It is important that when you’re creating your kitchen that you make the right choices. Next to your bedroom, it is one of the parts of your house that you will be using the most. When you’re designing the flow of your kitchen, many interior designers would tell you to choose convenience over style. Cooking can be quite stressful so you need to have everything at your fingertips. Additionally, for young professionals, cooking should be fast. Read the guidelines for effective use of the kitchen space here.
According to studies, more and more people are dining out and ordering food instead of cooking in their kitchen, all because they are intimidated with using the kitchen. If you think cooking is more of a hassle than a passion, then you have some serious redesigning to do with your own kitchen. Cooking is not only cheaper than buying from restaurants, but it is also a healthier option. You get to choose the quality of the ingredients that go into your dishes.
The layout of your kitchen isn’t the only thing that you must focus on when redesigning your kitchen. Your appliances and their power source is one aspect that you must carefully plan out. The gas vs electric cooker debate has been a long-standing debate. There are several factors that you must take into consideration when choosing between a stove that’s powered by gas or by electric.
Let’s compare gas vs electric cookers through several factors.
Gas vs Electric Cooker: Installation Cost
The first factor that you must consider is the installation cost for both gas and electric cookers. The gas vs electric cooker cost is one important factor to consider. A 4-coil electric stove with a convection oven installed underneath will cost significantly lower than a gas stovetop and range of the same size. This is just the cost of the model itself.
Upfront, gas stovetops are more expensive than its electric countertops. On the other hand, if you have an existing gas line, then the gas stovetop might be more cost-effective. Gas connections are cheaper to operate than electric stoves. Cooking a dish for an hour on a gas stove will cost you less than it would if you used an electric stove. This is a factor to consider if you plan to use your stovetop and oven for long periods.
Similarly, if you think you will be cooking a lot, then it might be better to invest in a gas stove. The idea here is that it will pay off in the long run. Also, if you think that you will be living for a long time in that house, then you can invest in a gas line. However, if this is more of a temporary residence, then investing in a gas line just isn’t worth it. Go for the electric cooker for now.
Gas vs Electric Cooker: Heating Time
Time is of the essence when we’re cooking. How long it takes to heat your stovetop up will matter. There are two factors to consider when you’re considering heating time. A gas cooker immediately starts at the temperature that you want as it starts as a fire already. However, there is space between the flame and your pot which could mean lost heat and added time.
On the other hand, flat-top electric stoves will initially take longer to heat up, but because the burner’s coil is directly touching your pot, it will heat the dish faster.
Gas vs Electric Cooker: Heat Efficiency
Gas cookers are more effective at heating as the heat source, the fire, is dispersed and distributed evenly throughout the pot. When you cook with a gas cooker, the entire bottom of the pan is heated. On the other hand, for an electric cooker, only its coils heat up, which means the heat is not as distributed. What this means for your dish is that there are “cold spots” that get less heat than the other parts, making for uneven cooking. If you’re going for a dish that must be accurately heated, then an electric stove may not be the best option for you.
Gas vs Electric Cooker: Convenience
The convenience of electric cookers sometimes makes up for the fact that it’s more expensive to operate than a gas cooker. You simply have to wipe down the top with a rag and you’re done! No extensive clean-up required.
Gas cookers, however, have metal grates that need to be removed and cleaned every two weeks to get rid of all the grease and rust buildup. Also, you can fit an electric stove anywhere in your kitchen, as long as it’s reachable with an extension cord. Gas cookers, however, need to be fitted to your gas connection, making your choices for where to put it limited.
Gas vs Electric Cooker: Reliability
A power outage can be quite a problem if you have an electric cooker. Without power, you won’t be able to operate your electric cooker. This could be avoided if you have a gas cooker. You won’t need electricity to prepare a hot meal for your family. When it comes to it, gas cookers are the more reliable choice.
If you were to consider the safety though, then electric cookers are safer. House fires due to gas cookers are becoming more and more common, which is why electric cookers are more recommended if you have children.
In the end, the debate is really a stalemate. Both types of cookers have their own pros and cons. It will depend on various factors: how you use them, how much your budget is, and even how long you plan to stay in your house. It would be best to talk about your requirements with a local gas plumber so you can determine the best fit for your house.
