Choosing between gas and electric for your temporary kitchen affects how much you'll pay, how you cook, and how quickly the unit can be installed. This full comparison covers every angle to help you decide.
Cost Comparison
Connection Costs
| Electric Only | Gas + Electric (Dual-Fuel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | £150–£250 | £150–£250 |
| Gas Safe engineer | Not needed | £100–£250 |
| Total connection cost | £150–£250 | £250–£500 |
Gas adds £100–£250 to the installation cost for the Gas Safe engineer to connect the gas supply. For short hires, this is a significant proportional increase. For longer hires, it's amortised over more weeks.
Running Costs Per Week
Based on 2025 UK energy rates (electricity ~24p/kWh, gas ~6p/kWh):
| Appliance | Electric Cost/Week | Gas Cost/Week |
|---|---|---|
| Hob (1 hour/day cooking) | £3.50–£5.00 | £1.00–£1.50 |
| Oven (45 mins/day) | £3.00–£4.50 | £1.50–£2.00 |
| Fridge (24/7) | £1.50–£2.50 | £1.50–£2.50 (electric fridge) |
| Lighting, sockets | £0.50–£1.00 | £0.50–£1.00 |
| Total weekly running cost | £8.50–£13.00 | £4.50–£7.00 |
Gas cooking is roughly 40–50% cheaper to run than electric cooking. Over an 8-week hire, the gas saving is approximately £32–£48. However, this saving is partially offset by the higher connection cost.
Break-Even Point
Taking the higher gas connection cost into account:
- Extra gas connection cost: ~£175 (midpoint)
- Weekly running cost saving: ~£5 per week
Break-even point: approximately 35 weeks. In other words, for hires under 35 weeks, the total cost difference between gas and electric is relatively small. The choice should be based on cooking preference rather than cost.
Cooking Performance
Gas Hobs
Strengths:
- Instant heat control: Turn the dial and the flame responds immediately. No waiting for elements to heat up or cool down.
- Visual feedback: You can see the flame size, making it intuitive to judge heat levels
- Wok cooking: Gas is the only domestic option for proper wok cooking with a round-bottom wok
- Power range: Gas hobs offer a wider range from very low simmer to very high heat
- Works in power cuts: Gas hobs will still work if the electricity goes out (you'll need matches for ignition)
Weaknesses:
- Open flame is a fire risk (though a minor one with normal care)
- Less efficient — heat goes around the pan, not just into it
- Harder to clean (pan supports, burner caps)
Electric Hobs
Ceramic:
- Flat glass surface, easy to clean
- Slower to heat and cool than gas
- Good for everyday cooking
- Less precise temperature control
Induction:
- Near-instant heat response (comparable to gas)
- Most energy-efficient option (90%+ efficiency)
- Only heats the pan, not the surface — safer with children
- Requires induction-compatible (magnetic) pans
- Premium option — not available from all providers
Solid plate:
- The slowest to heat and cool
- Very durable and cheap to replace
- Found in budget pods
- Not suitable for precision cooking
Ovens
| Electric Oven | Gas Oven | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat distribution | Very even (fan-assisted) | Slightly uneven (hotter at top) |
| Baking consistency | Excellent | Good |
| Preheating speed | 10–15 minutes | 8–12 minutes |
| Moisture | Drier heat (better for crisping) | More humid (better for some breads) |
| Temperature accuracy | Very accurate | Slightly less precise |
For most people, the oven type matters less than the hob. Both electric and gas ovens produce perfectly acceptable results for everyday cooking.
Connection Requirements
Electric Only
- Domestic: Requires a dedicated 32-amp circuit from your consumer unit. An electrician runs a cable (usually armoured outdoor cable) from the consumer unit to the pod. Takes 1–2 hours.
- Alternative for capsule units: Some compact units run from a standard 13-amp socket. No electrician needed.
- Commercial: Requires 3-phase power (63A–125A). If not already available, installing 3-phase can cost £1,000–£3,000.
Gas + Electric
Everything above, plus:
- A Gas Safe registered engineer connects the gas supply from your meter to the pod
- Flexible gas pipe routed from the gas meter or an external gas point
- Gas pressure testing and safety checks
- Gas Safe certificate issued
- Takes an additional 1–2 hours
Safety Considerations
| Risk | Electric | Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Fire from cooking | Moderate | Slightly higher (open flame) |
| CO poisoning | None | Very low risk (ventilated unit) |
| Gas leak | None | Very low risk (Gas Safe installation) |
| Electrical shock | Low (RCD protected) | Low (RCD protected) |
| Burns from hob surface | Yes (ceramic/solid plate stay hot) | Yes (pan supports get hot) |
| Burns from hob surface (induction) | Very low (surface stays cool) | N/A |
Both are safe when properly installed. Gas has a marginally higher risk profile due to the open flame and theoretical gas leak risk, but with proper Gas Safe installation and ventilation, the risk is minimal.
Environmental Impact
| Electric | Gas | |
|---|---|---|
| Direct CO2 emissions | Zero (at point of use) | ~2kg CO2 per week of cooking |
| Grid emissions | Depends on UK electricity mix (~40% renewable in 2025) | N/A |
| Efficiency | 70–90% (induction highest) | ~40% (heat lost around pan) |
| Future-proofing | Aligned with UK net zero targets | Fossil fuel — will be phased out over time |
For a temporary hire of a few weeks, the environmental difference is negligible in absolute terms. But if sustainability matters to you, electric (especially induction) is the greener choice.
When You Don't Have a Choice
Some situations make the decision for you:
- No mains gas: All-electric homes, rural properties with no gas connection, or LPG-only properties. You'll need electric or arrange bottled gas.
- No spare electrical capacity: If your consumer unit can't support a 32A circuit, you may need gas for cooking to reduce the electrical load. (This is rare.)
- Conservation area restrictions: Some local authorities restrict gas appliances in temporary structures near listed buildings.
- Insurer requirements: Some insurers prefer electric-only units (lower risk).
- Flat or apartment: Indoor capsule units are electric-only.
Provider Availability
Most domestic temporary kitchen providers offer both electric and gas/dual-fuel options:
- Electric only: All providers
- Gas / dual-fuel: Most providers (ask when quoting)
- Induction: Selected providers only (specify when requesting quotes)
Browse providers on FindAKitchen and filter by power source to find the right option.
Quick Decision Guide
| Your Priority | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Lowest installation cost | Electric |
| Lowest running cost | Gas |
| Best cooking control | Gas (or induction) |
| Fastest installation | Electric |
| Safest option | Electric (induction especially) |
| Greenest option | Electric (induction) |
| Best for baking | Electric oven |
| Best for wok cooking | Gas hob |