• Gas and electric stoves both offer positive and negative qualitiestwo gas stoves image by Christopher Walker from Fotolia.com
  
  

Gas Stoves are Versatile and Convenient

• Gas stoves don't get as hot as electric stoves, so they don't heat a room as much. They are also available when electricity goes out, so cooking during a storm power outage is still possible. Gas stoves are also slightly cheaper than electric, with a yearly cost of around $48 compared to electric's $61 (based on U.S. national averages for August 2009).
  
  

Electric Stoves are Safer

• Electric stoves are safer because they don't present the dangers of gas gas leaks and accidents resulting from a gas burner that's turned on just enough to release fumes into the air undetected.
  
  

Bottom Line

• Depending upon the cost of electricity and power in your area (ask utility companies about average annual costs in your area) and whether you are concerned more with efficiency and convenience, you may prefer gas. As for safety, non-automotive-related carbon monoxide poisoning causes an average of 170 deaths yearly, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision. Proper precautions and procedures with natural gas will reduce this risk.