For many, a gas stove is a huge investment. It’s one of those things that you just have to purchase if you prefer cooking for yourself or your family.
With the average gas stove lasting about 15 years, you want to take the necessary time to get the best appliance for your specific needs and avoid something that you won’t want anymore in a few years down the line.
Modern gas stoves come packed with a tone of features, whereas you certainly won’t need them all, some are nice to have and might help in regards to the safety and longevity of your appliance.
People often think that the higher the price, the better the quality. This is not always true for gas stoves.
Whereas you certainly won’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get the best stove, it’s also important to avoid cheap stoves that might put the safety of you and your family at stake.
With that in mind, here are seventeen things to consider when buying a gas stove:
1) Efficiency
Whereas one gas stove can take 5 minutes to boil one gallon of water, another can take a few more minutes to boil the same amount.
It’s imperative that you choose a gas stove that is efficient when cooking to save both time and money.
Efficient gas stoves also release less carbon monoxide and thus help maintain good air quality in your kitchen.
Be sure to check out the efficiency rating of the gas stove, you can ask the seller or search on the internet for efficiency ratings.
2) Kitchen Space
You should figure out how much space you have in your kitchen or where you want to place the stove in your kitchen.
This will help determine how large of a gas stove you need as well as what style and additional features your space might permit you to add.
Tip: Measure the area you’re planning to put the stove in and compare it with the dimensions of the stove you want to buy.
3) Budget
Another factor to consider when buying a gas stove is your budget.
When looking at a stove, it’s important to be realistic about what you can afford and what you can’t.
Find a good stove with a good price to features ratio. One that will give you all the convenience and functionality you need without blowing a hole in your wallet.
Again, Be careful not to opt for cheap stoves as these might cause you all sorts of problems and could come without a number of safety features.
They might cheap in the short term but expensive in the long term, if you know what I mean.
4) Safety Features
Most modern gas stoves come equipped with a number of safety features to prevent gas leaks, kitchen fires, and gas stove explosions.
Here are 5 safety features that a modern gas stove should have:
i) Anti-tip: this feature prevents the gas stove from sliding off your countertop and causing injury.
ii) Auto shut-off: if there’s no flame detected for a certain period of time, then the gas stove will turn off automatically. This not only helps to prevent gas leaks but also saves on energy costs and improves efficiency.
iii) Auto-reignite: The auto reignite feature makes sure that the burner flame never goes out and thus leading to a buildup of gas in your kitchen. The feature re-ignites the flame whenever it goes out.
iv) Button Lock: The button lock safety feature as the name suggests helps you lock the controls to your gas or electric appliance, limiting its use by children or accidental touches by pets.
5) Number of burners
If you’re planning to use the stove alone or with one other person, then a 2 burner cooktop might be the perfect option. If you’re more than 4 people in the household however, getting a gas stove with 4 or more burners might be the best option for you.
6) Distance between burners
Some burners are crammed too close to each other which makes using two pans or pots at the same time really difficult.
A good stove should have enough space between the burners to enable the use of several pots and pans without any disturbances.
7) Type of burners: aluminum vs brass
Brass burners are often found on high-end stoves and are usually in a golden color. If you care about elegance and aesthetics, then brass burners are the ones for you.
Brass is resistant to corrosion, which makes it a better long-term option than aluminum burners.
Aluminum burners are the most common type of burner in the world because they are cheaper to produce and also heat up more quickly than brass burners.
Aluminum burners aren’t as long-lasting and corrosion-resistant as brass burners though, so keep that in mind.
8) Gas stove type of ignition: electric or pilot
When you are buying a new gas stove, it is important to consider the type of ignition. There are different types, such as electric and pilot.
Electric ignitions need to be plugged into an outlet and use electricity to provide heat for the burners. Pilot ignitions need to be lit with a match or lighter fluid.
Electric ignitions are safer and more reliable than pilot ignition systems.
Electric ignitions are easier to install than a pilot ignition system because they don’t require compressors or fuel tanks. They also have easier maintenance procedures.
A pilot ignition system can cause more issues due to its complexity and the time it takes to get the systems running. Unlike electric ignitions, which start right away.
9) Oven type: Double Oven or single oven
Double oven stoves offer two ovens, usually one on top of the other, and are great for baking or grilling a lot of food at the same time.
Single oven gas stoves provide just one oven, these are perfect for those who don’t bake or grill a lot of stuff.
If you have a small family or you’re just alone, then a single oven gas stove would be the perfect option for you, however, for those with large families who wish to bake or grill a lot of stuff at the same time, then a double oven stove will surely come in handy.
10) Venting requirements as a factor to consider when buying a gas stove
Some stoves might require venting on the outside while others can be fine with just a kitchen exhaust fan. Be sure to check out the venting requirements that a particular gas stove needs.
Consult the gas stove’s online manual or ask the seller if a particular stove comes with any specific venting requirements.
11) Oven Self-cleaning
Oven self-cleaning is a process that uses heated air to break down the layers of grease and grime on oven walls. The heat and air work together to create a chemical reaction that breaks down the dirt and dust so it can be wiped away with ease.
The oven self-cleaning feature is not just for the people who are lazy to scrub. It also helps avoid all the hazards of using harsh chemicals to clean the oven. So it’s perfect for people with chemical sensitivities as well as those wanting an eco-friendly way to clean their oven.
The self-cleaning feature on the gas stove is a wonderful feature to have. It will save you a lot of time while cleaning your stove’s oven compartment so be sure to check if the stove you’re considering has this feature.
12) Warranty
With a gas stove warranty, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that certain repair and part replacement costs are covered for you.
Most gas stoves come with a one-year warranty but with those too, there are certain terms and conditions that you should put into account.
Keep in mind some manufacturers offer even longer warranty periods.
Gas stoves are meant to last a long time so be sure that you lookout for a gas stove that comes with decent warranty options.
13) Gas stove oven Convectional fans
An Oven with a convectional fan is more energy efficient because it uses less power than an oven without a fan.
A convectional fan has two main parts: a heating element and a fan blade.
The heating element heats up air that is then blown through the oven by the blades of the fan. This hot air circulates around all parts of the food which ensures that it cooks evenly and quickly.
14) Stove Top Material: Stainless steel or glass
Stainless steel is a good choice for those who cook often because it is harder than glass and will not break as easily. Glass might be a better choice for someone who doesn’t cook often and one who doesn’t want to spend too much time cleaning their stovetop.
15) Drawer
While many people think of the bottom drawer on gas stoves as a storage compartment, it’s actually meant to act as a warming drawer basically for keeping cooked food warm.
These are great for convenience as you won’t have to microwave your food if you’re not looking to consume it immediately.
If you’re the kind that loves to relax just after cooking but would still like your food to be warm after a while, then a gas stove with a bottom draw is a must-have.
16) Air frying feature on a gas stove
The air fryer works by circulating hot air around food in the oven which causes the food to cook from all angles.
This means that the inside of the food will be cooked and browned as well as the outside.
The air fryer has no oil required, so if you’re the type that loves to eat healthily, then you might want to consider a stove that comes with air frying.
Best Gas stove brands one should consider when buying a gas stove
To make the best decision, one should consider which gas stove brands are the most popular, safest, and come with a good number of features.
The following are the brands that produce some of the best and most reliable gas stoves on the market:
- Samsung
- LG
- Bosch
- GE
- Bluestar
Why gas stoves are better than electric stoves
In short, the main reason is gas stoves are a more efficient cooking option because they offer better control over heat output and also cook a lot faster.
It’s for this particular reason why chefs use them a lot and why many home cooks prefer them as well.
Of course, there are many more reasons which you can read about here
What can cause a gas stove to explode?
So you need to buy a gas stove but you’re a bit undecided because you’re scared it could explode. We’ll take the guessing and worrying out of the equation for you.
Gas stoves are extremely efficient and convenient but can be dangerous if you don’t take the necessary precautions.
Here are the reasons a gas stove can explode:
Gas stove leaks: If you leave your gas stove running for long unattended, the build-up of gas could easily lead to a fire and worse an explosions.
Improper installation: Disregard of safety procedures while installing a gas stove appliance could lead to a gas stove explosion.
Loose seals, faulty burners, and improper ventilation could all lead to the accumulation of natural gas which can easily lead to an explosion.
Take the following precautions to make sure that your gas stove is completely safe:
- Keep your gas stove away from children’s reach
- Install a carbon monoxide detector in your kitchen to monitor gas leaks
- Make sure your gas stove is maintained and cleaned properly
- Ensure proper ventilation so that there is no build-up of gasses in your kitchen
- Make sure all gas pipes and seals are in good health
- Be sure to check if your gas stove is off when leaving home or going to bed
- Do not light any sparks or keep flammable materials close to your gas tank
Read more about gas stove explosions here
CONCLUSION
Buying a gas stove can be a little daunting for people who don’t consider themselves experts in any way or form.
There are many different types of gas stoves on the market and it can be difficult to know where to start. When buying a gas stove, there are some things to consider such as what size stove you want, how often the stove will be used, and any special features that you may need.
With the factors above, we hope that we’ve taken the guesswork out of the whole stove buying process and hope that we’ve helped you make a better purchase decision.