Gas vs Electric Stove: Which Is Better for Your Home?
Does the idea of installing the wrong stove in your kitchen scare you? Are you afraid of ruining the cooking experience in your dream house with a poor appliance choice? Then it’s important to brush up on your stove facts and learn the difference between gas and electric stoves.
In this guide, we will unravel the dilemma of gas VS electric stoves and tell you everything you need to know to make the best decision for your future kitchen.
What Is A Gas Stove?
As the name suggests, a gas stove makes use of natural, combustible gas such as methane to produce heat for cooking. The gas requirement is a distinguishing feature of this type of stove – one that often makes or breaks the case for its use.
Valves
All gas stoves are connected to a small gas valve that is turned on before use. This valve connects the stove to the main gas pipeline for a constant supply of gas. Without a steady gas supply, gas stoves are of no use. Hence, before picking your next favorite cooktop, make sure you have the gas conditions all figured out.
Knobs
Gas stoves usually come with knobs that can be rotated to adjust the amount of gas used. This adjustment of the knob gives users greater control over the heat, making it suitable for a wide range of cooking. This is based on a simple chemical principle.
How it Works
As soon as the gas comes in contact with air, it mixes with oxygen, making it combustible, and ready to use for cooking purposes. As you rotate the knob, the contact of gas with air increases or decreases accordingly, making the flame either lower or more intense.
Generally, the flame is either purple or blue, slightly orange towards the end. If the flame is more orange, it means there is an excess of oxygen, and a red or yellow flame means that soot might be clogging your valves. With a gas stove, you can easily adjust the flame level and keep your pots and pans safe from soot.
What Is An Electric Stove?
Unlike gas stoves, electric stoves are quite simple and require nothing more than a 240-volt electric connection. This means, with an electric stove, you can easily do away with the troubles of an unreliable gas supply.
Plugged in
Electric stoves have a coiled structure of wires that heats up once the stove is plugged in. Upon turning the knob, the coil heats up gradually and the intensity of the heat radiating can be observed by the color change of the coil. The coil is covered with a glass plate or ceramic sheet and the radiation passes through it to reach your pots and help you cook.
Heat dispersion
Electric stoves do not offer as much control over the heat as gas stoves do. Therefore, they are better suited to only certain types of cooking such as boiling or frying.
Design
However, they are a lot more modern and in vogue because of their stylish design. Electric stoves win over the gas stoves in the aesthetic arena with a large margin.
Pros and Cons of the Two Types of Stoves
Choosing the right kind of stove does not have to be a gamble. Both gas and electric stoves have their own merits and demerits. All you need to do is weigh up their pros and cons, prioritize what is important to you, and make the best decision based on your knowledge and experience.
To help you fully understand the scope of difference between gas and electric stoves, we have compiled a list of pros and cons for each.
Gas Stoves
Pros
- In most states gas is cheaper than electricity, making gas stove a cost-effective product in the long term.
- They are versatile, offering a wide variety of cooking experiences such as toasting, charring, grilling, and simmering amongst others.
- Gas stoves provide greater control over heat. The impact of the knob rotation can be seen instantly via the size of the flame.
- Heat instantly, preventing loss of time.
- This kind of stove lets you use multiple pots and pans of different sizes at once, eliminating any sort of limitation upon utensils.
Cons
- Gas stoves are not energy-efficient when it comes to conversion, transferring only about 40% of the heat to the pots and pans.
- The gas creates an oily film that covers the stovetop.
- If the valves are filled with soot, the utensils get discolored and damaged.
- The open flame mechanism gives rise to a wide variety of problems such as ventilation issues.
- The pilot light can go off and the burner might not light.
- Leakage of gas is also very common and can cause respiratory hazards and other risks such as eruption and fire.
Electric Stoves
Pros
- Electric stoves add to the aesthetics of the kitchen, improving the general ambiance.
- Eliminates smoke and keeps the kitchen cool.
- Flat top surface of electric stoves is easier to clean and maintain.
- The absence of frames to put pots on provides a stable surface without any risks of spillage.
- They are less expensive to install and require no special equipment other than the stove.
- Easy to use as there is no open flame and it’s simple to turn them on and off with no gas or matchsticks involved.
- Electric stoves transfer a greater percentage of heat to the utensils.
Cons
- Without the visual stimulus of the flame, it is easy to burn yourself.
- It takes longer to cook with electric stoves.
- They do not give you the grilling, charring, roasting effect which a professional chef might look for.
- Electric stoves get damaged easily if something drops on the surface.
- Stove is dependent on the power supply and cooking experience can be hindered by frequent fluctuations in voltage.
- Electric stoves mostly take up three times more energy than a gas stove making them more expensive in the long run.
Gas VS Electric Stoves: Key Features To Consider Before Buying
Size
There are multiple sizes of stoves available in the market for both gas stoves and electric stoves.
Most stoves, be it an electric one or a gas one, are around 30 inches wide and 26 inches deep. This measurement does not include knobs and handles. The height can range up to 45 inches including the back guard. Size does not really differ based on the type. Therefore, it cannot be considered a deciding factor between gas and electric stoves.
Installation
Gas stoves have to be installed along with multiple valves in connection to the main gas pipeline. A connection needs to be taken and a great deal of external work is required. You might have to hire carpenters and experts to properly install a gas stove, adding to the cost of installation.
The electric stove, however, just needs to be plugged into the electricity supply. All you require is a 240-volt connection. Since most kitchens already come with a built-in electricity supply, there is little more that needs to be done. An expert or electrician is not necessarily required for the installation process and the entire thing can be done within an hour.
Warranty
Appliances without a warranty are a huge red flag. Stoves, among other appliances, are complex machines that can stop working at any time for any reason. Therefore, it is important to have a safety net of a warranty to fall back on. Both types of stoves, be it gas or electric, come with a warranty. However, the validity time for each differs.
Gas stoves usually come with a five-year warranty offer. This makes them more lucrative for many users as it increases the level of trust the user can have in the appliance.
Electric stoves, however, often only offer a one-year warranty.
Regardless, it is worth noting that the warranty of stoves is hardly ever availed. Most people who invest in a good brand, be it a gas stove or an electric stove, stay happy with their choice. Hence, a warranty might not be the biggest deciding factor when it comes to choosing the right type of stove.
Color
Gas stoves are rustic and vintage with uneven tops. They look bulky and if you have a taste for an antique look or a semi-modern look, you might love them. They are available in almost all colors but are commonly found in black and silver.
When it comes to visual appeal, electric stoves are a completely different ball game. They are smooth and sleek with flat tops that give a minimalistic look to the entire kitchenware. They are also available in all colors but are mostly bought in classic black color.
Do You Have Space For It?
Where will you keep it? This is a question you must ask yourself before spending money on any stovetop. You should be clear about how spacious your kitchen is and how much space can be allocated to the stove. Whether you choose a gas stove or an electric one, you will find a host of different types and sizes.
If you live in an apartment, you can get an apartment-style stove. But, if you have a larger kitchen, you can go for the standard freestanding stove. And, if you like a bit of flair in your cooking, go for the professional stove type. The point is, you will find all sorts of sizes. The final decision will depend on the area you have available in your kitchen.
Ease of Use
Perhaps the most important factor when it comes to playing, sorry we mean cooking, with fire is safety and ease of use.
A gas stove needs to be lit using either a lighter or a matchstick. While that may be scary for some people, the visible flame is often a bonus for clumsy or forgetful cooks. As you can clearly see that the stove is on, there is a smaller chance of you burning yourself or forgetting to turn the stove off.
The electric stove, however, may burn you when you don’t know it is on. But apart from that, it is significantly easier to use. You don’t have to do any gymnastics with the matchsticks, there is no smoke or unnecessary heat to bother you. Also, when there is no flame, there is next to no chance of something like a kitchen towel catching fire, making an electric stove a safer option to use.
Gas vs. Electric Stove: Which Is More Energy Efficient?
The heat transfer rate in the electric stove is significantly more than in the gas stove. In fact, there is a difference of a full 20% against gas stoves when it comes to the effective transfer of heat to the utensils. However, the energy required to make an electric stove work is also three times more. This means gas stoves are more energy efficient as a whole.
Unless you have electric ignition, gas stoves are cheaper and more energy-efficient than electric stoves. With electric ignition, however, you can bring your bill down significantly and save a lot on both money and pollution.
Regardless of which stove you choose, here are some tips you should keep in mind to maximize energy efficiency.
Have Your Stove Annually Checked
Sensors, temperature ranges, and knob-operated mechanisms often need to be looked at. Gas stoves need to be seen for gas leakages and electric stoves that are mostly power pullers have to be serviced to see if they are working properly. The usage of your stove will lead to your cumulative monthly gas or electricity bills and without regular maintenance, you can find yourself paying more than what you bargained for.
Keep Your Stove Clean and Shiny
Burnt, dropped food on the glass of the electric stove reduces its efficiency and heating power. Similarly, dropped and spilled food blocks gas outlets, decreasing the intensity of the flame and resulting in an explosion in the worst cases. We suggest you clean your stove after every use to prevent piling up of unnecessary waste.
Now that you know your gas stove from your electric one, let us take a look at what’s trending in the market. It’s important to know exactly what you’re buying, so you should explore the various brands and options available in the market. Read on to learn about our top two stove recommendations.
Best Gas Range Suggestion
This gas professional range makes it to the top of our recommendation list because of its incredible specs. It is a cost-effective package of highly functional and safe features for any new homeowner.
This gas range by ZLINE has both heat and moisture distribution which means it will not make your kitchen a sauna while cooking. The scratch-resistant porcelain will keep your stove shiny and new, minimizing the wear and tear quintessential to most gas stoves.
This stove is 36 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 28 inches deep. However, its height is adjustable, which makes it easy to fit into any kitchen space. This freestanding gas range by ZLINE comes with a year-long warranty.
Pros:
- 6 burners which can be used simultaneously
- Sealed burners, making it less dangerous for amateurs to use
- Deep oven with an insulated glass, ensuring that a smooth baking process.
- SmoothGlide ball-bearing racks, making it easier to work with larger dishes
Cons:
- The intricate design makes it difficult to clean
- Works only with natural gas
Best Electric Stove Suggestion
Smart Electric Range by Samsung is the next hot thing (pun intended!) on the market. It might be the latest stove in the market, but it is definitely here to stay. One of the most attractive features of this range is the air-frying option which makes both cooking and taking care of your health a walk in the park.
With this electric range, you can cook faster than usual with its latest convection technology. With this method, the electric range cooks and roasts evenly, leaving behind no burnt food. The fact that all of this comes with a light price tag has absolutely won us over!
This electric range is 36.75 inches in height, 29.94 inches in width, and 28.69 inches in depth.
Pros:
- Self-cleaning option
- Wi-Fi
Cons:
- It does not come with a power cord
FAQ
Is gas or electric stove better?
In our opinion, both stoves have their merits. The right answer varies from person to person. We recommend electric stoves for a small family looking to prepare day-to-day meals. For food connoisseurs and professional chefs, we suggest gas stoves.
Do chefs prefer gas or electric stoves?
Chefs generally use gas stoves as they allow greater control over the flame and offer a wide variety of different cooking techniques.
Is a gas stove cheaper to run than an electric?
Although the initial costs are approximately similar, in the long run, gas stoves are found to be cheaper and more efficient.
Final Verdict
That is all you need to know about gas and electric stoves to make the right decision for your kitchen. As long as you understand what you need, we think you cannot go wrong with either. We sincerely hope this guide proves to be a helpful resource in your stove-hunting. Do tell us about your experience in the comments and share this guide to help friends in need! And if you want more stove suggestions, check out our guide to kitchen stoves!