Gas, Electric or Induction: Which Stovetop Is Right For You?

If you've been cooking a lot this past year, then you've likely become very familiar with your stove. It might be time to ask yourself if your current stove is working for you. There are three different stovetops available on the market: gas, electric, and induction. Find out which one is right for you. 

Gas stoves

There's a reason why this is the first choice among professional chefs. Gas stoves offer more temperature control and allow you to cook much faster. Plus, they're nice to look at. However, you'll need to have a gas line to carry natural gas to the burner. Not every house is equipped with this, so you'll have to factor in the time and cost of installing a natural gas line. Gas stoves also come with health risks as the direct combustion of natural gas produces more pollutants in the air. 

Electric stoves

More common than gas or induction, electric stoves are the most affordable option. The smooth-top ranges are sleek and easy to clean. They offer more stability for your pots and pans, and there's no need to worry about gas leaks or indoor air quality. However, when it comes to cooking, they take a bit longer to heat up and you get less precision compared to a gas stove. And since electricity costs more than natural gas, your utility bill will be higher. 

Induction stoves

This type is less commonly used, but it's steadily increasing in popularity as it offers the best of both gas and electric. Induction stoves look like electric smooth-top stoves, but there are no heating elements involved. Instead, it uses electromagnetic energy that heat pots and pans directly. The heat change is instantaneous, meaning your food cooks much faster than gas. And since only the cookware gets hot, the cooktop surface stays cool to prevent burns. The downside of induction stoves is that it requires steel and iron cookware. To see if your current cookware will work on an inductions stove, place a magnet on the bottom of the pan. If it sticks, then it'll work on an induction stove. 

How To Make Your Backyard The Ultimate Winter Hangout Spot

Spending time with loved ones in a socially distant manner was easy in the summer, but now that winter is here, it's going to get a little tricky. Fortunately, you don't have to completely write off your backyard just because it's cold and snowy outside. Here's how you can turn your backyard into a place people will want to hang out. 

Get an outdoor heater

You'll be more likely to spend time in your backyard if it's nice and toasty. Invest in a good outdoor heating source, whether it's run on propane gas or electrical. You can opt for commercial-grade heaters, the ones you typically find at restaurant patios. Of if you're looking for something smaller, consider a wall-mounted infrared electric heater, portable propane heater, or a heater that attaches to the top of an umbrella pole. 

Set up a fire pit-if bylaws allow

There's nothing more cozy and calming than a backyard fire pit on a cold winter evening. Before you even think about setting up a fire pit in your backyard, check your municipality's bylaws around open air burning. Some cities do not permit it, while others do as long as you follow safety rules and restrictions. 

Add screens in your backyard

Nothing is worse than cold temperatures mixed with biting winds. Break up the wind with sturdy windscreens, fences, tall plans, and hedges that are strategically placed along the edges of your backyard to reduce chilly effects of gusty winds. 

Invest in heated clothing and furniture

Leave it to technology to make winter more tolerable. There are heated jackets, battery-powered gloves, and rechargeable socks that will allow you to stay outdoors for longer.  There are even heated seat cushions that last for hours. 

Create a cozy ambience

If you want your backyard to get used in the winter, make it look the part. Add extra coziness with simple décor items such as fuzzy throws, outdoor rugs, cushioned seating, piles of pillows, string lights, lanterns, and candles. Go the extra mile by setting up a mini bar for warm beverages like hot chocolate and tea. 

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