New Consumer Report Gas v Electric

[selliot1958]

This month's CR has 14 elecrtic models out performing gas. I know the general conception is that gas out performs electric but is that still the case with these new models. No gas range received an excellent rating for the high heat. Can you stir fry on an electric and bring a pot to boil in a reasonable amount of time. Why is it that Viking and kitchenaid, two of the more expensive models, are at the bottom of the rankings? They usually look sweet though. I know this topic has been discussed in the past, but I'm looking for details as to which performs better in which situations also.

[Andy M.]

Welcome to DC.

It's not surprising that electric can boil a pot of water faster than gas. They crank out a lot of heat. This is supported by the electrics' getting higher ratings for high heat.

They don't respond quickly to temperature changes. Rather than turning down the heat and continuing to cook, you have to slide the pot off the burner until the beruner heat responds to the adjustment.

[Robo410]

I've had expensice with electrics and glass tops which were pretty slow on the boil. recntly was living in an apartment with a Magic Chef range...looked like garbage but put out the btus like crazy...top of the dial was incineration. Induction will also heat very quickly. But on a gas range of quality with the right pan, the boil is quick and the other advantages numerous ...not to mention that my pot doesn't slide all over the stove!

[mitmondol]

I just do not like electric. With my gas stovetop water boils in a few minutes, I can adjust the heat instantly, can flambe etc.
It is a jennair dual fuel, one burner is strong enough for stir frying. Would not switch to electric, no matter what CR says.

[Uncle Bob]

Viking Gas burner here...will never go electric!
In the past few years I have begun to question CR's neutrality.
Please don't ask for specifics...just a feeling a get sometimes!

[TexanFrench]

If you base a rating on how fast it takes to boil water, as Consumer Reports does, most electric stoves with high-powered heating elements will outperform gas. However, if you are an (aspiring) good cook, boiling water is not all you'll ever want to do.

If you want to do cooking that allows you to precisely control the temperature--get just to the right point for what's in your pan--gas will outperform electricity. When gas is off, it's off--there's no more heat, except what's retained in your pan. When electricity is off, you've got several more minutes of heat from the burner. So unless you want to burn the stuff you're cooking, you've got to plan for those extra moments of heat (sometimes problematic) or move the pan off the burner (sometimes heavy--and where are you going to put it?).

So if you've gone beyond just boiling water, you'll probably want a gas stove.

[Veloce]

CR likes to project an image of objectivity but it's largely a sham. It's true that they objectively report the results of the tests they perform, but the choice of what type of products to test, which products of that type to include in the test, what kind of tests to perform and how to perform those tests are all subjective.

[Andy M.]

Originally Posted by Veloce

CR likes to project an image of objectivity but it's largely a sham. It's true that they objectively report the results of the tests they perform, but the choice of what type of products to test, which products of that type to include in the test, what kind of tests to perform and how to perform those tests are all subjective.

Not sure what you're suggesting here.

Are you saying their motives are suspect or their methods don't produce accurate results or just a general observation that no comparative test of this kind can be truly and completely objective.

...and, how would you do it differently to make it better?

[Caine]

Regardless of everything that has been reported by Consumer REports or has been said in all the previous posts, I would always choose gas over electricity simply because electricity costs one **** of a lot more than gas, at least here in California. In fact, if someone made modern gas lamps, I'd replace all of my electric ones.

[Veloce]

Originally Posted by Andy M.

Not sure what you're suggesting here. Are you saying their motives are suspect or their methods don't produce accurate results or just a general observation that no comparative test of this kind can be truly and completely objective.

I was not questioning CR's motives or the accuracy of their results. (Those are topics for another discussion.) I was observing that their apparently objective conclusions are influenced by the unstated subjective choices they make before they start testing.

Originally Posted by Andy M.

...and, how would you do it differently to make it better?

Better in what respect? As you say, no comparative test can be truly objective, and that's the business they're in. I guess I just think some "consumers" (I hate that word) should be a little more skeptical. And personally, when I used to read the magazine I'd have liked them to lighten up a bit and admit in print that different people like different things. I'm not sure I ever saw the word "fun" in any of their reports.