Gas vs. Electric: What to Consider when Choosing a Kitchen Range

If you're in the market for a new kitchen range (and possibly a new ventilation system to go with it), you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. In the past, home chefs only had to choose between a gas range and an electric range, but now your options have widened.

Today, you've got gas ranges, dual-fuel ranges (a gas cooktop with an electric oven), all-electric ranges, and even induction ranges (which run on electricity). Each type of range offers a different cooking experience, each has different installation requirements, and each one comes with its own list of pros and cons.

The good news is that it's all very easy to wrap your head around once you know the terminology. In this article, we'll break everything down for you. Plus, we'll tell you exactly how to calculate the ventilation requirements for each system.

Different ranges. Different cooking experiences.

Each type of range offers its own cooking experience. Let's explain the different types of ranges on the market today, so you can figure out your ideal setup.

Gas ranges

Gas ranges use gas as their only fuel source (aside from the energy used to run things like the control panel and oven light). That means both the oven and the cooktop use either natural gas (through a gas line) or liquid propane gas (from tanks) to heat food. It draws any electricity needed from the same 110 V outlet that charges nearly everything else in your house.

Gas cooktops are often the preferred method of cooking for serious home chefs because gas is perfect for searing, stir-frying, and simmering gentle sauces alike. Thanks to the immediate heat that a gas-powered flame provides, chefs achieve a level of control that a standard electric burner simply cannot match.

When it comes to oven heat, the gas vs. electric debate comes down to personal preference. Those who love to bake bread and pastries often prefer the dry, even heat that comes from an electric oven. Certain types of roasting, on the other hand, benefit from the moist air that a gas oven provides.

Electric ranges

Electric ranges use a 220 V connection to power electric coils, which heat both the cooktop and the oven. Again, many chefs prefer the instant control delivered by a gas stove, while the electric vs. gas oven question depends on what you like to cook.

Dual-fuel ranges

Dual-fuel ranges offer the best of both worlds for many home chefs—a gas-powered cooktop and an electric oven. The gas-powered cooktop offers powerful heat control, while the electric oven provides that dry, even heat.

Induction ranges

Ranges with induction cooktops also use electrical power, and they work by heating the cookware itself, rather than heating the stovetop and transferring the heat to those pots and pans. It generates an oscillating magnetic field, creating resistance in the metal cookware. The surface of the stove only gets hot because of the cookware resting on it, and it cools quickly when you remove the cookware.

Induction takes some getting used to because it heats food incredibly fast. That's one of the reasons professional kitchens use gas. Chefs are trained on gas, and gas behaves differently. Induction cooktops also require compatible ferromagnetic cookware, so traditional round-bottom woks and classic copper pans don't work.

That said, many home chefs (and some professional chefs) swear by this technology for its rapid heating power. It just requires some adaptation, both in terms of cookware and cooking skills.

Cost considerations

The cost of owning a gas, electric/induction, or dual-fuel range isn't just about the price of the appliance itself. You'll also want to consider energy costs and any additional installation costs you might incur.

Cost of the appliance itself

Electric ovens tend to have the lowest up-front price, but as you'll see below, they're usually more expensive to run over the lifetime of the appliance. Induction ranges also tend to be more pricey than electric ranges, and they come with similar long-term energy costs.

Gas ranges tend to be less expensive upfront than dual-fuel ranges, but here at Hauslane, you can order any range we sell as a gas or dual-fuel range—with no additional costs.

Energy use

Gas tends to be cheaper in most areas, in some cases costing 50% less than electric ranges to cook the same amount of food. An electric oven, for example, costs around 30 to 40 cents per hour to run. For someone who cooks a lot of meals at home, this adds up over time.

Installation costs

Installation costs will vary based on how your home is currently set up. Here are the requirements for each type of oven. If your kitchen requires modifications to accommodate your new range, be sure to price those out before making the purchase.

Take a look at our guide on kitchen range installation for more details and requirements.

Gas ranges generally require:

• 110 V outlet for electronics and ignition
• A gas line with natural gas or propane tanks
• Accessible gas shut-off valve
• Flexible gas connector
• Pressure regulator

Electric and induction ranges demand:

• 220 V outlet
• 40-50 amp circuit

Dual-fuel ranges require all of the above, which means:

• 220 V outlet
• 40-50 amp circuit
• Incoming natural gas line or propane tanks
• Accessible gas shut-off valve
• Flexible gas connector
• Pressure regulator

Ventilation requirements (range hoods)

Proper ventilation is essential to keep your indoor air (and your lungs) healthy and clean. And when you purchase a new kitchen range, you'll want to make sure your range hood's suction power matches the heating power of the cooktop. Also, be sure the range hood is wide enough to cover the entire cooking area.

Note that ventilation is important for both gas and electric units. Even though electric and induction cooktops don't produce combustion byproducts the way gas cooktops do, both produce smoke and grease. Proper ventilation ensures that fewer of those harmful particles end up in your family's lungs.

What is CFM?

Suction power is measured in CFM, which stands for cubic feet per minute. CFM measures the amount of air the blower can move across one cubic foot in the course of one minute. The higher the CFM, the stronger the ventilation power.

How much CFM do you need?

That depends on the total power of your burners, and there's a different formula for gas ranges vs. electric ranges. It also depends on how much stovetop cooking you do, including high-heat cooking (searing, frying, wok cooking).

Electric Stoves

An electric stove's CFM requirements are simple to calculate. Measure the width of your stove in inches, and multiply that number by 10. In other words, if you've got a 40-inch cooktop, you'll need a 400 CFM blower.

Gas Stoves

Gas burner power is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), and each burner has its own max BTU capacity. Add up the max BTU capacity for each burner, then divide that number by 100.

Here's an example. Imagine you have a cooktop with the following max burner capacities.

Burner A: 12,000 BTU
Burner B: 12,000 BTU
Burner C: 8,000 BTU
Burner D: 8,000 BTU

Add the BTUs: 12,000 + 12,000 + 8,000 + 8,000 = 40,000 total BTU

Divide the total by 100: 40,000 BTU ÷ 100 = 400

Minimum CFM requirement for your gas stove: 400 CFM

If you're looking to upgrade your kitchen range, it's an excellent time to upgrade your ventilation system. Take a look at our range hood buying guide, or shop Hauslane range hoods today.

Maintenance requirements

Different ranges have their own maintenance requirements. Gas ranges have burners, grates, and ports that need cleaning, along with occasional igniter maintenance. Electric and induction ranges may need heating elements replaced from time to time. Dual-fuel ranges, naturally, require both.

We've written guides for annual gas range inspections, dual-fuel range inspections, and electric/induction range inspections. Consult the appropriate guide each year to keep your range in optimal condition and spot potential issues.

Choosing the right range for your kitchen

Selecting the ideal range for your kitchen means balancing your desired cooking experience with costs, including both the sticker price and installation costs.

Whichever style you choose, we recommend choosing a high-quality range with a solid, 5-year warranty on parts and labor. That's rare in this industry, but it means you're dealing with a high-quality product that the manufacturer stands behind.

That's what we offer here at Hauslane, and we do so with confidence because HausPro ranges are built to last.