The war in West Asia has sent shockwaves across India’s kitchens. Disruptions in global energy supply routes have triggered shortages of LPG cylinders in several Indian cities, forcing restaurants to cut
menus and pushing some households to look for alternatives like induction cooktops.
As LPG prices rise and supply becomes uncertain with panic buying on the rise, many households are asking a simple question: is it cheaper to cook on LPG or on an induction stove?
Why The Crisis?
India imports a large share of its cooking gas, making it vulnerable to global disruptions. The ongoing conflict in West Asia has affected shipping routes and pushed up energy prices.
LPG prices have already increased—domestic cylinders rose by about Rs 60, while commercial cylinders increased by Rs 115 recently.
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Cities such as Noida, Lucknow and Pune have reported long queues at gas agencies amid supply worries. Restaurants and hotels in several metros have faced shortages of commercial cylinders. This has renewed interest in electric cooking technologies such as induction stoves.
How Do LPG Stoves & Induction Cooktops Work?
An LPG stove burns liquefied petroleum gas to produce a flame. Heat is transferred from the flame to the cookware due to which some energy is lost to the surrounding air.
In an induction cooktop, electricity is used to generate a magnetic field. The cookware itself heats up directly, making it more energy-efficient than traditional gas stoves.
Cost Comparison: LPG vs Induction
Simply put, a domestic LPG cylinder contains about 14.2 kilograms of gas. Gas stoves are only about 55 per cent efficient, meaning nearly half the heat is lost.
With recent price increases, a single cylinder in many cities costs around Rs 900-Rs 1,100 depending on subsidy and region.
On the other hand, electricity prices for households typically range from Rs 4 to Rs 8 per unit in many states. This means induction cooktops are much more efficient, using most of the electricity directly for cooking heat.
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For a household cooking 2-3 hours daily, switching to induction can save roughly Rs 180 to Rs 1,098 per month, depending on electricity tariffs.
What Do Studies Say?
Several analyses suggest electric cooking can be cheaper in many situations. For instance, a study by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis found non-subsidised LPG can be about 37 per cent more expensive than electric cooking.
For a typical urban family, annual cooking costs were estimated at Rs 5,844 in electric cooking and Rs 8,024 in non-subsidised LPG. However, subsidised LPG for some government schemes may still be cheaper.
Why Do Many Households Still Prefer LPG?
Despite potential savings, induction cooking has limitations. The biggest reason is electricity dependence as long power cuts make electric cooking unreliable in many areas.
For the Indian cooking style, gas allows better control for traditional cooking techniques like roti, tadka or charring.
Apart from this, induction cooktops cost Rs 2,000-Rs 4,000 for basic models, while many households already own gas stoves. To add to the cost, induction requires compatible cookware with magnetic bases.
Put simply, induction cooking is usually cheaper in the long run, especially where electricity tariffs are low and LPG is not subsidised. LPG may still be cheaper for households receiving subsidies or where electricity prices are high.
