Now you’re cooking with… induction?

The new year is a time filled with commitments to healthier habits like more movement and less screentime, but especially commitments to changes in the kitchen. Unfortunately, most Americans don’t know that healthy living is about more than what you’re cooking, it’s about how you’re cooking. 

Traditional gas-powered ranges can create indoor air pollution levels that exceed outdoor air pollution levels set by the EPA to protect public health. And methane– the natural gas fueling most gas ranges–is a greenhouse gas that’s 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide and contributes to our warming climate. 

Thankfully, there are options to switch to safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly cooking methods like induction. This guide will outline the benefits of induction cooking, and provide tips on how you can maximize your health in the kitchen this year. 

What is Induction? 

Induction cooking uses electricity and magnetism to heat pots and pans directly, rather than burning gas under the pan that releases harmful pollutants and particulates. This method also ensures less heat is lost in the cooking process, making it more energy efficient than gas stoves. In fact, induction appliances can be up to three times as efficient as their gas counterparts, and still 10% more efficient than traditional electric appliances.

Induction appliances also offer a more sustainable way to cook because they don’t rely on methane gas that leaks into our atmosphere and our kitchens. A Stanford University estimated that the annual emissions from methane leaks in gas stoves have a similar climate impact as the yearly CO2 emissions from half a million cars. Induction stoves remove the need for gas altogether, preventing these leaks in your home. 

Induction stoves also have the potential to be fully powered by renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, further reducing their carbon footprint. Induction cooking is also faster than gas stoves, leading to potential long-term energy savings on utility bills and faster cooking times. 

Induction and electric stoves are a safer alternative to polluting gas stoves because they don’t harm our environment or our health. The best thing you can do in your kitchen is switch to induction appliances. But if you’re reading this article and planning to cook dinner tonight, here are some tips to combat indoor air pollution in the short term.

Quick tips on how to stay safe without an induction stove:

• Open the window or turn on a fan

• Turn the hood ventilation on high

• Limit cooking periods as much as possible

• Use a portable induction stove (or check if your local library has them!)

When you’re ready to switch:

To better protect our environment and your community’s health, consider switching to an induction stove. And thanks to investments in clean technology, there’s never been a better time to switch!

Federal and state rebates are available to help you save on a new induction stove. If you qualify for the full rebate, you could save $840 on a new electric or induction stove. That means, depending on the model you go with and your relative income, you could get a brand new induction or electric stove for as little as just a couple hundred dollars. 

In Pennsylvania, these rebates are coming soon and will be updated on our website.

Some reviews from Pennsylvanians who switched to induction:

“The best part about an induction cooktop is no longer having gas fumes in my home. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I got an air pollution monitor, and the difference is huge.” –Susan Kaye Quinn, Pittsburgh

“I had heard for years how efficient induction stoves are, from boiling water quickly to lowering energy costs. What tipped the scales was the tax credit I could get for choosing a clean energy appliance. It really does make the total cost of the appliance much more affordable.” –Beth Meiklejohn, Lancaster

“From a practical point of view, the induction stove we put into our house this year cooks great and works awesomely. It also boils a pot of water at a remarkable speed, which is incredibly helpful when cooking for my family. At the same time, it feels great buying an appliance that I also know is helping reduce pollution and protecting the planet.” –David Masur, PennEnvironment Executive Director

And even chefs love induction cooking! 

The absolute best way to protect your health and our climate is to move away from using gas appliances. Induction or electric stoves are available and come at a much lower cost thanks to clean energy rebates. So consider making the switch today and start cooking healthier this New Year!