If you have ever switched from a gas stove to an electric stove, you may have noticed that the latter takes significantly more time to cook food. Although this can be annoying, most people are unaware of the reason behind it. Therefore, what is the explanation for electric stoves taking so long, particularly when compared to gas stoves?
The reason why electric stoves take longer to cook than gas stoves is due to their lower wattage. Unlike an electric stove that typically has 1,000 watts, a gas burner can be built with 10,000 watts which makes it significantly faster. Additionally, the heat transfer on a gas burner is more efficient as the heat rises from the sides and not just from the bottom.
If you’re wondering why your electric stove takes a long time to heat up, this article will explain why electric stoves are not as efficient as gas stoves and take longer to cook. Additionally, you’ll discover some helpful suggestions for maximizing the performance of your sluggish electric stove.
Why Are Electric Stoves So Slow?
It is an undeniable truth that those who have transitioned from using a gas stove to an electric one will observe a distinction between the two, as the former is undoubtedly simpler to use and heats up and cooks food much faster and more effectively than the latter. Electric stoves lack this convenience, taking longer to warm up and cook meals. However, what causes this delay?
Electric stoves are slower than gas stoves due to the latter’s higher heat output, which is a result of their immense wattage. In contrast, electric burners have lower wattage and cannot match the heat production of gas stoves.
An additional factor that contributes to the extended time it takes to cook on an electric stovetop is that it only heats the bottom of the pot or pan. In comparison, a gas stovetop warms up both the base and allows heat to circulate around the sides of the container. This provides more heat to whatever is inside, be it scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, or soup. (Source: Quora)
If you want to address the sluggishness of an electric stove, one solution is to buy a model with higher wattage. This is because the speed of the stove is directly related to its wattage, so investing more money in a higher wattage model could be a feasible option for improving performance in the long run.
Tips for Cooking with an Electric Stove
Despite the fact that electric stoves have a longer heating time and are more challenging to use during cooking, it is still possible to cook with them. Numerous suggestions can help you cook with an electric stove. These recommendations will assist you in avoiding difficulties with the sluggish electric stove and making dishes more effortlessly:
Always Preheat
One of the most important tips for using an electric stove is to preheat it before use, which can take as long as 15 minutes. By turning on the burner well in advance, you’ll have ample time to prepare your ingredients and return to a fully heated burner.
Use the Oven First
When using larger items like cast-iron skillets and dutch ovens, it is advisable to skip the burners and preheat them in the oven first because electric stoves take a considerable amount of time to generate enough heat for these items.
To utilize the oven, adhere to these instructions:
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
Put your cast-iron skillet or dutch oven in the electric stove and let it stay there for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
At this point, it is advisable to switch on the burner of the electric stove.
This process will ensure that the food is cooked evenly and provide a hot-and-ready burner when you’re done preheating in the oven.
If you have ever attempted to boil water on an electric stovetop, you may have noticed that it takes a long time, particularly if the water is cold. To expedite this process, it is recommended that you use an electric kettle instead. Electric kettles can bring water to a boil in just a few minutes. Once the water has boiled, pour it into your pot.
Allow Time for the Burner to Adjust
Electric stovetopsdo not respond to temperature changes as quickly as gas stovetops do, which means that when you turn up the heat on a gas stove, it heats up instantly, and when you turn it down, it cools down just as quickly. However, with electric burners, this is not the case, and it takes a considerable amount of time for the temperature to change.
When following a recipe that requires boiling and simmering, it is important to adjust the temperature carefully to avoid any mishaps. For example, when cooking pasta, it is not advisable to turn up the heat immediately as this can cause the burner to become excessively hot. Instead, you should gradually increase the temperature until you achieve a consistent boil and then lower it slowly when it’s time to simmer.
It will require some time and effort from the chef, but the outcome is valuable. The food will be cooked more evenly and taste better.
Consider Using Two Burners
Various dishes, including pasta, caramel, rice, and soups, often call for different levels of heat in their recipes.
Adjusting the temperature on an electric stove can be a difficult and frustrating task, but there is an alternative to spending your entire afternoon in front of the burner.
One solution to consider is utilizing the two-burner technique. This approach entails having one burner set to a high temperature while the other is set to a lower temperature.
If your recipe requires high heat, use the burner with the highest temperature.
To decrease the temperature, shift the electric stove to the cooler side.
Despite the slow heating time of electric stoves, there are still some advantages to using them. By following the aforementioned tips, one can easily adapt to using an electric model and enjoy its benefits.
Afterward, you can experience these advantages:
An electric stove will keep the kitchen cooler in comparison to a gas stove.
Compared to other types of stovetops, electric stoves are much simpler to clean.
Electric stoves are considered safer than gas stoves as they don’t use any combustible materials, reducing the risk of fire and eliminating concerns about gas leaks.
Electric stoves are generally less expensive compared to gas cooktops.
On an electric stove, it is possible to use much lower heat settings, which can be difficult to achieve on a gas stove.
Compared to gas and induction stovetops, electric stoves are known for their slower cooking speed. However, there are ways to overcome this issue by implementing basic cooking methods like boiling water in an electric kettle and utilizing the two-burner technique.
Increasing the wattage of an electric stove can be a solution to its slow cooking speed, as most electric stovetops have lower wattage which contributes to their slowness.
You can also check this video about “Why Do Electric Stoves Take So Long?”
