Gas or electric?

[FloraFauna]

I am in the process of building a new home. We have never built before. Now we are picking out kitchen appliances.

I have never cooked on anything other than electric in the past and I am comfortable with an electric cooktop. However, a lot of people have suggested that a gas range might be the better way to go. We really have put a lot of thought into this new home, I don't want to make any mistakes.

Does anyone have any advice either way?

Thanks.

 

[grinningghost]

I've had both and gas is the way to go. At least for me, my food comes out much better. You can control the heat so much better on a gas range top.

Good luck with the house building.

 

[pumba]

I love the cooking and the ability to put it on the amount of heat I want.......and now .....remember the best chefs on tv have gas.....

 

[pixiedust218]

I too have had both and definitely prefer gas better. Good luck with you new house.

 

[luv2nascar]

if you've never had a gas stove I don't know if I'd get one without knowing I'd like it
the new electric flat tops are very nice
gas although they have sealed burners now still requires being taken apart and cleaned etc
My mom and I both prefer electric
MIL has gas and loves it
Most chefs cook with gas but I'm sticking w/electric

 

[Bob Slydell]

Gas, traditionally, is better for cooking. Like the previous poster said, it's easier to control the heat and things like that.

That being said, go with what you're comfortable using. We have electric for that very reason -- DW had always used electric ranges and felt more comfortable with them.

...that, and you can't get a smooth top gas range.

 

[kadaten]

Gas oven, gas range, definitely! More control, more even heating, and you can still cook when the power goes out during storms! (We had Hurricane Isabel in September....no power for 8 days. This house has electric oven/range so we were out of luck. Went next door to cook on the neighbor's gas stove Sure do miss mine!)

Gas heat, too!! Electric heat is for the birds, even in Florida where we used to live!! Those heat pumps are worthless!!

Never had a gas dryer....

If you barbeque a lot, you may want them to run a gas line outside for a grill....you'd never have to fill another tank....so convenient!!

 

[wendyl]

Cooking is better on gas stove--but sure do LOVE my flat top range (electric). It's a toss up!

 

[mikki]

If your highest priority is cooking, definitely go with a gas cooktop. If keeping things easy to clean is more important, I would go with a smooth top electric. While I love my gas cooktop (five burner style), the clean up is much more difficult than in my previous smooth top electric.

 

[Shellie722]

I have a gas stove and a gas dryer and wouldn't trade either of them. I love that I can see exactly how much heat I have under a pan and can tell that the heat has decreased when a recipe calls for reducing the heat to allow something to simmer. And I swear that my gas dryer gets my clothes dry faster than any dryer I've ever seen, even on low or medium settings.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Gas. I love being able to control the temperature.

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

I had only used electric until we bought our house. Now, I'd never switch back to electric.

I only wish we had a gas dryer.

 

[Christine]

I am a *gas* person; however, when doing some research on cooktops I did read that higher end electric cooktops (in several cases) out performed the gas. I think if you pay good money, you can get an electric cooktop that has as much control of heating as the gas ones do.

Also, as you can see from the responses on this thread, more people prefer gas and if you think you might sell your house down the road, having gas could be a good selling feature.

 

[helenabear]

I will tell you personally I like gas ranges but HATE them for ovens. They do not cook as evenly and I can smell the gas a little on every one I have cooked with. And a lot of them have electric starters now so there is no bonus to having them in blackouts. If I had to choose one or the other, it would be electric. I only like gas for things like furnaces.

 

[Pooh67_68]

No advice, just wanted to say I hate gas.

 

[SpecialK]

I'd go for a gas cooktop for the control and an electic oven for the even heat. You also might want to consider a double oven. So easy when you're putting on a big meal.

 

[Nutsy]

I prefer gas for cooking......it's faster. When we go on holidays & have to use electric it takes so long for the coils to get any heat........gas in instant heat..........no waiting & more enery efficient.

 

[Allie322]

I second SpecialK's advice. My FIL used to sell appliances and that was always his advice: Gas stove top, electric oven. If this is not possible, my advice is also to go for the gas. I think that the argument for electric ovens is that the heating is more uniform which is important if you do a lot of baking.

 

[DSNY FN]

We have used both and much prefer gas to electric cheaper to run and as alot of others have said better controll over the temps. You have to get what you feel comfortable using because if you don't it will be a waste of time and money.

 

[*Flower*]

Living at home and dating my DH, both Moms used gas. I really like the way you can adjust the flame down to almost nothing and still keep something warm/hot.

However- the electric stove that I have now in our semi-new house has the fastest heating oven I've ever seen!! I'm cooking pork chops right now- and I swear the oven was at 425 within two minutes, if that!

And- with gas prices going up..... it might not be too long before natural gas gets priced out of the market- if you know what I mean........