How to buy an electric stove

Research-backed guide to choosing a stove that cooks everything a gas stove can.

20–40%
faster boiling than gas
240V
outlet required
40–50A
circuit breaker
How each type works
Glass-ceramic surface Copper induction coil AC electricity → magnetic field

Induction

Magnetic field passes through glass and generates heat directly inside the pan walls. Glass surface stays cool.

Glass-ceramic (heats up) Heating element (glows red-hot) Heat radiates UP through glass

Smooth-top radiant

Hidden element heats the glass surface. Pan is warmed by contact with the hot glass. Surface stays warm after cooking.

Pan (on top of coil) Exposed coil (sits on counter surface) Direct contact → heat transfer

Electric coil

Exposed metal coil glows red. Heat transfers directly by contact into the pan base. No glass layer between coil and pan.

Electromagnetic field (induction only) Heat / energy transfer Heating coil / element
Compare stove types
Recommended

Induction

Heats the pan directly via magnetism

✓ Fastest heat of all three
✓ Most energy efficient
✓ Cool surface = safer
✓ Easy to clean
✗ Needs magnetic pans
✗ Wok hei unverified
Speed
Efficiency
Affordability

Smooth-top radiant

Heats the glass surface below the pan

✓ Any pans work
✓ Easy to clean
✗ Slower than induction
✗ Surface stays hot
✗ Less efficient
Speed
Efficiency
Affordability

Electric coil

Old-style exposed heating coils

✓ Cheapest to buy
✓ Any pans work
✗ Slowest to heat
✗ Hardest to clean
✗ Least efficient
Speed
Efficiency
Affordability
Induction pan compatibility test

The magnet test

Hold a fridge magnet to the bottom of your pan. If it sticks firmly — your pan works on induction. If it doesn't stick — you'll need new pans.

N S ✓ Sticks = Works! Cast iron · Carbon steel Magnetic stainless steel ← hold magnet to pan bottom ✗ N S ✗ Falls = Won't work Aluminum · Copper Non-magnetic stainless Need to buy new pans
Cast iron Magnetic stainless steel Carbon steel Aluminum Copper Non-magnetic stainless
Key specs to look for
IDEAL 1 kW 2 kW 3 kW 3.5 3.7 kW ← boost burner sweet spot Too weak OK Good
Look for a boost burner of 3,500–3,700W. This is what enables fast boiling and high-heat searing comparable to gas.
Boost burner power
Look for 3,500–3,700W. Lower wattage = less searing power.
Simmer control
Fine low-heat steps for sauces and delicate cooking.
Number of zones
4–5 zones; bridge zones useful for griddles.
Oven type
Convection fan oven performs well for baking.
Brands to consider
GE Café, Bosch, Samsung, LG, Thermador.
Price range
Entry $800–1,200 · Mid $1,500–2,500 · High $3,000+
Installation checklist
Main panel 40–50A Dedicated breaker Circuit breaker 240V outlet Stove existing
If switching from gas, an electrician must run a new 240V/40–50A dedicated line. If replacing an old electric stove, it's usually already in place.
1
Check your outlet — you need a dedicated 240V socket. If you have a gas stove now, an electrician must run a new 240V line.
2
Check your circuit breaker — needs a dedicated 40–50A breaker. If replacing an existing electric stove, this is usually already in place.
3
Test your pans — do the magnet test before buying. Budget ~$100–400 for a new induction-compatible cookware set if needed.
4
Measure your space — standard freestanding ranges are 30 inches wide. Measure your kitchen cutout before ordering.
Wok hei warning

Wok hei — the smoky, charred flavour from extreme heat — on induction is unresolved. Research across 26 sources could not confirm or deny it. If authentic wok hei is critical to you, treat this as a genuine risk before buying induction.

✓ Gas — Wok Hei Achievable Open flame = extreme toss heat ? Induction — Unverified No flame = less char 26 sources: inconclusive
Extraction rate calculator
30
m³
kitchen volume
300
m³/h
minimum extraction
360
m³/h
ideal extraction
4.0 m 3.0 m Kitchen volume 30 m³ Hood Stove Ceiling: 2.5 m

Formula: kitchen volume × 10 (minimum) or × 12 (ideal). Open-plan kitchens 18 m² or larger → aim for at least 500 m³/h.

How your cooker hood works
OUTSIDE fresh air exit Duct to outside Grease filter (washable) Fan Stove / hob Hood captures smoke & steam Ceiling duct carries air out
Ducted: Smoke, steam, grease particles, and moisture are pulled up through the hood, pass through the grease filter, and are pushed by the fan through a duct in the ceiling or wall — fully expelled outside your home. Nothing returns to the kitchen.
No duct needed · Air stays inside Grease filter (washable) Carbon filter (replace every 3–6 mo) Filtered air returns to kitchen Moisture stays! Humidity remains in your kitchen Stove / hob
Recirculating: Air is pulled up through the grease filter, then through a carbon/charcoal filter that absorbs odours, then pushed back into the kitchen. Smoke particles are partially captured — but moisture and humidity always stay inside. No wall duct needed, but performance is lower.
Ducted vs. recirculating

Ducted (vented outside) Best

OUT smoke pulled out entirely
✓ Removes all smoke
✓ Removes moisture & humidity
✓ Removes odors fully
✓ No ongoing filter cost
✓ Meets UK Part F regulations

Recirculating (ductless)

no duct moisture stays filtered air returns to kitchen
✓ No wall duct needed
✓ Easier to install
✗ Only moderate smoke control
✗ Moisture stays in kitchen
✗ Carbon filter every 3–6 months
✗ Fails UK Part F on its own
Recirculating filter running cost

Carbon filter replacement: every 3–6 months for average cooks, every 1–3 months for heavy cooks. This is an ongoing cost ducted hood owners never pay. Washable filters (Luxair, Care+Protect) can last ~3 years but are less common.

Filter replacement schedule Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ↺ ↺ ↺ ↺ Average cook ↺ ↺ ↺ ↺ ↺ ↺ Heavy cook ↺ = replace carbon filter (£15–40 each)
What to evaluate when shopping
Airflow
volume
m³/h
Noise
level
dB
Lighting
quality
LED
Hood
width
≥ hob width
Grease
filter
washable
1
Airflow volume (m³/h) — use your calculator result above. Always buy equal to or above your ideal number.
2
Noise level (dB) — a loud hood people turn off is worse than a quieter one they leave on. Look for dB ratings at each speed.
3
Lighting — check brightness and coverage over your hob. LED preferred for energy efficiency and longevity.
4
Hood width — should match or exceed your hob width. A hood narrower than the hob lets smoke escape around the sides.
5
Grease filter material — must be washable (dishwasher-safe aluminium mesh). Avoid paper or foam filters.
Pairing with an induction stove
→ vented outside Induction stove ✓ Perfect pair Less smoke = hood works less hard Match hood width to hob width
Induction produces far less smoke and grease vapour than gas — your hood works easier. Size by kitchen volume, choose ducted, and match the hood width to your hob width.

Good news for induction owners: induction produces far less smoke, combustion gases, and grease vapour than gas. Your hood will work less hard. Size it by kitchen volume (not BTU), choose ducted, and match the hood width to your hob width.

Recommended brands: Elica, Bosch, NEFF, Siemens, Samsung, AEG