You have probably already decided that induction is the direction. The question is which hob, which size, and whether your kitchen is actually ready for it. Singapore's 230V, 50Hz mains supply is perfectly suited to induction cooking, but the gap between "induction-ready" and "induction-installed-correctly" comes down to three things most retailers gloss over: your circuit capacity, your cutout dimensions, and whether your existing cookware will work at all. Get those three right, and induction is genuinely one of the better upgrades you can make to a Singapore kitchen.
Quick answer: For a standard BTO or resale kitchen, a 60 cm two-zone or four-zone built-in induction hob suits most households, but a four-zone model at 7,000 W or more requires a dedicated higher-rated circuit. If your kitchen is not being rewired, a 30 cm domino hob or a portable single-zone unit keeps you on a standard 13A socket.
What Induction Actually Does Differently
Unlike a gas flame or a conventional ceramic hob, induction generates heat directly inside the pot through an electromagnetic field. The cooking surface itself stays relatively cool, warm from residual heat, not from an element. In a Singapore kitchen where you are cooking in 30-degree ambient heat with humidity nudging 80%, not having a second radiant heat source in your face is a real quality-of-life difference.
Speed is the other practical advantage. Water boils faster, wok-sear temperatures are reached quickly, and power levels respond immediately when you dial down. There is no residual flame, no pilot light, and no combustion byproduct in an air-conditioned kitchen.
The trade-off is real though: induction is entirely dependent on stable electricity, costs more upfront than an equivalent gas hob in many cases, and the cooking experience is different enough that some cooks (particularly those used to wok hei over a high-BTU gas burner) need a period of adjustment. Neither is objectively better; they are different tools.
Power and Circuit Reality: The Part That Catches People Out
Singapore's standard wall socket operates at 230V and is rated for 13A, which translates to a ceiling of roughly 3,000W on a single circuit. A portable single-zone induction cooker typically draws around 2,000W, so it runs fine on a standard socket. A two-zone built-in hob at combined output of 3,000 to 3,500W sits at or right at that limit.
The problem emerges with a full 60 cm four-zone built-in hob. These typically run at 7,000W or above, especially when multiple zones are running simultaneously. That load requires a dedicated higher-rated circuit, not just a dedicated socket, but a properly rated cable run from your distribution board. If you are mid-renovation, this is the right time to have your electrician spec the circuit. If your renovation is done and you did not plan for it, retrofitting a dedicated circuit is possible but involves additional cost and some disruption.
Always confirm the hob's rated wattage on the specification sheet, then confirm with a licensed electrician that your kitchen's current wiring can support it. This is not a step to skip in order to save time.
Sizes and Cutout Dimensions
Built-in induction hobs come in three practical widths for Singapore kitchens. The dimensions below are typical industry ranges, always cross-check the specific hob's cutout requirements against your countertop before ordering.
| Width | Typical cutout | Cooking zones | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~30 cm (domino) | ~28-29 cm cutout | 1-2 zones | Smaller kitchens, paired with gas or as a top-up zone |
| ~60 cm | ~56-58 cm cutout | 2-4 zones | Standard BTO and resale kitchen benches |
| ~75-90 cm | varies | 4-5 zones | Larger condo kitchens, high-use households |
If you are replacing an existing hob, measure the cutout in your countertop before assuming the new hob will drop straight in. A 60 cm hob from one brand may have a cutout specification of 56 cm; another at 58 cm. A mismatch either means you cannot install it without re-cutting the counter, or it sits loose. Both outcomes are annoying. Browse the built-in induction hob range and check each model's cutout dimensions against your bench before you commit.
Cookware Compatibility: The Conversion You May Not Want to Make
Induction works by inducing a current in magnetic (ferrous) metal. Cast iron and most stainless steel with a magnetic base work. Aluminium, copper, and regular stainless steel without a magnetic layer do not. The easiest test: hold a fridge magnet to the base of your pot. If it sticks firmly, the pot is induction-compatible.
Many households making the switch from gas discover that a significant portion of their existing cookware (particularly woks, aluminium pans, and older stainless sets) simply does not work on induction. This is often discovered after the hob is installed, when the "no pan detected" indicator lights up and the realisation sets in. If you are switching your entire kitchen to induction, budget for at least some new cookware alongside the hob, not after. Induction-compatible cookware is available if you need to round out what you have.
One specific note for Singapore home cooks: the traditional round-bottomed wok does not sit flat on an induction surface. Flat-bottomed induction woks exist and perform well, though the cooking experience is different from a gas flame. If wok cooking is central to how your household eats, this is worth thinking through seriously before committing to full induction.
Portable vs Built-In: Which Makes Sense
A portable single-zone induction cooker is a different product category from a built-in hob, and the choice between them is not really about budget, it is about how you use your kitchen.
Portable units (around 2,000W) sit on the countertop, plug into a standard 13A socket, and can be put away when not in use. They are ideal for renters who cannot modify a kitchen, for a secondary cooking point during Chinese New Year steamboat season, or for someone who wants to try induction without a full renovation commitment. The downside is counter space, and a single zone is a real constraint if you are cooking multiple dishes simultaneously.
Built-in hobs are integrated into your countertop, look cleaner, and offer two to four zones. They require installation, a proper cutout, and in the case of high-wattage models, appropriate wiring. They are the right choice for homeowners doing or completing a renovation. See the portable induction cooker options if you need something with no installation required.
Which Type Suits Which Buyer
If you are a renter or in a temporary home, a portable unit keeps things simple and reversible. If you are a BTO owner taking keys soon, plan the circuit alongside your renovation package, it is far cheaper to include a dedicated circuit in the initial scope than to add it later. If you are in a resale flat with an older distribution board, get an electrician to assess capacity before you select a hob model.
For households that cook gas-heavy dishes frequently (high-heat wok frying, char, the kind of cooking where flame contact is part of the result) a hybrid approach sometimes makes more sense than full induction. A gas hob for the high-heat wok zone alongside a portable or domino induction unit for precise simmering is a configuration some Singapore cooks find better than either technology alone.
If precision matters (sauces, chocolate, maintaining a specific temperature without watching the flame) induction's digital control is hard to match. If throughput matters (cooking for a large household every day across multiple dishes), a four-zone built-in with appropriate wiring is worth the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does induction work with my existing cookware?
Only if your pots and pans have a magnetic (ferrous) base. Hold a fridge magnet to the bottom of each piece, a firm stick means it will work. Cast iron and many stainless-steel pots are typically compatible. Aluminium, copper, and non-magnetic stainless steel are not. If a large portion of your cookware is incompatible, budget for replacements alongside the hob.
Do I need a special socket or circuit for an induction hob?
It depends on the hob's rated wattage. A portable single-zone unit at around 2,000W runs on a standard 13A socket. A four-zone built-in hob rated at 7,000W or above needs a dedicated higher-rated circuit. Check the specification sheet of your chosen model, then confirm with a licensed electrician before installation. This is especially relevant for resale flats with older wiring.
Can I install a 60 cm induction hob in my existing countertop cutout?
Possibly, but measure first. A 60 cm hob does not necessarily need a 60 cm cutout, actual cutout requirements vary by model, typically 56-58 cm, and differ between brands. If you are replacing an existing hob, confirm the new model's cutout dimensions match what is already in your countertop. Mismatched cutouts mean counter modification or an unusable installation.
Is induction safe with young children around?
The surface itself does not produce a flame and stays cooler than a gas or radiant ceramic hob. Most built-in induction hobs include a child-lock function and auto-shutoff when a pan is removed. That said, the surface does retain residual heat from the cookware, so it is not cold to the touch immediately after cooking. Standard kitchen supervision rules still apply.
What is the difference between an induction hob and an induction cooker?
In Singapore retail usage, "induction hob" typically refers to a built-in unit integrated into a countertop, while "induction cooker" usually refers to a portable countertop device. Both use the same electromagnetic technology. The built-in hob requires installation and a proper cutout; the portable cooker plugs into a standard socket and needs no modification. Choose based on whether your kitchen is being renovated or needs a no-commitment solution.
The Right Hob Is the One Your Kitchen Is Ready For
Induction cooking is a sound choice for most Singapore households, quieter than gas, easier to clean, and genuinely better suited to air-conditioned kitchen environments. The spec-check before you buy is what most buyers skip, and it is the step that prevents a good purchase from becoming a frustrating one. Confirm your wattage, confirm your circuit, measure your cutout, and test your cookware. Do those four things and the choice of specific model becomes much more straightforward.
Browse the induction hob range at Megafurniture, available with Singapore delivery and professional installation, so the transition from selection to cooking is handled properly from the start.
Megafurniture pairs its appliance range, including induction hobs from brands such as SMEG, Happie, and Europace, with local delivery, installation and after-sales support. Separately, a growing proportion of its furniture is now produced in the company's own factories in Batu Pahat, Johor and Foshan, Guangdong, and quality-checked there, expanding in stages through 2028, so the same rigour applied to the service side of appliances also runs through the furniture that fills the rest of your home.