COVID-19 has turned many a homeowner into an aspiring Michelin star chef. Husbands who never even knew how to cook rice before March 2020 can now slice salmon into sashimi without breaking a sweat, and housewives who could ever only cook hand-me-down recipes from their mothers, can now whip up cuisines from all around the world without blinking an eye.
This has of course brought much awareness to the realm of gas stoves, and the many options which are available now as compared to the past. In this post we are going to explore the variety of stoves that are now available in the market, as well as the pros and cons of each stove.
Induction Stove
(source : reviewed.com)
Kicking off the list is the induction stove which comes with a lot of controversies. The induction stove works by transmitting electromagnetic fields, which creates an electrical current through the pot or pan, which in turn heats it up. The surface of the stove however remains cool as it only sends electromagnetic currents to heat the pot or pan. This is why only selected pots and pans can work with induction stoves, as certain materials cannot produce a concentrated enough current to heat the pot or pan.
Pros
When first launched in the market, the induction stove was applauded for being a very safe stove especially where children are concerned. The surface does not heat up at all when cooking, and it is safe to touch.
Cons
However, the popularity of induction stoves soon went down over time as concerns about using electromagnetic waves to cook came about. Electromagnetic fields have been linked to nausea and headaches, hence why induction stoves never caught on the mainstream market.
If health concerns are an issue for you, you might want to research the findings available online.
Electric Stove
(source : freepik.com)
The electric stove is a cross between a gas stove and an induction cooker. The electric stove looks like an induction cooker, yet it uses heat to cook the food. Its surface is hot to the touch during and after use, and it is definitely not safe for children. The surface heats up with electricity as its source instead of gas.
Pros
Many a homeowner opt for the electric stove as they see it as a safer option as compared to having a tank of gas in the house. Children are also less likely to be fascinated with an electric stove as compared to a gas stove, as it looks quite unassuming. This means less chance of playing with the stove when the adults are not around. The surface is also easy to clean, and the surface itself is waterproof.
Cons
There are however downsides to using an electric stove. It uses electricity to heat up, and many a homeowner has noticed their electricity bill going up when they began to use their electric stove regularly. Only selected types of pots or pans can be used on this type of stovetop, and claypots are a definite no on the electric stove.
The surface also takes quite a while to cool down after usage, hence users will need to remember not to touch it until at least half an hour after use. This is also a downside when you need to change the temperature fast when cooking, which may result in the occasional burnt dish if you are not careful.
Gas Stove
(source : pexels.com)
Now we come to the gas stove, which is definitely the all-time favourite of any cooking enthusiast. Gas stoves are the preferred choice of stovetop for any chef, for its ability to control the heat precisely, and perhaps just for the joy of watching the flames leap when you turn the dial-up and hear your food begin to sizzle instantly.
Pros
The major perks of using a gas stove are definitely the temperature control, which comes in handy whether you are making soup stock, frying an egg, or simply making a stew. It is compatible with all pots, pans, claypots or anything you choose to place on a gas stove.
Cons
The downside to using a gas stove is the maintenance. You will always need to ensure that the gas pipes are in optimum condition to prevent gas leaks, which can result in fires and explosions if there is a leak. Children also have a natural fascination for fire, and you will need to teach them to never turn on the stove when you are not around or they may risk burning the house down.
Also, if you live in a high rise and have a gas line running directly to your unit, you will never need to worry about running out of gas. But if you live in a landed property, you will always need to have a spare tank of gas lest you run out of gas in the middle of cooking and realize you cannot finish your masterpiece.
Cast Iron Gas Stove
Last on the list is the cast iron gas stove. The cast iron gas stove is the gas stove to get if you really need precise control over the flames, volume, and intensity. This type of gas stove is similar to the industrial gas stove which typically costs above RM4,000, but the cast iron gas stove generally costs below RM200 and is more suitable for home-usage.
You can opt to select the 3-ring or 6 rings of flame cast iron gas stove, where there is a switch to control the flow of gas to each individual ring of fire. This is the type of gas stove you typically see at char kway teow shops.
Pros
The biggest perk of using this stove is the ultimate control over each ring of flame. Unlike the typical gas stove which the intensity of all the rings of flames changes as you turn the dial, on the cast iron gas stove, you get to control each ring of flame. The intensity of the flames is also much bigger on the cast iron gas stove as the stove allows more gas to run through the pipes, where makes it a dream stove for those who find it hard to achieve “wok hei” with the typical gas stove.
Cons
There are however a couple of downsides to the cast iron gas stove. First of all, each stove requires its own gas tank. Hence it is a one stove to one gas tank type of stove, unless you opt to get the industrial gas stove. Secondly, it consumes more gas than the regular gas stove. This is because this stove is designed to channel more gas than the regular stove, which results in the magnificent glory of flames that makes it great for frying food. Hence if you choose to get this stove, do bear in mind that you will probably need a dedicated space for it.
(source : freepik.com)
And there you have it, the different types of stovetops you can get in the market. Each option comes with its own sets of pros and cons, and which stove you should get depends on what type of cook you are. If you simply want to cook an occasional maggi mee, either the induction stove or electric stove is good enough. But if you prefer cooking more hard core dishes, you may want to consider getting a gas stove or a cast iron gas stove.
Do drop us a note below if you need more information on any of the stove tops, or if you would simply like to drop us some feedback.
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(Written by Isabelle, 31st March 2021)