Thinking of renovating your kitchen? Or building a brand new home? One of the most important decisions you’ll make will be whether to install a gas or electric cooktop in your kitchen. Some common thoughts revolve around the initial price, installation and whether it will be cost-effective to run in the future. So, which one reigns supreme?
In Australia, you generally have a choice of four options when it comes to your cooktops. These are: electric induction cooktops, gas flame burners, electric ceramic radiant cooktops, and electric coil cooktops. Today, we will be looking at the two most popular styles: natural gas and electric. Here, we will discuss the pros and cons for either choice, to help you make an educated decision about the best type of stovetop for you.
Cooking with electric cooktops
Electric cooktops work by heating up electrical coils when the control knob is turned on. While this is the most common style in Australian homes, it is not necessarily the best option.
Pros:
Cleaning up messes is easy
Best suited for a modern kitchen with its linear spaces
Cheaper to buy initially
Holds a steady heat well
Cons:
Electric coils are slow to heat and cool off
Tends to cook food unevenly
Inability to use cast iron cookware on an electric cooktop (can damage the pots and pans due to high temperatures)
Electric coils don’t always glow and can lead to burned food if inadvertently left on
Cooking with natural gas cooktops
Natural gas cooktops are fueled by gas via a pilot light. For those concerned about the environment, natural gas emits less greenhouse gasses than coal fueled electricity, and is energy efficient because it heats and cools quickly being flame driven.
Pros:
Instant heat
Extremely responsive to changes in temperature
Cost-effective to operate - no waiting for elements to heat up!
Will work during a power outage
Cooks food more evenly
Can char-grill specific foods on the open flames - think eggplant and capsicum
Cons:
Harder to clean than electric induction cooktop
Requires a natural gas supply if you're not already connected
Can present potentially hazardous problems if not properly installed or maintained
Choosing the right cooktop for you
In addition to considering the advantages of gas and electric cooktops, you’ll also need to ask yourself a few more questions to help you reach the answer you need. These include:
Will the style of my cooktop suit the design of my kitchen?
Do I have a large family, or am I planning for a large family? This will determine whether
six burners are better than four.What is the warranty for the models I like?
If you’re ready to take the plunge and switch to natural gas in your kitchen, now's the time. You'll be cooking like a chef before you know it.