Gas Cooktop vs Electric: Which is Better for Perth Homes?

Renovating your kitchen or replacing an old cooktop? One of the biggest decisions you'll face is whether to go with gas or electric. It's a choice that affects your cooking experience, running costs, and even your home's value.

In Perth, both options are viable—we have excellent natural gas infrastructure and reliable electricity supply. But which one is actually better for your needs?

This comprehensive guide compares gas and electric cooktops across all the factors that matter: cooking performance, running costs, installation costs, maintenance, safety, and resale value. By the end, you'll know exactly which option suits your Perth home.

For serious home cooks, performance is everything. Here's how gas and electric stack up:

Gas cooktops:

Instant heat control is gas's biggest advantage. Turn the dial and heat responds immediately—crucial for techniques like searing, stir-frying, and delicate sauces. You can see the flame size, giving you visual feedback that electric can't match.

Temperature range: Gas provides excellent high heat for woks and quick boiling. Low simmer settings can be tricky on cheaper models, but premium gas cooktops excel here too.

Even heating: Flames spread beyond the pot base, heating the sides too. Great for woks, less ideal for flat-bottomed pans.

Works in blackouts: Gas cooktops work during power outages (though modern ones with electronic ignition need a match).

Electric cooktops (ceramic/induction):

Precise temperature: Modern electric cooktops maintain exact temperatures better than gas. Set it to 180°C and it stays there. Induction is particularly precise.

Even heat distribution: Ceramic and induction provide perfectly even heating across the pot base—no hot spots.

Induction speed: Induction beats gas for boiling speed, heating water 25-50% faster than gas. Ceramic is slower than gas.

Gentler simmer: Electric cooktops can hold very low temperatures more consistently than gas, perfect for melting chocolate or holding sauces.

Winner: For instant response and cooking feel, gas wins. For precision and boiling speed, induction wins. Ceramic electric comes third.

Perth's energy costs make this comparison interesting. Let's look at real numbers:

Energy costs in Perth (2024 average): - Natural gas: $0.08-$0.12 per MJ - Electricity: $0.28-$0.35 per kWh

Average household cooking energy use: - Typical family: 200-300 hours cooking per year - Gas cooktop: 600-900 MJ per year - Electric cooktop: 300-500 kWh per year

Annual running costs: - Gas cooktop: $50-$110 per year - Ceramic electric: $85-$175 per year - Induction: $65-$140 per year (more efficient than ceramic)

Gas is cheapest to run in Perth, typically 30-40% cheaper than ceramic electric. Induction is more efficient than ceramic but still slightly more expensive than gas.

However: If you have solar panels, the equation changes dramatically. Cooking during the day with solar-generated electricity means near-zero running costs for electric cooktops. Many Perth households are going electric for this reason.

20-year running cost comparison (no solar): - Gas: $1,000-$2,200 - Ceramic electric: $1,700-$3,500 - Induction: $1,300-$2,800

Winner: Gas for grid power. Electric if you have solar and cook during the day.

Upfront costs vary significantly depending on your home's existing setup:

Gas cooktop installation:

If you already have gas: - Basic 4-burner gas cooktop: $400-$800 - Mid-range 5-burner: $800-$1,500 - Premium 5-burner with wok: $1,500-$3,000 - Installation (licensed gas fitter): $200-$400 - Total: $600-$3,400

If you need gas connected: - Add gas line from meter: $500-$1,500 - Full gas connection to property: $1,500-$3,000+

Electric cooktop installation:

For standard electric circuit: - Basic ceramic cooktop: $400-$900 - Mid-range ceramic: $900-$1,500 - Premium induction: $1,500-$3,500 - Installation (licensed electrician): $150-$300 - Total: $550-$3,800

If you need circuit upgrade: - Cooktops draw 7-10kW, requiring dedicated circuit - Circuit upgrade: $300-$800

Switching from gas to electric or vice versa: - Removing old + installing new: $400-$700 - May need benchtop modifications: $200-$500

Winner: Similar costs if you already have the right connection. Electric slightly cheaper for new installations in homes without gas.

Both gas and electric cooktops are safe when properly installed and used. But they have different safety considerations:

Gas cooktop safety concerns:

Open flame risks: - Can ignite nearby materials (tea towels, packaging) - Hair and loose clothing hazards - Children need supervision around open flames

Gas leak risks: - Requires proper installation by licensed gas fitter - Annual safety checks recommended - Gas smell means evacuate and call emergency

Carbon monoxide: - Poorly maintained or ventilated gas cooktops produce CO - Blue flames = safe, yellow flames = danger - Ensure adequate kitchen ventilation

Accidental gas release: - Turning knob without lighting burner releases gas - Modern models have safety shutoffs

Electric cooktop safety concerns:

Hot surface (ceramic): - Surface stays hot for 10-30 minutes after turning off - Can burn you if you don't realize it's still hot - Most have residual heat indicators

No visual indicator when on (ceramic): - Can't see if element is on like you can see gas flame - Rely on indicator lights

Induction electromagnetic fields: - Can interfere with pacemakers (check with doctor) - Generally considered safe

Electric shock risks: - Faulty wiring or damaged elements - Requires licensed electrician installation

Winner: Induction is safest (no open flame, no hot surface when off, automatic pan detection). Gas and ceramic electric are roughly equal, with different risks.

Day-to-day maintenance matters when you're cooking multiple meals daily:

Gas cooktop maintenance:

Daily cleaning: - Remove grates and wipe down surface - Clean spills immediately (they bake on otherwise) - Grates often dishwasher safe

Regular maintenance: - Clean burner ports monthly (blocked ports cause yellow flames) - Check ignition system works properly - Ensure burner caps are correctly positioned

Professional servicing: - Every 2-3 years recommended - Gas fitter checks connections, burners, safety devices - Cost: $80-$150 per service

Cleaning difficulty: Moderate. Grates and burner caps need removing. Food gets trapped around burners.

Electric cooktop maintenance:

Ceramic electric: - Wipe with ceramic cooktop cleaner - Use scraper for burnt-on food - Avoid abrasive cleaners (scratch surface) - Very easy, flat surface

Induction: - Same as ceramic (induction is a type of ceramic cooktop) - Flat glass surface wipes clean easily - Spills don't bake on as badly (surface doesn't get as hot)

Professional servicing: - Generally not needed unless faulty - Electrician for any repairs

Cleaning difficulty: Easy. Flat surface, no grates or burners to remove.

Winner: Electric (especially induction) wins for easy cleaning. Gas requires more regular cleaning attention.

How long will your cooktop last, and what can go wrong?

Gas cooktop lifespan:

Expected life: 15-20 years with proper maintenance

Common issues: - Ignition system failure (most common) - Blocked burner ports - Worn knobs and valves - Gas leak from deteriorated seals

Repair costs: - Ignition system: $100-$200 - Burner replacement: $80-$150 - Valve replacement: $100-$250 - Full service: $80-$150

Reliability: Very good. Simple mechanical design with few electronic parts. Can often repair individual components.

Electric cooktop lifespan:

Ceramic electric: 10-15 years Induction: 10-15 years (newer technology, less long-term data)

Common issues: - Element failure (ceramic) - Control board failure - Touch controls malfunction - Cracked glass surface

Repair costs: - Element replacement (ceramic): $150-$300 - Control board: $200-$500 - Cracked glass: $300-$600 (often not economical to repair)

Reliability: Good, but electronic components can fail. Cracked glass usually means replacement rather than repair.

Winner: Gas has longer lifespan and more economical repairs. Electric is reliable but harder/costlier to repair.

Does your cooktop choice affect your home's value? Here's what Perth real estate agents and buyers say:

Gas cooktop appeal:

Preferred by: Serious home cooks, older generations, European and Asian buyers (who grew up cooking with gas)

Perceived as: Professional, traditional, reliable

Market preference: Still the most popular choice in Perth. About 60% of home cooks prefer gas.

Value impact: Neutral to slightly positive, especially in family homes and higher-end properties.

Electric cooktop appeal:

Induction preferred by: Young professionals, sustainability-focused buyers, modern design enthusiasts

Perceived as: Modern, safe, high-tech, easy to clean

Market preference: Growing rapidly, especially in new builds and renovations. Premium induction is seen as a luxury feature.

Value impact: Premium induction adds value in modern homes. Cheap ceramic electric may detract value.

Real estate agent perspective:

"Gas or quality induction are both fine. What hurts resale value is cheap, old, or poorly maintained cooktops. Invest in a good cooktop regardless of fuel type."

Winner: Premium gas or premium induction both add value. Mid-range of either is neutral. Cheap ceramic electric may detract value.

Living in Perth affects this decision in several ways:

Natural gas availability: Perth has excellent natural gas infrastructure. Most suburbs have reticulated natural gas, making gas cooktops convenient and economical.

Coastal suburbs: If you're in coastal areas (Cottesloe, Scarborough, etc.), salt air can corrode gas fittings faster. Factor in more frequent servicing.

Climate and ventilation: Perth's mild climate means you can open windows easily for ventilation when using gas. Proper ventilation is essential for gas cooktop safety.

Solar panel adoption: Perth has the highest solar uptake in Australia. If you have (or plan to get) solar panels: - Electric cooktops become extremely cheap to run - Cooking during the day costs nearly nothing - This tips the economics toward electric

Electricity costs: Perth's electricity rates are moderate by Australian standards but still higher than gas. Without solar, gas has a clear running cost advantage.

New home trends: Perth's new homes increasingly feature induction cooktops as standard or upgrade options. It's becoming the "premium modern" choice.

Wok cooking: Perth's large Asian community means many households cook with woks regularly. Gas is still superior for wok cooking—the flame can wrap around the wok's sides.

After installing and maintaining thousands of cooktops across Perth, here's our honest advice:

Choose gas if: - You're a keen cook who values instant heat control - You regularly use woks for Asian cooking - You want lowest running costs (without solar) - You're in an area with frequent power outages - You already have gas connected - You prefer the traditional cooking feel

Choose induction if: - You have solar panels (or plan to get them) - You want the easiest cleaning - You have young children (safest option) - You value precise temperature control - You're building a modern/contemporary kitchen - You want the fastest boiling times

Choose ceramic electric if: - Budget is your primary concern - You don't have gas connected and don't want to pay for it - You want easier cleaning than gas - You have solar panels

Avoid: - Very cheap gas cooktops (poor simmer control, unreliable ignition) - Old ceramic electric cooktops (slow, inefficient)

Best value choices: - Gas: Mid-range 5-burner with wok burner ($800-$1,200) - Induction: Bosch or Miele entry-level ($1,500-$2,000) - Ceramic: Westinghouse mid-range ($700-$1,000)

There's no universal "better" choice—it depends on your specific situation:

Gas wins for: - Running costs (without solar) - Cooking control and feel - Wok cooking - Lifespan and repairability - Works during power outages

Induction wins for: - Cleaning ease - Safety - Precision temperature control - Boiling speed - Running costs (with solar)

Making your decision:

1. Have solar or planning to get it? → Induction 2. Serious cook who loves gas? → Gas 3. Young family, prioritizing safety? → Induction 4. Budget-conscious without solar? → Gas 5. Want modern, easy-clean kitchen? → Induction

Ready to install a new cooktop?

We're licensed gas fitters and work with trusted electricians across Perth. Whether you choose gas or electric, we ensure professional installation with all required certifications.

- Free in-home consultation and quote - Same-week installation available - All brands supplied and installed - Licensed and insured professionals - Removal and disposal of old cooktop included

Call us today to discuss the best cooktop option for your Perth kitchen!