Induction Cooktop vs Gas Stove: Which is Cheaper in India?
With LPG cylinder prices constantly fluctuating, many Indian households are buying electric induction cooktops as an alternative or backup. But does cooking with electricity actually save you money, or does it just transfer the cost to your monthly electricity bill?
Let's do the exact math to see how much an induction cooktop costs to run per month, and compare it directly to the cost of a standard 14.2 kg LPG gas cylinder.
The Quick Answer
At current 2026 prices, Induction cooking is roughly 15% to 20% cheaper than LPG Gas if your electricity rate is below ₹8 per unit. A family cooking for 2 hours a day will spend about ₹480/month on electricity using an induction, compared to ₹600 - ₹700/month on LPG.
Use your marginal electricity rate
The correct comparison is not always your average bill rate. If your household already sits near a slab boundary, the induction cooktop's extra 40-70 monthly units may be charged at the higher slab.
Before switching fully from LPG to induction, check your last bill and calculate what the next 60 units would cost in your state. That single step makes the comparison much more honest.
How Much Electricity Does an Induction Cooktop Use?
Most induction cooktops sold in India (Prestige, Pigeon, Philips) are rated between 1500 Watts and 2000 Watts.
However, you rarely cook at maximum 2000W power. Once the pan is hot, you usually lower the setting to simmer or boil (around 800W to 1000W). Let's assume an average continuous draw of 1000 Watts (1 kW).
- 1 Hour of Cooking: 1000W for 1 hour = 1 Unit (1 kWh) of electricity.
- Monthly Usage (2 hours/day): 2 Units/day × 30 days = 60 Units per month.
Calculate Your Exact Induction Cost
Want to know exactly how much your specific 2000W Philips induction costs? Plug its wattage into our Appliance Cost Calculator.
The Cost Breakdown: Induction vs LPG Gas
To compare the two, let's look at the monthly cost for a standard family of four that cooks two main meals a day.
| Metric | Electric Induction | LPG Gas Stove |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Usage/Volume | ~60 Units | ~0.75 Cylinders (10.6 kg) |
| Rate / Unit Cost | ₹ 8.00 per Unit | ₹ 850 per Cylinder |
| Total Monthly Cost | ₹ 480 | ₹ 637 |
Why is Induction more efficient?
Induction cooking is fundamentally different from gas or standard electric coils. It uses magnetic currents to directly heat the cooking pot itself.
Efficiency Comparison:
- Gas Stoves: Only 40% efficient. A massive amount of heat escapes around the sides of the pan into the air, making your kitchen hot.
- Induction Cooktops: Up to 85% to 90% efficient. Almost zero heat is wasted. This is why water boils significantly faster on an induction cooktop than on a gas burner.
The Hidden Drawbacks of Induction
While cheaper to run, you must consider the hidden costs before switching entirely to induction:
- Cookware Costs: Induction only works with magnetic metals (iron, cast iron, or magnetic stainless steel). Your aluminum pans, copper pots, and clay pots will not work. Replacing your cookware can be expensive.
- Power Cuts: In areas with frequent electricity outages, an induction cooktop is useless without a massive, expensive inverter.
- Tariff Slabs: As always, adding 60 units to your electricity bill might push your household into a higher, more expensive tariff slab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an induction cooktop consume a lot of electricity?
A standard induction cooktop consumes between 1500W to 2000W when running at full power. If used for 1 hour a day at medium heat (approx 1000W), it consumes roughly 1 unit (1 kWh) of electricity per day.
Which is cheaper: Induction or LPG Gas?
In 2026, with an LPG cylinder costing around ₹800 - ₹900, using an induction cooktop is generally 15% to 20% cheaper per month, assuming your electricity rate is below ₹8 per unit.
Can an induction stove increase my electricity bill significantly?
If you replace your primary gas stove entirely with an induction cooktop and use it for 2 hours a day, it will add roughly 60 units to your monthly electricity bill.
