Enjoy a sizzling-hot meal every time you cook
The debate over gas versus electric ovens is usually fueled by a combination of things. There’s your comfort level in the kitchen, the stove you grew up with, and the unique features that set the two appliances apart.
There are some significant differences between them. Gas ranges use an open flame as a source of heat, whereas electric ranges rely on heating elements made of metal. At the end of the day, whether you prefer an electric oven versus a gas oven may simply come down to the way you like to cook.
Whether you’re heating up tortillas for Taco Tuesday or whipping up macaroni and cheese for the kids, gas ranges are a fan favorite among home cooks. Some say it stems from the pleasures of cooking over an open fire, but it’s a matter of personal preference.
Gas ovens work by igniting a steady supply of natural gas or propane. Some models have an ignition button that activates a spark generator, while others have a constantly lit pilot flame. A thermostat regulates the temperature throughout the cooking cycle.
There are some good reasons to choose a gas oven, many of which have to do with the appliance’s responsiveness.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Controlled temperature | Costly |
| Quick preheat | Tricky to operate |
| Versatile | Environmental concerns |
| Won’t dry out food | Risk of leaks |
More control: Gas ovens and cooktops have instant on/off features. Once you turn off an oven or a burner, the cooking stops almost immediately.
Preheat in a hurry: There’s very little wait time when it comes to getting that casserole or cake baking.
More versatile: You can use any type of cookware, including cast iron, on a gas range without damaging the burners.
No dried-out dishes: Natural gas creates a moist cooking environment, so it’s harder to dry out your dinner.
More expensive: Buying and installing a gas range can be quite costly upfront, especially if you don’t already have a hookup. On average, the cost of a gas stove is between $300 and $2,200; a gas line installation starts at $120; and, the services of a plumber can range from $45 to $200 per hour.
Gas heat can be tricky: While you can use a griddle and char foods on an open flame, everyday simmering may take some practice.
Environmental concerns: Natural gas and propane stoves can release carbon monoxide and other harmful pollutants into the air, which can present health risks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the use of exhaust fans over gas cooking stoves to greatly reduce exposure to pollutants during cooking.
Potential leaks: Educate yourself on what to do if a gas range smells like gas to learn what is normal and what isn’t, and how to identify a potential leak. You’ll also want to hire a gas oven repair service rather than a general technician for issues or maintenance. Gas oven repair cost ranges between $100 and $600.
All the benefits without the flame. If you’re considering an electric oven versus gas, you’ll want to compare the pros and cons to determine what’s right for you.
An electric oven is heated by two elements: one on the bottom for baking and one on the top for broiling. When the oven is turned on, it heats to a preset temperature, then signals a thermostat to turn down the heat. When it cools, the process begins again.
Like any appliance, electric ranges have advantages and disadvantages.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No gas line needed | Less energy-efficient |
| Safe option | Slow preheat |
| Easy to clean | Ceramic difficult to maintain |
| Less expensive | Inoperable without power |
No gas line necessary: Not every home has a gas hookup or access to one. All you need to get cooking with an electric range is a 220-volt outlet.
Safer with little ones around: Gas burners' open flames may pose a fire hazard, especially if there are children in the house.
Easier to clean: This one may be debatable, but today’s smooth ceramic cooktops were designed for easy cleaning to speed up oven maintenance tasks.
Less expensive to buy: Electric ovens are slightly less costly than gas ovens ($360–$1,800), but built-in models are typically pricier. The cost of a built-in oven (including installation) is anywhere from $800–$3,200.
Less energy-efficient: Electric coils in an oven take time to heat up and cool down, so it may not be the best choice for energy efficiency.
Slow response time: Once you lower or turn off the heat, it can take a while for the temperature to adjust.
Ceramic cooktops aren’t perfect: Burned food and grease can be hard to remove, and some surfaces scratch easily.
Power issues: If you lose power, your stove is inoperable.
Whether you’re sauteeing veggies or baking a pie, the right range depends on your personal preferences and needs. Below, we break down gas versus electric ovens to help you determine which one will work best in your home.
| Gas Ovens | Electric Ovens |
|---|---|
| Quality appearance for serious home chefs | Generic appearance |
| Faster preheat | Slower preheat |
| Trickier to cook accurately | Better cooking performance |
| Greater safety concerns | Fewer safety concerns |
| Require infrastructure before install | Easy installation |
| Requires a 110-volt outlet | Requires a 220-volt outlet |
| More custom options available | Fewer custom options available |
| Costly up front | Slightly less up-front cost |
| Less energy-efficient | More energy-efficient |
Today’s conventional gas and electric ranges have a similar look (usually black with stainless accents) that pairs well with all kitchen layouts and styles.
Pro-style gas ranges have a commercial look that’s preferred by many serious (and aspiring) cooks. They have a no-nonsense vibe, lots of stainless steel, black grates, and (often bright red) dials that look like they mean business.
Most visually appealing: Gas
While a gas stove uses fuel to power its heating element, electric ovens use an electric current. Fuel provides instant heat to both a gas stovetop and oven, making it faster for preheating and cooking. Electric ovens need more time to preheat as it can take a while for the electrical current to travel through the heating element. If the cooking speed of neither a gas oven nor an electric oven is enough for you, try making them faster by upgrading to a convection oven.
Fastest: Gas
The results of a Consumer Reports performance test gave electric ranges the edge in three out of four categories. Testers put the appliances through the paces, testing high heat, low heat, baking, and broiling, and electric beat out gas in all but one category: baking.
Best performance: Electric
There’s no doubt that there are safety concerns for both gas and electric ovens. Electric ovens pose an obvious problem of electrical hazards and even burns. With a flat stovetop, it’s possible to forget which burner is on and touch it. It’s also easy to look past an electric oven burner that was accidentally left on.
The safety concerns of gas ovens include open flames and potential gas leaks. Gas leaks have the potential to cause fires and explosions while putting you at risk of natural gas poisoning, like carbon monoxide. In some lab tests of gas range emissions, high levels of nitrogen oxide—a potentially dangerous gas—were found.
Safest: Electric
While the terms oven, range, and stove, are often used interchangeably, they are different. Range and oven refer to units with both an enclosed cavity and an open-air cooking surface. Stove refers solely to an enclosed cavity (wall ovens) and stovetop, or cooktop, refers solely to an open-air cooking surface.
A gas line is required to install and power a gas oven, and while the infrastructure is there in most cities and many suburbs, it’s not always a given. Electricity is more consistently available, and it’s all you need to power up an electric stove. If you need help, you can always hire an appliance installation company near you.
Easiest to install: Electric
Converting an oven from electric to gas requires an electrician to change your 220/240-volt outlet to a 110-volt outlet. You’ll also need a local natural gas plumber to install a gas line if you don’t have one.
Going from gas to electric? All you need is an electrician near you to switch the 110-volt outlet to a 220/240-volt outlet.
Easiest to convert: Electric
Customizing a gas range starts with your choice of a conventional or pro-style appliance. Additional options include electronic ignition, a wide range of heat zones, cooktops with multiple burners, continuous grates, griddles, and much more.
Electric range options include smooth tops or coil burners, single or double ovens, convection oven settings, warming zones, and expandable dual or triple elements on the same burner.
Most customizable: Gas
In most cases, the upfront purchase price of electric versus gas ovens is pretty comparable, with electric costing slightly less, depending on the model you choose. Long-term operating costs depend on how frequently you use your appliance, how much you turn up the heat, and the electricity and gas rates in your area.
Best price: Electric has a slight edge in some cases
In an electric oven, 74% of consumed energy is transferred to food, while in gas ovens, that number is only 40%, according to the research organization American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
Most energy-efficient: Electric
Once you’ve made your decision in the great debate between gas and electric ovens, you’ll need to get your oven up and running. Hiring a professional is the best way to guarantee a proper installation; however, who you call ultimately depends on whether your oven is electric or gas.
To install an electric oven, contact an appliance installation professional. Not only do they have the technical knowledge and experience of working with most types of household appliances, but they also provide an added layer of safety. These professionals have the know-how to take extra precautions that account for electrical hazards if the job requires complex electrical work.
Appliance installation professionals are ideal for installing and fixing most kitchen appliances. Alternatively, if you have a gas oven, there’s a better person for the job. Licensed natural gas plumbers are equipped to install and fix gas stoves or any other gas-powered appliance. Gas is both volatile and flammable. During installation, you need a professional who understands how gas works. They need to know how to safely connect their oven to the gas line while checking and preventing potential gas leaks.
Remember—there are concerns with both gas and electric stoves. Hiring a professional helps ensure proper installation for the safety of your household.
