Gas or Electric Cooker?

[Deleted User]

I've decided to buy a new free-standing cooker - having struggled to make meals with a tiny combination microwave/grill/oven for more years than I care to remember!

I haven't a clue about oven installation, so these questions might seem very naive ... !

I think I'd prefer a gas oven - however there has never been a gas oven installed in my kitchen previously, so I don't know whether there are gas pipes present which would be suitable for this purpose. There some 'defunct' gas pipes where the old central heating boiler used to be (a new boiler has been installed upstairs).

There used to be a 4-plate hob in the place where I want to put the oven - will the electric switch that controlled the hob provide a suitable connection for a cooker, or will some other device be required?

Whether I opt for gas or electric, I'll be getting a qualified trades-person to install the cooker - I have to keep an eye on expenditure, so which would be the cheapest to install: gas or electric?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

HappyMJ

Electric is cheapest to install.

Ben84

Cost depends really. I'd broadly agree that electric is cheaper to install than gas, but if you have no electric point available in the kitchen and no spare space in the fuse box it might get costly, while if there's a suitable gas pipe nearby extending that might be quite cheap. You'll really need quotes for either. I believe gas cookers are also cheaper than electric to buy, so some extra cost may be offset here.

I prefer cooking with gas and have found even cheap gas cookers work well. Even the cheapest gas hobs/ovens are fast to heat up and respond quickly when adjusted, it's just how gas works. Electric is slower.

Gas also has lower running costs (http://www.confusedaboutenergy.co.uk/index.php/buying-household-appliances/cookers) and produces significantly less pollution than electric. It will work during a power cut.

phill99

I agree with Ben84. If the cabling for an electric cooker is nor suitable, it will need upgrading which can be vewry costly and disruptive. If there is a live gas feed from where the old boiler was, this would be a much cheaper option to extend it.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the advice folks :beer: gas it is then!