Choosing the right cookware for gas stoves can be tricky without knowing which products work well with the gas elements and the heating temperatures. Here’s a useful guide if you’re looking to make a long-term cookware purchase.
Features of Gas Stoves
While gas stoves can be a bit pricier than electric models, there are a number of great features that they come with – in addition to being compatible with all cookware types.
1. Standard Gas Stoves
● Cast-iron burner grates
● Porcelain-enamel cooktops
● Lower heat burners
● Storage drawers
● Smaller oven windows
● Temperature dials
2. Mid-Range Gas Stoves
● Steel grates which are easier to clean
● Digital settings for times and temperatures
● Storage drawers
● Self-cleaning oven
● More colour options
3. Premium Range Gas Stoves
● High-performing burners
● More burners
● Removable stovetop griddle
● One or two convection ovens
● Heavy-duty rollout racks
● Easier cleaning
Other features that you can expect from leading appliance brands such as Defy are electronic ignition for faster starts and Thermofan technology for more evenly-dispersed heat.
What About Hybrid Gas/Electric Stove Ranges?
An increasingly popular option is the combination gas stove with the electric oven range which offers the best of both worlds. The dual-fuel is the primary choice for chefs the world over, for a number of reasons.
● Gas cooktops offer fast, even heat that is the best for all types of cookware.
● Electric ovens, unlike gas ovens, will maintain a regulated heat while cooking. With gas, the flame will go out if it gets too hot and re-ignite, fluctuating the temperature.
● With gas stovetops, there is no over-cooking because once the stove is turned off, the heat ends. With electric stovetops, it takes a while to cool down and risks over-cooking or burning food.
● These extremely well-built home appliances are durable, and while initial costs are higher, there are savings in the long-term related to lower maintenance and electricity costs.
What Are the Best Pots and Pans for a Gas Stove?
If you’re looking for the ultimate cookware to match your awesome gas stove, then here’s a look at what materials are best suited to this particular heating device.
1. Stainless Steel Cookware
This is a corrosive-resistant, durable material that won’t impact the ingredient flavours. However, because it’s not a great conductor of heat, you should check that it’s layered with a better heat conductor such as copper or aluminium, making it a great cookware device.
2. Aluminium Pans
You could skip the middle-man altogether and just invest directly in an aluminium cookware set as this has excellent heat conduction. The one downside is that aluminium is not as durable as steel and, with a higher heat, it can warp or scratch. A way to mitigate this is by anodizing the aluminium surface, making it much stronger, although this generally requires hand washing.
3. Copper Pots for Gas Stove
This has emerged as an extremely trendy metal and makes for an incredibly aesthetically appealing cookware range. As with aluminium, it conducts heat well, scratches easily, and can impact the flavour of food. This can also be countered through lining or cladding.
What Cookware Material Should Be Avoided on Gas Stoves?
On the other side of the spectrum are materials that should rather not be used on a gas stove. These include:
4. Cast Iron Cookware
This is not to say cast iron should never be used on a gas stove, but it is a very strong, heavy metal that takes time to heat up. Cast iron is great for lengthy braising of meat, and while it heats evenly, is best used on other cooking devices – generally open flames.
5. Ceramic Pots and Pans
This is also a good-looking cookware device, but it’s not nearly as durable as stainless steel. Ceramic is often used as a non-stick coating for cookware but can become damaged in higher temperatures.
Can You Use Non-Stick Material in Gas Stove Cookware?
Non-stick cookware is only unsafe when it is used on extremely high heat, so provided it’s used on low-to-medium heat, then there’s no risk of the coating breaking down.
With a high-quality gas stove, you’re unlikely to go wrong no matter what cookware you choose. However, to get the most out of your cooking experience, it’s best to go with stainless steel, aluminium or copper cookware materials from a reputable brand.
