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.
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