Gas and electric cookers, whilst designed to perform similar tasks, have a few notable differences. In this article we’ll take a look at some of the defining characteristics of gas cooking appliances. If you’re struggling to choose between the two options, hopefully this’ll help you decide which best suits your needs.
Gas is seen by some as the traditional fuel choice for cooking appliances, and gas cookers also offer a higher rate of energy efficiency than the electric alternatives. Bearing this in mind, let’s have a look at some of the practicalities of cooking with gas.
Gas hobs offer a great deal of control over the temperature that you’re cooking with. Gas burners can be quickly turned up or down according to your needs, and the gas flame provides you with a visible, intuitive way of monitoring your cooking heat. However, gas hobs can sometimes be tricky to clean, with removable components to deal with.
Gas grills provide instant heat, and again benefit from the excellent controllability of temperature inherent in cooking with gas. However, older gas grills have been criticised for heating unevenly, and the flame can sometimes flare if you’re grilling something which spits fat.
Gas ovens are often feted for their “moist heat” which can produce excellent results if you’re cooking roasts, or cakes. Fan assisted ovens have largely dealt with the issue of uneven heating in gas ovens, which may have adversely affected older appliances.