When people discuss kitchen appliances, the “which type of appliance is the best to use in a kitchen” debate is always a point of disagreement. It is indeed difficult for anyone, including professionals, to say which is better between a stand-alone and a built-in oven. The complexity of comparing appliances stands because they all have different advantages and inconveniences, which all depend on the type of kitchen you have and your kitchen habits. However, the appliance type comparison is a worthy debate that should be discussed and answered. To help you decide which appliance is right for your newly built or renovated kitchen, we decided to make a series of articles comparing different types of appliances. Unlike our “Clash Of Appliances” series, this series of articles will focus on different types of a specific appliance. Together, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of having a certain appliance in your home versus another.

To start our series, we will compare two types of appliances that have shown themselves indispensable in our kitchens; the electric cooker and the gas cooker. We will look at their history, designs and efficiency, prices, and the best brands currently in the market.

Electric VS Gas Cooker

History

One would think that since man mastered fire and has known the existence of natural gases for centuries, the invention of the cooker must have occurred a long time ago, or at least the idea of such a device must have existed in the mind of a genius waiting to be popped out. The fact is things did not go that way at all. Although humans have been using gas and fire for thousands of years, you have to wait till the 19th century to see the first invented gas stove. This gas stove was the idea of a German inventor named Zachäus Winzler, who in 1802 came up with this new technology, which was just an experiment as many others at that time. James Sharp, an English inventor, made the first patented gas stove in 1826 in Northampton, England. This invention led to the creation of the first gas stove factory ten years later. 

One more surprising fact about the invention of these two most important cooking appliances is their invention’s close time gap. The idea of the first electric appeared in 1859 through the work of George B. Simpson. This American inventor patented his new heating device, the ‘Electro-Heater’ whose original purpose was to warm rooms, boil water and cook victuals. However, the first-ever electric oven designed and used for cooking meals came in 1892 and was the masterwork of a Canadian inventor named Thomas Ahearn. Although in the beginning, the efficiency of the electric stove was not as good as that of the gas stove, the fast improvements and added technology on the electric stove had it used in most households by the 1930s. A date which surely started the debate on which appliance beats the other.

Design, Operation, and Efficiency

Electric and gas appliances have straightforward designs and functioning. During the production of these appliances, manufacturers strive to build the safest and most efficient appliances. However, the electric cookers are far better than the gas cookers when comparing both appliances’ energy efficiency. This is especially true when comparing induction cooktops, which are surely the best electric cookers, to common gas cookers. 

Let’s look at the design of the induction stove. The Induction stove has a metal coil under its glass that produces a magnetic field when turned on. Heat is produced by the fluctuating magnetism caused by constantly changing electric current. That is also the reason why the glass of the induction stove does not burn. There is no direct heat from coils like in an ordinary electric stove that heats the glass. In induction stoves, the fluctuating magnetic field’s heat penetrates the pot’s metal rather than heating the whole appliance.

The gas cooker, on the other hand, uses multiple tube connections and gas to produce fire. The burners on the top of the cooker have gas valves connected to them. These gas valves are, in turn, connected to the gas line. The knobs of the appliance open and close an intake valve that allows or stops gas from traveling to the burners. When gas travels through the valves, its pressure increases and oxygen is sucked through a hole located in the valve. The combination of gas and oxygen is what allows you to light up your cooker. The final advantage of a gas cooker is that it uses different types of fuel. Gas or propane are the two most common fuels used on this appliance.

When it comes to appliance repair, gas cookers are far easier to repair as they have very few electrical items compared to the electric cooker. The replaceable parts of a gas cooker are also easier to find and sometimes less costly. The electric cooker, on the other hand, is very energy efficient. It doesn’t need a lot of energy to produce heat and can also be very mobile depending on the type of stove you acquire.

Most popular models and their prices

Nowadays, the market is full of very innovative and technologically advanced cookers. As we mentioned before, every cooktop and range brand tries to develop the best innovations to better their appliances’ efficiency. Nonetheless, some appliances stand out each year. Here is the early 2021 collection of the best cookers you will find in the market.

Viking 30″ Electric Cooktop

The Best Electric Cooktop

The Viking Electric Cooktop is a wonderful innovative electric cooktop with professional performance. This cooktop has got a smooth surface that makes cleaning very fast and simple. And with its easy and smooth settings, Viking cooktop will make your cooking process faster and convenient. This appliance also has all the certification a reliable appliance should have. It is UL listed and is ADA compliant. You can buy Viking 30″ Electric Cooktop for $1,509.

KitchenAid KICU509XBL 

The Best Induction Cooktop

 

The KitchenAid KICU509XBL is an appliance that combines beauty and innovative functionality. This four-element cooktop places cooking convenience at higher heights. With its 12 heat level settings, you will find the temperature you need to cook whatever dish you wish and achieve perfect gastronomic results. In addition to that, 2 elements of the KitchenAid KICU509XBL have a bridge function that is useful when you need a larger cooking zone. To have this amazing appliance in your home, you will have to spend $1,899.

Electrolux EI30EF45QS

The Best Electric Range

 

The c is the most reliable cooking appliance you will see in the market. It has five burners that can reach a temperature of up to 770°F, with each one having specific functionalities. The oven has multiple modes that allow you to cook whatever dish you want perfectly. For perfect cooking, you will find no better than the Electrolux EI30EF45QS. You will find the Electrolux EI30EF45QS in shops for $2,749.

Samsung NX58H9500

The best Gas Range

 

The Samsung NX58H9500 is a great choice for those who prefer gas appliances. Its cooktop has a dual power burner and a wok grate perfect for all sorts of cooking. Moreover, it has six cooking presets that ease your cooking and a self-cleaning function when you are overcooking. To enjoy the practicality of the Samsung NX58H9500, you will have to spend $2,499.

Do You Know About Our Professional And Affordable Gas And Electric Appliances Service at Five Star Appliance Repair?

Our team of expert technicians takes care of all types and brands of appliances when they breakdown. Our technicians are trained and certified to handle all sorts of appliances regardless of the trouble they have. Before choosing to replace your gas or electric cooker, contact us, and we will diagnose your appliance to see if it is worth repairing or replacing.  We offer same-day services and guarantee that your appliance will be working perfectly after our visit. To schedule an appointment with our top experts, contact us at (855) 731-4952.

You can also apply online for any appliance repair with 5 Star Appliance Repair.