this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2025
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[–] Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.world 55 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (7 children)

I used to prefer gas ranges. I grew up with one and really liked that we could still cook when the power was out. Also, fire. I just... kinda like fire.

But learning about the dangers has changed my view. Funny enough, I recently moved into a new place and have an electric stove for the first time. My heart is upset at me, but I can't deny that it's better. Not only are there fewer dangers, but it seems to heat up really fast. Much faster than any of the gas stoves I've used (which have been in almost every house and apartment that I've lived in til now.) I set a pot to boil, go sit down, and it's bubbling before the YouTuber I'm watching finishes gargling their sponsor's balls.

(Kidding, of course. I always skip the sponsor placement.)

[–] SapphironZA@sh.itjust.works 38 points 6 days ago (7 children)

Induction tops are the best. Instant heat, very safe and energy efficient. Not compatible with cheap non magnetic cookware though.

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[–] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 17 points 6 days ago (5 children)

I think a big part of the issue is the wild variances on electric stove quality.

The landlord specials are dogshit and what most people have experience with. Even a bad gas stove is 10x better than those.

But once you get to quality electric ranges, and then induction options, they are superior to gas in basically every way. But very few people have experience with these, or the money to afford upgrading to them when their existing stoves breakdown unexpectedly. So most are stuck with the cheap crappy electric options.

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[–] fluffykittycat@slrpnk.net 41 points 6 days ago (7 children)

Induction stoves should be Mandatory in mew construction. Coil electric works just fine but we need to introduce people to tech that's superior to gas to get the switch to stick

[–] HugeNerd@lemmy.ca 24 points 6 days ago

mew construction

User name checks out.

[–] tyrant@lemmy.world 15 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I got an induction maybe 10 years ago or so. It is amazing how fast I can boil water or just get going in general. Lovely tech

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[–] Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io 42 points 6 days ago

There are two kinds of studies I really enjoy. 1. Some wildly unexpected result in a classic field. Rare. 2. Quantification of some phenomenon in greater detail, which confirms current understanding. Happens all the time. Love it the most.

Integrating indoor and outdoor nitrogen dioxide exposures in US homes nationally by ZIP code https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/12/pgaf341/8361964?login=false

Switching to electric stoves can dramatically cut indoor air pollution https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/12/gas-propane-stoves-nitrogen-dioxide-exposure-health-risks-switching-electric

[–] AA5B@lemmy.world 15 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

I wish someone pointed this out 20 years ago (enough to be heard). I raised two kids with occasional asthma in a house with gas stove, and maybe that could have been different.

I recently converted from gas to induction, and find it a much better cooking appliance in every way. Pans on the stovetop heat up faster than with gas, and I can boil a pot of water faster. The oven has more options and more consistent heating, especially on the broiler.

The only problem was the cost. Way too much money to get a new circuit installed but also the range was double or more what I would have spent on gas. There were very few options at appliance stores, and I never did find one on display, of any brand. In the US, it’s unnecessarily difficult to make this switch.

When I was shopping for one I was told to pay attention to coil sizes. Sure enough experimenting with a large skillet on small coil shows very uneven heating. I did find one or two reasonable priced ranges but with only tiny coils. Even at spending way too much, I only have one coil that works well with 12” skillet or stock pot. I know ikea now sells an induction range for more reasonable price but coil size is critical and the first thing I’d look at

[–] BanMe@lemmy.world 7 points 6 days ago (7 children)

Having a proper exhaust hood that sucks air outside mitigates this to a huge degree, but a lot of us have hoods that "filter" the air through nothing and then shoot it up towards the ceiling.

The flippers who did my house disconnected the outside air vent, I'm still pissed and mean to get it fixed, cause I can't afford an induction range either.

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[–] reksas@sopuli.xyz 11 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

real men use diesel stoves

[–] HugeNerd@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 days ago

I just keep a lump of sub-critical plutonium in the kitchen.

[–] DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 19 points 6 days ago (4 children)

If you have a gas stove and can't afford, or don't want to switch to electric, keep a window open in the kitchen while you cook. This is especially important if your over-the-range hood does not vent to the outside (yes, that's a thing.) If your hood does vent to the outside, turn it on every time you cook and you're golden.

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[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 10 points 5 days ago (8 children)

A quality electric makes a big difference fwiw. I’ve gone through several types depending on where I lived. I gotta admit that gas is my favorite to cook on. Just so many ways to control heat, where the heat is, and how quickly the heat can be changed. Most electric cooktops and ovens are shit unless you buy an upper tier brand, and even then heating a big coil under a glass top is inefficient AF.

Just switched to induction. While not the same as gas, and it does have a few peculiarities, it is by far better than standard electric cooktops. Way fast, more efficient, easy. These need to come down in price to help win over people used to gas.

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[–] mavu@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 5 days ago

Staying indoors during rain can dramatically cut wetness.

[–] tiredofsametab@fedia.io 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I switched from gas to a 200v induction cooktop and I don't think I would go back. Quality definitely matters. I have a cassette gas stove for power outages or if I have something that absolutely must use gas (so far, it's never been pulled out).

[–] HulkSmashBurgers@reddthat.com 2 points 5 days ago (5 children)

A I understand it the temperature control with an induction stovetop is just as good, if not better than gas. Is that your experience?

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[–] jjjalljs@ttrpg.network 6 points 5 days ago

I'd rather have health than maybe marginally better cooking experiences

[–] SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Having a gas stove certainly came in handy when we've had blackouts.

Electricity is expensive in my state but gas is relatively cheap.

[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

get a camping stove for those occasions. I was worried about the same, that's what I did.

[–] gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

you don't say, captain obvious is on it again today

but i guess it's nice that we now have quantitative data on it

[–] Psiczar@aussie.zone 11 points 6 days ago (2 children)

We replaced our gas stove with induction and our water heater with an electric one this past year and disconnected the gas. Now our solar panels offset a lot of the cost of electricity and our main bill is for water.

Happy with an induction cooktop, it boils water quicker and is easier to keep clean. My only concern is someone dropping a heavy pot onto the glass surface.

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[–] NeatNit@discuss.tchncs.de 11 points 6 days ago (4 children)

(I only read the title)

Pretty damn obvious. Yes, it needed to be tested and verified experimentally, but.. well, I really mean no offense, but why is this worth sharing?

[–] snooggums@piefed.world 44 points 6 days ago

Because a lot of people assume that everything is fine with things that have been around forever. They need a heads up or a reminder that it isn't the case.

[–] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 16 points 6 days ago (2 children)

There is pushback from some on the right that want fossil fuels piped to every residence.

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Because there are billions of people worldwide for whom this fact is unknown.

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[–] adespoton@lemmy.ca 9 points 6 days ago (8 children)

As a foil: I grew up with an electric oven. Used an electric ofen through the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, and finally got a gas oven in 2017.

Because I was concerned about gas in the home, methane, CO, etc. I invested in a bunch of sensors so I’d know the moment any of it became an issue.

It’s been almost 9 years now, and I’ve yet to experience an issue.

However, that whole “you can use it when the power’s out” thing: can’t use the oven; the valve is electric. On my first gas range, the range wouldn’t even come on without electricity.

The pots and pans I use now are designed for gas and heat up fast, maintain an even heat, and cool down fast.

Essentially, I think not all devices are created equal.

I like not depending on a single utility for my energy needs, but at the same time wouldn’t shed a tear if methane production vanished tomorrow (I’d probably convert to propane short term and electric long-term).

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[–] yrnttm@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

I just like being able to put tortillas directly on the flame burner.

[–] MystikIncarnate@lemmy.ca 4 points 5 days ago

Gas stoves have a place, and I'm not about to take away anyone's choice on the matter. With all that being said, to the title of this article, I say "duh".... Honestly, who thought that cooking using an open flame inside your home was somehow safer than the alternative?

I use electric, I've pretty much always used electric. I will continue to use some form of electric stove. I want to have complete control over the heat going into my cookware, and while it may not be as flashy or as quick to use electric, I can't see any situation where electric would not be safer.

[–] Canopyflyer@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

I have cooked on gas, induction, infrared and the old style resistive elements. Currently I have a Wolf duel fuel range which is one of the best you can buy in the U.S. and I love it.

I'll just come out and say it...

Gas has seen its day. I say that as a current gas cook top user.

A good quality induction cook top is fantastic. It gets a lot hotter faster than gas while also simmering better. Responsiveness is off the charts too, depending on how heavy your cookware is, which is gas's major advantage over older electric cook tops. The only issue I personally have with induction is that cheaper units make a weird buzzing noise with some cookware and settings. I did get to cook on a Viking induction cook top a few times and did not notice that issue.

[–] Coconut1233@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago (10 children)

How often are yall getting power outages?

[–] dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 7 points 6 days ago

Regardless of that, higher end modern gas stoves won't allow you to use the stovetop during a power outage anyway even if you match light them, because they have electronic flame presence sensors for safety. And no modern gas range or gas oven with electronic oven controls will allow you to use the oven without power.

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[–] lightnsfw@reddthat.com 5 points 6 days ago (10 children)

Every elective stove I've used has sucked for controlling the temperature. I'll deal with a little air pollution to have my food actually come out how I want it. Maybe induction ones are better but those are expensive.

[–] JcbAzPx@lemmy.world 12 points 6 days ago (2 children)
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