One of the first decisions when hiring a temporary kitchen is whether to go electric or gas. Both have their place, and the right choice depends on your cooking habits, budget, what utilities are available at your property, and how long you'll be hiring.
Electric Temporary Kitchens
Electric temporary kitchens run entirely on mains electricity. They use electric hobs (ceramic, induction, or solid plate), electric ovens, and sometimes electric grills or combination microwave-ovens.
Connection Requirements
- Domestic pods: Typically connected to your home's consumer unit (fuse box) via a dedicated circuit. A qualified electrician runs a cable from the consumer unit to the pod. This usually requires a 32-amp supply for a standard pod.
- Indoor capsules: Often run from a standard 13-amp socket — the same as any kitchen appliance. No electrician needed.
- Commercial units: Usually require a 3-phase electrical supply. If your site doesn't already have 3-phase, installing one can cost £1,000–£3,000.
Running Costs
Based on average UK electricity rates (approximately 24p/kWh in 2025):
- Domestic electric pod: £7–£12 per week in electricity
- Commercial electric unit: £40–£100+ per week depending on usage
Cooking Performance
Electric hobs heat up more slowly than gas, and temperature changes are less instant. However, induction hobs (available in some premium pods) offer near-instant heat adjustment and are more efficient than gas.
Electric ovens are generally more consistent for baking than gas ovens, maintaining a more even temperature throughout.
Gas Temporary Kitchens
Gas temporary kitchens use mains gas or bottled LPG for the hob and sometimes the oven. They still use electricity for lighting, the fridge, sockets, and any electric appliances.
Connection Requirements
- Mains gas connection: A Gas Safe registered engineer must connect the pod to your home's gas supply. This typically involves running a flexible gas pipe from your meter or an external gas point to the pod. This adds £100–£250 to the installation cost.
- Bottled gas (LPG): Some providers offer LPG as an alternative where mains gas isn't available. The bottles sit outside the pod and are connected via a regulator. LPG bottles need periodic replacement (£30–£50 per refill).
Running Costs
Based on average UK gas rates (approximately 6p/kWh in 2025):
- Domestic gas hob and oven: £3–£8 per week in gas (plus electricity for fridge, lights, etc.)
- Total utility cost for a dual-fuel pod (gas + electric): £8–£15 per week
Gas is significantly cheaper to run than electricity for cooking. Over an 8-week hire, the gas saving is typically £30–£60 compared to all-electric.
Cooking Performance
Gas hobs offer instant heat adjustment — you see the flame, you control the flame. Most professional and serious home cooks prefer gas for this reason. Gas is particularly better for:
- Wok cooking and stir-frying (high heat, fast adjustment)
- Simmering sauces (precise low heat)
- Flambeing or charring
Gas ovens tend to have slightly uneven heat distribution compared to electric, but the difference is minor for everyday cooking.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Electric | Gas / Dual-Fuel |
|---|---|---|
| Installation speed | Faster (no gas engineer needed) | Slower (+1–2 hours for gas connection) |
| Installation cost | Lower | Higher (+£100–£250 for gas connection) |
| Running cost (weekly) | £7–£12 | £8–£15 (but gas portion is cheaper) |
| Heat response | Slower (except induction) | Instant |
| Baking consistency | Better | Good |
| Wok / high heat cooking | Limited | Excellent |
| Safety | No open flame | Open flame (requires Gas Safe cert) |
| Carbon footprint | Depends on grid mix | Higher (fossil fuel) |
| Availability | All providers | Most providers |
When You Have No Choice
Sometimes the decision is made for you:
- No gas supply at your property: If you live in an all-electric home or your gas meter isn't accessible, you'll need an electric pod or LPG.
- Flat or apartment: Gas pods aren't suitable for most flats. An electric indoor capsule is your only option.
- Conservation area: Some local authorities are stricter about gas appliances near listed buildings.
- Insurance claim: Your insurer may have a preference or requirement for electric-only units (simpler, lower risk).
Induction: The Best of Both Worlds?
Some newer temporary kitchen pods offer induction hobs instead of traditional electric or gas. Induction offers:
- Near-instant heat adjustment (comparable to gas)
- Higher efficiency (90%+ of energy goes into the pan, vs 40% for gas)
- Safer (the hob surface doesn't get hot — only the pan does)
- Easy to clean (flat glass surface)
The downside: you need induction-compatible pans (magnetic base). If your existing pans aren't compatible, you may need to buy or borrow a set.
Not all providers offer induction options, so ask when getting quotes.
Environmental Considerations
If reducing your carbon footprint matters to you:
- Electric kitchens are increasingly powered by renewable energy as the UK grid decarbonises. In 2025, roughly 40–50% of UK electricity comes from renewables.
- Gas cooking produces direct CO2 emissions and is a fossil fuel. However, the amount used for domestic cooking is relatively small.
- Induction is the most efficient option, wasting the least energy.
For a temporary hire of a few weeks, the environmental difference is marginal. But if you're choosing between the two and all else is equal, electric is the greener option.
Which Providers Offer Each?
Most domestic temporary kitchen providers offer both electric and gas/dual-fuel options. When requesting quotes, specify your preference and ask about:
- Hob type (ceramic, induction, solid plate, gas burners)
- Oven type (electric fan, gas)
- Whether gas connection is included in the price or charged separately
Browse all providers on FindAKitchen and filter by power source to find the right option for you.
Related: Insurance Claims | How Much Does Temporary Kitchen Hire Cost?