Cooking is one of those wonderful things we do on a regular basis. It brings us together as a family. Nothing beats the smell of a home cooked meal. That’s why it’s so important to have a stove that is reliable and efficient. These days there are so many choices of stoves, from contemporary finish to a rustic appeal. But the most important decision is to decide if your stove will be electric or gas. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages to each.
Cooking
When it comes to getting the job done, the gas stove will give you an advantage since the heat it provides is almost instant and remains at a steady temperature throughout the cooking time. The flame of a natural gas stove cooks food more quickly and evenly. On the other hand, the electric stove elements take longer to heat up to your desired temperature; however with most modern electric stovetops being a solid glass surface with a sleek appearance, the heat is distributed evenly to the pot or pan.
Electric stoves are easy to use; you simply turn the knob to the desired setting. Gas stoves require you to light the element. You need to be careful about making sure the element isn’t left on when the flame is out as this will allow gas to enter your home.
Cleaning
Not our favourite part of cooking, but cleaning your stove is a necessary task. When you have an electric stove, cleaning your stove can be accomplished very simply, especially if it has the smooth glass surface. Spills and splashes can be easily wiped away.
With a gas stove, cleaning is a bit more difficult because you need to move the heavy cast iron grates from the burners. Each of these burners have various parts which can be accidentally moved out of alignment possibly resulting in an uneven flame the next time you use the stove.
Power Source
Your electric stove runs on normal household electricity. However, electricity utility costs can be higher than if you used a gas stove. Gas stoves tend to be cheaper to run but require specialty hook-ups to your kitchen which can be costly, especially if you don’t already have a gas line to your home. Overall, the operating and energy costs of your stove will be lower if you use a gas stove.
During a power outage your electric stove will not work, however, your gas stove will continue to work so you can still cook a meal for your family.
The Cost
Another thing to consider is the purchase price. Overall, the cost of a gas stove can be considerably higher than an electric stove. However, as previously mentioned, the operating cost of a gas stove is lower than the operating cost of an electric stove.
When deciding on which to purchase; gas or electric, consider your needs and your lifestyle. It’s also a good idea to check with friends and family and see what they use and how they feel about their choice. In the end as long as your stove is reliable and efficient it will be a trusted appliance in your home.
You also want to make sure that the stove fits into your kitchen design and space. Our experienced team at Wright Kitchen would be happy to meet with you and come up with a design plan that would suit your kitchen’s needs best. Contact us and we can book you a free consultation today.