Gas cooking ranges

[KillerCharlie]

I'm in the process of buying a house and I'm pretty naive and have a lot of questions about gas ranges. I would really like one since I cook a ton, but I've never used one before. Half the places I've looked at have them and half don't.

How much easier/better is it to cook on a gas stove instead of the current electric flat tops? If you like to cook a lot how much emphasis would place on finding a place with a gas range?

From what I see, most ranges now use natural gas, is this correct? All the places I've seen certainly didn't have any propane tanks anywhere.

How much would it cost to install a gas range if you already have natural gas heating?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

chefs prefer them. better temp control.

 

[Jumpem]

I would only get a gas stove. It cost us $40 to have our propane company send a couple technicians out to tee a line off of our furnace to the stove.

 

[KillerCharlie]

chefs prefer them. better temp control.

YES, I already know that. You missed the whole point of this thread.

I'm asking those experienced with using both how much better one is than the other and how easily they get by with electric.

 

[BoomerD]

My wife HATES using an electric range. Gas was a requirement when we went house shopping.

Yes, you can cook with electricity, and for those who don't have natural gas/propane available, it's a viable option, but once you go gas, you'll never go back.

 

[KillerCharlie]

I would only get a gas stove. It cost us $40 to have our propane company send a couple technicians out to tee a line off of our furnace to the stove.

Seriously? Damn, not bad. Of course you have to buy a new range, but I'm already assuming that cost.

I think it will also cost money to vent the hood to the outside? Did you have to pay for that, or did your vent already vent outside?

Anyone else have an idea of how much it would cost? Opinions on costs for conversion are extremely appreciated.

 

[JC]

Around here, most hoods that don't vent outside, can't for some reason...house framing, cabinetry, etc.

 

[IronWing]

Once you go gas, you don't go back. Gas ovens simply cook better. As gas burns it produces humidity in the oven, keeping food from drying out as much as in an electric oven. If I was buying a house and two nearly identical houses were available, one with gas service and one without, I would place at least a thousand dollar premium on the one with gas, considering only the cooking benefits. Note that this applies to a house I intend to stay in for a long time.

 

[IronWing]

but once you go gas, you'll never go back.

Hey, you preempted my gas line!

 

[Rubycon]

Can't get gas?

Get one of these!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HB1BlUsa8o

 

[ahenkel]

We have a Wedgewood stove built in the '40s and its fantastic. I would never go back to electric.
Plus one other positive to gas is you can still cook and heat water for cleaning. even during a power outage it was great last year when a tree took out our powerline.

 

[Jumpem]

Seriously? Damn, not bad. Of course you have to buy a new range, but I'm already assuming that cost.

I think it will also cost money to vent the hood to the outside? Did you have to pay for that, or did your vent already vent outside?

Anyone else have an idea of how much it would cost? Opinions on costs for conversion are extremely appreciated.

My dad and I installed the hood vent. We ran the exhaust pipe straight up through a cupboard and into the attic. Then out the side of the house. Maybe $200 for the hood vent and exhaust pipe.

 

[Squisher]

Around here, most hoods that don't vent outside, can't for some reason...house framing, cabinetry, etc.

Can't, just costs more.

 

[JC]

We have a Wedgewood stove built in the '40s and its fantastic. I would never go back to electric.
Plus one other positive to gas is you can still cook and heat water for cleaning. even during a power outage it was great last year when a tree took out our powerline.

With modern gas stoves, you can't use the oven when the power's out...unless it's a pilot light model (few and far between).

 

[Eli]

Having grown up with electric ranges, I much prefer gas now that I've gotten to use gas.

 

[BoomerD]

With modern gas stoves, you can't use the oven when the power's out...unless it's a pilot light model (few and far between).

Fortunately, with the GE Profile we bought a few years back, even though it has the electric igniters, in a power outage, you can still light the burners with a flame source.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I've never seen a gas range in a house, only in a cottage, and it was propane. I do find they cook better though. I remember eating my grandma's cooking every day when I used to camp a lot. She made the most awesome fish and chips, as well as pancakes.

Electric is easier to install, easier to maintain, and is safer though.

 

[ahenkel]

I'm pretty sure all gas ranges can be lit manually even in a power outage since all the knob does is open a valve and control gas flow. Unless some newer stoves have some kind of electrical valve lock out.

 

[JC]

I'm pretty sure all gas ranges can be lit manually even in a power outage since all the knob does is open a valve and control gas flow. Unless some newer stoves have some kind of electrical valve lock out.

What I said was, you can't use the oven without electricity...you can light the top burners.

 

[ahenkel]

ah yes the oven I never use my oven in my stove anyways.

 

[Bucks]

Had a gas range in college. Coming from electic at home....I liked cooking with the gas a lot better. As mentioned, better temperature control, seems to heat pans faster, etc.

 

[Mday]

Gas stoves are typically able to output higher BTUs than electric since electric stoves are limited by household electric currents (15 amps). They are also often cheaper to operate, per BTU, depending on your local utility costs.
Electric stoves are better suited for temperature control, e.g., a simmer is very easy to manage on an electric.

Now, there are various types of electric stoves: coils (cheap, but ugly), ceramic\glass surface (easy to clean, takes a while to cool down), and induction (only works cookware that has some moderate amount of iron in it, e.g., steel and some cast iron, and is high end).

I prefer gas to stir fry. I prefer electric for a nice simmer.

 

[Bignate603]

I've never seen a gas range in a house, only in a cottage, and it was propane. I do find they cook better though. I remember eating my grandma's cooking every day when I used to camp a lot. She made the most awesome fish and chips, as well as pancakes.

Electric is easier to install, easier to maintain, and is safer though.

It may be a bit easier to install, they are practically maintenance free (I find they are easier to clean) and the safety factor isn't really an issue. You're MUCH more likely to burn down your house because of what you're trying to cook than what you're using to heat up the stove.

Gas is significantly better for cooking. Sure it's a bit harder to install (you don't just plug it in) but once it's in there it's just nicer to use.

 

[sdifox]

I wish I had a high BTU gas range.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

IMO you shouldn't base a house purchase on the stove.


That being said, gas is much much better. Even cheap gas stoves are better than electric.