Do Gas Cookers Need An Electric Supply?

It may seem like a daft question…’Do Gas Cookers Need an Electric Supply?’ but really it’s not. In some cases, yes – you’ll need an electric supply for a cooker or gas hob! Keep reading and we’ll dig a little bit deeper.

In some cases, yes – gas cookers need an electric supply for the cooker or gas hob! It might seem like a daft question, but it’s worth asking. Keep reading and we’ll dig a little bit deeper.

Gas cookers have been around for donkey’s years and, even in this day and age, they are still very popular. They tend to be on the cheaper end of the cooker market and are usually very reliable, lasting for decades, as long as, like electric cookers, they are maintained.

Another reason why people seem to trust a gas cooker more than an electric consumer unit is due to the fact that in the eventuality that there is a power cut, you can still cook dinner and heat water for a cup of tea. However, it is important to know that not all gas units can actually work without an electrical source. So, in answer to the question gas cookers need an electric supply? then yes, they do, But why is this?

Gas Ovens Might Still Need Electricity’s Help!

Although they consume much less electricity than electric cookers or induction hobs do, a gas cooker does still need an electric supply, or at least, most of them do.

The electric supply is necessary to ignite the gas and provide the energy to any of the other features such as the timer and/or the clock on the cooker.

Should you be able to ignite your gas cooker with a match, then you don’t necessarily need an electric supply. However, if you are in the market for a gas cooker specifically for its usage during power cuts and other potential issues, it’s worth asking a few questions.

In our experience, gas stoves and gas grill systems may need some form of battery ignition to get going.

Can A Gas Stove Be Used Without Electricity?

Yes. While some gas systems will need electricity for ignition, you can light a cooking surface such as a gas hob, or an internal cavity, with a match or stove lighter. However, this type of ignition system is not always the most popular.

That’s because there can be safety concerns with gas stoves. While an electric ignition and circuit breaker rely purely on the mains supply, gas cooking systems need you to actually release gas into the atmosphere before you physically spark up.

A great gas oven is a brilliant answer to all kinds of cooker problems and needs. However, as there is a danger for gas to leak out into your home, you need to take into account whether or not this convenience is worth shopping around for.

A gas stove without any kind of electrical switch will normally be an older model, but there are still some out there with gas only ignition. Whether or not you prefer a wall plug is entirely down to you and your own cooking preferences!

Do Gas Cookers Have Plugs?

Depending on the gas cooker, some do indeed have plugs, but not all do.

If you are in the market at the moment for a new gas cooker, then you may be wondering if a gas cooker does actually come with plugs and where exactly it can be plugged in. Again, it’s not actually as daft a question as it sounds.

Some of the smaller gas units on the market do in fact come with plugs. This is due to the fact that they require very small amounts of electricity. The power that they require is just usually just to start the gas igniter and, if they have them, the timer and/or clock on the unit. As you can imagine, this requires very little force, even if the cooker has all three. Therefore, you are still pretty much buying an oven in the gas category.

Depending on the voltage of the machine, the manufacturer may even notify you that your cooker can be plugged into a regular socket. Of course, you should never do this without having an engineer check the plug and the gas cooker, as you could run a risk of damaging your appliances – not to mention causing yourself and/or others, potential harm. A good rule of thumb – don’t fiddle around with your cooking implements or any kitchen things unless you really know what you’re doing!

Do Gas Cookers Need Special Sockets?

Most cookers must be plugged into sockets that have been specifically engineered to provide them with the power that they need.

You can sometimes find a gas cooker or two that has a three pin plug set up. These are really easy to just plug in and go, but it’s not always a given.

Bigger cookers, those with larger or multiple cavities and accessories, may not be able to work on a socket at all and may have to be hardwired into the wall.

Therefore, before you assume your standard kitchen socket and switch is going to support your new oven, make sure to check things over with your supplier and installer.

Do Gas Hobs Work In A Power Cut?

In some cases, yes, a gas hob is easy to light up when you’re experiencing a power cut. It’s one of the top things people look for in a gas cooktop, honestly!

For general gas hob ignition, all you need to do is use a lit matchstick or gas cooker lighter and position it close to the hob whilst the gas is on. Once the hob is lit, all you have to do is make yourself a nice cup of tea and a stovetop dinner. It’s a real boon if the electric goes out. It’s a clear reason why electric cooker systems aren’t always the most popular.

Not every gas oven can necessarily work without an electricity supply, however, gas hobs are all relatively easy to light, as you have easy access to the source of the gas on the burner.

Of course, it is important to remember that not every gas oven can work on a gas source that has been directly installed into the home. Should you need to buy your own gas bottles for your cooker, then do try to make sure that you always have enough on reserve, in the eventuality of an amp fuse break or an electric cut off.

As always, make sure you have a gas safe engineer set up your cooker and your hob. Gas in your kitchen can be very dangerous, and a gas safe supplier will make sure you get up and running safely. There’s no need to just look for an electric cooker if you’re worried about safety.

Do Cookers Need To Be Hardwired?

Some cookers do indeed need to be hardwired. These tend to be the bigger ovens and hob systems.

Bigger cookers, such as ranges, use a tremendous amount of juice – especially if all of the cavities are being used at the same time. Maybe it is rare for you to need to use all of the different features simultaneously, but you should always have your cooker installed with the idea that you may need to use it at full capacity at some point. It makes sense to plan ahead.

Depending on the cooker, even the smallest cavity may use a lot of electricity and that is why hardwiring it may be necessary.

Although, yes, some cookers do come with plugs and you can very easily purchase and have an engineer install a socket that is specifically made for cookers, bigger appliances are simply too powerful.

How Do I Plan For Hardwiring My Cooker?

The best thing to do is to always check with the manufacturer beforehand, as they will be able to give you advice on what they recommend for your appliance. Then, you must always hire a professional engineer to install the cooker at home.

Whether your cooker is gas, electric or dual, you still have a very powerful appliance that deserves handling with care. Professional gas safe engineers will know exactly how to set up the appliance.

Conclusion

So – not all gas cooking appliances will need an electric extension lead or a plug, but those that do will only ever use a little bit of juice from the mains. Just always make sure you ask a professional to install your cooker with a gas safety certificate backed up.

If you’re more into your induction cooking, then this advice might seem a bit redundant. However, we highly recommend gas cooking! Take a look at other posts and articles across the Which Kitchen Appliance site to hunt down that perfect new installation. You could be cooking up all kinds of things thanks to an efficient new gas safe system.