Gas vs. Electric stove

[Sibley]

I currently have an older, functional gas stove. I HATE gas.

I am toying with the idea of selling the gas stove and replacing it with an electric, likely used. If possible, one of the tanks that just keep working with rare maintenance.

There is a standard electrical outlet in the right location, currently fridge and stove are plugged into it.

Thoughts? Suggestions on the ideal replacement if I do this?

[ketchup]

You'll need a pretty beefy dedicated 220v line for the stove.  I think mine is 40 amps.

[Fishindude]

I'm just the opposite, hate electric stoves.  I like to see the flame so I know what's going on with the heat, can't do that with electric.
Best thing about a new electric stove is the smooth glass stove top surface cleans up so easily.

[Sibley]

You'll need a pretty beefy dedicated 220v line for the stove.  I think mine is 40 amps.

the outlet is to code, w/the fridge on it. Not adequate? If not, then that scuttles that plan. I'm not spending on the electric outlets any more.

[MustacheAnxiety]

Here is a helpful link if you want more info on how to install a electric range https://www.mistersparky.com/blog/ask-an-electrician-how-to-install-an-outlet-for-an-electric-stove.  Much like electric dryers, electric ranges are pigs and require a ton of power from a 220V outlet.  Fortunately the plug is unique so it would prevent you from accidentally plugging into the same outlet as your fridge, eep! 

If your basement is unfinished or you have ceiling tiles and you have room (both physical space and amps) on your circuit breaker running the wires is not that bad a job.  Also make sure your pots and pans all sit perfectly flat before making the switch.  A slightly warped pan is inconsequential for a gas stove but pretty obnoxious on a glass top. Good Luck!

[robartsd]

Electric ranges typically need a dedicated 40 or 50 amp 220V outlet. A regular 15 amp 120V outlet that the fridge is plugged into is not going to help. You can get portable induction cooktops (1 or 2 burner) that plug into regular 15 amp 120V outlets. Their output is limited to 1800W total (that's the most these outlets can support) and they shouldn't be used on the same circuit as something else at the same time (although you can sometimes get away with this if the other device doesn't use much power).

[sol]

I am a huge fan of glass top electric ranges, especially in small kitchens.  They are easier to clean, provide useful counter space when not in use, generate no fumes, and don't pump moisture into your house.  And incidentally, are potentially carbon neutral if that sort of thing is important to you.

Everyone else in my family prefers gas, I think mostly for aesthetic reasons.  Mom claims she gets better heat control on gas burners, which I don't understand at all.  I think she's doing it wrong.  Sister is a total hipster and thinks gas is "more authentic" whatever that means. 

Gas is currently cheaper to operate in most parts of the country, which is why I think gas water heaters still make more sense than electric water heaters.  It all depends on your local fee structure, though.  If you're paying $30/mo just for that gas hookup connection fee for a single appliance, then it makes sense to replace that appliance with an electric one that costs up to $30/mo more to operate, and the cost difference on a stove isn't anywhere near that much (but a water heater might be, if you have lots of people in your house). 

In some cases, it makes sense to convert to full electric and stop paying the gas bill.  Electric heat pumps are already cheaper to operate than gas furnaces.  Stoves too, and sometimes water heaters.  Dryers are evil.  Maybe if you have a gas fireplace that you really enjoy?

[Cranky]

I have generally not loved electric stoves but I had a glass topped stove at school that was not terrible - much more responsive than an old coil model.

[Syonyk]

Mom claims she gets better heat control on gas burners, which I don't understand at all.

It's a lot easier to eyeball the heat production (it's more or less proportional to flame size) on a gas stove, and with an electric, especially with coils, you're guessing wildly until you figure that particular stove out.  And figure it out for the various burner sizes.

OP: No, you can't put a normal electric range on a 120V outlet.  You need a dedicated 240V line with an awful lot of amps, and getting that run isn't cheap.

You can run a countertop induction burner or similar off 120V, though.

We've got pure electric in our house, but the whole house is also plumbed for gas - we don't (currently) have natural gas, or propane, but it was something like $50 or $75 an outlet to run it when the house was built, and I'm sure it's far more expensive to run afterwards.

[middo]

We are about to do a kitchen rebuild for the rental we are going to sell.  Since it is not for us, we will replace electric with electric.  Personally I prefer gas for the instant heat, but newer induction ones are pretty good. 

We will revisit this in about 12 months when out own 1950's kitchen gets moved to another room.  Then a new cooktop will be needed and electric is looking the goods in our solar powered home.

[Sibley]

Well, then my plan is at least temporarily scuttled. I just rewired the house this year, but I didn't think to have them add an outlet for an electric stove (we fixed a ton of other gaps though!) Yes, it would be fairly easy to run the wires, except that the box is full and I would need to replace it if I need to add another circuit.

Eventually I'll gut the kitchen and redesign it so the stove and freezer aren't 1 inch apart. At that point in time, I'll probably run the wiring for an electric stove. Until then, I'll live with the gas. It works fine, I just don't like it.

Thanks all.

[robartsd]

Well, then my plan is at least temporarily scuttled. I just rewired the house this year, but I didn't think to have them add an outlet for an electric stove (we fixed a ton of other gaps though!) Yes, it would be fairly easy to run the wires, except that the box is full and I would need to replace it if I need to add another circuit.

And 220V circuits require 2 spaces in the breaker box (it needs power from both sides of the split phase).

[obstinate]

We are about to do a kitchen rebuild for the rental we are going to sell.  Since it is not for us, we will replace electric with electric.  Personally I prefer gas for the instant heat, but newer induction ones are pretty good. 

We will revisit this in about 12 months when out own 1950's kitchen gets moved to another room.  Then a new cooktop will be needed and electric is looking the goods in our solar powered home.

At least leave the gas line to the kitchen in place. I would not buy a house that didn't have the option to put in a gas stove.