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The Difference Between Electric and Gas Cooktops

Dior McDonald • Aug 03, 2022

Is a gas cooktop right for me? Let’s find out…

With so many different heat sources for cooking in the kitchen these days, it’s no wonder things can get a little confusing. From electric and induction to gas cooktops, free standing ovens, built in stovetops and ovens and even the more recent integrated steamer ovens, the sky is almost the limit when it comes to appliances to whip up culinary delights. Hey -there are even those with the older kitchens that still have the beautiful Metters’ wood oven stoves.

With so many options to choose from, it may be difficult to decide which is best for you, your kitchen and your household. And with diverse cooking fuel options all the rage at the moment, which should you opt for?

It’s important to consider a few factors and understand the difference between electric and gas cooktops before committing to your dream cooktop or oven:

Kitchen space/size

The space you have in your current kitchen – regardless of whether you are doing a full renovation or simply swapping out your old oven or cooktop for a new one – will dictate what size oven or cooktop you’ll be able to go with. The most common sizes are 600mm or 900mm wide stovetops and ovens, so this will need to be considered regarding the existing space or the space you are intending on creating.

How will the appliances be used around your gas cooktop

This factor ties in with the size of your oven or cooktop in that a smaller 600mm stove and oven probably wouldn’t be suitable for a large 5 bedroom home, if whoever is in the kitchen the most will be cooking for many people at a time. Likewise, a small studio apartment might not be appropriate for a huge stove and oven – unless of course you’re a budding chef or love to entertain lots of people.

So, think about how many people will be being cooked for regularly, how the oven will be used and the size of the home to dictate what type of oven and stove to purchase.

Budget for an oven

For a freestanding oven, prices can range anywhere from about $700 all the way up to $15,000 or more! With such a broad budget range and a huge range of brands available it’s likely you will find something to suit your needs and budget.

For separate building electric or gas ovens or electric or gas stoves, prices can vary, and some stores also offer package deals, so shop around and again, find what is going to work best for you and your home.

What property type is the gas cooktop used for?

What the property is going to be used for will dictate what type of oven or cooktop you choose. For example, a simple investment property may only require something simple, easy to maintain and budget friendly (while still being good quality – you don’t want to go too cheap and constantly need to send the repair guy out to fix it!).

Likewise, a home business, catering company, retirement village or commercial property like office or café are all going to have different requirements.

Main Differences Between Electric and Gas Cooktops (and ovens)

Now that we’ve explored a few of the factors surrounding what cooktop or oven is right for you, it’s time to consider the difference between electric and gas cooktops and ovens and the different features, positives and negatives they offer.

Gas cooktop or oven:

Features:

Instant flame & heat
Responsive heat adjustment
Can still be used in event of power outage
Cheaper to run than electric
Can only be installed if gas is run to the property
Licensed plumber to install

Electric cooktop or oven:

Features:

Elements heat slowly
Non-responsive heat adjustment
More expensive to run than gas
Cannot use in event of power outage
Can be installed anywhere there is electricity
Licensed electrician to install

Induction (electric) cooktop

Features:

Instant heat only when induction cookware applied
Induction cookware required – does not work with regular pots and pans
Responsive heat adjustment
Cannot use in event of power outage
More expensive to run than gas
Can be installed anywhere there is electricity
Licensed electrician to install
Safer than regular electric cooktop – heating element is only hot when appropriate pot is in place

Gas cooktop ranges employ an open flame while electric ranges utilise metal heating elements

The difference between gas and electric ranges is both evident in their respective fuel sources. Electric lines use metal heating elements to produce heat while open flames are used on a traditional range, but this isn't always true as there's some overlap with modern appliances that employ both methods such as convection ovens or microwave dishes which have been built using converted mosque installations from old days when electricity was not yet available where people could only prayer remotely without being comforted by seeing faces close up!

So is a Gas Cooktop or Electric Cooktop better?

Gas cooktops are the preference of most chefs due to their ease in controlling temperature. Electric stoves tend also have faster heating rates, but they can't compete when it comes down towards baking or simmering food consistently at low heat settings like gas does best with electric stove top models that do well across all tasks put before them - this includes broiling as well!

Now that you understand the difference between electric and gas cooktops and ovens, and have (hopefully) decided if a gas cooktop or oven is right for you, the last thing to do before purchasing your gas cooktop is to speak with your local Perth gas plumber and gas fitters: MC2 Plumbing.

Lee will be able to give you a quote on cost to install (and run gas lines if necessary) as well as any other pointers and tips on the appropriate type of gas cooktop. (Alternatively, if you’re opting for electric or induction cooktops, it’s time to stop reading this and contact a sparky!)

Lee McDonald at MC2 Plumbing saying 'When you need a reliable, honest Perth plumber who rocks up on time and doesn’t leave a big ol’ mess behind when he leaves, Lee’s your guy.'

The face of MC2 Plumbing, Lee is your friendly, nice-guy-next-door type bloke. Once a professional tap dancer, Lee went from dancing on taps around the world to fixing taps in Perth (with over 20 years in the trade).

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