Ground Check | From Cart to Crisis: Induction Cooktops Sold Out, On Top Of India’s Wishlist

If you tried searching for an induction cooktop online today, chances are you saw the same thing everyone else did: “Out of stock.”

Across Delhi NCR, many households checking quick-commerce apps are finding that induction cooktops have either disappeared completely or are being sold at much higher prices than usual, as concerns grow over a potential LPG supply crunch in India linked to the ongoing tensions in West Asia. The worries stem from possible disruptions along the critical energy route of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of India’s LPG imports travel.

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On platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket, search results for induction cooktops in many areas are now showing familiar messages such as “Unavailable” or “Sold out.”

Panic buying? It’s starting to look like it

There has been a lot of news recently about tensions in West Asia, which could affect energy supplies moving through the very important shipping route called the Strait of Hormuz.

Now here’s the key detail many people noticed: India imports around 60% of its LPG, and a large portion of those shipments pass through that route.

That’s enough to make people think: “What if LPG deliveries slow down?”

And when that thought spreads across millions of households…people start looking for backup cooking options.

That’s where induction cooktops come in.

Also read: LPG Crisis Menu: 20 gastronomic bombshells you can savour without gas this summer

Quick-commerce apps not ready for sudden surge in demand

Quick-commerce apps are built for speed. They deliver groceries in 10-20 minutes. But they’re not built for sudden nationwide appliance demand.

Right now, people are buying induction cooktops for two main reasons: as a backup cooking option and to avoid running out of cooking gas if deliveries slow down.

The result? Stocks on quick-commerce apps are getting wiped out almost instantly.

In some cases, where cooktops are still available, prices have reportedly jumped noticeably.

Also read: Empty cylinders, full comedy: India turns LPG shortage into memes mahotsav

But here’s the calm, important part.

Despite the panic buying, the government has already taken steps to protect household LPG supply. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas says domestic LPG production has been increased by about 25% after refineries were asked to divert more fuel streams into LPG production.

Even more importantly:

• Domestic LPG output is being directed mainly toward households
• Essential services like hospitals and educational institutions are also being prioritized
• Authorities say the normal delivery cycle is still around 2–3 days

Also read: Adequate stock of LPG and PNG available: Delhi Govt