In the induction vs gas cooktop decision, induction wins on speed, efficiency and cleanup, and gas wins on install simplicity if you already have a gas line, works with any pan, and keeps cooking in a power outage. ENERGY STAR says about 85% of an induction cooktop’s heating energy reaches the food, compared with about a third for gas. The catch is wiring: most full-size induction cooktops need a dedicated 240V circuit with a 40 or 50 amp breaker. If your kitchen already has that circuit, induction is the easier pick. If it only has a gas line and a 120V outlet, a gas cooktop is usually the cheaper swap.
Induction vs gas cooktop at a glance
| Factor | Induction cooktop | Gas cooktop |
|---|---|---|
| Energy reaching the pot | About 85% (ENERGY STAR) | About a third (ENERGY STAR) |
| Boil speed in lab testing | 9.3 to 11.6 min for 12 lb of water | 18.6 min for the same test |
| Power or fuel | 240V hardwired, 40A or 50A breaker on 30 and 36 inch Empava models | Natural gas or propane plus a 120V outlet for the igniter |
| Cookware | Magnetic pans only | Any pan, including woks and copper |
| Cooking in a power outage | No | Empava lists manual lighting on several models |
| Cleanup | Flat glass surface to wipe | Grates and sealed burners to lift and wash |
| Indoor air | No combustion | Vent to the outdoors (EPA guidance) |
Is induction better than gas for speed and efficiency?
On speed and efficiency, yes. In a 2019 Frontier Energy study for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (Residential Cooktop Performance and Energy Comparison Study), three induction cooktops heated 12 pounds of water from 70 to 200 degrees F in 9.3 to 11.6 minutes. A 17,000 BTU gas burner took 18.6 minutes. Measured efficiency was 83% to 86% for induction and about 32% for gas. The report notes most gas flame heat escapes up the sides of the pot.
ENERGY STAR puts it the same way on its electric cooking products page: induction boiling can take nearly half the time of gas, radiant or coil. Its Emerging Technology Award page calls induction about 3 times more efficient than gas and 5 to 10% more efficient than standard electric resistance. The US Department of Energy uses the same “up to three times” figure in its guide to switching to induction.
Your bill is a separate question from efficiency. Electricity usually costs more per unit of energy than gas, so check your local rates before assuming induction will cost less to run.
Induction cooktop pros and cons
- Pro: cooler surface. The glass only gets hot from the pan sitting on it. Empava’s models show an “H” on any zone that is still hot.
- Pro: no combustion in the kitchen. The EPA lists unvented gas stoves as a main indoor source of nitrogen dioxide, a respiratory irritant, and recommends an exhaust fan vented outdoors over gas stoves (EPA: Nitrogen Dioxide’s Impact on Indoor Air Quality).
- Con: wiring. A 30 or 36 inch unit usually needs a new or upgraded 240V circuit.
- Con: cookware. Aluminum, copper, glass and ceramic pans will not heat.
- Con: implants. Empava’s 36EC05 manual says people with cardiac pacemakers or other electrical implants, such as insulin pumps, should check with their doctor or the implant maker before using an induction cooktop. If that applies to you, ask your doctor first.
Do you need special pans for induction?
You need magnetic pans, and you probably own some already. ENERGY STAR and Empava’s IDC24, IDC30 and IDC36 manual give the same test: if a magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan, it works on induction. Cast iron, enameled cast iron and most stainless steel pass. That manual says glass, ceramic, copper and aluminum pans, round-bottomed pans and pans with a base under 5 inches will not work. Some pans hum on induction; Empava says that is normal.
Induction cooktop electrical requirements
Check this before you buy. From Empava’s manuals and our listings:
- 24 and 30 inch (IDC24, IDC30): 40 amp service, maximum connected load 7.4 kW at 240V or 6.4 kW at 208V.
- 36 inch (IDC36): 50 amp service, 9.6 kW at 240V or 8.3 kW at 208V. The 36EC05 also calls for a minimum 50A breaker at 240V.
- 30 inch 30EC82H: 208 to 240V, 40A, 8,700 W total at 240V.
- Small 2-burner units (13EC09): 120V and 1,800 W total, so a standard kitchen circuit works.
The IDC manual says the cooktop must be on its own grounded circuit and installed to national and local electrical codes. Have a licensed electrician check your panel before you order. If you need a new 240V run, add that cost to the price of the induction option.
Gas cooktop install and burner power
Gas cooktops are simpler to wire, because the plug only powers the electric igniter. You still need a qualified installer for the gas connection, and you need the right regulator setting for natural gas or propane. Empava’s built-in models include an LPG conversion kit, and its manual says the conversion should be done by a qualified service agency.
30 inch and 36 inch models compared
A 30 inch induction cooktop is the most common size for standard kitchens. A 36 inch adds a fifth zone or bigger flex zones. Cutout sizes vary by model, so always check the manual drawing before cutting your countertop.
| Model | Type | Key specs (listing or manual) | Cutout | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empava 30 in IDC30 | Induction, 4 zones | 240V, 40A, 7.4 kW max | 29.75 x 20 in | $449.19 |
| Empava 30 in 30EC82H | Induction, 4 elements with sync | 208 to 240V, 40A, 8,700 W at 240V | Min 29 x 19 7/8 in | $719.00 |
| Empava 36 in IDC36 | Induction, 5 zones | 240V, 50A, 9.6 kW max, 11 in center zone | 35.3 x 20 in | $579.99 |
| Empava 36 in 36EC05 | Induction, 2 flexi-bridge zones | 240V, 50A, center zone up to 3,000 W | 34.65 x 19.69 in | $429.29 |
| Empava 20 in 13EC09 | Induction, 2 burners | 120V, 1,800 W total | Min 19 15/32 x 13 5/32 in | $189.49 |
| Empava 30 in 30GC37 | Gas, 5 burners | 18,000 BTU triple ring, two 12,000, 9,500, 6,000 | 28.62 x 18.90 in | $425.59 |
| Empava 36 in 36GC36 | Gas, 5 burners | 18,000 BTU triple ring, two 12,000, 9,500, 6,000 | 33.07 x 18.90 in | $446.49 |
| Empava 24 in 24GC28 | Gas, 4 burners | 13,000 BTU dual ring down to 3,800 BTU, LPG/NG | 22.08 x 18.54 in | $319.39 |
Prices checked October 9, 2026. Browse every model on our Empava brand page.
Where to buy: an honest price note
Empava sells these same models on empava.com. On October 9, 2026, its list prices matched ours exactly. Empava’s shipping policy (empava.com/policies/shipping-policy) offers free ground shipping on US orders except Alaska, Guam, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. We charge $200 flat shipping on orders under $999, so a single cooktop costs about $200 less delivered when you buy it straight from Empava (our math). Our shipping is free on orders of $999 or more. Buying several items for a remodel? Call 866-777-2590 (Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST) to compare totals. Some older Empava models in our catalog, including the 30EC02, 36EC01 and 24EC03, no longer appear on empava.com, so call before you order those. Our return and refund policy covers our orders.
Building an outdoor kitchen instead? Read our griddle vs grill guide. For restaurant lines, see our commercial kitchen equipment guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is induction better than gas for everyday cooking?
For boiling, simmering and quick response, independent testing favors induction. Gas still makes sense if you cook with a wok, use copper or aluminum pans, or want to cook during power outages.
What breaker does a 30 inch induction cooktop need?
Empava’s 30 inch IDC30 and 30EC82H call for a 40 amp breaker at 240V. Its 36 inch IDC36 and 36EC05 call for 50 amps. Confirm with your electrician and the model’s manual.
Can I plug in an induction cooktop without rewiring?
Only small units like the 120V Empava 13EC09. Full-size 30 and 36 inch cooktops are hardwired to 240V.
Is it safe to use induction with a pacemaker?
Empava’s 36EC05 manual tells people with pacemakers or other electrical implants to consult their doctor or the implant maker before use. Check with your doctor first.
