Comparison of available Cooking sources -
Efficiencies of the various cooktop
* The efficiency above is based on heat transferred to the Cookware kept on top of it, please note that the efficiency also depends on the size of Cookware used compared to the size of burner/heating surface, the number above is based on the ideal setup used commonly.
Comparing the cost of source
There are 2 types of sources that we commonly get: LPG Cylinder and Electricity.
Example = to boil 5 Liter of water (at 25-degree room temperature to boiling temperature) energy required for the same is - 5000 X 4.2 X 75 = 1575000 Joules.
Time – 15 Minutes to 35 Minutes depending on heat loss factor.
Now, this is how the various source is compared -
Economics of cooking in India as per usual practice for a small family of 4 - 5 members
*Above facts & figures are approximate depending on best practices of uses and use of best heat
conductive cookware also minimizes heat losses.
Pros & Cons of the above Cooking system -
LPG Gas cooking
Pros.
Gas cooktop provides satisfactory cooking control, no worry about position and size of cookware kept on it, though it impacts efficiency.
One does not depend on a power cut for cooking.
Good for cooking most Indian food like Roti etc.
Cons
Highly inflammable and dangerous
Heats up the surrounding as well can increase the cooling bills if the environment is air-conditioned
Ceiling fans cannot be used along with it.
Flame produces carbon CO2 less environment friendly.
Direct flame not suitable for grilling and BBQ.
Induction cooking
Pros.
Induction cooktop heat faster
It’s safe as it heats when steel or Iron cookware is kept on it.
Easier to clean
Efficient in terms of energy use
Digital heat control.
It cools quickly as one shuts it down.
Cons
Can only be used with steel and iron cookware, thus the kitchen has to adjust accordingly
Can be used only with flat-bottom cookware.
Not suitable for Indian cooking like Roti. Also grilling is not possible.
Heating is localized and mostly happens at the center of the utensil makes a hot spot thus right size cookware is required.
It creates magnetic induction and also acts on food which separates iron contents and unbalances nutrition value.
Magnetic induction harmful for humans has a pacemaker also affecting pregnant women.
Open coil cooking
Pros.
Not inflammable thus creates little safe to use.
More energy efficient to the Gas cooktop.
All cookware can be used with precaution.
Ceiling fans can be used and surrounds less heat.
Cons
The open coil or tubular design can give an electric shock.
A drop of food residue or water can cause failure.
Takes time to heat up.
No Heat Control.
No heat backup.
Infracooka cooking
Pros.
Ceramic Glass top design provides easy to clean and complete safety.
All types of flat bottom cookware can be used, even earthen pot and borosil glass.
All types of Cooking can be done – frying, Boiling, Grilling - Roti puff better.
Precious heat control makes food as desired.
Can be used under the ceiling fan and the surround does not heat if the burner is covered with right size cookware.
Heat storage helps in sudden power cuts, cooking 20 minutes without electricity.
Highly energy efficient Direct heat charging technology.
No smoke, no flame makes it negative carbon cooking.
Penetrating heat cooks inside to outside and retains nutrition.
Cons
Only Flat & thick bottom all type cookware can be used.
Ceramic top glass may break if heavy pointed weight impacts it.
Takes time to heat up.
Cleaning of Intake and outtake air vent is required periodically.
***Source of Input Data: Joules per unit of LPG & electricity taken from Wikipedia, rates of LPG cylinder is taken from: https://www.goodreturns.in/lpg-pricein-kolkata.html, electricity rate per unit is taken from an average of all states of India. The efficiency may vary based on uses and type of cookware.