Cooking... gas vs. electric

[me203]

Mortgage companies can be real pricks, too. I suppose they have a right to protect their interest, though.

But I imagine there would be variations--both from company to company, and also possibly based on area.

 

[me203]

And then there's the Aga. Do they have those outside Northern Europe?

Not sure about today, but I seem to recall reading an article many years ago talking about these in the US market.

It's a crude looking device. I don't think you can control the heat very well, in fact I'm not sure you can even turn it off. It's basically a fire in an oil drum.

My impression is that they run 24/7, and the only heat control is how you position the pan. "Over here is high heat to boil, over there is low heat to simmer!"

At least, there wouldn't be problems of thermostats, switches, or burner control valves wearing out.

 

[Kahaih]

But I imagine there would be variations--both from company to company, and also possibly based on area.

Sure, and various types of mortgages, too.

And it's very likely that Homeowner insurance companies would have some leverage in the matter, as well. Most require smoke and carbon monoxide detectors any where you go. They may not want anything to do with a home that still uses gas in the future.

 

[NotHardUp1]

I've now had three homes with mortgages. None of them asked what type of cookstove I had. No agent ever asked.

Same for insurance. Never been a question. The only requirement was the house had to have thermostatically controlled heat and air.

 

[me203]

Same for insurance. Never been a question. The only requirement was the house had to have thermostatically controlled heat and air.

You mean the: "I'm cold, and I'm tossin' another log into the woodstove!" system isn't good enough?

 

[me203]

I've now had three homes with mortgages. None of them asked what type of cookstove I had. No agent ever asked.

Same for insurance. Never been a question. The only requirement was the house had to have thermostatically controlled heat and air.

A bit off topic from stoves--but thinking of mortgage company fussing...

There was some fuss when my childhood home was sold. It had been oil heat originally, and the buyer's mortage company worried about the presence of an unused oil furnace and also the condition of the oil tank. I remember some inspector asking if it worked, and why we had never used it. My mother came up with some answer on the spot about better air filter on the electric furnace a good thing for her son who had allergies when young. Or something like that. Truth was--a previous owner converted, and the house had electric when we moved it so that was what we used. The mortgage company wanted further inspection IIRC, so the buyer got some crony working for a heating oil company out to look at the furnace in question. He just flashed a flashlight into the furnace and said: "It looks like it work!"

 

[FPNY]

hey...I've had gas stoves, and electric stoves. gas is best, I have an induction cooktop in our house in the duh.....its great, as good as gas, easier to clean too....

 

[rareboy]

We will likely go with induction on the next range top.

 

[72-Jay]

I've only ever had electric.

 

[Latimer]

We have a gas cooktop along with electric ovens in our house, induction in our guest house. I've never used the induction cooktop although I really like the look of it, which is why we installed it. I have vague memories of using electric in a house that my partner and I rented for about a year. I don't remember having any problems cooking with it, but then I'm not what most of you would consider a serious chef.

Opinion | The Campaign to Ban Gas Stoves

Biden and the media deny it exists, but the effort is calculated and well-funded.

www.wsj.com

California moves to ban natural gas furnaces and heaters by 2030

California is committing to a plan that will make it the first U.S. state to phase out gas-fueled furnaces and water heaters in homes.

www.latimes.com

Los Angeles, Santa Monica and about a dozen other cities have already banned gas appliances in new construction.

I can remember when electric appliances were thought to waste energy and, as non-nuclear power plants caused pollution, we were encouraged in California to use natural gas; it was promoted as the cleaner, more environment-friendly alternative.

My biggest problem with the natural gas ban and the upcoming gas-powered vehicle ban is that California just doesn't have the electrical generation capacity that will be needed once these bans go into effect. Given the decade (even decades) long lead time that is needed for any public work project (particularly nuclear ones) to come to fruition here--if at all--the bans will only lead to increased regular blackouts. (A recent heatwave led to the citizenry being asked to refrain from charging their electric vehicles.) The Democratic-controlled legislature passes what its members consider to be enlightened laws, with no sense of what the consequences will be, or any thoughts as to how they will be effectively implemented. And there is no debate, one of the consequences of one-party governance and the totalitarian attitude and desires on the part of our so-called public servants.

All of the new houses I design have generators because electrical power is so problematic.

 

[72-Jay]

(A recent heatwave led to the citizenry being asked to refrain from charging their electric vehicles.)

I remember laughing about that...because it happened right after they announced the plan to ban gas-powered cars. LOL
Just goes to show how stupid some of these politicians are. They really have no idea that you just can't keep plugging things in. The grid simply can't handle it.
Then they don't want to build more power-plants or upgrade powerlines....
Somewhere, something's got to give.

 

[panda29]

The best that I found was a Gas cook top with an Electric oven !!!










the

 

[me203]

Funny this thread resurfaces! I was thinking of it, after reading a short story ("Twelve Clues of Christmas" by P. D. James). There was some talk of AGA earlier in this thread, and the story had a AGA reference, while describing a kitchen: "The AGA was the only piece of reasonably modern equipment." Leaves me feeling that kitchen could use some modernization!

 

[frankfrank]

Propane isn't anywhere near the quality of natural gas, so I won't do that.

Perhaps that's why I so much prefer electric: I've probably never had the experience cooking with natural gas. I didn't realize there was much of a difference. I've used propane before, and I HATED IT.

I found that it took nearly "forever" to get something up to temperature, such as trying to boil a pot of water, and if I was cooking something with oil (notably French fries) they would come out badly because the propane couldn't maintain the temperature needed.

I do like the fact that the temperature can be instantly changed from MEDIUM HIGH to SIMMER with no waiting, but that's all I really like about it.

My electric stove heats to the needed temperature more than the propane stove ever did, and it maintains the temperature reasonably well when I'm cooking something with substantial weight or volume.

 

[NotHardUp1]

That is a big difference. Propane, when I have been in houses that used it, was delivered a low pressure, and produced cold flames, little more effective than cooking on Stern-O.

Natural gas is delivered at high pressure, and quickly heats. Only dirty or malfunctioning burners were ever an issue with stovetops, although ovens were always seeming to fail with the thermocouples or thermostats.

There is currently a push to eliminate gas as a cooking fuel because unvented cookstoves release some harmful components, and the gas plumbing also leaks in old or badly plumbed houses. My guess is urban buildings are more at risk as they age, with large apartment buildings being particularly at risk for gas leaks. In the coming decades, as that infrastructure ages, it is likely cities and other agencies will begin mandating annual plumbing inspections for gas lines. Even in my small town, some 30 years ago, the city required a pressure test PRIOR to turning gas service back on between tenancies. And that is right, as it should be.

It won't take but one big building explosion fire for most codes to require that. People burning to death in a high rise quickly changes code, not to mention exploding.

I still prefer gas.

 

[NotHardUp1]

I can remember when electric appliances were thought to waste energy and, as non-nuclear power plants caused pollution, we were encouraged in California to use natural gas; it was promoted as the cleaner, more environment-friendly alternative.

The natural gas industry was very successful marketing it in an area of concerns about pollution and inefficient combustion, be it in internal combustion engines, power plants, or whatever.

Natural gas DOES burn very efficiently by comparison, but that calculus changed as the carbon fuel issue loomed larger in a warming climate.

I suspect it isn't on shaky legs as much as LA and others have implied, but that steps will be taken to ensure it has less impact in combustion.

 

[Kahaih]

I read a very small article about this a while ago, but I don't remember where.

Here is one of several links on the topic, though;

New York’s Hochul Proposes Banning Gas in New Buildings

Democrat also called for creating a state cap-and-trade system

www.bloomberg.com

I have not read it. I'm only posting it as a starting point/reference for anyone interested.

 

[Kahaih]

Here is another that doesn't require registration:

Hochul backs eventual ban on gas furnaces and stoves in new buildings

Environmental groups largely hailed the proposals, with some calling for even more aggressive action.

www.google.com

 

[NotHardUp1]

Thanks. I saw something this week that showed clips of right-wing media using gas as a dog whistle like gun rights.

Just so tiring. SMH.

 

[rareboy]

Well...Our convection died after 20 some years and with the one burner coil that needs replacing it isn't worth it.

Good timing though. Managed to find a 'professional' grade unit for a thousand dollars off the list price. If it lasts as long as this one...we'll both be long dead.