Electric Cooking for Homes: Benefits, Costs, and Top Models
Electric cooking is a great way to prepare delicious meals while saving energy, money, and the environment. Electric cooking appliances, such as cooktops, ranges, and wall ovens, use electricity instead of gas to heat your food. This means they do not produce harmful emissions or pollutants that can affect your health and the climate. Electric cooking also offers more precise and consistent temperature control, faster heating and cooling, and easier cleaning than gas cooking.
But what are the differences between electric and induction cooking? And how can you afford to switch to electric cooking appliances with the help of the Inflation Reduction Act? And what are some of the top models of electric and induction cooktops that you can buy today? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and more.
Electric vs. Induction Cooking
Electric and induction cooking are both types of electric cooking, but they use different methods to heat your cookware and food. Electric cooktops use metal coils under a glass or ceramic surface to generate heat waves that transfer to your pots and pans through infrared energy. Induction cooktops use copper coils under a glass surface to create an electromagnetic field that heats your cookware directly.
Both electric and induction cooktops have their pros and cons. Here are some of the main ones:
- Efficiency – Induction cooktops are more efficient than electric cooktops because they transfer heat directly to the cookware without losing much energy in the process. Induction cooktops can deliver up to 90% of the electromagnetic energy generated to the food in the pan, compared to as little as 38% of the energy generated in gas ranges1. Electric cooktops are still more efficient than gas cooktops, but they lose some energy as heat waves travel through the air and the surface.
- Speed – Induction cooktops are faster than electric cooktops because they heat up and cool down almost instantly. Induction cooktops can boil water in half the time as electric or gas cooktops1. Electric cooktops take longer to heat up and cool down because they rely on thermal conduction rather than electromagnetic radiation.
- Safety – Induction cooktops are safer than electric cooktops because they do not get hot themselves. The surface of an induction cooktop remains cool to the touch even when it is on. This reduces the risk of burns or fires. Electric cooktops get hot when they are in use and stay hot for a while after they are turned off. This can pose a hazard for children or pets who may touch them accidentally.
- Cost – Electric cooktops are cheaper than induction cooktops because they use simpler technology and materials. The average cost of an electric cooktop ranges from $300 to $1,0002, while the average cost of an induction cooktop ranges from $700 to $2,5003. However, induction cooktops can save you money in the long run because they use less energy and require less maintenance than electric or gas cooktops.
- Compatibility – Electric cooktops are compatible with any type of cookware that can withstand high temperatures. Induction cooktops are compatible only with magnetic cookware that contains iron or steel. You can check if your cookware is compatible with induction by using a magnet. If it sticks to the bottom of your pot or pan, it will work with induction. If not, you may need to buy new cookware or use an adapter plate.
The Inflation Reduction Act and Electric Cooking Appliances
The Inflation Reduction Act is a federal legislation that was passed in 2022 to address various issues related to climate change, infrastructure, social welfare, and economic recovery. The act includes many provisions that aim to promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in various sectors, including transportation, electricity, buildings, and industry.
One of the provisions of the act is to provide rebates for consumers who purchase new electric appliances, including electric cooking appliances such as cooktops, ranges, and wall ovens. The rebates are funded by $4.5 billion allocated to states for this purpose4. The states will decide how to distribute the rebates according to their own criteria and programs.
The amount of rebate you can receive depends on your income level and the type of appliance you buy. The act provides a rough framework for determining the rebate amount:
- If your income is between 80% and 150% of your local area median income (AMI), you can receive a rebate of 50% of the price of your electric appliance, up to a maximum of $840.
- If your income is below 80% of your AMI, you can receive a rebate of 100% of the price of your electric appliance, up to $840.
- If your income is above 150% of your AMI, you do not qualify for a rebate.
You can calculate your AMI by using this tool5. You can also check if there are any additional rebates or incentives available in your state by using this database6.
The rebate program is expected to start in 2023, but you may want to start planning ahead and looking for the best electric cooking appliances for your home. Here are some of the top models that we recommend, based on our research and reviews.
Top Electric and Induction Cooktops
If you are looking for a new electric or induction cooktop, you may want to consider these models that offer excellent performance, features, and value.
- GE Profile Smart Double Oven Electric Range – This is our top pick for the best overall electric range. It has a double oven, an air-fryer, and a smart appliance all-in-one. It has a large capacity of 6.6 cubic feet and a true convection oven that provides even and consistent heat. It also has a WiFi connectivity feature that allows you to control it remotely with your smartphone or voice assistant. It costs $2,699 at AJ Madison7.
- Samsung Electric Convection+ Range – This is our top pick for the best convection electric range. It has a 6.3-cubic-foot oven with a convection+ technology that circulates hot air faster and more evenly. It also has a steam clean function that makes it easy to remove grease and food residue. It costs $899 at Home Depot8.
- Café Slide-In Smart Induction Range – This is our top pick for the best splurge induction range. It has a sleek and stylish design with customizable knobs and handles. It has a 5.7-cubic-foot oven with a true European convection system that delivers precise and accurate heat. It also has a WiFi connectivity feature that allows you to control it remotely with your smartphone or voice assistant. It costs $3,599 at AJ Madison9.
- Frigidaire Gallery Electric Range with Air Fry – This is our top pick for the best electric range with air fry. It has a 5.4-cubic-foot oven with an air fry function that lets you make crispy and healthy food without oil. It also has a quick preheat function that heats the oven in less than six minutes. It costs $1,099 at Home Depot4.
- KitchenAid Slide-In Induction Range – This is our top pick for the best induction range. It has a 7.1-cubic-foot oven with an even-heat true convection system that ensures consistent heat throughout the oven. It also has a steam rack that adds moisture to the oven for enhanced cooking results. It costs $2,699 at Home Depot10.
Conclusion
Electric cooking is a smart choice for anyone who wants to save energy, money, and the environment while enjoying delicious meals. Electric cooking appliances offer more advantages than gas cooking appliances in terms of efficiency, speed, safety, and cleanliness.
If you are thinking about switching to electric cooking appliances, you may be able to benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act’s rebate program that will start in 2023. The program will provide rebates for consumers who buy new electric appliances based on their income level and appliance type.
If you are looking for the best electric or induction cooktops for your home, you may want to check out some of the top models that we recommended above. They offer excellent performance, features, and value for different needs and preferences.
We hope this blog post has given you some useful information and tips on electric cooking for homes. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below or contact us at The Greener Electron. Thank you for reading our blog! 🌱