Gas Versus Electric: The Battle of the Cooktops

How should homeowners choose between gas versus electric cooktops? Appliance brands like LG and GE offer both options to those shopping for new ovens and stoves. Let’s break down the benefits and drawbacks of both styles to understand how to make the better choice between gas versus electric cooktops for your home.

Arguably the biggest benefit to cooking with gas, temperature control can make all the difference when dealing with difficult recipes. The ability to fine-tune the flame is something any skilled cook can appreciate. For example, with a gas cooktop, it’s possible to keep scrambled eggs on low or instantly crank up the heat to get a pot of pasta to boil. With an electric alternative, even modest temperature changes can take quite a while.

Depending on where users live, it may be cheaper to operate gas cooktops versus electric. While this may not be the case everywhere, natural gas is typically pretty cheap throughout the country. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about electricity.

Some fancy electric stovetops feature completely flat surfaces that simply wipe clean. Most, however, still sport heating coils that can be a pain to wash, especially if they’re covered in spilled food. With a gas stove, removing the burner grates and wiping everything down couldn’t be easier. Many companies also sell laser-measured protective mats that can be placed on the cooktop to easily absorb spills.

While maximum control is great for those who know how to cook, novices may struggle with this much precision. For example, it’s easier than one might think to burn the grilled cheese or send simmering pasta sauce flying thanks to too much heat.

Seeing an issue with the pilot light issues is less of a problem in newer gas stoves, but it can still be an issue. The pilot light that acts as the engine inside the stove is prone to going out. Not everyone wants to deal with lighting it again once it’s out of commission.

One must use a certain method when lighting a gas burner, and it can be tricky to master. Nobody wants to fill their kitchen with a gas smell as they turn the burner and hear nothing but clicks. For some, this minor inconvenience makes going electric a more compelling option.

Featuring buttons instead of dials, electric stoves are a breeze to use. Simply select the burner size and temperature. The stove will do the rest.

How many times have we heard our parents tell us we can’t have frozen pizza in the summertime “because it will heat the whole house?” That isn’t a problem with an electric stove since the heat created by the unit doesn’t leak out into the rest of the house. Those looking to enjoy frozen pizza on a 90-degree day can do so with an electric range and oven.

Newer model stoves with flat, easy-to-clean surfaces are incredibly convenient. Just remember to let the cooking surface cool down first before hitting it with the soapy cloth.

It takes a while for both the oven and the cooktop to heat up in an electric stove. So impatient cooks and hungry family members won’t be happy when it takes double the time to get that water boiling or that soup heated up.

This may seem like a rare occurrence, but it must be factored in nonetheless. When the power goes out, so does the ability to cook. Making a hot dinner during a power outage might not be high on the list of priorities, but it’s still an inconvenience.

On average, an electric stove will cost a couple hundred bucks more than its equivalent gas counterpart. That may not seem like much, but it can add up. This is especially true if consumers also live in an area of the country with higher than usual electricity costs.

With an Upsie appliance protection plan, you can rest easy. No matter whether you have a gas or electric stovetop, Upsie protects it from damage and early wear.

Upsie’s extended warranties for appliances cost up to 70 percent less than warranties from competitors. In addition, customers can make unlimited claims up to the purchase price of the device. If repairs on the first claim don’t make sense, Upsie will replace the appliance for you, saving you thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs.