Your Introduction to Induction Cooking
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Here’s your handy introduction to induction cooking – how it works, why people love it and what you should know before making it part of your future kitchen.
Scott King , Westinghouse
Bringing more than 30 years of experience in industrial design and product development, Scott has helped shape some of Westinghouse’s most recognised appliances. With an international design perspective and deep understanding of Australian consumers, he combines innovation, performance and everyday practicality to create products designed around the way people live.
Written by Homebuyers Centre Victoria with insights from Scott King
If you’re planning to build your first home in Victoria, there’s a change worth knowing about. From 1 January 2027, new homes will be required to be all-electric – which means induction cooking is about to become a much bigger part of the kitchen conversation.
So, what’s it actually like to swap the familiar gas flame for that sleek glass surface? And what’s happening underneath it?
Here’s your handy introduction to induction cooking – how it works, why people love it and what you should know before making it part of your future kitchen.
So, how does induction actually work?
There’s some clever technology hiding underneath that smooth surface. Unlike gas or traditional electric cooktops, induction uses electromagnetic energy to heat compatible cookware directly.
Westinghouse induction cooktops feature densely packed copper coils, designed to create an evenly distributed magnetic field and consistent heating. Because energy is transferred straight to your pots and pans, rather than heating the cooktop first, less heat is lost along the way.
Five reasons induction is winning people over
So, why are more home cooks embracing induction?
- Speed: Induction heats cookware quickly, which can mean less time waiting for water to boil and a faster start on dinner.
- Precision: Responsive temperature control makes it easy to turn the heat up or down when you need it, whether you’re searing a steak or gently simmering a sauce.
- Efficiency: Energy is transferred directly to compatible cookware, helping minimise heat loss during cooking.
- Easy cleaning: The flat, smooth surface means there are no trivets or burners to navigate when wiping up spills and splatters.
- Safety: There’s no open flame, while heat is generated directly within compatible cookware rather than through a traditional heating element.
Induction transfers the heat directly into the pot, unlike gas where much of the heat is lost,” says Westinghouse Senior Design Lead Scott King. “That means a cooler kitchen during those hot summer days – no more sweating over a hot stove.
– Scott King, Senior Design Lead Scott King.
Making the switch from gas to induction
Gas has long been a familiar choice in Australian kitchens, so switching to induction can feel like a different way of cooking at first. There’s no flame to watch or burner to adjust – instead, a smooth glass surface uses electromagnetic energy to heat your cookware directly.
Once you start cooking, some of the practical differences quickly become apparent, particularly when it comes to getting dinner on the table and cleaning up afterwards.
Without a doubt, it’s the speed of heating up and precise control,” King says of what first-time induction cooks tend to notice. “Faster family meals are important, whether it’s weekday spaghetti or grilling on a plancha. And once the cooking is done, it’s a quick and simple wipe-down – no more reassembling burners and pan supports to clean up spills.
What does Victoria’s move to all-electric mean for you?
With Victoria’s move to all-electric new homes on the way, induction is set to become an increasingly familiar feature in new kitchens.
The change is part of a broader shift towards more energy-efficient homes, with electricity able to be paired with renewable energy such as rooftop solar. For first home buyers, choosing an all-electric home can be a way to embrace more sustainable living while creating a home that’s ready for the future.
Homebuyers Centre still currently offers both gas and induction cooking options, depending on the home type and range selected, so it’s worth getting familiar with what induction could bring to your kitchen.
Moving to induction doesn’t need to mean replacing your entire kitchen kit,” says King. “The main thing is having induction-ready pots and pans – just look for the coil symbol on your cookware, and you don’t need to spend a fortune.
Your first induction kitchen?
If induction is new to you, your first home could also be where you make the switch. See what’s possible with a new home design from Homebuyers Centre and start imagining what you’ll be cooking up in your new kitchen.