Advantages

• Burners on propane cooktop stoves heat up instantly, while burners on electric stoves need time to reach a certain temperature. Propane stoves quickly adjust to lower temperature settings as well and may allow for more precise temperature settings than electric cooktops. The flexibility makes propane stoves a favorite of some 97 percent of professional chefs surveyed by the Professional Chefs Association in September 2004. Cooking shows on television featuring well-known chefs often show the chefs cooking on open flames.
  
  

Storage

• Propane gas is stored in a tank on your property. Residential storage tanks for purposes of heating and operating appliances have capacities ranging from 120 to 1,000 gallons. Some people find the storage tanks unsightly; solve that by installing the tank underground. Propane delivery trucks make scheduled visits to replenish tanks. The process is simpler with natural gas, which is available from your utility company through pipes connected to your house.
  
  

Safety

• Propane presents a safety hazard because of possible leaks. Propane leaks can lead to explosions and fire. Some hardware stores sell propane leak detectors that can alert you to problems. Another tipoff is that leaking propane smells like rotten eggs. Electric cooktops are also a fire hazard when food is left unattended. However, electric cooktops usually are not susceptible to explosions.
  
  

Considerations

• Choosing a propane cooktop makes sense if you’re already using propane as a main heating source. People who have propane in furnaces may also use propane to power refrigerators, water heaters and fireplaces. Propane gas companies making fuel deliveries can also provide propane-related maintenance for your cooktop and other appliances.
  
  

Advice

• Shop for a propane cooktop at an appliance dealer specializing in gas ranges. Ask the sales person to put you in touch with other people who have purchased propane cooktops. Talk to people you know to find out about their experiences with the stoves. If you’re not already using propane in your house, also contact a propane dealer to discuss fuel costs and tank installation.