| Author |
Farm Kitchen:  gas or electric stove?  |
|
|
palmettogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
571 Posts
sue
camden
south carolina
USA
571 Posts |
 Posted - May 01 2009 : 06:16:18 AM
|
| i grew up with a gas stove. then for most of my life i had electric, first the coils and then the glass flat-top. i'm designing a new kitchen and am really having a hard time deciding which to get.....i cooked on the gas stove so long ago that i don't remember the pros and cons. please give me some opinions!! thanks! |
|
|
Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2009 : 06:24:45 AM
|
Well I like both. But if you have small children, an open flame isn't always a good thing. The other thing to consider is, if there is a power outage you can still use a gas stove. I HAVE A GLASS TOP ELECTRIC NOW, but when we lost power for nine days a few years ago I was wishing it was gas.
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
 |
|
|
willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2009 : 07:58:51 AM
|
I grew up with electric - had both coil and flattop. I married into :) gas and absolutly love it and would never go back. ANy serious cook or chef will tell you that gas is the way to go. You have much better control over the temperature of the burners. Also keep in mund that only the cook top will work if the power goes out(you will have to ignite with a match) but the oven will have electric components and wont work without power.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
|
|
|
|
FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2009 : 07:59:56 AM
|
I really do love my gas stove. There are two cons--mine has difficult to clean iron grates, and our gas company keeps increasing our gas prices (we also have a gas furnace, gas water heater, etc...). But other than that, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2009 : 08:22:35 AM
|
I've always had a gas stove and I would never want to switch to electric. I like being able to see exactly how high I've got the heat, and I think an open flame is actually safer. You can SEE that it's on, no danger of setting something down on a burner that you thought was turned off.
I'm not sure if all gas stoves work in a power outage. My parents stove had a pilot light for the burners and another pilot light for the oven, but my current stove has electric ignition for both. |
|
|
|
JessieMae
True Blue Farmgirl
702 Posts
Jessie
Raleigh
North Carolina
USA
702 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2009 : 08:29:00 AM
|
The only time I've had a gas stove (in an apartment I lived in before I got married) I somehow turned the gas on a burner on without igniting it. I went out somewhere and when I got home, the whole apartment was filled with gas. I was lucky I didn't blow up the whole complex!
I'll admit I liked cooking with gas much better than electric, but because of this accident, I'm scared to death of having gas appliances.
Jessie Mae
Farmgirl Sisterhood #134 |
|
|
|
City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2009 : 08:37:11 AM
|
I have a stove that has a gas cooktop/range and a small upper oven and a large convection one on the bottm. I have owned both electric and gas but I have to say I love cooking on a gas flame way better than electric any day. My biggest con for owning electric is that I have know a few people who have had fires start when stuff has been sat on the coils and 2 even when they set something on a flat top. Sometimes even when they are off they stay hot for a while. Now that is not to say that I didn't lean over my stove the other day and smell my polar fleece jacket singe. Of course I usually have an apron on so that never has happened before.  My second choice to gas would have to be over an open flame or in a dutch oven though. I always ask to have a wood burner installed in the basement so I can play on it.
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
City Chick & Friends Chapter Mama
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
|
MarySueK
True Blue Farmgirl
96 Posts
Susan
Richland
WA
96 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2009 : 3:06:59 PM
|
I like the gas stoves better but the stove top is harder to clean. So I guess you have to decide if you are more of a cleaning fanatic or a cooking fanatic.
Sue in Richland WA |
|
|
|
MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2009 : 5:55:26 PM
|
I like the cooking with gas better, but I can't stand the cleaning. PLUS mine is so bad it spits this orange colored gas (glue!) on every thing, and every thing in the kitchen has this thick layer of orange goo on it!
As soon as I can afford a new stove, I'm getting electric and never going back to gas. I can't stand this goo! It's industrial strength and won't come off things for anything. I've tried every thing to get it off, worked for hours on one item, back hurting and still orange goo layer! It's disgusting!
I grew up with electric and was always fine with it. I could tell when it was on, because the coil was red. :) When it was off, the coil was black/gray.
I was quite honestly afraid when I had to get gas when I moved to this apartment as it was required. But, it came pretty easy to learning how to use it, and I must admit I love the right away it's hot and things like that. But, I really can't stand this goo. It's not worth it to me.
I'm going back to electric as soon as possible.
However, I've heard a lot of bad about the ceramic tops, so I probably won't get one. I always had OLD antiques! I am not kidding. They are considered antiques and can't even be found any more! lol Electric stoves. I want one again!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2009 : 7:09:09 PM
|
Everyone has their own opinion...I have gas right now, I also bake fo the Farmers Market, and I love the way it bakes,,,,moist...
Electric is dry(in my oipinion)...and does not do as well....
I will probably have gas as long as I can...
Our Grandsweeties, they have learned not to touch it, just like a electric...
Farmgirl Sister #368
"It is most common for man to value most what has least worth."
My Farm and Garden blog....
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2009 : 2:46:54 PM
|
We have gas in our current home and besides clean up, I love it! Today for example, our power was out for an hour, but never fear, I could light my gas stove up and make oatmeal for the kids this morning. It does have an electric ignitor, but when the power is out, you just use an old fashioned match.
Now as far as clean up, my father-in-law has a really nice stove that is way easier to clean than mine. I think the higher end stoves have cast iron grates and stainless steel drip pans that are far easier to clean up than the cheaper models. I dream of his gas stove...
Cooking on gas is far superior in my opinion (even though I did grow up with electric). I find that I can control the temperatures a lot better than with electric!
If you are designing your dream kitchen...go with the higher end with the cast iron and stainless steel...it'll last longer anyway! Happy planning!
Playing in the Sonshine
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/sonshine4u |
|
|
|
mulegirl
True Blue Farmgirl
184 Posts
rosemary
cottonwood pass
co
USA
184 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2009 : 5:02:19 PM
|
gas, preferably natural. definitly!! so much more controll.
Rosemary
smile, follow your heart and don't look back
http://web.mac.com/rosemaryart |
|
|
|
Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2009 : 6:12:36 PM
|
I have electric right now but am getting ready to switch to gas. First off - I am tired of replacing canning burners which are $100+ and I have to do that about every three years. Yes, I have a special heavy-duty canning burner and I still manage to use them up. Second thing to look at with electric is that I was advised by my supplier that you can't can on solid electric burners without risking cracks to the burner - same with the flat tops --too much heat deflection from the big pressure canner for them to handle. I don't know if that is true but my appliance supplier (I designed Kitchen & Baths for years) claimed it. Sooo if things are ever calm enough around here to rip my kitchen out I will be putting in gas (I already have a 5 burner cook top and 36" hood waiting in the wings). In the meantime my canning burner may or may not limp through another season.
Sheri |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
|
|
kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2009 : 8:29:57 PM
|
I have electric and hate it. I could pay an arm and a leg to have gas routed up to the kitchen, but I'll save my money instead.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
|
|
|
Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 03:22:50 AM
|
Gas for sure!
I'm spoiled having instant heat.
And yes, the tops are a pain to clean, but I hate electric. Takes too long to heat up.
If small kids are involved, remove the knobs
I have also left a burner on and thankfully didn't burn myself and have left a burner on with no flame.
It is kind of scary, but nothing opening a few windows can't remedy.
The gas stove that used to be in an apartment in Claifornia WAS scary. You'd turn the piolet on for the oven part, then wait a second or two for the oven door to flap open when the falme caught. Wa-boom
And be careful of the units that have electric starters. With loss of power you will still be out of business. |
|
|
|
dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 04:11:32 AM
|
Grew up with gas. Then we moved and had electric for a long time. Am now back to gas. LOVE it, it is quicker etc. My cooking is done by gas, the oven is electric.
If I have anything to say in it :) I will never go back to electric cooking.
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
|
|
|
|
palmettogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
571 Posts
sue
camden
south carolina
USA
571 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 06:02:41 AM
|
| i really appreciate everyone's input.....thank you so much; it was over-whelming to go for a gas stove and i will do that. i also learned a lot.....and it sounds like it definitely pays to spend a little more money and get a better quality/(hopefully)easier to clean model. and now.....to start my search!! i am so excited about this new kitchen..... again, thanks everyone!! sue |
|
|
|
Farmers Daughter
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
DiAnn
90 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 11:03:24 AM
|
I grew up with gas and have always use a gas stove. My in laws have electric and could never get use to it. No to say it doesn't work, but once shut off its still hot. Can't tell you how many time while over at their house how many time I turned something off and turned to do something else and it was boiling over. I like the control with a gas stove.
As far as cleaning when I was looking for my stove, I had it in my mind I was going to get sealed burner thought that would be great. But after a 2 year search and much back and fourth, I ended up not getting sealed burners.
The man that had worked with me to help me make my decision, told me it is all a matter of how you want to do your cleaning.
Do you want to be standing by the stove and scraping and wiping spills up there with a sealed burner of do you want to be able to take it all apart and do it in the sink or dishwasher.
Good luck in your search. 
|
|
|
| |
Farm Kitchen: gas or electric stove? |
|
gas or electric stove?
