Electric and gas stoves were designed to replace wood-burning stoves. Both of these types of stoves have the same basic roles that they have to fulfill, but they go about them differently, and until recently, gas stoves were considered far superior to electric ones for one simple reason. The reason was that in aesthetical department electric stoves were far behind. Recently this problem of electric stoves received a lot of attention from designers and engineers, and we’ve been getting better, more realistic depictions of flame that don’t give off the “cheap imitation” vibe. As these two types of stoves are now able to compete on much more equal terms, other pros and cons of gas and electric stoves become more important in choosing which stove to purchase.

Both types of stoves were supposed to imitate traditional wood-burning stoves which for some were associated with things such as sophistication, wealth and taste, while others needed them to make the room warm in winter. Different from their electric counterparts, gas stoves utilized a “real” burning process, withflame looking much more “natural” and “alive”. Gas flame was much better at mimicking traditional wood-burning stoves than cartoonish “flame” of electric stoves, giving gas stoves a more noble and refined appearance. Electric stoves, accordingly, were perceived as having a cheaper, more fake look. Recently this problem of electric stoves received a lot of attention from designers and engineers, and we’ve been getting better, more realistic depictions of flame that don’t give off the “cheap imitation” vibe. As these two types of stoves are now able to compete on much more equal terms, other pros and cons of gas and electric stoves become more important in choosing which stove to purchase.

Installation

Both types of stoves are both significantly easier and cheaper to install than their wood-burning alternatives, especially so since they rarely require a vent. Even vent-free gas stoves, however, require at least a gas line hole. That, in turn, usually means a permanent change in the piping within your house, and requires licensed installer in most places, which requires time, effort and money. On the plus side, a gas stove will let you ask for a bigger price for when you decide to sell the property, but even this considered,electric stoves clearly win here, as the only thing you have to do to make them work is plug them in the socket.

Operating costs

The costs actually depend on your goals and conditions. Do you need a stove for practical purposes such as heating the room, or do you need it for purely aesthetic reasons? Do you live in a place with constant electrical supply? Gas variants are typically more efficient at heating up the room, both time and cost-wise, plus they will operate during a power outage. Electric ones, however, will be much cheaper to use if you only want to look at an image of fire.

Safety

The prize here goes to electric stoves, no contest. Their gas counterparts use live flame, which obviously carries some danger with it. Plus there is always a danger of a gas leak. There are no such problems if you use electricity.
Depending on your goals and conditions, either a gas stove http://www.stovebase.co.uk/gas-stoves.html or a modern electric stove http://www.stovebase.co.uk/electric-stoves.html (which is no longer a synonym of corny) may be an ideal solution for you.