn't get hot, you can actually put your hand on the surface after removing a pan and it won't burn you.

I love my induction cooktop! Clean in 10 seconds after cooking.

My clients LOVE them! They are always a preferred choice I find, and I am yet to receive any negative feedback.

I have also used Induction myself and can absolutely justify the difference in cost - the practicality, usability and the ability to be able to clean the cooktop within minutes of switching the plates off all make the purchase absolutely worthwhile. You should consult with your Electrician first though, as your Power Board may need to be upgraded to support the wattage required to run.

If you are considering it, and it is within your budget, you won't be disappointed. Go for it!

Yes, absolutely worth every single cent.

I always loved the look of ceramic cooktops, the ease of cleaning them, but there was no way I would swap electric for gas. Then induction came on the market. I don't have it, simply couldn't afford it, but I am now very sorry not to have spent the extra money. I HATE cleaning my gas cooktop.

At my previous house I had an enamel surface, here I had the choice of glass or stainless steel as they stopped selling enamel. My white enamel cooktop was spotless after 15 years of use. I knew I hated stainless steel, so got glass, now I know that I hate that too! To attempt to get rid of all the smears around all the non-removable bits of the gas hobs is an unbelievable pain.

I have read a lot about induction, went to lots of demonstrations. I have even seen where (to avoid splashing) the demonstrator pop tea-towels under the pot and it didn't burn. Do THAT with gas! And yes, it is faster than gas, and can also be set lower than gas ever could (as @sttop said) you can melt chocolate on it, no double boiler necessary

The only other thing is, if I was going to buy one, I'd want the multi-zone induction - so you can use any size or shape pan, or better still... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2G7jO0QdA4  As you can seem I have expensive tastes, which is why I'm still cooking with gas :-(

However, if I could have my dream set-up I would like a gas wok (even better - in an outdoor kitchen) not just for wok cooking, but to use the gas with saucepans that are not compatible with induction.

A friend of mine who is a great cook says she wouldn't recommend induction to people who like to "shake". That is, shake the pan while cooking. That could eventually scratch the glass

I have just had a flexiduction installed and everything is great except as Judy mentioned it scratches if you move the pan. I didn't realise I was a shaker lol. I now put paper towel under pan if I'm cooking something that needs a lot of stirring. They are very fine scratches and only visible if you look hard enough. I have just purchased a kettle for my cooktop and it is amazing how fast it boils. i would not go back to gas.

Gas never gets hot enough if you have a fan in the kitchen. Induction gets my vote (and in my reno I am getting it....a BIT excited!!)

If you have $2000 worth of cast iron pans, it's not for you. They scratch the top.

Hmm. That's what I have, but their bottoms are smooth (Le Creuset) would they still scratch? Could you put (as @bronsim mentions) a paper towel under them?

Trek thank goodness I put the 2K of cast iron back on the shelf. I knew it was for a reason....

My le creuset did scratch the glass top, so did my Bessemer pans.

I purchased a new set of Scanpans when I got my induction cooktop as my old pots and pans wouldn't work on it. I'm really happy with them.

How big is your solar system in KW?

It also depends what else you're going to run, and are you detached from the grid? People who are, are careful what and how much they use. With the advent of batteries, some of that worry will hopefully be gone. Cooking is a priority, though.

re roof: we are adding a patio cover on the north side for solar panels.

Induction wins hands down for me - I have a Smeg 90cm freestanding cooker with the induction top in my new house and I just love it! The temperature is so controllable and fast - love the fact that the cook top doesn't heat dramatically and is cool within seconds of removing a pan, so easy to clean as well!!