LPG vs Induction which is cheaper: The impact of the ongoing geopolitical tension in the Middle East has now started reaching the common man’s kitchen. The supply chain of oil and natural gas has been badly affected globally, due to which concerns about LPG have increased in India too. However, the government has clarified that domestic production has increased and there is no need to panic. To maintain the smooth supply, the government has also implemented the Essential Commodities Act (ESMA). Despite this, reports of delays in refill booking and rising gas prices have created uneasiness among consumers. The result of this fear is that people are not only accumulating extra gas cylinders, but are also increasingly turning to alternative methods of cooking.
Inductions out of stock in metros
The news of possible shortage of gas has changed the market equations. There has been a sudden huge jump in the sales of electric cooktops i.e. induction. The situation is such that induction is out of stock in many areas of major metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. From big showrooms to small shops, a huge shortage of induction is being seen everywhere. Amidst this chaos, there is only one question in the mind of every consumer, is it an economically wise step to leave the traditional gas stove and cook food on electric induction? Let us understand the complete mathematics behind this.
Which is cheaper for cooking, gas cylinder or induction?
- Disadvantages of gas stove: When food is cooked on a gas stove, about 60 percent of the heat generated escapes into the air through the sides of the vessel. This simply means that only 40 percent of the price you are paying for gas is being used to cook your food.
- Efficiency of Induction: In contrast, the technology of induction is much more modern and scientific. It works on the principle of copper coil and magnetic field placed under the surface of the glass. When a vessel is placed on it which has magnetic properties, heat is generated directly within the metal of the vessel. Due to this precise technology, the efficiency of induction is up to 90 percent and the wastage of energy is negligible.
This much money will be saved every month
- Gas cost: If we look at the data of the national capital Delhi, the price of a non-subsidized 14.2 kg LPG cylinder is currently around Rs 913.
- Electricity consumption: If you want to get energy equal to the heat obtained from an entire cylinder through induction, then about 78 units of electricity will be spent for this. Even if the electricity rate is assumed to be Rs 8 per unit, the total expenditure for the month will be only Rs 624.
- Direct Savings: That is, you can make direct savings of about Rs 300 every month compared to gas cylinder. In states like Tamil Nadu, where the initial 100 units of electricity is free for domestic consumers, this saving figure can be even larger.
More initial investment in induction
To depend completely on induction, you will have to invest some capital in the beginning. A good quality induction cooktop costs between Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000. Also, for this you will also have to buy a set of special utensils made of stainless steel or cast iron with flat bottom. Constant consumption of electricity can even take your bill into the upper slab, but the daily expenditure is so low that a typical family can easily recover this initial investment within a year. Its additional benefit is that the temperature of the kitchen remains normal and cleaning is also easy. There itself A 14.2 kg cylinder is available for between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,500. Apart from the price of gas, the money is in the form of security deposit.
Why is this change not easy for restaurants and hotels?
Induction may seem to be an economical and safe option at the domestic level, but at the commercial level, especially for restaurants and hotels, this path is not so easy.
- Electrical load: Most restaurants operate on ‘low tension’ electricity connections. They cannot bear the sudden heavy electric load of induction cooking. Taking ‘High Tension’ connection is very expensive commercially.
- Expensive Equipment: The initial cost of commercial electric equipment is much higher than that of LPG equipment. Installing a commercial induction burner can cost a huge sum of around Rs 3.5 lakh.
- Time and Power Backup: Take the example of Coimbatore Airport, there there is a ban on gas cylinders due to security reasons and electric pans are used. But it takes more time to cook food as compared to LPG. Also, the need for continuous generator or backup in case of power cut is a big challenge. For these practical reasons, even today LPG is preferred in commercial kitchens.