Do You like Your Electric Stove?

Hi J.,

I agree with Bobbi. I prefer a gas stove because you can instantly control the heat whereas with electric it takes too much time to cool down.

I have always had a gas stove until I moved in to my house 8 years ago which has a built in electric stove that I can't stand! Unfortunately until I can afford to remodel my kitchen I am stuck with it! On recipes which call for bringing something to a boil and then reducing it to a simmer you pretty much have to switch to another burner since it takes so long to cool down. Plus it takes some time to warm up too. I feel it's more dangerous than gas as you can be done cooking for quite some time and may touch a burner not realizing they are still hot. As far as the illusion of more counter space I don't consider that a plus. Mine sits right by the door and since there are no other counters near by it tends to act as a catch-all for keys, items we want to remember to take with, etc. I once sat a laundry basket on it so I could do one more thing before taking it downstairs (hadn't cooked that day), but I must have bumped the switch with the basket and came back 15 minutes later to the smell of melting plastic and a huge hole burned through the basket, scorched clothes and melted platic all over my stove. I know, stupid mistake that could have turned into a real tragedy, and needless to say NOTHING goes on the burners anymore. I long for the day I can have a gas stove again!!

My mom had to switch from gas to electric when they moved a few years ago and she said she felt like she had to relearn to cook. She had electric many years, before, but def. preffered gas. I have cooked on it. and I didn't like it either. It takes 15 min. to boil water that started hot from the faucet, and that is when it is covered. If you need to remove a dish from the heat, you can't just turn off the stove and leave it on the burner, you have to take it off the stove. It takes a really long time for the oven to preheat as well.

Here's my experience:
I grew up with gas stoves and when I moved out for the first time, I had a condo that only had electric. After three years, I bought a townhouse and had gas again. After 6 years of using my gas stove, I bought a house and it only had electric. Personally, having gone back and forth with the two, I hate it.

I like to cook and it's always better to have gas. When this electric stove goes out, I'm going to hire a gas line professional and have him tap a gas line to my kitchen and buy a gas stove/convection.

Bottom line, I'd rather have the gas stove.

I have had both. I have to say I like the gas better just because you have more control over the heat. Seems to heat up faster, but if something is too hot, you lower the flame and the heat is gone instantly. With the electric it takes awhile to cool off and you have to move what you're cooking if you want to get it away from the heat. I have a Thermador cooktop -- gas. I love it. There are no pilot lights, it's electric ignition, and just as easy to clean (to me anyway) as electric. The older stoves were harder, I think, because there were pilot lights underneath the top. I'd get one without that. The electric start is great. That's just my two cents. I know there are people out there who prefer electric over gas. (And strangely enough, I have the gas cooktop and an electric oven. Thermador. I think for ovens, electric heats more evenly. At least that's what I was told once.)

The problem with an electric stove is that you do not have the heat control like you do with a gas stove. The flat top electric stove does look nice but I like the instant heat of a gas stove. My mother has a flat top electric but if she could she would go to gas but does not have the choice.

S.

I love my electric stove. They are all I have ever had. They are easy to clean and no maintainance. You will have to get used to it as they heat differently than a gas, takes a little time to heat up and they hold thier heat longer but I think they are safer as there is never an open flame and there is never a gas smell. Ask a freind that has one to let you try it and see what you think. Good luck!

I will always prefer a gas stove. I've cooked on both and have significantly better results with a gas stove.

Hi J.,

We just switched from a gas stove that overheated and leaked (very scary) to our electric. It was kind of expensive but I went with one that has a burner inside a burner feature, which gives me more control with the level of heat Plus it has a warming feature in the center. It's a Whirlpool.

I've cooked with both, prefer gas but have electric. You learn to adjust.

As for what to avoid, you should look up Consumer Reports. They are on line, but to get a detailed comparison, you have to join. I love Consumer Reports, and consult it for almost everything we buy... but I don't rely on it solely. Most stores that sell on-line (Sears, KMart, Lowes, Best Buy) have the ability to compare the items you're looking at, as well as offering customer reviews of the individual products.

Good Luck!

Hi there!!

I don't have advice about stoves, but I do have BOY/GIRL TWINS!! They are exactly 12 months old!! (plus a 2.5 year old girl). I am busy, busy, busy!! It is nice to hear from someone who also has twins, as yours is the first posting that has mentioned TWINS!! With 2 babies arriving at once, only mothers of multiples can truly understand how busy life is when they first arrive, and in those first few months!! Double the blessing!!

Nice to see your posting!! Life is still rather hectic and exhausting, but my husband and I am loving our life!!

Blessings
C. J