Electric vs Gas Stoves: Which Is Right for You?
Choosing between an electric and a gas stove can feel daunting, especially when both promise the cosy glow of a traditional fire without the ash and chopping of logs. The right choice depends on your home, your budget, and whether you have an existing gas supply. In this guide we compare electric stoves and gas stoves across heat output, flue requirements, running costs, installation, control, and flame realism, all from a UK perspective. By the end you will know exactly which option suits your living space.
The Quick Verdict
If you have a mains gas connection and want substantial, genuine flame heating for a main living room, a gas stove is usually the stronger choice. If you rent, live in a flat, or have no gas supply, an electric stove offers fuss-free installation and instant warmth. Below we explain the reasoning behind these recommendations so you can match the technology to your circumstances.
Heat Output: Gas Leads on Power
Heat output is the clearest difference between the two. A gas stove burns natural gas or LPG to produce a real flame, typically delivering between 3kW and 7kW of heat. That is enough to warm a sizeable lounge as a genuine heat source rather than a supplementary one.
An electric stove usually tops out around 2kW because it draws from a standard 13A domestic socket. That suits smaller rooms, snugs, and spaces that already have central heating. For a large open-plan area where the stove is the primary heater, gas has the clear advantage.
Flue Requirements and Installation
This is where the two technologies diverge most dramatically, and it often decides the matter on its own.
Gas Stove Flue Needs
A gas stove must remove combustion gases safely, so it requires either a balanced flue or a conventional flue. A balanced flue draws air from outside and vents through an external wall, making it ideal for homes without a chimney. Installation must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the flue work adds to both cost and complexity. You should also factor in compliance with relevant Building Regulations.
Electric Stove Simplicity
An electric stove needs nothing more than a standard 13A socket. There is no flue, no combustion, and no specialist gas engineer. This makes electric the obvious pick for flats, rented properties, and any room where adding a flue would be impractical or expensive.
Running Costs in the UK
Running cost depends on the price you pay per kWh of energy. Mains gas is generally cheaper per kWh of usable heat than electricity, so a gas stove tends to cost less to run over a heating season, particularly when it is your main heat source. Electric stoves are simpler to budget for because every unit of electricity you use turns directly into heat or flame effect, but the higher unit price means they can become costly if run for long periods at full output.
LPG, used where mains gas is unavailable, sits between the two on cost and requires a refillable tank or bottle supply, which is worth bearing in mind.
Control, Convenience, and Flame Realism
Control
Electric stoves win on instant convenience. Switch on and the flame effect and heat begin immediately, and many models separate the flame from the heating element so you can enjoy the visual glow in summer without warmth. Gas stoves offer variable flame and heat control too, often by remote, with a more gradual response as the real flame builds.
Flame Realism
Traditionally, gas has been the king of realism thanks to its genuine dancing flame over ceramic logs or coals. However, electric technology has caught up dramatically. Modern LED 3D flame effects create remarkably convincing visuals that many buyers find more than good enough, especially in contemporary interiors.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Gas Stove | Electric Stove |
|---|---|---|
| Typical heat output | 3kW to 7kW | Up to around 2kW |
| Flue required | Balanced or conventional | None |
| Installation | Gas Safe engineer plus flue work | Plug into 13A socket |
| Running cost per kWh | Generally cheaper | Higher unit price |
| Control | Variable flame and heat | Instant on and off |
| Flame | Real flame, most realistic | LED 3D effect, very convincing |
| Best for | Homes with gas supply | Renters, flats, no gas |
Which Should You Choose?
Use the following pointers to match the technology to your home:
- Choose a gas stove if you have an existing mains gas or LPG supply and want a real flame delivering meaningful heat to a main room.
- Choose an electric stove if you rent, live in a flat, or have no gas supply and want a simple plug-in installation.
- Consider electric for a secondary heat source or for the flame effect alone, where ambience matters more than maximum output.
- Consider gas where lower running costs over a long heating season justify the higher upfront installation outlay.
Whichever you choose, our delivery is a flat £100 across the UK mainland, and we are happy to help you confirm specifications before you order.
Final Thoughts
There is no single winner in the electric vs gas stoves debate; the right answer is the one that fits your property and lifestyle. Gas rewards homes with a gas supply by offering powerful, authentic flame heating at a lower running cost. Electric rewards renters and flat dwellers with effortless installation and increasingly lifelike flame effects. Weigh up your flue options, your supply, and how you intend to use the stove, and your decision will become clear.
Featured products
Mendip Ashcott Balanced Flue Natural Gas Stove
Mendip
Mendip's first gas stove, the Ashcott Balanced Flue Natural Gas model needs no chimney and vents through an external wall, making it ideal for modern homes wanting real flame heating from mains gas.
From £1929.00
Mendip Ashcott Balanced Flue LPG Gas Stove
Mendip
The LPG version of the Mendip Ashcott Balanced Flue stove suits homes off the mains gas grid, delivering authentic gas flame heating via a balanced flue with no chimney required.
From £1929.00
Mendip Ashcott Balanced Flue Log Store Natural Gas Stove
Mendip
This Mendip Ashcott Natural Gas model adds a handy log store base for extra storage and presence, combining real gas flame, balanced flue convenience, and a Somerset-built pedigree.
From £2117.00
Gazco Vogue Midi T Electric Stove
Gazco
The Gazco Vogue Midi T electric stove brings sleek contemporary styling and a convincing LED flame to any room. Just plug into a 13A socket, with no flue or gas engineer needed.
From £1577.00
Frequently asked questions
Do electric stoves need a flue?
No. Electric stoves produce no combustion gases, so they need no flue or chimney at all. They simply plug into a standard 13A domestic socket, which makes them ideal for flats, rented homes, and rooms where adding a flue would be impractical. This is one of the biggest advantages of going electric. Browse our range of electric stoves to see plug-in models suited to almost any room in your home.
Are gas stoves cheaper to run than electric?
Generally yes. Mains gas usually costs less per kWh of usable heat than electricity, so a gas stove tends to be cheaper to run over a heating season, especially as a main heat source. However, gas stoves cost more to install because they need a Gas Safe engineer and flue work. Electric stoves have a higher running cost per unit but minimal installation expense. Explore our gas stoves to compare options for your home.
Who can install a gas stove in the UK?
By law, a gas stove must be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. They will fit the appliance, connect it to your gas supply, and complete the required balanced or conventional flue work in line with Building Regulations. Never attempt gas installation yourself. When buying, factor installation into your budget. View our gas stoves collection and we can advise on suitable balanced flue models for homes without a chimney.
Is an electric stove realistic enough?
Modern electric stoves have improved dramatically. Many now use LED 3D flame effects that create a convincing, lifelike glow, and you can often run the flame without the heat for year-round ambience. While a real gas flame remains the most authentic, plenty of buyers find electric effects more than good enough, particularly in contemporary interiors. Browse our electric stoves to see the latest flame technology for yourself.
Can I have a gas stove without a chimney?
Yes. A balanced flue gas stove draws combustion air from outside and vents through an external wall, so it does not require an existing chimney. This makes balanced flue models a popular choice for modern homes and extensions. Installation must still be carried out by a Gas Safe engineer. See our gas stoves collection for balanced flue options that work without a traditional chimney breast.