Choosing an Electric Stove: Are They as Good as Gas?

Compare electric and gas stoves to determine the best option for you

When homeowners are in the market for a new oven, they may ask themselves: which is better, a gas or electric stove? Alongside the refrigerator, your stove is an essential home appliance. Practical wisdom once nudged consumers toward gas stoves. But advances in electric stove technology have made them more appealing. This guide breaks down the gas vs. electric stove rivalry. Read on to learn which one is best for you.

Stove basics

Stoves have two major components: the stovetop ― also known as a cooktop ― which has multiple burners, and the oven. You will often see the words range, stove and oven used interchangeably.

How does an electric stove work? Electricity runs through metal coils producing heat on the stovetop and in the oven. These coils either sit exposed or beneath a smooth glass or ceramic surface. Coils are more durable and efficient, while smooth tops cook more evenly.

How does a gas stove work? These stoves feature valves that release gas, allowing it to mix with oxygen. A pilot light or ignition system produces a controlled flame. These ranges heat their interior oven with similar elements to the stovetop: a flaming burner for gas or a heated metal element for electric.

Both electric and gas ranges offer options for convection cooking, which is a method where fans circulate air inside the oven to cook food more quickly and evenly. Many ovens include an integrated broiler as well. The broiler radiates heat above the food to sear the top. Both gas and electric stoves use infrared radiation to create a broad, intense heat.

Advantages of electric stoves

These are the most common stoves. The benefits of electric ranges include:

Standard electrical power source
Renewable energy use
Higher level of safety
Easier maintenance

Some homes don’t have access to gas lines in their community. Even homes that don’t have a 220-volt outlet will most likely have electricity. Electricity, unlike natural gas, can come from renewable sources like wind and solar for an eco-friendlier appliance. The absence of an open flame offers greater safety, so stray items falling into a burner won’t ignite as rapidly. Cleaning an electric stovetop, especially one with a smooth top, presents an easier task. An electric range is also more energy-efficient than a gas range and can cook large items, like a full stockpot, quicker.

Advantages of gas stoves

These have long been the preferred stove for serious cooks and professional chefs. Among the advantages of gas ranges, you will find:

Lower utility costs
Precise temperature control
More versatility
Quicker cooking

One benefit of gas ranges is that they offer lower utility bills than their electric counterparts. Your operating cost also depends on the gas prices in your region of the country and how much you cook. Home chefs may prefer the control that gas ranges offer. These stoves have quicker responsiveness. When you turn the dial to high, the flame gets high in a hurry. The immediate heat from a burner allows for a quicker cook time when food needs to get on the table fast. Chefs also enjoy the techniques that gas ranges allow, such as charring.

Advances in electric stoves

Electric stoves have surpassed gas models in terms of innovation. More efficient materials have closed the gap in responsiveness and efficiency. They have safety features like automatic shutoff while gas stoves don’t. They also allow you to control the size of the cooking surface on your stove. A bridge grate and heating element on some electric ranges joins single burners into one large heat source. Plus, electric ranges offer more versatility when it comes to smart home tech. The open flames of gas ranges limit the voice- and app-based capabilities.

Induction: The next level of electric cooking

The latest development in electric cooking, induction ranges bring a new level of sophistication to electric cooktops. With induction, an electromagnetic field transfers energy to the cookware rather than the burner itself. Induction uses electricity but does so more efficiently than any electric range. It also generates higher temperatures and heats more quickly than either gas or electric.

By transferring energy rather than heating an element, the stovetop stays cool to the touch and doesn’t burn any food that spills while you cook. Cleaning is faster and easier since it doesn’t stick to the burner. These ultramodern cooktops are also aesthetically pleasing. Many have a "virtual flame" feature that visually reminds you the burner is on.

Dual-fuel ranges provide the best of both worlds

A dual-fuel range combines a gas stove with an electric oven. They combine the greener energy of an electric oven with the control and quick start of a gas range. Some dual-fuel ranges add induction zones for a complete palette of cooking techniques, so it's possible to have all three in one appliance.

Cookware: The overlooked essential

Whether you use an electric, induction or gas range, the right cookware impacts the quality of your cuisine. The best cookware will help with even heat distribution. If you’re wondering if you can use cast iron on an electric stove with a smooth top, the answer is that you can, provided you do so carefully. Cast iron can scratch a smooth-top stove if you’re not careful when you move it between burners. A heat diffuser can act as a buffer to protect the stovetop’s surface. Induction stoves require cast iron or other conductive metal in the pots, pans and skillets.

The bottom line

With advances in technology, electric stoves are just as good as their gas counterparts. And sometimes, may even be better. The decision between electric and gas is a personal one. Ultimately, you should choose whatever you're most comfortable using when it comes to ease of use, cost considerations and sustainable living efforts.