Gas vs Electric Stove: Which Is Better for Your Home?

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.
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!

What Is A Gas Stove?

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.
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.

Valves

Knobs

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.

How it Works

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.
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.

What Is An Electric Stove?

Pros:
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.

Plugged in

Heat dispersion

Design

There are multiple sizes of stoves available in the market for both gas stoves and electric stoves.  

Pros and Cons of the Two Types of 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.
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.
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.

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

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.

Size

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.
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.

Installation

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.
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.

Warranty

Cons:
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.
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.
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.

Color

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.
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.

Do You Have Space For It?

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.
Although the initial costs are approximately similar, in the long run, gas stoves are found to be cheaper and more efficient.

Ease of Use

Chefs generally use gas stoves as they allow greater control over the flame and offer a wide variety of different cooking techniques.
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.
Regardless of which stove you choose, here are some tips you should keep in mind to maximize energy efficiency.
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.

Gas vs. Electric Stove: Which Is More Energy Efficient?

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.
Electric stoves, however, often only offer a one-year warranty.

Have Your Stove Annually Checked

Pros:

Keep Your Stove Clean and Shiny

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.
This electric range is 36.75 inches in height, 29.94 inches in width, and 28.69 inches in depth.

Best Gas Range Suggestion

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.
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.

FAQ

Is gas or electric stove better?

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.

Do chefs prefer gas or electric stoves?

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.

Is a gas stove cheaper to run than an electric?

Perhaps the most important factor when it comes to playing, sorry we mean cooking, with fire is safety and ease of use.

Final Verdict

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.
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.