Electric Stove vs. Gas Stove: Which Is Best?

Which appliance is better, a gas stove or an electric stove? The answer ranges from pragmatic — depending on whether your house or apartment has gas lines — to personal preference. Here are three things to consider when deciding between an electric or gas range.

Cost
In the short term, the more economical appliance is determined by how your home is wired. Most homes are prewired for electric ranges, and since adding a gas line is expensive, electric is the way to go. In general, the actual purchase price of an electric range is generally less expensive than the price of a gas range, making it the more affordable choice.

Conversely, if your home already uses natural gas, then a gas range is the more cost-efficient choice. Natural gas is cheaper than electricity, making the gas range a more economical solution over time.

Cooking
Experts say you can cook faster with a gas range because the heat is immediate, springing into action as soon as you turn the burner on. You also have instant control over the temperature with a gas range. Gas burners also offer more thorough heat distribution over electric burners.

If you’re a chef or cooking aficionado and you enjoy having greater flexibility in cooking techniques, then gas is most likely going to be your preference. From roasting to charring, gas ranges offer a range of cooking methods that can’t really be replicated on an electric range.

Cleaning
Electric ranges are much easier to clean than gas ranges, particularly because gas ranges have heavy-duty grates that must be removed. Since spills are inevitable during cooking, consider the time spent on cleaning when making your decision.

Once you’ve made your decision, make sure you measure your space before you shop — you want to be sure you get an appliance that fits your space and your budget.