When it comes to choosing the right oven and stove plate for your kitchen there are three choices. You could choose an electric oven and stove plate, a gas oven and stove plate or a duel-fuel range electric oven and gas stove plate. There are pros and cons to each choice and at the end of the day, it’s up to your personal preference and cooking needs. We would recommend visiting your local kitchen showroom in Scotland. Most kitchen showrooms offer a price list for appliances and the showroom consultant will also be able to advise you on the best oven and stove plate for you and your family. You will need to have a budget in mind for how much you want to spend on your oven so work that out before visiting the showroom. You will also need to figure out where to place your oven in relation to other appliances and plug points. We would also recommend installing a backsplash behind your oven to make sure the walls don’t get damaged by splashing sauces, frying oil and grease. Some people also like to install an extractor fan above their oven to put on whilst cooking. This extracts any condensation emitted from cooking food on your oven.
Understanding the difference between an electric oven and a gas oven
An electric oven is powered by the home grid, plugging into a wall outlet. A gas stove requires a natural gas line or propane hook up in the house in order to power it. Both types can be freestanding or slide-in. This depends on the design of your kitchen and where you want to put it. The costs of gas versus electric ovens are similar but high-end ranges will be more expensive. Duel-fuel ranges also get more expensive with high-end brands.
The pros of electric ovens
An electric oven is easier to set-up than the others. An electric oven is operated by pushing a knob or turning a dial and it can heat up quite quickly. Electric ovens are easier to clean. They normally come with a smooth top or flat glass plane that’s easy to wipe off with a cloth.
The ease of use of an electric oven
With an electric stove, there is no need to worry about a clogged fuel line or defective igniters. The heat is dispersed across the electric burners. Electric oven heat is controlled by a dial so you can decide what temperature you need your oven on for cooking instead of having to work it out by the size of a flame. Electric ovens can be more durable and stable and sometimes handle larger pots and pans more effectively. You don’t have to balance pots and pans on the stove plates making electric ovens perfect for beginner cooks or those that are less advanced.
Choosing your electric oven
There is a large variety of electric stove options to choose from coming in all shapes and sizes and brands with different stovetop surfaces and designs available. Be sure to discuss these options with the kitchen showroom consultant you are dealing with. Electric ovens can be installed almost anywhere in your kitchen. Electric ovens are basically plug-and-play appliances so you won’t have to worry about major costs involved in installing them.
Electric ovens are safe to use
One of the biggest pros of an electric oven is that they are safer to use as they use burners or burner surfaces versus gas flames. This can be an important factor for families with young children or small toddlers who usually play with knobs and buttons and sometimes put their fingers in dangerous places.
Cons of electric ovens
Electric stoves can be more expensive to use as they are electricity-operated and add to your electricity bill every time they are switched on. If there’s a power cut you can still use your gas stove while your electric stove won’t be able to be used. The glass tops of many electric stoves look better and clean easier. However, they can be less durable than cast iron gas stovetops. They can also stain easier. Busy families might prefer gas stoves that heat up faster, while electric stoves take longer to reach their desired heat.
Advantages of gas stoves
As noted, gas stoves can heat up much more quickly, and thus cook food faster. You can also get more precise control since the flames spread along the bottom and sides of a pan, providing a more even, uniform cook. You might find with a large pan on an electric stove, for example, that meat or fish placed near the centre cooks faster and better than food positioned near the edges. There are more options with gas stoves that are not available on electric stoves. For example, you can char and toast food such as peppers and flambé sauces for a delicious pudding.
Gas ovens are more affordable to run
Gas ovens perform at a lower operating cost for various reasons, especially if you already pay for natural gas. Gas costs approximately 10-30% less than electricity. Due to the fact that you can cook your food faster, you will also be using your oven less. When you turn your gas oven on, you will get instant heat coming out through an open flame. You don’t need to wait for it to heat up to the right temperature. At any point you can adjust the flame and get the right amount of heat. Due to the flame being visible, you will not easily forget to turn off the stove. A gas oven heats up faster, which can speed up cooking time.
Setting up your gas stove
Setting up your gas stove is not as straightforward and quick and can be more expensive to install when you need the electrician to run a gas line to it. If your set-up uses a propane tank you will need to rent one or buy one. There is also maintenance required such as getting your gas stove serviced or re-fuelled. A gas oven gives off moisture which can cause crisping and browning of baked foods so keep an eye on your cakes. Although they heat up more quickly the temperature fluctuates more so hot spots may impact your cooking.
Weighing up the pros and cons of electric versus gas ovens
Choosing between an electric oven and a gas oven is based on personal preference and budget. Even though gas stoves cost more to install and they have the added danger of open flames they still cook faster and better. However, many people are still fans of electric ovens. You then have the choice of a duel-fuel range, electric oven and gas stovetop.
Choosing a gas stovetop with Electric Oven
When it comes to choosing a gas stovetop and electric oven there are many benefits. A duel-fuel range adds the best of both worlds. You get all the perks of a gas stove together with the benefits of an electric oven. Professional chefs will explain that this combination is the perfect combination for cooking and baking delicious meals.
Duel-fuel electric ovens give off consistent heat
When you are baking your meal at 200 degrees Celcius, an electric oven will stay at the 200 degrees Celcius mark. In a gas oven it is a bit different. Gas stoves are driven by a flame which means the temperature may fluctuate.
If you are sautéing, boiling, or frying, you will get it done quickly on a gas cooktop. As soon as the burner is turned on, you can cook. You don’t have to wait for the burner to heat up. This will in essence save you time and cut costs on your energy bills. Depending on what you are cooking, whether you need to boil some food or get your frying pan hot enough or warm some soup, a gas stove allows this easily. You don’t have to wait for your burner to heat up or cool down. The temperature you are looking for is all in the flame. You can turn the flame up or down so you are in direct control of the temperature you are cooking at.
Over-cooking your food is a thing of the past
When you are finished cooking on the stove you switch the burner off. If you are still using an electric stove you will notice the burner is still hot. With the residual heat, it can char your food and over-cook it. This doesn’t happen with a gas stove. With a gas stove when you turn off the burner, the flame goes off and the cooking stops.
Duel-fuel ranges add can add value to your kitchen
Duel-fuel ranges are not the most popular choice in homes. Due to their added value and advanced features, they can be higher in price. However, being a premium range it will add value to your home making it a good investment.
Duel-fuel ranges reduce your carbon footprint
In choosing a duel-fuel range you are taking a step to a more eco-conscious home. In using gas to fuel your stove you will be getting the right amount of heat to cook your food easily without residual heat. In an electric oven, the temperature will gauge itself and you won’t have to open your oven and turn your food when baking.
Under-baking your baked goods is a thing of the past
Baking in an oven that is gas-powered can leave you with an unevenly baked cake. Having to continuously monitor the baking and turning of your cake means it can be unevenly baked at the end of the day. With an electric oven you will not have to worry about heat distribution while baking. Electric ovens are regulated in terms of temperature allowing your cake to bake perfectly.
The durability of your duel-fuel range oven
Chefs and bakers alike will tell you the benefits of owning a gas stove and electric oven. These people should know the pros of duel-fuel ranges as they always use the range. Duel-fuel ranges are built to be strong and durable.
Kitchen stove installation
Once you have been to visit your local Scotland-based kitchen showroom you can discuss these three kitchen stove options with the showroom consultant and you can browse through the appliances catalogue to source a stove that you like best. This will be according to your personal preference and allocated budget. The kitchen company you have chosen to use may be able to do the stove installation for you which is important especially if you need to run a gas line for a gas oven duel-fuel range oven. It needs to be done by a professional. The installer will also tell you the best place to situate your oven in relation to the layout of your kitchen and where the other appliances are already placed.
Creating a backsplash for your kitchen stove
Backsplashes can look trendy and serve a needed purpose. Backsplashes protect the wall behind your oven from being damaged by splashing sauce, oil or grease. The kitchen company where you buy your oven can fit a backsplash for you in keeping with the style of your kitchen. It can be tiled or made from mosaic tiles or even stones. Backsplashes can be seen in many modern families’ homes nowadays. Some people even choose to install a piece of clouded glass as their backsplash. The kitchen company will recommend a backsplash that will match your kitchen’s overall style.
Choosing your kitchen stove extractor fan
The type and size of your oven will determine what type of extractor fan you need. Consider the noise output the fan will make on your extractor fan. A good quality extractor fan should have a noise level of less than 60 decibels. It should also be energy efficient. The fan and the lighting contribute the most to the extractor fan’s energy consumption. It will extract vapours and odours and save energy. Extractor fans filter out any fat molecules and conducts the steam away, neutralising smells to keep the kitchen clean and smelling better. They can also make a statement visually.
Making a decision on which type of oven and stovetop you would like to buy
Given the three choices: electric oven and stove, gas oven and stove or duel-fuel range electric oven and gas stove, there are pros and cons to each choice. Some people have small children in the family which means a gas stove is probably not a good idea. Other people prefer an electric oven as it cooks evenly. Those that enjoy gas will appreciate the savings it will make for them in the long run. Others prefer a duel-fuel range so they can have the best of both worlds all in one kitchen. Be sure to discuss your needs and preferences with the kitchen showroom consultant you are using who can hopefully arrange the kitchen company’s fitment team to install the oven for you in a safe way. Using a kitchen company is handy as all the knowledge and know-how comes with the showroom consultant who will have a comprehensive appliances price list for you to browse and match your budget. Overall finding the perfect stove and oven is made all the more easier when using a kitchen company for advice and installation.
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