Gas vs Electric Stove: The Showdown

If you've ever been watching The Block or MasterChef and started feeling inspired while the contestants have been cooking in or renovating their kitchen, chances are you've started thinking about your own. You might be thinking about updating your benchtops or upgrading to a plumbed-in fridge. One decision many homeowners face, however, is choosing between a gas vs electric stove.

Both the gas cooktop and the electric cooktop boasts unique benefits. Understanding the differences between each of them can help you make the best choice for your cooking style, energy needs, and home setup. So let’s weigh the pros and cons before making your choice.

How Gas and Electric Stoves Work

One of the key factors in choosing between a gas or electric stove is knowing how it works. It probably comes as no surprise that each works in vastly different ways.

A gas range (which includes a gas stove and gas oven) relies on a supply line that delivers natural gas to your home. That gas ignites to produce an open flame. This flame directly heats your pots and pans and offers quick, responsive temperature control.

Then you have the electric range, which combines the stove with an electric oven. The electric stove part uses metal coil heating elements or smooth ceramic glass surfaces to generate heat through electricity. These surfaces retain heat well, providing more consistent temperatures throughout the cooking process.

Both options have their strengths, so the choice between a gas stove or electric stove depends on your cooking preferences and home setup.

The Cooking Experience

As any of the contestants on MasterChef will tell you, the general cooking experience on gas stoves and their electric counterparts can feel quite different.

The open flame that gas stoves provide offers immediate, instant heat. It makes them the perfect choice for cooking styles that need pinpoint precision temperature control. You can easily regulate the size of the flame to achieve the necessary heat level, whether you’re simmering a sauce or boiling water. A gas stovetop is also excellent for multi-tasking and cooking multiple dishes at once.

By comparison, an electric stovetop provides consistent temperatures across its metal heating elements or smooth cooktop surface. They can take a bit longer to heat up than a gas stove, but electric stoves are great for baking or slow-cooking as they maintain steady heat throughout the cooking process.

Energy Efficiency – Gas or Electric Stove?

On the energy efficiency front, both gas and electric stoves come to the party.

Natural gas stoves typically boast quicker heating times than electric ranges. It means you’ll use less energy overall for certain cooking tasks. That being said, you’ll lose some energy with an open flame as heat escapes into the surrounding air.

An electric stove, particularly one with induction technology, is incredibly energy efficient as it heats the cookware directly through a metal heating element or smooth cooktop surface. While electric range ovens and stoves may take a bit longer to heat up, they do tend to keep their heat more effectively.

When it comes to the crunch, electric induction stoves are the most energy-efficient choice for homeowners who want to slash their energy bills. However, gas stoves do still provide good efficiency with the right usage.

Indoor Air Quality and Health Concerns

When deciding between a gas or electric stove, you’ll likely want to consider how your choice might affect the air quality in your home.

Though gas ranges are efficient, they can release pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide into your home. And if your home isn’t particularly well-ventilated, those fumes can be hazardous to human health. Thankfully, a well-maintained gas line and regular checks on the pilot light can help reduce these risks. By contrast, electric stoves don’t emit any harmful gases which makes them a safer choice on the indoor air quality front.

While gas cooking provides a more traditional experience, those concerned about air quality and human health might prefer the cleaner option of an electric stove or cooktop.

Cooking Surface: Gas Cooktops vs Electric Cooktops

The cooktop surface is a key difference between gas and electric cooktops.

Gas cooktops typically feature cast iron grates that support your pots and pans over an open flame. These grates can handle heavy cookware and are great for high-heat cooking, but they require regular cleaning to remove spills and grease.

In contrast, electric cooktops often come with smooth ceramic glass surfaces or metal coils. These surfaces provide even heat distribution and are easier to clean, as there are no grates or open flames. Electric stoves, especially those with smooth cooktop surfaces, retain heat well, making them excellent for simmering and slow cooking.

Each option has its benefits, depending on your cooking preferences and how much maintenance you’re willing to handle.

Induction Cooking: A Modern Alternative

One alternative to traditional electric ranges and their gas counterparts that is fast becoming popular in kitchens across Australia is induction cooking.

Unlike your conventional electric stove, induction cooktops use electromagnetic fields to directly heat the cookware. This speeds up the cooking process and makes it more energy efficient. The special pots or pans generate heat directly, keeping the surrounding air and cooking surface cooler and reducing the risk of burns. This method is not only highly energy efficient but also provides precise temperature control, similar to gas cooking.

Induction stoves also have a sleek, smooth cooktop surface, which makes them especially easy to clean. However, they only work with specific induction-compatible cookware, such as cast iron or certain stainless steel pots, and they can be on the pricier side.

Installation Requirements: Gas Lines vs Electrical Outlets

When it comes to the installation requirements for gas and electric stoves, there are significant differences between the two.

Gas stoves rely on a dedicated natural gas line. to supply natural gas. In Australia, only a licensed gas fitter or plumber can carry out any gas appliance installations that involve connecting to that line. This ensures safety and compliance with government regulations.

On the other hand, electric stoves – like all electrical appliances – need a powerpoint (often connected to a dedicated circuit) to deliver electricity. Electric stoves tend to have simpler installation needs, especially in homes with sufficient existing electrical wiring.

Choosing between the two depends on the current setup of your home, but making sure the installation is completely safe is essential.

Cost Factors: Are Electric or Gas Stoves More Affordable?

The initial installation and eventual running costs of gas and electric stoves can also greatly sway your choice.

Since natural gas is largely cheaper than electricity in Australia, gas stoves generally have a lower running cost. However, if you don’t already have an existing gas supply line, installing one will certainly add to the overall expense as you’ll need a licensed gas plumber. While electric stoves are typically costlier to run, they’re often more affordable to install if you have an existing kitchen powerpoint.

Running costs also vary depending on how much energy each option consumes. A gas stove heats up quickly but can lose some energy through the open flame, while electric stoves use more electricity but are often more efficient at retaining heat. All things to keep in mind.

Electric vs Gas Stove Comparison

Here’s a comprehensive summary of the key features, benefits and points of consideration on all things gas and electric heaters.

By keeping these essential factors in mind, you’ll be able to make an educated and informed decision that benefits your home.

Gas vs Electric Stove – Which is Right for You?

There are several factors to consider in the gas vs electric stove debate. Your preferred cooking style, energy needs, and home setup will greatly influence your ultimate decision.

Though gas stoves offer precise temperature control and faster heating, they can affect indoor air quality and require a gas line installation. Electric stoves, particularly induction models, are more energy-efficient and easier to clean, but they can be slower to heat up and may have higher running costs.

Both options have their unique strengths, so the choice comes down to what suits your kitchen, budget, and cooking preferences best.

Please note: Thanks for reading our blog “Gas vs Electric Stove: The Showdown”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See After Hours Plumbing’s Terms & Conditions here.