Thoughts on switching from natural gas to electric stove (convert, install, cleaning)
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I've had gas. Right now I have electric with the glass top. I'm going back to gas when I can. I find gas easier to control, with the glass electric I have to try to anticipate time and temperature changes (guess) because it takes so long to heat up and cool down. Guess wrong and a simmering pot of jambalaya ends up with a bunch of burned crap stuck to the bottom of the pot.
Plus, gas works when the power fails. (Maybe not a big deal for some, but happens often here.)
Electric ovens are fine, but I really miss my gas top range. The highs and lows with gas are both so much better, it is much easier to maintain a simmer, or sear a steak.
DW has a Samsung convection electric. She is happy with it but I would convert to gas when available for the reasons already discussed. If you have already made the decision it's a moot point. We compromised by adding a portable induction burner that we use much of the time because of the precise heat control and timer. We did an upgrade of our pots and pans for use with induction. I have only seen a few induction range units in the big box stores. As far as cleanup, nothing beats the induction because the surface does not really get hot, so no sticking. Best Induction Cooktop Reviews 2016 – Portable & Built-In Cooktops
We have gas in this home and I still prefer electric. Too much of a bother to convert it. Don't like the gassy smell or the occasional "shooting out" of the flame.
I've cooked using glass tops for years with no issue. Our gas cooktop has a glass top. You just have to treat them with respect as you would anything that is made of glass, that's all.
This house has an electric stove and I am not fond of it. What I don't like, in particular, is that it takes two burners to make things like rice - one burner set on high to bring the rice to a boil and then a second burner set on low/simmer to actually cook the rice. With a gas top, the same burner can be used to do both because the temp change is immediate.
The only pro of the electric smooth top is that it is easy to clean. The top does have two noticeable scratches, though, one which I actually did using a cast iron dutch oven.
I am still torn between a gas top (with electric oven) and an induction top. I think (but have not done the calculation) that we are currently maxed out on our gas line and would need to replace it. On the other hand, pretty sure most induction ranges require at least a 50amp circuit.
I had a smooth top electric in my last two houses, and was very happy to pay extra on my new build for the gas range I have now. I didn't want to pay even more for a dual fuel with all the other expenses of new construction, but if/when I replace it, that's what I'll get.
Two kinds of people would chose electric over gas, those who have no gas service and don't have any choice, or those who can afford an electric/gas combination, which are used by professional chefs, because having both available is an advance if you do the amount of meal preparation a chef would do. A combo is the answer if your bank account would allow it..
As a former personal chef who has cooked on a lot of stoves, an electric range would be a deal-breaker for me in purchasing a new house unless I could convert it to a gas one. But I'm all about control of the heat and you can do that much better with gas than electric and that's not an issue for some folks.
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Originally Posted by emm74
I had a smooth top electric in my last two houses, and was very happy to pay extra on my new build for the gas range I have now. I didn't want to pay even more for a dual fuel with all the other expenses of new construction, but if/when I replace it, that's what I'll get.
One of the houses we rented many years ago had electric stove and ovens. I absolutely H A T E D the cooktop. HATED it. When we bought this house, it came with an electric stove. We arrived and I immediately covered the thing and cooked on the grill outside until we got the propane installed and bought a gas stove which then had to be converted to propane. ONLY way I'll cook.
gas is the only way to go if you value cooking your food to the level of control you want.
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