Electric or Gas: What is a better stove for you?

Oven Repair

Are you shopping for a new stove this season? The number of choices can be staggering and confusing. However, before you settle on an individual model, you'll want to address the question of whether you want a gas or an electric stove. There are advantages to each type of stove. The kind of stove that's best for you really depends on how you cook, your budget and your home.

Cooking with an electric stove

Choosing an electric stove has some distinct advantages. For one thing, buying an electric stove is virtually always less expensive than buying a gas model. In addition, if your kitchen is not equipped for a gas appliance, you'll save the expense of having a gas line run to accommodate your new stove. Electric stoves also frequently have more options, such as convention ovens and grills. An electric-powered oven is generally considered better for baking, as it cooks with dry heat and offers a more even heat distribution.

An electric stove isn't the right choice for every cook. If you live in an area with frequent power outages, an electric stove will leave you unable to cook while your neighbor with the gas range is cooking by candlelight. What's more: serious chefs complain that an electric stove has a slower response time than a gas stove. However, if the extent of your cooking arsenal is making boxed macaroni and cheese and ramen noodles, this probably isn't an issue.

Cooking with gas

Most professional chefs prefer to cook with a gas stove. Many explain that being able to adjust the flame at will gives them more control over the cooking process. For example, the cooking on a gas stove stops the instant the flame is extinguished. With an electric stove, it takes a while for the burner to cool down. Gas also offers a more even distribution of heat on the stove top.

Since the price of natural gas is lower than the price of electricity, a gas stove is generally less expensive to operate, even though the price of the stove itself is usually more expensive than an electric model. In addition to being more expensive initially, a gas stove brings with it the potential for gas leaks and fires, and the open flames of a gas range can be a hazard in a household with pets and/or small children. Baking is more of a challenge with a gas oven. Since natural gas produces moisture, baking with gas requires using higher temperatures than with an electric oven.

There's no wrong answer when deciding between an electric and a gas stove. The correct answer is choosing the type of stove that best suits your needs and your lifestyle. Regardless of your choice, be sure to read the manual and perform scheduled maintenance to ensure the long life of your stove, and delicious meals for years to come!

Campbell Appliance Heating And Air Inc
3591 Rocking J Rd
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 255-0506
http://www.ac-repair-round-rock.com/