It’s estimated that almost 5% of the energy that we use at home is accounted for by cooking. With such an extensive range of stoves on the market today it can be hard to choose which one is best for your kitchen and that is considerate of your carbon footprint.
Which is better for the environment - gas or electric stove? Read on to find out more…
Gas vs electric stove
A gas stove will typically create fewer emissions than an electric one. By comparison, gas produces just over three times less C02, but stoves are less efficient as only around 60% of a flame’s energy is heat. CO2 doesn’t directly contribute to global warming but it prolongs the life of other greenhouse gases when it gets into the atmosphere which does contribute to climate change. And it also poses a health risk even in small concentrations.Gas stove pros include:
- No time to heat up
- Heat intensity can be changed instantly
- Faster pre-heating
- Even cooking
- Works during power cuts
- Cost-effective and cheaper long-term
Gas stove cons cover:
- A gas line installation requirement
- Potential fire risk if gas left on
- Possible burner and pilot light issues
- Difficulty in cleaning
Electric stoves are estimated to have an average of 75% efficiency with newer induction stoves even slightly higher.
Electric stove advantages:
- Simple to power on and off
- Doesn't get as hot as a gas stove
- Less expensive and easier to install
- Easier to clean
- Doesn’t need a gas supply
Electric stove disadvantages:
- Unable to use during power cuts
- Uses more energy than gas
- Doesn’t heat evenly
- Potential for burns
- The initial outlay can be high
Are induction hobs better than gas?
Induction actually creates heat faster by accelerating metal molecules in steel and cast-iron magnetically. When you remove the pot from the heat the stove also cools much faster. An induction stove transfers around 90% of its heat to a pot compared with a gas burner transfer of between 35 to 40%. To maximise this heat transmission you’ll need to buy a range of flat-based pans that make full contact with the hob. And keep the surface of the hob clean as the surface needs to be shiny to reflect heat and reduce cooking time.Ceramic vs induction hobs
A gas hob takes around 10 minutes to boil a large pan of water, an electric hob about 7 minutes, and an induction hob less than five. Induction hobs are easy to clean and incredibly versatile providing ultimate heating flexibility. Some induction hobs will have joined up cooking zones that enable cooking with larger pots and are able to deal with griddle pans and fish kettles. You’ll also be able to get handy extras such as hob to hood wireless communication where the fan speed is adjusted to the production of steam, and integrated extractors so you don't need a hood. Bear in mind that induction hobs often require a specific power supply to the kitchen and need to be connected to suitable cabling and breakers. Ceramic hobs are a lot cheaper and come in a vast range of styles and sizes to suit any kitchen. However, lots of energy can escape from around the sides of the pan and hobs can remain hot for a while after the heat has been turned off.Need cooker repairs in London?
Whatever type of cooker you have when it stops operating properly you’ll need professional help! You’ll get easy to book services delivered by trusted and experienced repair specialists. And you’ll be covered by full insurance protection throughout and be provided with a six-month quality repair guarantee.
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