If your daily routine includes preparing your own healthy meals, you’ve surely pondered at one point which is more energy efficient for cooking — gas or electric? The debate between these two options is all too familiar, especially for foodies and environmentalists. If you’ve asked yourself the same question, or you’re considering upgrading your kitchen, find out which of these two would be a better choice for you.

What Is More Efficient for Cooking: Gas or Electric?

Both the LPG- (liquified petroleum gas) and electric-powered stoves boast pros and cons. Here’s a brief comparison for their energy efficiency:

Gas Stove

This kitchen appliance uses natural gas, propane or other LPGs in order to create fire for cooking. Now, a natural gas stove may burn cleaner, however it does produce methane during the burning process. LPGs tend to be more energy-efficient and burn hotter. 

Ignition

Since a gas stove ignites instantly, it heats up fast, allowing you to achieve the desired boiling or frying temperature in a shorter time.

Heat Control

With a gas stove, the flame serves as your temperature control during cooking. You can adjust the heat instantly by turning the knob down. This responsive and versatile feature reduces gas consumption.

Heat Transfer Efficiency

When you turn on a gas stove, a portion of the heat is lost in the process. Gas stoves generally have a thermal efficiency rate of above 55%, but most options in the market are only 40%–50% efficient in transferring heat.

Elements that can affect the efficiency include the burner design, pot material, flame temperature and pot size. You can optimize heat transfer by using pots and pans with flat bottoms.

Burner Cooldown

When you switch off the burner, the gas stops burning instantly. This instant off-or-on feature helps save energy.

Electric Stove

One reason people choose electric stoves is because they’re economical. It’s a bonus they’re also eco-friendly, promoting food preparation sustainability, particularly when powered by renewable energy sources (solar, wind, etc.).

Ignition

An elective stove takes time to reach the right temperature for cooking. Therefore, you’re likely to spend a few minutes more heating or simmering up your dish before it’s ready to be served.

Heat Control

An electric stove boasts precise temperature setting and timing, allowing you to cook fish at exactly 145˚ Fahrenheit or chicken at 165˚ F. Accurate heating is crucial in killing food-borne bacteria and preserving the nutrients in meals so you get to eat healthier foods. 

Heat Transfer Efficiency

Electric-powered cooktops are energy efficient because they convert electricity directly into heat. The typical electric flat top or coil range and induction are 74% and 90% energy efficient, respectively.

Burner Cooldown

Electric stoves need a few minutes to cool down, after you turn the knob off, which contributes to energy waste.

The Results

So, which cooker has the best energy efficiency? Electric cookers are better at converting electricity to produce heat, rather than burning gas. In addition, an electric stove doesn’t emit harmful pollutants into the air. If you’re looking to be more sustainable, power your appliances from a renewable energy source.

Cost

Between the two, electric options cost more initially. An entry-level induction stove is priced more than $1,000, while you can get gas cookers starting at $400. However, you may be able to get reimbursed up to $840 for an electric induction under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

How about the monthly expenses? It costs about the same, whether you run an electric or gas stove. This is unless you have solar or other renewable energy sources powering your home. So, you could either save or spend an extra $20 per year with an induction stove. The choice mostly comes down to personal preference, as what you pay monthly is likely to have little effect on your overall budget.

Other Considerations

Some people also take other factors, besides energy efficiency, into account. These factors may include:

Indoor air quality

Gas stoves produce nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and other harmful contaminants. This means, a gas stove pollutes the air you breathe inside your home. Such pollution can mess with allergies and degrade your overall health. Along with dust, mites and mildew, the use of a gas stove contributes to indoor allergens and negatively impacts indoor air quality. 

This is why it’s important, especially if you use a gas stove in your home, to air out your home regularly and ensure you have adequate air flow so as to lower the impact of such appliances.

Sustainability

Nearly a quarter of carbon emissions from homes come from heating and cooling. This increases with your choice of gas stove because, as mentioned, it burns gas thus spreading harmful pollutants throughout your kitchen and home.

Electric stoves are generally more eco-friendly, especially induction cooktops. They’re about three times more efficient at using energy than gas. If you add a renewable energy source to power your home, you can improve on the environmental benefits even more. 

Electric Vs. Gas for Cooking

Between gas and electric stoves, the latter costs more, but its safety, eco-friendliness and energy efficiency features make it worth investing in. This doesn’t mean you can’t use a gas stove, or you need to run out and buy an electric one, but you should be aware of the pros and cons. Plus, if you’re upgrading to a sustainable home and lifestyle, switch to an induction range, as it’s the most energy-efficient electric cooker.