The use of induction cookers is rising in Nepali kitchens as households seek alternatives to cooking gas. Government policies promoting electricity consumption have further fueled market growth. But as demand increases, concerns over the quality of induction cookers are becoming more serious.
Imports of major household electrical appliances rose by Rs 863 million in the fiscal year 2025/26 as Nepali households increasingly turn to electric appliances, including induction cookers, as alternatives to cooking gas.
According to National Statistics Office data, imports of induction stoves, rice cookers, water heaters, coffee and tea makers, and other electric cooking appliances reached Rs 2.64 billion in 2025/26, up from Rs 1.78 billion a year earlier. The growing market, however, has raised concerns about the quality of low-cost and non-branded appliances entering the country.
Kathmandu resident Sarita KC bought an induction stove for Rs 4,000 after the seller promised a one-year warranty. The stove stopped heating within 15 days. “When I bought it, the shop said it had a guarantee. But after it broke down, the shop did not take responsibility and told me to contact the company’s service centre,” she said.
Binod Thapa had a similar experience. His induction stove repeatedly switched off while he was cooking. A technician later identified a problem with its circuit board and estimated the repair would cost more than Rs 1,000. “At that price, I thought it might be better to buy a new one,” Thapa said.
Consumer rights activist Jyoti Baniya said consumers can seek legal remedies when an appliance fails soon after purchase or causes losses because of poor quality. “An induction stove is not bought for six months. If a product purchased for long-term use breaks down within a few months, consumers can demand compensation,” Baniya said.
According to Baniya, consumers should preserve purchase bills and warranty or guarantee cards as evidence. Consumers can approach the Consumer Court and seek compensation if the damage is established.
Compared with the previous fiscal year, imports of coffee and tea makers increased by 68.4 percent, water-heating equipment by 54.4 percent, microwaves by 27 percent, and induction stoves by 37.8 percent. Rice cooker imports increased by 12.6 percent. Despite the growing market, questions remain over quality control and after-sales protection.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is responsible for regulating products, but the ministry has yet to establish specific standards covering all induction stoves available in the market, according to officials and consumer advocates. Repeated attempts to contact ministry spokesperson Jitendra Basnet for comment were unsuccessful.
The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, however, has specified technical requirements for single-pot induction stoves it distributes. The requirements include a minimum rated power of 2,000 watts, efficiency of at least 86 percent, a power factor of 0.9, overheating protection, pan detection, and timer and child-lock functions. The stove, operating at 230 volts and 50 hertz, must have IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) overheat protection—the main semiconductor component that handles high-power conversion in devices.
Consumer rights advocate Jyoti Baniya says the gap between standards and the products available in the market raises questions about whether imported appliances are being adequately tested before reaching consumers.
Poor-quality appliances also create problems beyond financial losses. Short-lived electrical products increase electronic waste, while faulty wires, switches, chargers, and appliances can increase the risk of overheating, short circuits, and fires.
As demand for electric appliances grows, consumer advocates say stronger quality testing, clear warranty obligations, and effective after-sales services will be necessary to protect consumers from low-cost but unreliable products.
