As far as household tasks go, cooking is divisive. Some people enjoy it as a hobby. To others, it’s a necessary evil to cross off their to-do list every day.
No matter which camp you’re in, a great gas range can make a world of difference. It can help you become a better home cook or speed up the cooking process so you finish sooner.
Let’s take a closer look at why you need a quality gas range and how to find the right one for you.
Table of Contents
The Benefits of a High-Quality Gas Range
If you’re not getting everything you want from your current stove, it could be time for an upgrade.
Whether you’re still working with an electric cooktop or you have a gas range but it’s past its prime, you stand to gain great advantages when you upgrade.
Faster Heat
When you turn on an electric stove burner, it takes time for it to heat up to your chosen temperature.
That process can take several minutes that you don’t have to spare, especially when you’re trying to time all your dishes to be ready at the same time.
High-quality gas ranges heat up far more quickly than electric ranges do.
More Even Heating
Gas burners distribute heat more evenly throughout your cookware, even heating the sides as well as the bottom.
In electric stoves, it’s common for burners to malfunction so the entire burner doesn’t heat the same way.
This is especially true for cookware that isn’t perfectly flat on the bottom. Even a slight angle will mean an electric cooktop won’t heat the entire bottom of the cookware at the same time.
If you have a gas range, it isn’t a problem if the cookware sits slightly tilted.
Better Temperature Control
Not only does your high-quality gas range heat up more quickly, but it gives you more precise temperature control as you cook too.
When you turn off a burner, the heat turns off immediately. In an electric cooktop, it takes several minutes for the burner to cool down.
Keep in mind that if you’re used to electric cooktops, there could be a learning curve while you figure out the temperature controls on your new gas range.
When you’ve had a bit of practice, though, you’ll see that you have more precise control with gas.
Easier Cleaning
Is there anything more heartbreaking than watching water boil over on your electric cooktop and knowing how hard it will be to clean it off? Gas cooktops spare you that heartbreak.
With a gas range, you can remove the grates to clean them and wipe out any crumbs inside.
There’s no taking a razor blade to the cooktop trying to remove cooked-on debris without scratching the cooktop.
Emergency Usability
We tend to forget how much we rely on electricity until the power goes out.
If you have an electric range, a power outage will take your stove out of commission along with your lights and other appliances.
A gas range is still usable when the power goes out. This could be critical as a source of heat and food, especially if it’s a prolonged outage that lasts days.
Lower Operating Costs
When you initially compare gas and electric ranges, electric stoves tend to have lower purchase prices. What many homeowners forget is the operating cost.
Gas rates are significantly lower than electric rates in most areas. As a result, gas ranges often cost 10% to 30% less to operate compared to electric ranges.
This is often enough to make up for the initial price difference so the gas range might be more economical over time.
Easier to Maintain for Longer
It isn’t only the standard operating costs that are lower for gas ranges. The maintenance costs tend to be lower too, and the ranges often last longer.
Electric stoves contain many specialized parts, and the parts an appliance has, the more can go wrong with it.
With its simpler construction, a gas range is less likely to need repair. This is another way spending more on a gas range could pay off over time.
How to Find the Right Gas Range
So you’ve decided on an upgraded gas range, but the market is flooded. How do you know which ones have what you need? And what would be the best solution for gas bottle storage for the range you select? Well, you can click here for the best storage solutions, and then start with these tips for choosing a range.
Begin With the Basics
Before you start shopping and getting your heart set on any ranges, take out the measuring tape. Take careful measurements of the space available for your range.
This sounds obvious but it’s easy to forget, and many homeowners assume all ranges share the same standard sizing.
That isn’t the case, and you don’t want the added cost of modifying your cabinets and countertop to fit a poorly-sized stove.
Consult Multiple Review Sources
Customer reviews are a critical part of finding a great gas range. Of course, you never know who those reviews are and how unbiased and accurate they are.
The solution is to look for agreement among several review sources. For instance, check a model’s reviews on stores’ websites as well as reputable sites.
Look for content that compares multiple models too, like a thorough NXR ranges review.
Research Safety Track Records
When you’ve narrowed your choice to a few gas ranges, launch a Google investigation.
Look for any safety-related information about the manufacturer of each model you’re considering.
Check for past recalls. If you see a large number of frequent recalls, that’s a red flag.
Become a Better Home Cook With the Right Gas Range
There’s a reason the most talented chefs in the world invest in great equipment.
No matter what your cooking skill level, you’ll become a better home cook when you have the right tools and that includes a high-quality gas range.
Use the tips above to find the perfect fit for your kitchen and get cooking. In the meantime, check out more articles on our blog for even more home improvement tips.
