Gas Stoves vs. Electric: What's the Difference in Air Quality?

by Kieran Berryman May 29, 2025

Cooking is central to daily life, but what many people don’t realize is that the stove you use, gas or electric, can significantly influence the air you breathe indoors. Given that most of us spend the majority of our time inside, understanding how appliances affect indoor air quality is a crucial step toward creating a healthier home environment.

How Do Gas Stoves Impact Air Quality?

Gas stoves burn natural gas or propane, and this combustion process releases several pollutants directly into the air in your kitchen and surrounding living areas. Key pollutants include:

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) is a well-known respiratory irritant. Short-term exposure can lead to coughing and difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure is associated with reduced lung function and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, particularly in children and people with asthma (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/nitrogen-dioxides-impact-indoor-air-quality).
Carbon Monoxide (CO), often called the silent killer, is colorless and odorless, making it hard to detect without a monitor. Even low-level exposure can cause symptoms like headaches and dizziness. High levels are life-threatening (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/carbon-monoxides-impact-indoor-air-quality).
Particulate Matter (PM) is the combination of coarse, fine, and ultra-fine particles, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. These particles may lead to cardiovascular and respiratory issues (https://www2.purpleair.com/blogs/blog-home/particulate-matter-101).

These emissions can build up quickly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Using a range hood or opening windows can help, but baseline exposure is still higher compared to electric stoves.

How Do Electric Stoves Impact Air Quality?

Electric stoves do not rely on combustion, at least directly. As a result, they do not emit NO₂ or CO. This makes them a cleaner option from an emissions standpoint. However, it's important to note that:

Cooking itself still generates pollutants, especially during high-temperature activities like frying or broiling. The primary culprit here is particulate matter (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/sources-indoor-particulate-matter-pm).
Ventilation still matters. While electric stoves produce fewer pollutants, good ventilation remains essential to managing the heat, moisture, and particles released during cooking (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/care-your-air-guide-indoor-air-quality).

Comparing Gas and Electric Stoves

	Gas Stove	Electric Stove
NO₂ Emissions	High due to gas combustion	None
CO Emissions	Present, especially with poor ventilation	None
Particulate Matter	High from both combustion and cooking activities	High, from cooking only
Ventilation Need	Essential to reduce pollutant buildup	Recommended to remove cooking pollutants
Overall Impact	Greater indoor air pollution without strong ventilation	Cleaner indoor air, pollutants not eliminated

Making an Informed Choice

If you're deciding between gas and electric appliances or considering switching, it's worth factoring indoor air quality into the equation. Electric stoves have an advantage when it comes to reducing exposure to harmful combustion pollutants. However, both types still release particles and other byproducts through the act of cooking itself.

Tips to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution from Cooking:

Use an exhaust hood or range fan that vents outside, not just a recirculating filter (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/sources-indoor-particulate-matter-pm).
Open windows while cooking, especially when frying or searing (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/care-your-air-guide-indoor-air-quality).
Avoid preheating for long periods, particularly with gas.
Maintain your appliances, including checking gas connections for leaks and cleaning hood filters regularly.
Install CO and NO₂ detectors if you use gas appliances.

Choosing the right stove is about more than just cooking preferences or energy efficiency. It is also about the air you and your family breathe every day. While gas stoves are common and often preferred for their cooking performance, they introduce more pollutants into your home. Electric stoves, on the other hand, offer a cleaner alternative with fewer emissions, though proper ventilation is still essential.

Regardless of your setup, being informed and proactive is the best way to reduce your exposure to indoor air pollution.