Which is greener, gas or electric cooking?

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that cooking accounts for 4.5 percent of the energy we use at home [source: U.S. Department of Energy]. Because that's a relatively tiny slice of our household carbon emissions, the question of whether gas or electric stoves save more energy isn't a burning one for people looking to minimize their carbon footprints [source: American Council for Energy Efficient Economy].

Nevertheless, does one have any advantages over the other, particularly for the casual chefs among us? Because gas burners provide instant heat, and cooks have greater control over the temperatures, they're generally more energy efficient than their electric competitors [source: Directgov]. When you turn on a gas stove, you instantly get a flame, whereas electric stoves often take longer to heat and cool. Also, newer models that use an electric ignition rather than a continually-burning pilot light use up to 40 percent less gas [source: State of Minnesota].

The heat we feel from electric stoves traces back to coal-burning power plants [source: TreeHugger]. According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, this process spends three or four units of fuel in exchange for one unit of electricity [source: Cureton and Reed]. At the same time, gas stovetops are not environmentally perfect either, since they hook up to natural gas pipelines.

What's a cook to do? Read the next page to learn about other options for making your meals more environmentally friendly.

While the consumption debate of electric vs gas stove may favor the latter option, there's a caveat worth mentioning: the induction cooktop. If you're in the market for a new appliance and want to reduce your food-prep footprint, you might consider this option of the electric range.

Induction creates heat faster by magnetically accelerating metal molecules in steel, cast-iron, and some stainless steel pots. Once you remove the pot from the eye, the stove also cools much faster [source: Schaub]. Because it conforms to those specific metals, an induction stove transfers 90 percent of its heat to a pot [source: McGee].

On the other hand, gas appliances transfer just 35 to 40 percent of its heat to the pan on top of it, and an electric one delivers 70 percent [source: McGee]. Even natural gas stoves can't compete with the induction method. Just beware that the price tag could deter you. Most induction stovetops run between $600 and $4,000 for an average model.

When it comes to energy waste, the way you cook could wind up being a bigger factor than how you compare gas and electric ranges. For instance, when two people make the same meal, it's possible for one to use twice the energy doing so [source: Cureton and Reed]. The simple act of covering a pot of water will bring it to a boil in half the time it takes uncovered [source: McGee].

The pots and pans you select also make a difference in cooking time. To maximize the heat transmission on electric ranges, find flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the eyes [source: Cureton and Reed]. Regularly clean the grease catchers under your burners since the shiny surface reflects heat and reduces cooking time.

Whether you prefer gas cooktops or an electric oven, being mindful of your cooking techniques can make a big difference, from an environmental perspective. There are many other helpful tips about conserving energy in the kitchen.

Size matters on the stove and in the oven. Pull out the Dutch ovens and stew pots when preparing large amounts of food. However, there are many opportunities to cook without requiring a gas line or electric cooktop.

Other cooking appliances can cut down on cost and energy as well. Microwaving is one of the cheapest and most energy-efficient cooking methods, using two-thirds less power than electric ovens [source: Cureton and Reed]. But since microwaves are more suitable to reheating rather than cooking, try out a toaster oven for baking small dishes.

For more ideas about cooking and turning your house into an eco-haven, visit the links on the next page.