Wiring an outlet for an electric stove isn’t the same as wiring standard outlets, because along with the water heater, furnace, and central air system, the stove is a high-demand appliance that runs on 240-volt power. There are specific electric stove wiring requirements you have to follow. Learn how many amps does an electric stove use in this article.
How Many Watts Does an Electric Stove Use?
Most electric ovens draw between 2,000 and 5,000 watts, with the average electric stove wattage coming in at around 3,000 watts. So how many amps does an electric stove use per hour? Assuming an electricity rate of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), a 3000-watt oven will cost you about 36 cents per hour at high heat.
As for the burners on the electric stovetop, bigger burners draw more electricity. Many cooktops range from about 1,200 watts for the smallest burners to 3,000 watts for the largest, which will cost you roughly 14 cents and 36 cents per hour, respectively.
But even if you know your oven’s exact wattages and each of your burners, this breakdown is a simplification. That’s because the actual wattages you’re drawing depend on the amount of heat you’re generating. There’s a big difference in energy consumption between making beef jerky at 170 degrees and self-cleaning your oven at 800 degrees.
And think about how you use your burners: you quickly turn the dial to low, medium, or high heat, but the exact place where the dial stops changes slightly every time. This makes it very difficult to track the energy consumption of a kitchen range accurately. This will make you wonder how many amps does an electric stove use.
Fortunately, given the rough cost estimates stated above, these differences won’t amount to more than a couple of dollars per month for the average home cook. Unless you keep your range running all day, every day, it’s not going to break the bank.
Wattage Breakdown
A watt is a measurement of how much energy an appliance or electronic devices uses at any one time. By multiplying the total number of watts being used by the length of time the appliance is turned on, it is possible to estimate your electric range’s total energy usage.
The wattage used by your range depends not only on the brand and model of the stove but also on which and how the burner is being used. There are some average ranges; however, that applies to both electric coil and glass-top ranges. So, how many amps does an electric stove use exactly? The largest burners typically pull around 2,500 watts when turned on to the highest setting. On average, medium-size burners pull between 1,500 and 1,800 watts on the high setting, while small or simmering burners pull an average of 1,200 watts. If more than one burner is being used at a time, add together the averages for each burner to determine the total wattage. For example, if you are using both the largest and smallest burners at once, add 2,500 and 1,200, for a total of 3,700 watts being pulled by the range. The oven, when turned on alone, pulls an average of 4,000 watts.
How to Save Energy in Cooking Using Electric Stove
Unless you’re already in the market for one, getting a whole new range probably isn’t the best way to save energy in the kitchen. If you’re looking for opportunities to cut back, try these smart energy practices:
- Cook more food less often. It’s more energy-efficient to cook multiple dishes at once, so plan your cooking accordingly and make it a marathon. Use your microwave to heat the leftovers at a fraction of the cost of using your oven or stovetop.
- Keep the oven door closed. You lose heat energy every time you open it, so use the oven light and look through the window instead.
- Clean your oven and range regularly. Baked-on gunk acts like insulation on top of your heating elements, robbing you of cooking efficiency.
- Use glass and ceramic bakeware instead of metal pans. They transfer heat more effectively and evenly.
- Get a head start on self-cleaning. Start the cleaning cycle right after using the oven for cooking, and you’ll shave several minutes off the cycle length.
Conclusion
The stove must be on a dedicated circuit. Appliances on 120-volt circuits require only a single hot wire. But the circuit for electric stoves requires two hot wires: a neutral and a ground. Each hot wire needs its breaker, and the breakers must be stacked together and joined so that, if one trip, the other will also trip. It is important to know how many amps does an electric stove use for extra safety. Know more about power usage.