Find the induction cooktop your kitchen was built for.

Built-in induction cooktops sold in Australia typically run from about $500 for an entry-level 60cm four-zone model up to $2,000 or more for a premium 80–90cm unit from Miele, Bosch or Smeg. Mid-range 60cm cooktops from Electrolux, Westinghouse and Fisher & Paykel cluster around $650–$1,200. Portable single-zone plug-in units start near $60. Budget separately for installation: a licensed electrician is required for any built-in cooktop.

You need cookware with a ferromagnetic base. The test takes two seconds: if a fridge magnet sticks firmly to the bottom of the pan, it will work. Cast iron, carbon steel and most stainless steel qualify. Pure aluminium, copper, glass and ceramic will not heat at all unless they have a bonded magnetic base plate.

In most cases yes, per meal cooked. Induction delivers roughly 85–90% of its energy into the pan versus about 40% for gas, so it wastes far less. Whether that translates into a lower bill depends on your electricity tariff versus your gas tariff, and households with solar typically see the largest saving. Removing a gas cooktop can also let you drop a gas connection daily supply charge entirely.

No. A built-in induction cooktop must be connected by a licensed electrician in every Australian state and territory — DIY electrical work on fixed wiring is illegal and will void both your warranty and, potentially, your home insurance. Portable plug-in induction cooktops are the exception: they use a standard 10A power point and need no electrician.

A 60cm four-zone cooktop suits most Australian kitchens and households of one to four people, and it drops into the standard 560 x 490mm benchtop cutout. Step up to 90cm if you routinely cook with more than four pans at once, use large roasting dishes, or want a full-width flexible zone. A 90cm cooktop needs more benchtop depth and usually a higher-rated circuit.

No. Induction cooktops are entirely electric and rely on an electronic inverter, so they stop working in a blackout — unlike a gas cooktop, which can often be lit manually. If outages are common where you live, a portable butane stove or a 12V portable induction unit run off a battery makes a sensible backup.

For their intended jobs, yes. A good portable unit puts out 1,800–2,100W — enough to boil, fry and simmer well — and they suit renters, share houses, small apartments, caravans and extra cooking space at Christmas. Their limits are real, though: one zone at a time, a 10A power point ceiling on output, and cooling fan noise you will notice.

The glass-ceramic surface is hard but not scratch-proof. Most damage comes from dragging cast iron or grit-covered pan bases across the glass rather than lifting them, and from cleaning with abrasive pads. Lift pans instead of sliding them, wipe up spills once the surface cools, and use a dedicated ceramic cooktop cream with a soft cloth.