Understanding Gas and Electric Stoves
Stove cooktops offer a flat surface with heating elements powered either by gas or electricity. When trying to decide on either a gas or electric stove, it’s good to know that both will be able to manage just about any culinary task that you may have. Below are the differences and features between the two options.
Gas Stove Cooktops
Gas cooktops use an open flame style of heating to cook your foods. By having gas burners of different sizes, you can take advantage of differing heat levels and the ability to hold large or small pots and pans. Gas cooktops must have a gas line that is solely dedicated to the appliance.
Benefits of a Gas Stove Cooktop
With its immediate and precise handling of heating up and temperature control, gas is the preferred option of both professional chefs and home gourmets. The open flame reacts immediately to any adjustments if your dishes are cooking too quickly or slowly.
The adjustable heat and flame will also allow you to expand your cookware options beyond the normal pots and pans. For example, gas burners will accommodate cookware like cast iron skillets and woks with ease without the need to constantly adjust the food as it cooks.
When you shut off the burner, the flame and temperature both die down almost instantly.
Gas Stove Cooktop Maintenance
Gas stove cooktop maintenance is a fairly simple task.
- Clean any spills up quickly to avoid having them burn or cake onto the stovetop surface.
- Most grates can be washed off in the dishwasher.
- Use cleaning products that are specified for gas stovetop use. This will prevent any possible damage to the gas heating elements.
- Always follow any other maintenance tips outlined in the owner’s manual for your model.
Electric Stove Cooktops
Electric stove cooktops has cooking heat provided by electricity. Most stove cooktops today are smooth surface models made from a ceramic-glass blend. As a less expensive option, units with traditional exposed coils are available, but the smooth surface units are the most popular choice by a wide margin.
Benefits of an Electric Stove Cooktop
The main advantage of the ceramic glass smooth cooktop surface is the ability to wipe away spills easily. The cooking surface also can have multi-ring elements that allows you to use pots and pans of different sizes with the ability to move them around as necessary. You can find elements to fit pan sizes from 6-inches up to a multi-ring 12-inch size. There are also specialty elements that are used for keeping dishes warm or to melt butter or chocolate.
Electric Stove Cooktop Maintenance
Electric stove cooktop maintenance is usually quick and easy:
- Never use cookware that isn’t recommended for ceramic stovetop.
- Wipe away spills as quickly as possible to avoid having them stick to the surface.
- Use a designated ceramic or glass stovetop cleaner and proper cleaning cloth to gently clean and polish the surface and prevent scratches.
Cost and Installation
When thinking about the cost comparison of either a gas stove or electric stove cooktop, the electric version will usually have a lower initial cost. Over the course of time, the gas model may prove to be the more economical winner. Both options will be factored by utility costs in your area.
Installation is normally a straightforward project, especially if you are replacing an electric stove cooktop with a newer model. Electric or gas stove cooktops have standard cutout sizes and the connection switch out is usually simple. Both are a DIY project that most can manage, but if you are unsure Lowe’s can provide installation services for your stove or any other appliances you may need.
Making the Right Choice
When deciding between an electric or gas stove cooktop, consider these factors to help you decide on the right one for your cooking needs.
- Heat Efficiency: Gas stove cooktops are fast to respond with quick heating up and cooling down.
- Open or Closed Burners: There are various burner options with cooktops. A gas cooktop can have either open burners, which offer direct heat, or closed burners, which have a cap over the burner providing indirect heat. Closed burners make it easier when cleaning spills.
- Flexible Elements: Electric stove cooktops have different sized and shaped heating elements.
- Power Burners and Simmer Burners: Offering more control with specific settings calculated to make it simpler to maintain a higher or lower heat for specific jobs.
- Ease of Cleaning: Messes are more unlikely to bake on under the gas stove grates. Conversely, the smooth electric stove cooktop surface has no grates to remove so spills can be easily wiped away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some typical questions customers have concerning gas and electric stove cooktops.
Which is Better, Electric or Gas Stoves?
Electric stove cooktops are usually considered the safer choice than gas as they do not have an open flame or any possible CO2 gas exposure. They are also more energy efficient. Gas is preferred in homes where cooking is an integral part of the lifestyle, thanks to the instant control of gas and the supposed better performance.
Which is Cheaper to Run, Gas or Electric Stoves?
Gas stoves are cheaper to operate and use than an electric stove. They may, however, use more energy. Costs will be determined mostly by the utility costs in your area.
Do Homebuyers Prefer Gas or Electric Stoves?
A slight majority of homebuyers prefer gas for their cooking appliances over electricity.
How Easy Is It To Swap Out an Electric Stove With a Gas Model, or Gas to Electric?
While converting from one style of cooking heat to another isn’t a difficult project, it is still one that should be done by a professional.
Electric to Gas: An electrician will be needed to exchange the 220/240-volt outlet to a 110-volt outlet. Your gas company or a plumber will need to supply a dedicated gas line to your stove.
Gas to Electric: An electrician will be needed to exchange the 110-volt outlet to a 220/240-volt outlet.