Cooking with natural gas comes with many benefits. Gas appliances deliver uniform heat with excellent temperature control, with instant on/off capabilities on cooktops.
Today's natural gas ranges, ovens and cooktops are energy efficient and easy to clean. Manufacturers continue to add new features and designs to satisfy just about every home buyer. You should be aware of the many options now available.
A range of possibilities
Ranges typically come in sizes from 24 to 60 inches and sometimes come with grills and griddles. Most manufacturers offer ranges with double ovens and separate burners for gentle simmering or rapid boiling.
Other features include:
- High-capacity gas burners, up to 20,000 Btu
- Star-shaped burners for improved flame distribution
- Continuous grates, centralized controls and automatic reignition
- Dual-stacked burner for faster boiling and low simmering
Appliance manufacturers also offer a variety of finishes including glossy white, stainless steel, slate and metallic matte. Home owners who want bright, vibrant colors also have many hues to choose from.
Under the hood
When designing a kitchen, don't forget about the exhaust hood. What was once an ugly metal box is now being replaced with different shapes and colors to fit almost any decor. Features include:
- Air-recirculating technology that allows hoods to double as air purifiers
- Lightweight designs with quiet, energy-efficient fans
- Wrapped-in-glass designs with lighting supplied by LEDs
- Hoodless ventilation combining a four-speed suction unit with flush-mounted lights
- State-of-the-art blower system technology, which provides up to 30% more airflow
Natural gas is preferred
Research shows a large modern kitchen is a must and when it comes to cooking equipment, natural gas is preferred by more than three to one. Here’s why:
- It costs about half as much to cook with a natural gas range as with a similar electric range.
- Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel, producing fewer emissions than coal-fired electricity.
- The source efficiency of natural gas is almost triple that of electricity.
And with the many design options available for natural gas appliances, each homeowner's dream kitchen can become a reality.
Pensacola Energy helps you get cooking with gas by offering a $200 rebate when you switch to a natural gas range/cooktop or oven. For details visit pensacolaenergy.com or call 850-436-5050.