Should I Install a Propane Gas Stove?

Written on: December 25, 2023

Choose to Cook with Confidence—and Propane

There’s so much to consider when building or buying a new home. Some things are subjective and personal, such as architectural style, but others are more practical. Choosing a kitchen range is one of those. Of course, appearance and features are part of the decision, but so is efficiency—and performance, and that’s where propane stands out.

That’s why all the media hype about gas stoves effecting indoor air quality can make a decision about what type of cooking equipment to install less fun and more fraught. While the stories have prompted talk of banning gas stoves altogether, much of the information getting so much hype has been misleading.

The fact is, not all gas is the same, and it’s important to know that while natural gas stoves can potentially emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, propane contains no methane. And, cooking of any kind creates particulate matter and affects indoor air quality, no matter what fuel is used.

Why Cook with Propane?

Not only is your propane stove safe, it’s great at its job—and makes you a better chef. Peek into the kitchen of your favorite restaurant—or sit at a chef’s table with a view of the culinary action—and you’ll see a gas-fired range. But you don’t need to be a professional chef to appreciate the benefits of cooking with a propane stove. Here’s how they compare:

1. Control. An electric range will never provide the same control as cooking with gas. Think about why you opt for a propane grill instead of charcoal: you can adjust your flame with the turn of a knob. An electric burner doesn’t respond as quickly, taking more time to reduce or increase the heat. That means you can sear food quickly without overcooking it, and you can keep a delicate sauce at a subtle simmer without scorching.
2. Cost. Propane burns extremely efficiently: it generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. That means cooking with propane can be significantly less expensive than cooking with electricity.
3. Reliability. Propane is a convenient, reliable fuel. You’ll always have a ready supply, especially if you sign up for our convenient automatic delivery service. It works when the power is out, too, which means you can heat up some soup while you wait for the utility company to restore power. (Propane is great for running a whole-house generator, too, speaking of outages!)
4. Domestic. Did you know propane is an American energy source? Nearly 90% of the United States’ supply of propane is domestically generated. Most of it comes from the processing of natural gas—which is considered a greenhouse gas when burned. Propane is not considered a greenhouse gas.

The Bottom Line

Whether for cooking or heating, or fueling a variety of equipment in your home, propane is very safe, thanks to strong government regulation and high industry standards. Not only is propane safe, when it comes to environmental impact, propane gas is one of the cleanest and most efficient fuels around. It produces minimal emissions. Another important factor when it comes to evaluating whether a fuel is “green”: Propane also doesn’t harm soil or groundwater.

Ready to get cooking with propane? Talk to the team at Pico. Our pros can answer all your questions and help make adding a propane range and other appliances to your home easy. Contact us today for more information.