Gas or electric stove – which is better to choose?

Gas stove

Gas stove - kitchen equipment that uses natural gas as fuel.

A household stove of this type can have from one to six burners.

Description

Gas stoves were invented long before the advent of electric ones. Most often they are equipped with mechanical controls, since this is the easiest way to regulate the power of the fire.

Models with electronic and touch controls are found on sale, but much less frequently, and only from two manufacturers.

The control panel with handles is located on the front of the device, sometimes on the side. The advantage of the latter handles is that they will be difficult for small children to reach.

When buying a gas stove, it is best to give preference to a model equipped with a gas control system.

If the flame accidentally goes out due to wind or water, a special sensor will cut off the fuel supply.

Principle of operation

Gas equipment allows you to cook food using an open fire, which is fueled by methane (natural gas).

The stove has one or more burners that allow you to heat the dishes evenly.

Special handles on the gas stove can be rotated, thereby adjusting the power of the burners and the speed of cooking.

Kinds

Gas stoves are divided into:

1. Floor-standing . They are a complete device, including an oven and a hob with burners.
2. Tabletop . Indispensable for people who are not used to using an oven. They can be installed on a work surface and are often used in dachas and country houses. They are a hob with burners.
3. Embedded . Such models are a hob and can be built into a countertop or any other furniture.

Advantages and disadvantages

pros

• price for every taste and budget;
• convenient flame adjustment;
• high cooking speed;
• ease of operation;
• many devices are equipped with a gas control sensor and electric ignition;
• ovens have a timer with a sound signal, or a built-in clock;
• Gas stoves often come with baking trays, grills, etc.;
• there is no need to purchase special dishes.

Minuses

• no automatic programs for the oven;
• the temperature in the oven is set to approximate;
• during gas combustion, substances harmful to humans are released, which settle on the stove, dishes and kitchen walls - special ventilation is necessary;
• If the device is used for a long time, gas leakage is possible;
• Cooking over an open fire can cause burns;
• greasy deposits after cooking are quite difficult to wash off.

Electric stove

Electric stove - a device that runs on electricity.

The burner power is adjusted gradually. An electric stove can have from one to seven burners.

Description

An electric stove is a device for those who value comfort and functionality. All devices are equipped with temperature control, an electric grill, a timer, and more expensive stoves have other options.

For example, the steam release function helps to avoid heating up and dirtying the control panel.

The oven can be equipped with a microwave option, automatic cooking programs, spit, electric meat probe, etc.

Hobs have a water boiling sensor, and sometimes a pan recognition option.

Principle of operation

The controls in electric models are either touch or mechanical, with conventional handles. The latter is more common on more budget-friendly stoves with cast iron “pancakes”.

The touch panel is located on the glass-ceramic surface and is controlled with one finger movement.

The price of such stoves is much higher, but the intuitive control and convenience are worth the money.

Kinds

The following types of electric stoves can be found on sale::

1. Portable . They are desktop and portable. They are small devices with one or two heating zones. Convenient to use in the country.
2. Classic or isolated . The hob in such stoves is combined with an oven. They have large dimensions.
3. Embedded . In such models there is only a hob, which can be built into the countertop or any other furniture in the kitchen set.

Advantages and disadvantages

pros

• safety;
• various functionality;
• greater degree of cleanliness on the stove and in the room;
• no need to worry about gas leaks;
• reduced likelihood of getting burns;
• child lock function;
• the time required to clean an electric stove is reduced significantly compared to a gas stove;
• convenient oven.

Minuses

• high cost of devices;
• high energy consumption;
• more time is spent preparing food, since the burners take a long time to heat up;
• Do not allow sugar to get on glass ceramics;
• lack of sides on the device;
• If there is a power outage, you will not be able to cook food.

Distinctive features of operation

If you start getting acquainted with the external design, then electric and gas cooking appliances look equally attractive. Manufacturers take into account and embody in products many desires of consumers: dimensions, color, functionality.

Characteristics of consumer qualities of a gas stove

A gas appliance is a source of open fire, evenly distributed using a burner . At the same time, the fire ignites quickly, and the intensity of the flame is conveniently adjustable. Gas stoves differ from their electric counterparts in a number of advantages.

1. The temperature of the open fire is high, so less time is spent on cooking.
2. The cooking process is simplified thanks to convenient temperature adjustment. The fire can be made stronger or lower by choosing the optimal temperature.
3. Gas consumption during operation of the stove is low, which is economical for the family budget when paying for utilities. In addition, the price of blue fuel is lower compared to electricity.
4. The efficiency of a gas appliance is about 60-70%, which is 2 times higher than its electric counterpart.
5. With equivalent functionality, a gas stove is cheaper than an electric one.

Important! Manufacturers equip modern gas stoves with additional functionality: electric ignition of burners, a timer, a convection oven, a gas control system, and retractable guides for baking sheets.

However, gas appliances have many disadvantages, most of which are related to safety:

• open fire is a fire hazard if handled carelessly;
• in the absence or rare preventive measures, gas leaks cannot be ruled out, which can cause an explosion;
• open burning causes the formation of soot on the wall, hood and furniture near the stove, which is not easy to remove;
• It is difficult to ignite gas in the oven, as well as regulate the temperature, if the oven is not equipped with a temperature sensor.

Summary! Installing a gas stove in the kitchen is an economical solution, but such a cooking assistant should be used with extreme caution.

Characteristic features of an electric stove

Despite the higher cost of electric stoves themselves and the electricity they use, these devices have a steady demand due to their safe operating conditions. The operating principle of classic representatives of such stoves is based on heating burners (metal pancakes) under the influence of electricity . But on the modern market, in addition to traditional electric stoves, induction and infrared hobs are also available, which operate based on other physical processes.

The characteristic advantages of stoves with an electric heating source include the following aspects.

1. The electric stove does not pose a risk of fire or explosion.
2. When operating an electrical appliance, no soot is formed, unlike gas analogues.
3. An electric stove is more profitable from an environmental point of view - the air in the kitchen is cleaner.
4. Functionally, the devices are more advanced. Most models are equipped with: heating control of burners and oven, grill function, automatic programs, mechanical or touch controls, heat indicators, oven self-cleaning system, etc.
5. In cookers with induction burners, the risk of getting burned is eliminated, since only the bottom of the cookware is heated.

In addition to the higher costs already mentioned above for the purchase of the electric stove itself and payment for energy consumption, the disadvantages of this type of device include the complex regulation of the heating intensity of the burners, since they take longer to heat up and cool down more slowly, unlike gas analogues. Therefore, it takes more time to prepare a dish, due to waiting until the burner and dishes heat up. In addition, if the electricity is turned off, the stove will not work.

Summary! In apartments of multi-storey new buildings, in private houses and in dachas where there is no gas supply, installing an electric stove is a reasonable solution compared to the alternative of using a gas appliance together with a liquefied gas cylinder.

Which stove is better?

To conclude which device is optimal to purchase for your kitchen, it is worth comparing their main indicators:

As you can see, electric stoves are a more expensive, but environmentally friendly option for apartments or country houses. They are easier to clean, have many convenient options and interesting designs.

However, the cooking speed is much higher on gas models . In addition, gas stoves are available in all price segments and do not require a large gas bill.

Which one is safer?

From this point of view, it is better to choose electric stoves. If the gas analogue is not used carefully, not only the owner of the apartment, but also the surrounding neighbors are at risk. Residents of the private sector will escape with a smaller disaster, but here too you should be as careful as possible!

There is no clear decision on which way to tip the scales. You have to rely on what is most important in the first place - savings, safety, ease of use, functionality. It is also important to read the features of the home and the nature of possible problems.

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