<p>Love, love, love gas!!! Had it in our previous house, and was disappointed that the new house (when we moved 2+ years ago) didn’t have it. Instead, I now have a JennAir cooktop with radiant heat. Thought I’d hate it, but, surprise, I don’t. Talk about instant heat! Ultimately I would still prefer gas for it’s infinite heat control, but I can live with what I have.</p>
<p>We did a kitchen remodel 10 years ago and put in a gas cook top and an electric oven. The temperature control offered by the gas version is superior to the electric IMO. Even though the salesman thought I was crazy, i am pleased with it. If i were doing it again, I would not go with JennAir. It has been reliable, but has the most annoying clicking associated with the automatic pilot light. The repairman says they all do it–even the one at his house–and nobody can stop that infernal clicking! I’d be curious if any other JennAir owners know what I’m referring to.</p>
<p>Look at propane if you have to pay for a gas line. Propane is even better than gas!</p>
<p>I’m glad I’m not the only person who doesn’t like electric. </p>
<p>Some day, if I ever have this thing they refer to as disposable income, I would love a sealed burner gas stove top (to replace my old, working Kenmore stovetop). </p>
<p>I love my wall mounted oven. I would not be happy having to get down on the floor to use the broiler. Who thought that was good design?! Oh yeah, somebody that doesn’t do the cooking!</p>
<p>The whole ‘gas stoves are cheaper to operate than electric versions’ isn’t really always true. The websites that promote this idea only look at the charge for a unit of gas vs the charge for a unit of electricity… and yes gas is much cheaper. But… they usually ignore the minimum charges one pays each month just for the ‘privilege’ of being able to tap into utility company’s gas lines. </p>
<p>We have a gas stove and it’s the only thing that gas is used for (heat is oil). Each month the amount of gas used rarely even registers on the meter, but we still get charged the $15 base fee for ‘distribution charges’ etc… If one has gas heat too then this charge gets spread out a lot more. So in the end, the gas stove probably costs us slightly more in utilities than what electric would.</p>
<p>However, regardless, gas is the way to go for cooking (especially on the burners) and I wouldn’t have it any other way.</p>
<p>
Not at all – my mom for some reason only wanted electric, so that is what I grew up with. But as soon as I had my first gas range I was converted – it’s that instant on/instant off quality plus the ability to turn the flame up or down. There simply is a lot more control.</p>
<p>Love love love cooking on gas stoves. It’s so responsive, and if I want a lot of heat carryover after I’m done cooking, I’ll just use cast iron. If I’m cooking pasta and doing a million other things and my pot starts to boil over (though, helpful hint, I should probably have just added a splash of olive oil to the water to prevent that!) then I don’t have to go through the rigamarole of lifting the pot off the electric burner, I can just turn down the gas.</p>
<p>It’s much easier to find the “correct” temperature to make something simmer, or boil, or what-have-you with gas than it is with an electric stove.</p>
<p>A range with gas burners and an electric oven is what many serious home cooks tell me. But I would want just the opposite. Anywho, the Viking brand is over rated and over priced.</p>
<p>I grew up with electric and this is the first gas cooktop I have ever owned. My preference for gas came strictly from cooking in restaurants - where gas is the only game in town. </p>
<p>I too like the level of control that comes with gas - as well as instant full blast settings when I want to sear something…</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great advice (still open to opinions!) I do have a budget, and I’m only shopping for a freestanding range so some of the other options mentioned are out.</p>
<p>I’m going to go take another look at some gas stoves tomorrow. Electric would really be the more simple option - wouldn’t have to get the gas hookup, plus I"ve seen an electric stove that appeals to me in looks (yes, I’m really that picky and partial to appliance looks!) so I’m still tossing and turning. If I could get this model in gas, I’d be all set. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to come in gas. :(</p>
<p>No decision is ever easy!!!</p>
<p>Base your decision on the cost/benefit ratio. Electric ovens have been best- this is one thing Consumer Reports did a good job of evaluating. Also- top broiler. Won’t be able to get a good electric coil stove shortly, the GE models (count the # of coils- most in GE) still around will be gone. I just talked to a Sears salesman and found out that recent smoth top electric ranges are more durable than years ago. You need magnetic (ie not aluminum) cookware for induction ranges and they are more expensive. Likewise with convection ovens- they cost more. I like being able to keep things hot on my electric stove after I turn off the burner. No problem with temp control, just turn the dial a bit. No chance of a gas leak with electric. Pros and cons to both. btw- around here we typically have gas furnaces and gas hot water heaters. Now that smooth tops have been improved I don’t mind the loss of coil types, especially since I got a good (not best) set of cookware with flat bottoms. Whatever you do- don’t get the cheapest model sold, be aware of quality and reliability. Some stoves are soo nice, but not worth the cost.</p>
<p>Gas stove fan here. After years of suffering with an electric cooktop, I got a gas one at my then new home. In addition to the advantages mentioned by other posters, there is one more: I can cook on it when the power goes out, and it happens every winter in my neck of the woods. I just have to light the burners the old-fashioned way - with a BBQ lighter. And if I need a fire-roasted pepper, I do not have to go outside and use the grill. 
I do like the electrical wall oven - like sue mentioned, it is easy to get the 20-lb turkey in and out of it.</p>
<p>My appliances were made by Thermador. The brand gets a very mixed review from me. The cooktop is fabulous, the oven is fine, but not great. A couple of years ago, the display went out, but the oven still worked. H got the electronics out and discovered that a capacitor went bad. He soldered in a new 50-cent one from Radio Shack, and the problem was solved!</p>
<p>So if I go with a smooth top electric will my standard years old Faberware not work???</p>
<p>Have heard from from a salesperson at Best Buy that although LG looks good, it is overrated. Lots of repairs and complaints.</p>