Induction & Electric Woks vs Gas Wok Burners (Australia): Performance, Ventilation & Decarbonisation Roadmap
Search intent: informational → commercial investigation. This article is written for Australian restaurants, takeaways, hotels, universities and food courts weighing up induction/electric wok lines against traditional gas woks. It turns policy, standards and engineering into practical buying, ventilation and workflow decisions that protect flavour, staff comfort and long‑term compliance.
- Policy trend: The ACT prevents new gas network connections to buildings (commenced 8 Dec 2023). Victoria’s VC250 prevents permits for new residential gas connections from 1 Jan 2024. The City of Sydney has endorsed planning controls driving all‑electric new buildings with key thresholds applying from 2026 (indoor residential) and 2027 (outdoor systems and large commercial/hotels). Always confirm your site’s local controls and project class.
- Kitchen reality: Induction delivers high pan‑side efficiency with lower hood loads and cooler rooms; a hybrid line (keep a gas wok, shift other stations electric) often wins on performance, comfort and total cost.
- Compliance bedrock: Install to AS/NZS 5601.1 for gas, AS/NZS 60335 for electric, ventilate to AS 1668.2, and keep FSANZ logs for temperature control. Evidence beats opinion at inspection.
Who this guide is for (and what “success” looks like)
- Independent Chinese restaurants wanting wok‑hei with less heat stress and cleaner air.
- Food‑court/education kitchens aiming for electrification targets without service risk.
- Design consultants & facility managers who need one page that aligns policy, codes and purchasing.
- Landlords & project managers after future‑proofed fit‑outs and smoother approvals.
Why the systems feel different (physics, not magic)
| Parameter | Gas wok burner | Induction wok | Electric wok | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Open flame | Magnetic coupling | Resistive element | Changes how fast heat hits the pan |
| Pan‑side efficiency | ~35–45 % | ~85–92 % | ~75–85 % | More of your energy becomes cooking |
| Ventilation load | High (combustion + radiant) | Lower | Moderate | Impacts hood size and fan energy |
| Staff comfort | Hotter room | Cooler room | Cooler than gas | Affects fatigue and heat‑risk |
| Maintenance | Jets/valves/FFD | Filters/electronics | Elements/controls | Cost/skills differ |
| On‑site emissions | CO₂/NO₂/moisture | None | None | Hood & make‑up air strategy changes |
Indicative ranges; your numbers vary with batch size, cookware contact and line discipline. Always coordinate with your HVAC engineer for AS 1668.2 calculations.
What this means on the pass
- Heat‑in‑pan matters more than input size. A well‑coupled induction wok can feel “faster” than a bigger kW flame.
- Ventilation is part of performance. Lower radiant spill means steadier chefs and steadier food quality at rush.
- Hybrid lines work. Keep a gas wok for flame theatre; move grills, sauté, pasta and stock to induction/electric.
Ventilation is the game‑changer (and the hidden cost)
| Setup | Typical input | Exhaust rate (illustrative) | Design note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3‑head gas wok bank | ~240–360 MJ/h | ~6,000–10,000 m³/h | High radiant load; robust make‑up air |
| 3‑head induction wok bank | ~24–45 kW | ~3,000–4,500 m³/h | Lower load; potential for demand‑controlled fans |
Numbers are typical of comparable service capacity. Size to AS 1668.2 with a competent HVAC engineer; canopy type, overhang and side panels change capture rates.
Practical wins from lower hood loads
- Fan energy and make‑up air conditioning often fall with induction.
- Room temperature typically drops, reducing heat‑stress risk.
- Noise and cross‑drafts can be reduced with demand‑control ventilation.
Policy snapshot (Nov 2025) — what affects new projects
ACT
A regulation prevents new gas network connections to buildings (in most cases) from 8 Dec 2023. Existing connections remain; exemptions exist for limited cases. Plan all‑electric infrastructure on new builds.
Victoria
VC250 (gazetted 1 Jan 2024) prevents planning permits for new residential gas connections. Commercial kitchens should check project class and any agency procurement rules driving all‑electric sites.
NSW — City of Sydney
From 1 Jan 2026, new residential developments in the City of Sydney LGA are steered away from indoor gas appliances; from 1 Jan 2027, requirements expand to cover outdoor gas systems for new residential and extend to new large commercial buildings, hotels and serviced apartments (thresholds apply). Seek written planning advice for your site and confirm any hospitality carve‑outs that require electrification‑ready design.
Other councils may adopt similar controls. Across Australia, procurement and ESD targets are increasing the share of all‑electric kitchens in public and education projects.
Running each system well — habits that beat “bigger burners”
Gas wok line (best practice)
- Quarterly clean of burners and jets; verify flame‑failure device (FFD).
- Match pan curvature to burner head; avoid warped carbon steel.
- Keep canopy overhang and side‑panels per design to reduce spill.
Induction/electric wok line (best practice)
- Use pans designed for your hob ring (e.g., Ø360 mm induction‑compatible wok).
- Keep filters and inlets dust‑free; ensure airflow for electronics cooling.
- Train staff on power steps and toss rhythm — heat is in the pan, not the room.
Wokline energy & ventilation cost estimator
Use this to compare daily energy cost and to visualise how much fan energy might fall when moving part of the line to induction. It’s a planning tool — your HVAC engineer should still size to AS 1668.2.
Include make‑up air heating/cooling and demand‑control ventilation when modelling total cost.
Buying guide — spec like a pro
| Criteria | Gas wok burner | Induction wok | Electric wok | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat output | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Keep a gas head for flame theatre; otherwise induction is ample |
| Energy efficiency | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Induction leads on pan‑side efficiency |
| Ventilation size | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | Induction lowers spill heat → smaller exhaust (engineer it) |
| Maintenance | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Electrics often simpler; keep spares for fans/filters |
| Staff comfort | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Cooler room improves consistency at rush |
| Future‑proofing | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | All‑electric is favoured in many new builds |
Induction & electric (internal links)
Gas wok (internal links)
Benches & layout
Standards & food safety — the parts you must get right
Food Standards (FSANZ)
- Keep hot, ready‑to‑eat food at ≥ 60 °C; cold at ≤ 5 °C.
- When using time as a control, apply the 2‑hour/4‑hour rule (time in the 5–60 °C band is cumulative).
- Thermometer accuracy ± 1 °C; probe the warmest/coldest points and log results.
Installation & ventilation
- Gas: install/commission to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 with a licensed gasfitter; keep the compliance certificate.
- Electric/induction: safety to AS/NZS 60335; correct isolation and RCD protection.
- Ventilation: design to AS 1668.2; coordinate appliance list and canopy details early.
What happens if you ignore this?
| Miss | Immediate risk | Likely consequence | Fast fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| No gas compliance certificate | Insurer/council rejection | Delay, forced re‑inspection | Engage licensed gasfitter; pressure test; issue certificate |
| Under‑sized make‑up air | Poor capture; staff discomfort | Odours, grease, corrective notice | Re‑engineer per AS 1668.2; add side‑panels/DCV |
| No FSANZ logs | Unproven temperature control | Discard orders; retraining | Implement logs; calibrate probe; train line leads |
Case study — “CBD wok line keeps flavour, drops energy and heat”
Setting: A 90‑seat Sydney CBD venue with six gas wok heads under a large island canopy. The landlord encourages all‑electric upgrades ahead of the next lease cycle.
What we changed
- Replaced four gas heads with induction woks sized to three‑phase supply; kept two gas heads for signature flame tosses.
- Resized the canopy and added demand‑control ventilation to track load.
- Re‑mapped mise to stainless benches; trained induction toss rhythm and pan selection.
Results (first quarter)
- Exhaust volume reduced at non‑peak periods; room temperature dropped noticeably during dinner service.
- Chefs reported steadier sear on proteins; retained wok‑hei with the gas heads for show plates.
- Audit pack (ventilation schedule, electrical sign‑off, FSANZ logs) smoothed insurer and landlord approvals.
Your outcome depends on tenancy constraints, tariffs and menu. The reliable win is a hybrid line and ventilation matched to the actual heat load.
FAQs — straight answers for owners and chefs
1) Can induction achieve wok‑hei?
With seasoned carbon steel and correct toss rhythm, a modern induction wok can deliver near‑identical browning and aroma for many dishes. Keep one gas head if you rely on visible flame for flavour/show.
2) Do induction woks need three‑phase?
High‑output units (e.g., 5–8 kW) generally require three‑phase circuits. Smaller benchtop units may run on 15 A single‑phase for prep/backup.
3) Will my hood be smaller with induction?
Often, yes — but size to AS 1668.2 with a competent HVAC engineer. Canopy type and overhang still matter.
4) Can I mix gas and induction under one canopy?
Yes. Many kitchens run hybrid lines. Separate branches, keep clear footprints under the canopy and confirm make‑up air. Document it for approvals.
5) What paperwork should I keep?
Gas compliance certificate, electrical sign‑off, ventilation calculations/fan schedule, FSANZ logs, manuals and service intervals.
Pillar & cluster — building lasting authority
This guide anchors our “Cooking Energy & Compliance” pillar. Pair it with:
- “Commercial Deep Fryers (Australia): ENERGY STAR, Oil Life & FSANZ Compliance”
- “Gas Cooking Equipment in Australia (2025): Regulations, Energy Trends & AS/NZS 5601 Checklist”
- “Kitchen Ventilation under AS 1668.2: Capture, Containment & Heat‑Stress Control”
Free “Wokline Efficiency & Ventilation Review” (15‑minute reply)
Send us a photo of your wok line or the equipment list and canopy dimensions. We’ll return: (1) an AS 1668.2 ventilation check, (2) an energy comparison gas vs induction/electric, and (3) a future‑ready hybrid configuration with a product shortlist:
Official sources & further reading (stable links)
- FSANZ — Keeping food at the right temperature (≤ 5 °C / ≥ 60 °C): https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/food-safety/keeping-food-at-the-right-temperature
- FSANZ — 2‑hour/4‑hour rule (web + PDF): https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/food-safety/2-hour-4-hour-rule · https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/2hour4hour_Final.pdf
- FSANZ — Cooling and reheating food: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/food-safety/cooling-and-reheating-food
- AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 — gas installations (Energy Safe Victoria overview + FAQ)
- AS 1668.2 — mechanical ventilation (Standards Australia & AIRAH best‑practice guide)
- ACT — preventing new gas network connections (commenced 8 Dec 2023)
- Victoria — VC250 (gazetted 1 Jan 2024) — prohibits new residential gas connections requiring a permit
- City of Sydney — All‑electric buildings announcement and timelines for 2026/2027
Last updated: . Always confirm local council planning controls and engage licensed practitioners for installation and certification.
