If you’ve ever stood in a kitchen showroom or scrolled appliance listings online, you’ll know the question sounds simple — gas or electric? — but the answer never is.
Some people swear gas is cheaper. Others say electric is cleaner, safer, and more modern. Then induction enters the chat and changes everything again. Add UK energy prices into the mix, and suddenly the choice feels less about cooking and more about long-term cost, lifestyle, and future proofing.
This guide is here to strip it back.
Not just which hob is cheaper per hour, but:
- what those numbers actually look like in real UK homes
- who gas suits best
- who electric or induction makes more sense for
- and why the “cheapest” option isn’t always the right one
Let’s start with what most people actually want to know.
The short answer (before the nuance)
In pure fuel cost terms, gas has traditionally been cheaper per hour to run than standard electric hobs in the UK.
However:
- Induction hobs are far more efficient than older electric hobs
- Electric prices fluctuate more, but induction uses much less energy
- Installation, safety, ventilation, and future energy trends matter just as much as today’s unit rates
In many modern UK homes, induction often closes the cost gap or even beats gas in real-world use, despite electricity costing more per kWh.
Now let’s explain why.
How much energy does a hob actually use?
A hob doesn’t run constantly at full power — it pulses on and off to maintain temperature. But we can still use sensible averages.
Typical UK hob power ranges
Gas hob:
- Around 1.5–3.0 kW equivalent depending on burner size
- Energy lost around the sides of pans
Electric ceramic hob:
- Roughly 1.2–2.4 kW per ring
- Slower heat-up, more wasted heat
Induction hob:
- Roughly 1.4–2.0 kW per zone
- Heats the pan directly, not the air
Efficiency is the key difference here — not raw power.
Ofgem explains how gas and electricity prices differ in the UK and how energy efficiency affects household running costs.
Running cost comparison (UK averages)
Let’s use typical UK unit prices as a working example:
- Gas: ~7p per kWh
- Electricity: ~28p per kWh
(Exact rates vary, but the relationship is what matters.)
Approximate cost per hour
Gas hob (average burner):
- ~2 kWh × 7p = 14p per hour
Standard electric ceramic hob:
- ~2 kWh × 28p = 56p per hour
Induction hob (more efficient):
- ~1.3–1.6 kWh × 28p = 36–45p per hour
So yes — gas is cheaper per hour on paper.
But cooking is not done on paper.
Why efficiency changes the real cost
Gas loses heat sideways and upwards. You feel it on your hands and see it licking the sides of the pan.
Induction doesn’t.
That means:
- Water boils faster
- Heat responds instantly
- Less time is spent “waiting”
If an induction hob gets your meal done 20–30% faster, it narrows the cost gap dramatically.
That’s why many UK households switching from gas to induction report little to no noticeable increase in cooking costs, despite electricity being more expensive.
Cooking habits matter more than fuel type
This is where articles often fall down — they compare hobs, not people.
Gas suits you if:
- You cook frequently
- You like visual flame control
- You do a lot of pan-based cooking (stir-fry, sauté, simmering)
- You already have a gas supply
Electric or induction suits you if:
- You value speed and cleanliness
- You batch cook or boil a lot
- You want easier cleaning
- You don’t want gas safety checks or ventilation worries
The “cheapest hob” for a household that cooks twice a day is not the same as for someone who cooks twice a week.
Installation and hidden costs (often ignored)
Gas hob considerations
- Requires a gas supply
- Needs proper ventilation
- Annual gas safety checks (especially in rentals)
- Carbon monoxide risk if poorly installed
Electric / induction considerations
- May need upgraded wiring
- Some induction hobs require higher-rated circuits
- No combustion, no fumes
Gas may be cheaper to run, but electric can be cheaper to live with.
Author insight
I grew up in homes with gas hobs and assumed they were automatically cheaper and better. It wasn’t until I started measuring actual cooking time and energy use that the picture changed. Induction surprised me — not because it was magically cheaper, but because it wasted less time and less heat. The biggest lesson wasn’t about fuel type at all; it was that efficiency and habit matter more than the label on the appliance.
The products (real examples, real positioning)
🔥 Gas Hob Option #1: AEG HGX64200SB Slim-Line Gas Hob
This is a modern gas hob aimed at people who like traditional cooking but want a cleaner, more efficient layout.
Why it fits this article:
- Slim design suits modern UK kitchens
- Efficient burner layout helps reduce wasted flame
- Familiar control for gas users
Best for:
- Homes already on gas
- People who cook often and value control
- Those who want lower per-hour running costs
🔥 Gas Hob Option #2: TopStrong 4-Burner Gas Hob
A more budget-friendly gas option that still does the job.
Why it fits:
- Straightforward layout
- No unnecessary complexity
- Lower upfront cost
Best for:
- Rentals
- Secondary kitchens
- Homes where gas is already installed
⚡ Induction Hob Option #1: Bosch Serie 4 PUG61RAA5B Induction Hob
This is where the electric argument gets strong.
Why it fits:
- High efficiency
- Fast heat response
- Lower real-world energy waste
Best for:
- Busy households
- Anyone trying to reduce overall kitchen energy use
- Homes moving away from gas
⚡ Induction Hob Option #2: AEG IKX64441CB Induction Hob
A more advanced induction option with features aimed at efficiency and control.
Why it fits:
- Precision heat control
- Strong energy efficiency credentials
- Designed for modern UK kitchens
Best for:
- Long-term homeowners
- People future-proofing against gas phase-out discussions
- Users who cook frequently but want speed
The environmental angle (brief but important)
Gas hobs burn fossil fuel directly in your kitchen.
Electric hobs:
- Can run partially or fully on renewable energy
- Pair well with solar panels
- Improve indoor air quality
Even if gas is cheaper today, many households choose electric or induction for health and future cost stability, not just today’s bill.
So… which is actually cheaper to run?
Let’s be blunt.
- Gas is usually cheaper per hour
- Induction is often cheaper per meal
- Standard electric ceramic hobs are the least efficient option
The “winner” depends on:
- How long you cook
- What you cook
- How efficient the hob is
- Whether you value control, speed, or simplicity
The Energy Saving Trust outlines how electric and induction cooking methods reduce wasted heat compared to traditional gas hobs.
Related guides to help you cut kitchen energy costs
🍽️ Keep Kitchen Running Costs Down
If you’re looking at hob running costs, these guides help you optimise the rest of your kitchen energy use:
- Best Time of Day to Run a Dishwasher on UK Energy Tariffs
Learn when electricity is cheapest and how to shift dishwasher use into lower-cost tariff windows. - How Much Does an Electric Hob Really Cost to Run Per Hour in the UK?
A deeper cost breakdown of ceramic and induction hobs, including pence-per-hour figures and efficiency comparisons.
Together, these guides help you see how cooking, cleaning, and tariff timing all interact to shape your real energy bill.
Final conclusion
If you only look at unit prices, gas wins — roughly 14p per hour versus 36–56p per hour for electric options. That’s the headline figure most people stop at.
But real kitchens don’t cook in theory.
Induction hobs heat faster, waste less energy, and shorten cooking time — often enough to halve the gap in real-world use. Over a year of normal cooking, that difference can shrink to a few pounds, not tens.
Gas still makes sense if:
- You already have it
- You cook often
- You like direct flame control
Induction makes sense if:
- You value speed and cleanliness
- You want predictable, controllable heat
- You’re thinking long-term about energy and air quality
The cheapest hob to run is the one that fits how you actually cook — not the one that looks best on a comparison table.
✅ Quick Product Recap
If you’re deciding between gas and electric based on running costs, control, and long-term practicality, these examples show how the differences play out in real UK kitchens:
- AEG 4-Burner Gas Hob (Stainless Steel)
A traditional gas setup with strong flame control and instant heat response — best suited to households already on mains gas who cook frequently. - TopStrong 5-Burner Gas Hob
Higher-output burners for larger households or keen home cooks who value visual heat control and flexible pan placement. - Bosch Series 2 Induction Hob
A highly efficient electric option that heats pans directly, offering fast boiling times and lower energy waste per use. - AEG Induction Hob with PowerBoost
Designed for modern kitchens looking to pair precise temperature control with improved energy efficiency and safety.
Each option suits a different type of household — the cheapest hob to run isn’t always the best one for you.
Cook smarter and cut everyday kitchen costs with our Smart Kitchen & Appliances Hub your guide to energy-efficient gadgets, smarter cooking habits, and affordable ways to upgrade your home. Explore simple tips, low-energy tools, and practical UK advice that actually saves money.
If you want straightforward, non-commercial advice on cutting bills and understanding UK energy costs, Citizens Advice has excellent resources. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/energy/
Written by Andy M. — a UK home-efficiency writer sharing practical ways to cut bills and boost comfort.