The two most common ways to cook on a stovetop are using a Gas Range or an Electric Range.  According to the Consumer Energy Center website, 58 percent of Americans have electric ranges, although gas is also very popular. There are several reasons why so many people choose to cook on an electric range.

Consistency

 Electric ranges, provides more consistent heat that is easier to control with precision than its gas counterpart. The coils of the electric range, or the ceramic or glass electric cooktop models that have grown in popularity, heat the cooking surface of pots and pans evenly. This prevents food in the pans from burning on one side. Delicate food items, such as eggs are affected heavily by inconsistent heat. Also, the knob on an electric range typically allows the user to adjust to a different temperature quickly and with precision. Gas stoves require the adjustment of the flame, which may vary based on several factors. I recommend flat-bottomed pans on the electric range for the best results and most consistent heat. Rounded bottoms allow heat to escape and waste energy. Many types of round bottom utensils are unevenly shaped and tend to move easily while atop burners, due to lack of symmetry in their concave design.

Energy Savings

 If you follow a recipe book, you know when the food cooking on the range is close to being done. The electric range has the advantage of allowing you to save energy by turning it off before you are done cooking. Electric range coils or flat surface electric ranges retain a great deal of heat for several minutes after the power is turned off. The flow of electricity stops immediately, meaning you are not spending any more money. However, the residual heat continues for a while. The heating elements will stay hot long enough to finish cooking, according to the Consumer Energy Center website. This same method works when cooking in an electric oven. The power can be turned off several minutes before a baking timer expires, and the heat will remain trapped in the oven compartment for several minutes before losing significant heat.

Easy Cleanup

 A range that is kept clean is a more efficient cooking appliance, and they use less energy preparing a meal. For cleaning, the electric range has a great advantage over the gas variety. The ease of cleaning is one of the electric range's best assets.

 Gas ranges often need cleaning after every use, but a quick wipe of the surface of an electric range is usually all that is needed after each use. Electric ranges with smooth surfaces, such as the ceramic cooktop versions, do not have any indentations that catch and trap spilled food. A cleaner made especially for these ranges will make cleaning very simple. Models with coils and reflectors are also easy to clean, because the parts come out and can be hand-washed in just a few minutes.  Ceramic top range owners need to be attentive of not scratching the glass surface.  People who wear diamond rings should be wary of how easily that diamond can scratch the surface glass.