Much loss of heat: no efficient energy consumption. Cleaning is difficult due to pan supports and burners. You cook with an open flame and therefore cooking with gas is not the safest way.
By comparison a quality stove has an efficiency of around 80%. So a stove uses 4 times less fuel to achieve the same heat output. There are other ways the stove saves energy. When a room is heated by an open fire and the fire goes out, it is difficult to keep the room warm as the heat is still lost up the open chimney.
Favored by professional chefs, gas ranges allow for better cooktop control, enabling instant changes in heat since a flame doesn't need much time to warm up or cool down. And compared to their electric counterparts, gas ranges are also more durable, and in the long run, more cost-effective.
Natural gas and propane stoves can release carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other harmful pollutants into the air, which can be toxic to people and pets.
There are some health risks associated with gas cooking, but unless you already have asthma, the danger likely isn't unique to using gas. Older gas burners can spew carbon monoxide (CO), which is toxic.
Induction cooktops are the new benchmark in stove-top cooking. They boast exceptional efficiency, and are more responsive than gas cooktops, they are the safest of all the types and feature a flat, easy-clean surface that looks great in any kitchen.
Gas stoves are uncommonly prone to exploding. However, if there is a build-up of gas in the stove, this can happen. It will explode if you try to light a stove with gas build-up. Gas build-up can occur when you pour water into the stove or when dirt accumulates on the burners.
Gas smell: When the oven first starts, it is normal to detect an unusual odor coming from the range. This odor is caused by the combustion of gas at the burner and it will go away within a few minutes as the oven heats up.
Yes, leaving a gas stove on can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. All gas stoves emit carbon monoxide. That's why it's recommended to always turn on the exhaust vent when your gas stove is on.
Safety is a concern
Electric ranges are generally safer than gas ranges. A gas range that's not installed correctly can result in a gas leak, which could lead to a fire or explosion.
Look for a surface that's easy to clean with minimal dirt traps. The cooktop should be able to contain reasonable spills. Some gas cooktops have a spill catchment area and separation between burners to contain spills, whereas others (particularly those with a ceramic top) don't.
Gas stoves today use two basic types of ignition sources, standing pilot and electric. A stove with a standing pilot has a small, continuously burning gas flame (called a pilot light) under the cooktop. The flame is between the front and back burners.
In 2019, Berkeley became the first city to ban gas hookups in most new homes and buildings, citing climate change. Since then, at least 50 California cities, including San Francisco and Sacramento, have adopted similar rules, often over the objections of local gas utilities.
When you turn the burner's dial to the "Ignite" or "Lite" position, the sparking begins to happen as gas is released through the small holes in the burner. The spark ignites the gas, and a flame appears. However, if there's no available electricity, there won't be any spark, so you're responsible for lighting it up.
A new study suggests that daily use of a gas stove may trigger asthma attacks in adults with the disease. Cooking with gas was also associated with more frequent visits to emergency rooms, to physicians, and to the hospital.
Gasoline use contributes to air pollution
The vapors given off when gasoline evaporates and the substances produced when gasoline is burned (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and unburned hydrocarbons) contribute to air pollution. Burning gasoline also produces carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
To be safe, the EPA suggests that you have your gas range and oven inspected annually by a professional; never use a gas oven to heat your home; and never burn charcoal indoors. You can pick up CO test kits and alarms/detectors at hardware stores. Leaving High Heat Unattended.
Automatic gas stove ignitions are safer – you only need to push a button or press and turn a knob to ignite the gas burner, older manual gas stoves requires you to turn the gas knob and then use a matchstick or lighter to start a fire. This makes the automatic ignition of gas stoves much safer and more appealing.
As noted, gas stoves can heat up much more quickly, and thus cook food faster. You can also get more precise control since the flames spread along the bottom and sides of a pan, providing a more even, uniform cook.
If you have a gas range, boil/heat water and then pour it into a hot water bottle. (Learn now how to start the pilot light of your gas range.) Make an Apple Box Stove to cook food and as an off-grid method for staying warm without electricity. Spend the day inside the warmest sleeping bag you own.