Electric appliances took off around the 1930s when cheaper electricity and manufacturing started to make electric appliances more affordable than appliances that used gas, wood, and coal. Today, choosing between gas and electric appliances can depend on whether or not a household is equipped for gas or electric hookups. However, if both are available, or someone has the money to tear down walls and install new fixtures, pipes, and/or wires, then the following might help you choose which of the two is better for your home.
Electric
One of the major selling points of electricity is that electronic appliances are usually cheaper to manufacture and purchase. Most homes already have electric outlets that fit most ranges. Even if the electrical outlet for the range is different than the power cord, swapping the cord to match is usually a simple process. Some businesses even offer the services for free.
Cleaning an electric range is generally easier and simpler. Newer electric ranges have started implementing flat-glass surfaces instead of the coiled heating units. Generally, cleaning them only requires a little bit of specialty cleaner to keep from scratching the surface and a little bit of elbow grease.
Additionally, electric ranges have good temperature control. Some ranges even allow users to set the heat to different temperatures. These options usually come in intervals of 25 degrees, although some even allow intervals of ten.
Unfortunately, because electrical appliances often run off coal and other fossil fuels that have been used to convert energy into electricity, they often cost more to operate throughout the year. Furthermore, if the power ever goes out, forget cooking anything. Although, on the plus side, it gives you an excuse to order out or go out to eat.
On the downside, if you have a range with coiled heating surfaces, cleaning up food bits and crumbs that have burnt and caked onto the plates can be a process. These can also burn upon later use. Additionally, although rare, the heating elements can lose their efficiency over time, or stop working. However, with a little bit of money, they are easily replaced.
Gas
One of the beauties of cooking with gas is that the heat is evenly distributed across any type of heating surface. Cooking aficionados and people that think they can cook alike prefer gas cooking to electric. Unlike electric burners, flames spread around the sides of pots, pans, and foods. Foods will cook more quickly and evenly.
Greater control is given to you because the temperature of the flame is quicker to adjust than electric burners. While electric burners take longer to cool and heat up, the flames and heat of gas burners can be set automatically. This is also beneficial in households that might have kids running around because the heating surfaces and areas cool down quicker than electric coils.
Unfortunately, gas ranges usually cost more to buy and install. However, they cost less to operate, which can help offset the initial cost. They do come with other risks. For starters, they have to be monitored. Anything that boils has the potential to spill over and extinguish the flame, which leads to gas leaking into the house. If the gas continues to leak, not only will the air inside become toxic, but flammable, too.
Although both have their advantages and disadvantages, what ultimately makes one a better choice than the other is you. Whichever you choose, make sure it’s the one that you’re the most comfortable with for the long run.
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Posted by Terry Paranych on
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