Natural gas ranges have long been an overwhelming favorite among professional restaurateurs and amateur chefs alike. From the availability of instant heat to precise temperatures and the potential for ultra-hot searing, cooking with gas elevates what you can do in the kitchen to a whole new level.
But popularity among those in the know hasn’t prevented anti-natural gas myths from perpetuating. Let’s debunk the four most common misconceptions surrounding natural gas kitchen appliances.
It’s Dangerous
History plays a part in this common misunderstanding about the risk of gas leaks when cooking with a natural gas stove. The technology used in natural gas appliances has gone through incredible advancements over the many decades people have been cooking with gas, modern appliances are equipped with automatic cut-offs in the event of a leak or other malfunction.
Inbuilt sensors inside the appliance shut off the gas supply at the first detection of a gas leak, making natural gas cooking just as safe as cooking with an electric stove.
Gas is not Environmentally Friendly
While it is certainly a fact that natural gas burners release emissions into the atmosphere, modern appliances have been designed to minimize these gasses.
But the real debunking of this myth lies when you compare the end-use emissions of a natural gas stove to the emissions created for power generation to transport electricity from the plant to the appliance.
Natural gas emits far lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to other fossil fuels used in electricity generation, and direct consumption of gas is three times more efficient than using electricity generated at a natural gas powered plant.
Natural Gas Stoves are Difficult to Maintain
Maintaining and cleaning a natural gas stove is different than caring for an electric stove but it is not more difficult. In fact, a big advantage of natural gas appliances is that with proper maintenance you can typically avoid expensive replacement parts, which is common with electrical appliances as they age.
Natural Gas is More Expensive
Not only is this myth unsubstantiated, it’s the polar opposite of what is typically true.
Cooking with natural gas is generally cheaper than electric for several reasons:
- Natural gas is an abundant and domestic energy source
- End-use consumption of natural gas is 90%+ efficient
- Natural gas stoves heat up faster for less wasted energy
- Natural gas cooking allows for shorter cooking times
Cooking with Gas is a Smart Choice
Opting for natural gas appliances in your commercial or home kitchen isn’t just a great choice for delicious, professionally prepared meals. Natural gas is also safe, affordable, and greener than other fossil fuels. Natural gas appliances are also designed to provide years of functionality with low maintenance costs.