Gloss vs matte? Cat or dog? Tea vs coffee? Manual or automatic? In life, we’re faced with so many binary choices like this, but when it comes to the household appliances you use every single day, one of the most important decisions you may need to make is choosing between a gas or electric oven.
Gas VS electric oven
Your gas oven vs electric oven dilemma can be particularly tricky because there’s plenty of things both energy & technology types do very well. They both cook, bake, broil and roast, the basic functions and features are the same, and in our gas oven vs electric oven deliberations, both also:
- Give you precise temperature control
- Come in a range of sizes, brands, capacities, styles & price-points
- Produce delicious and well-cooked food
- Are durable, safe & reliable.
So when weighing up that electric oven vs gas alternatives, is it really just a toss of the coin that should guide your choice? If you have both energy sources available at your place, that’s certainly one way you could decide. But what if you want to make a more deliberate, informed choice?
Note: you may also like to checkout our guide on gas vs electric hot water systems.
Gas VS electric oven Pros and Cons
When considering that electric oven vs gas oven options, there actually is a way to reach a more logical and rational decision that is wiser than just a coin toss. It really all depends on your needs, your habits, and your preferences:
1. Cooking
They’ll both cook your dinner, but there are still some differences. Gas ovens, for instance, provide a moister heat for foods that are tender on the inside but crispy on the outside – and gas heat ups quicker too. But some chefs prefer the drier electric oven heat, which is brilliant for cakes & cookies.
2. Energy efficiency
Generally speaking, gas ovens are regarded as being more energy efficient thanks to cheaper and cleaner natural gas. But gas & electricity prices differ somewhat across Australia, and it’s also important to note that electric ovens can be easier & cheaper to maintain and service.
3. Gas vs electric oven costs
The running costs of the two power sources is vastly different. While gas and electric ovens consume approximately the same amount of energy annually, the higher cost of electricity makes electric ovens more expensive to operate. On average, electric ovens can cost up to five times more per year to run than gas ovens. There is also a higher likelihood that electricity prices will continue to rise at a faster pace than gas prices. Gas ovens may be cheaper to run and faster to heat, but they can cost a little bit more for the oven unit itself. And that installation cost increases if you need a new gas line or connection added.
4. Installation
It’s pretty simple to get an electric oven installed – because all they need is a standard outlet. Installing a gas oven isn’t too much more difficult for your local gas fitter nearby, although it will obviously be costlier and more complex if you need a gas line, mains gas connection, or LPG bottle installation done. So in general if you’re replacing an oven, like for like is most cost effective for installation.
5. Maintenance
There are more critical components aboard a gas oven that need to be checked, cleaned and otherwise maintained when compared to the electric alternative. But if you do look after your gas oven, you can normally expect it to last a little longer than an electric one.
6. Safety
While the word ‘gas’ might make you think of the risk of fire and explosion, think again: because gas ovens are no less safe than electric ones. Sure, if there’s an undetected gas leak then the risk of fire or adverse health effects is higher, but the improper installation of an electric oven can still present the possibility of a fault or shock. To ensure installations are done to the safety standards, gas compliance certificates are required. The gas fitter will give you a copy and send a copy to the local authorities for certification. The same applies for most gas as well as electrical installations.
Electric oven or gas oven – The verdict
So, are you ready to decide? At the end of the day, the biggest difference between gas and electric ovens can actually be personal preference – because they’ll both get the job done. Just remember to factor in your:
- Cooking needs
- Energy availability & costs
- Purchase, installation & servicing costs.
If gas has emerged as the clear winner, you’ll be cooking with gas in no time – especially if you let Best Plumbers Club help! We only work with, list, review and recommend the very best approved & licensed local plumbers near you, right across Australia – and getting one of them to pay you a visit is as easy as entering your details at Best Plumbers Club because we’ll take it from there.
If you need a Sydney gas plumber, gas fitting in Brisbane or local Newcastle gasfitters, Best Plumbers Club has you covered for gas oven installations across Australia. Give us a try today.
