It is an unwritten rule that a gas-powered rotisserie is favored by many cooks for its convenience and flexibility while an electric rotisserie is generally chosen on a budget consideration. Which one should you choose?
Before deciding whether you wish to invest in a gas or electric rotisserie, it is imperative that you compare the advantages and disadvantages of both machines. Rotisserie cooking has deliciously expanded the boundaries of barbecue cuisine and taken it to new highs! The present generation are becoming more appreciative of food and their secret entertainment weapon for busy week nights, weekend lunches and impromptu gatherings is rotisserie cooking, which allows multiple cooking options in one high performance package.
The first reason why gas-powered rotisseries are favored over electric ones are because they have been around much longer than electrical rotisseries and the humid environment, particularly adapted to the combustion of gas gives the meat unparallel tenderness.
The second reason is because the customers who use gas rotisseries are continuously in control of the cooking temperature, which is known to provide superior cooking results. Believe it or not, seasoned cooks are aware that the type of constant energy used for grilling can have an impact on the outcome of the quality of the grilled food. This is made possible because gas controls on many rotisseries are calibrated in degrees rather than in the range of low, medium and high settings used by some electrical rotisseries. This type of thermostat control also gives the added benefit of energy saving because after reaching a desired temperature, the thermostat automatically turns of /on, by itself.
The third reason being, the cost of gas in terms of kilowatts per hour is the most efficient heat source for rotisseries. Gas rotisseries utilize natural or propane gas as its heat source which comes directly from a natural gas line or gas tank for easy cooking. It should be noted that gas is never subject to hourly tariff fluctuations which is in dire contrast to electricity which is costly during peak times. High electricity rates are usually imposed in the late mornings and early evenings, about the time when cooking is done the most.
To summarize it, gas is particularly suitable for rotisserie cooking because the oven can instantly be started up, hitting high and accurate temperatures with precise temperature settings. This is an important and economical decision to consider in the long run because it will very likely result in savings for your budget.
However, one of the disadvantages of investing in a gas-powered rotisserie is the space limitation. Square footage in any restaurant or even a home is a very valuable commodity and how it is utilized can greatly impact a businessman’s bottom line. If space is an important consideration for you, then you may decide to invest in an electric rotisserie simply because it can be placed on any countertops with sufficient ventilation.
Electric rotisseries also have some positive features that should be taken into consideration prior to making a purchase decision. If you want to invite your family and friends for a quick and succulent chicken or meat rotisserie gathering but you want it made easy like “set it and forget it”, go electric. Just marinade and leave it in the rotisserie and you will get meat and poultry evenly browned with crispy skin on the outside and tender and juicy flesh on the inside to be enjoyed with your loved ones right in the comfort of your home for a fraction of the cost of dining out.
“Eliminating hot spots” is one of the most widely touted advantages to cooking with an electric rotisserie because it results in even and consistent cooking. Electric-powered rotisseries are almost always designed for counter-top use. The way it works is by generating intense radiant heat and then it powers off and re-energizes its heat coils intermittently on a timer or if the temperature drops. Most of the electric rotisserie models also include trays and baskets that allow users to cook smaller items like vegetables, prawns, shish kebabs and sausages for easy cooking and convenience.
Having listed out some of the advantages of electric-powered rotisseries, it still appears that they may not be the right choice for every cook. This is because one of the main setbacks to electric rotisserie cooking is its compact size and cost compared to cooking with gas. This means higher utility bills.
The Verdict:
Although, there are valid arguments for both but the ultimate decision whether to invest in a gas or electric-powered rotisserie is almost always based on budget considerations and space constraints rather than on the operating preferences. Customers should also not forget to take into consideration the right size rotisserie to meet one’s cooking needs and the free accessories that comes with it not to mention the easy dishwasher cleaning features to enjoy simple, healthy and fast cooking.