Gas or electric? It’s an important choice. If you’re looking to buy a new stove, it’s worth considering the advantages of both gas and electric stoves before making a decision. This article will go over the pros and cons of both so that you can make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Electric Cooktops
Pros
Cheaper to Purchase
One of the main advantages of electric cooktops is that they’re cheaper to purchase than gas ones. This is especially true if you’re replacing an existing stovetop and don’t have to buy a new range too.
Easy to Clean
Electric stoves are very easy to clean because there are no burners or grates to worry about. All you have to do is wipe down the surface with a damp sponge or cloth. Electric stoves also require less maintenance than gas stoves since they don’t require any kind of cleaning products or special tools for maintenance.
Cons
Remains Hot Long After Cooking
The problem with electric stoves is that they remain hot long after you’ve finished cooking. This means that putting a pan on top of your stove’s heating element will be much hotter than putting it on top of the gas burners. This can be dangerous if you’re not careful.
Slower Control
Electric cooktops have slower control compared to gas stoves. This means that it will take you longer to bring a pot of water to a boil on an electric stovetop than on a gas stovetop.
Uneven Cooking
Electric cooktops also tend to be uneven when compared with gas stoves, which means your food will cook unevenly if you don’t take steps to level them out before using them for cooking purposes.
Spills & Stains Can be Baked on
Electric stoves work by heating up coils under the stovetop. This means that spills, burns and stains can be baked on and are difficult to clean. Gas stoves use flames to heat the cookware, so spills, burns and stains can be easily cleaned off.
Energy Efficiency
Gas stoves are more energy-efficient than electric stoves. Gas stoves use natural gas that’s been compressed into a liquid state and is then stored in a tank. The gas heats up when it is ignited, and then it burns to produce heat. This means that the stove doesn’t require electricity to operate.
Gas Cooktops
Pros
Easy to Control
Gas stoves are easier to control, which is a big advantage. Electric stovetops have heat settings that go from low to high, but they don’t allow you to control the level of heat at which you cook. On a gas stove, you can choose the temperature that’s right for whatever food you’re preparing. This can be especially useful when cooking delicate foods like eggs and fish, which require more attention than most other dishes do.
No Loss of Power
Power outages don’t affect your cooking. When the power goes out, so do your electric ovens. If you’re baking something in the oven or frying up something on the stovetop, you won’t be able to finish cooking it until the power comes back on. With a gas stove, however, you can still cook during power outages.
High Efficiency
Electric stoves tend to be less efficient than gas stoves because they require extra energy from the grid in order to heat their burners. This means that you might need more electrical power than you would if you used a gas stove instead.
Cools Quickly
Gas stoves cool off much quicker than electric stoves. This is because the heat source is located outside of the cooking area and is not directly under the pot or pan.
Cons
Expensive Purchase Cost
Gas stoves are generally more expensive upfront than electric ones because they require an additional appliance, the gas line, to operate.
Difficult to Clean
With gas stoves, you have to clean the grates and the stovetop, which can be a pain. You also have to buy new grates occasionally, which can be expensive.
Fire Risk
Gas stoves are a fire hazard. The gas flame can easily ignite combustible materials, such as clothing and curtains, which can lead to a house fire.
Conclusion
When it comes to deciding between gas stoves and electric stoves, there’s no one right answer. Each type of stove has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so the choice will ultimately come down to what kind of features each person is looking for in a cooking device. Also, keep in mind that if you do go with gas, then you’ll need a qualified gas fitter. A qualified gas fitter will install and service your gas cooktops.
