Cooking with Propane

Cooking with Gas

Surveys continually prove that consumers prefer to cook with gas because it provides more precise temperature control and heat delivery than electricity. Propane cooking appliances can integrate style and functionality into any new home, regardless of its size or architectural style.

Propane cooking appliances cover a wide spectrum, from low-cost economy models to deluxe units that combine every imaginable cooking convenience and energy-saving feature. The wide variety of ranges, ovens, and cook tops available today can give homebuyers and contractors a choice of unique and functional kitchen designs.

Various energy-savings features (such as pilotless ignition and improved insulation) are also available on propane cooking appliances. These features can reduce gas consumption by 30-50%, further increasing propane’s cost advantage over electricity.

What is available?

Gas Burners. There are three types of gas burners commonly available: conventional burners with standing pilots, conventional burners with electric ignition, and sealed burners with electric ignition. Most gas cooktops sold are of the conventional burner with electric ignition type.

Gas Ovens. Gas ovens offer the precise heat control that cooktops offer. Gas heat has more moisture than electric, which can provide better quality baking. Standard temperature swings on conventional electric ovens are as much as 25°- to -50°F. Gas ovens cool by only 10°F before heating up again. Broiling with an electric oven often requires leaving the door open so the smoke can escape, while gas ovens reduce the amount of smoke because the gas flame consumes much of the splatter.

Propane Advantages

Propane cooking appliances offer several advantages that make them an attractive option for homebuyers who want optimum performance at a reasonable cost:

• Cooking with propane, on average, costs less than half of cooking with electricity.
• Gas will respond instantly, while electric elements will not.
• Gas burners do not have problems with warped-bottom pans, whereas electric heat elements require flat-bottom pans to maximize their cooking ability.
• A gas cook top with electric ignition has the lowest annual operating cost, while gas cook tops with standing pilots and electric cook tops cost about the same to operate.
• Gas provides more even heat across the bottom of pots and in the oven, which means fewer hot spots to scorch sauces or burn cakes and casseroles.
• Pilotless ignitions on propane stoves eliminate the need for a constant pilot light, saving a homeowner 40% overall in energy use.
• Unlike electrical appliances, many propane cooking appliances are not affected by power outages.
• Propane appliances are available with the latest technology. Whatever is new in appliances is available with propane – convection ovens, sealed burners for easy cleaning, griddles and grill tops, even deep fryers.

Efficiency

In general, cooking appliances have low efficiencies. Standard propane cook top burners are roughly 40% efficient and standard propane ovens have efficiencies around 10% (Source: “Residential Appliances,” by E SOURCE, Inc., 1996, and DOE). Efficiency is defined as the amount of energy absorbed by the food divided by the energy produced.

Did You Know?

• Propane-fueled cook tops offer instant heat and absolute temperature control, allowing users to adjust from a boil to a simmer in seconds.
• Propane provides a more even heat across the bottom of pots and pans, which means fewer hot spots to scorch sauces or burn the tops of cakes and casseroles.
• Ninety seven percent of professional chefs prefer cooking with gas (American Gas Association).