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New Delhi. The deepening tension between Iran and America on the international stage has created a stir in the global oil market. Fluctuations in crude oil prices directly spoil the kitchen budget of the common man. In India, where LPG gas cylinders are used in crores of homes, now people are looking at ‘Induction Cooktop’ as a big option to avoid inflation. But is cooking on electricity really more economical than gas? We have analyzed it in detail so that the burden on your pocket can be reduced. Spending 1 hour on induction stove: The game of electricity bill. Induction cooktops are completely based on electricity and their power rating in the market is usually between 1200 to 2000 watts. If we understand scientifically, if you run a 2000 watt induction at full power, then it consumes about 2 units of electricity in an hour. Suppose the electricity rate in your area is Rs 8 per unit, then the cost of cooking for one hour will be around Rs 16. However, if you cook at lower temperatures (watts), this cost can come down to Rs 10 to Rs 12. LPG Cylinder Mathematics: How much does it cost per hour? Now let’s look at the traditional gas stove. If the average price of a 14.2 kg domestic cylinder in India is considered to be Rs 913, then the price of one kg of gas comes to about Rs 64. Generally, running a two-burner stove continuously for an hour consumes about 0.30 kg of gas. According to this calculation, the cost of cooking one hour on gas comes to around Rs 19 to Rs 20. That is, if seen directly, gas stove is proving to be a little expensive as compared to induction. Induction’s ‘loot’ in the market: Multifold increase in demand – Amidst the US crisis and oil uncertainty, there has been a huge surge in the demand for induction stoves from Delhi’s Sadar Bazaar to e-commerce platforms. Shopkeepers say that the stock which was earlier kept for months, is now getting exhausted in a few days. Earlier, where only a few units were sold in a month, now 5 to 10 units are being sold every day. People are not only considering it cheap, but are also considering it as a safe ‘backup’ in case of gas shortage. Which one is better for professional and domestic use? The range of induction stoves in the market starts from Rs 1200 to Rs 4000. While 1900 to 2200 watt inductions are being used for heavy work in dhabas, canteens and restaurants, 1200 to 1500 watt models are most popular for middle class families. Experts believe that cooking on induction saves both time and money, provided you have induction friendly utensils.