Is your cooktop producing burned, undercooked, or otherwise ruined meals? If so, you may need to purchase a new stove. There is a wide array of cooking ranges, from gas cooktops to the more common electric cooktop, and all the nuances among them. Buying any kitchen appliance is a big deal, but few are as important as the stove or oven, where you create the bulk of your meals. Let's explore seven of the biggest differences between electric and gas cooktops so you can choose the one that's best for you.
Gas cooktops run on any number of gases, including butane, liquefied petroleum gas, and natural gas. They come in different sizes and can stand alone or be attached to an oven. Gas cooktops are widely recognized as the favored choice among master chefs because they cook food more evenly.
Electric CooktopsAn electric cooktop runs on electricity rather than gas. It usually includes four coils or cooking areas. They can serve as an independent appliance or connect to an oven. Electric ranges come in a variety of forms, including a smooth top and coiled.
The Biggest Differences Between Gas and Electric CooktopsThe most obvious distinction between a gas and electric cooktop is the heat source. Their names say it all; gas cooktops require gas, while electric cooktops require electricity. A gas stove heats up when gas runs from the gas supply to your house up to the stove ignition system. There, the gas mixes with air to create a blue flame. To control the heat, the cook turns the knob.
On the other hand, an electric cooktop functions like most house appliances. Electricity runs to the stove through electrical wires. The higher you turn up the heat, the more electricity travels to the stove.
There is greater variety among electric cooktops than many people realize. Electric stoves come in the following styles:
Smoothtop: A smoothtop electric cooktop has a ceramic surface above the electrical heating coils. It is easy to clean and creates even heat.
Halogen: A halogen electric stove uses halogen light bulbs, thereby creating radiant energy below the ceramic stovetop.
Coiled: This style of electric cooktop includes circular coils that heat up when turned on. They can be more time-consuming to clean and sometimes produce uneven heating.
Induction: Induction cooktops come with a copper coil through which electromagnetic fields heat up. Special magnetic-based pans need to be used to make them work, such as cast iron, magnetic stainless steel, and fully clad cookware.
Although gas cooktops come in a range of prices and brands, they don't have as much variety as electric stoves.
- Temperature
Gas stoves heat the sides and bottom of cookware. Because of this, the heat is more comprehensive, and the pot becomes hotter as a result. When using an electric cooktop, heat is produced beneath the cooking apparatus, so it can't heat as much of the pot. Therefore, electric stovetops produce less heat. Additionally, in most cases, a gas stove can reach higher temperatures than an electric stove.
Gas cooktops offer greater temperature control than electric cooktops. This is because turning the stove knob up will increase the flow of electricity and, therefore, heat the range more--but it does not guarantee a steady output of heat. Because they create flames, gas stoves allow the cook to maintain a visual sense of heat output at all times. In addition, flame heat creates a greater range of temperatures, giving the cook increased control over cooking temperatures.
Although prices for both electric and gas cooktops depend on many factors, in general, electric ranges cost more out-of-pocket than gas. Furthermore, depending on the region, electricity often costs more than natural gas.
It takes more energy to deliver electricity to a cooktop than it does to ignite a gas flame. Furthermore, natural gas warms up faster and produces more heat than an electric cooktop, and this means less energy use. Therefore, most people agree that gas cooktops save more energy than electric.
Although practicality is important when selecting a cooktop, appearance is relevant as well. Many people enjoy the sleekness of a smoothtop electric cooktop. Its easy-to-clean surface helps it remain attractive even after preparing a huge meal. Others, however, prefer the modern, eclectic aesthetic of gas cooktops.
Final Thoughts
Both electric and gas ranges offer many benefits. What you choose to use for your cooking adventures depends on your lifestyle, goals, and values. To learn more about our wide array of electric and gas cooktops, give us a call at 1-888-768-1710.
