Is a Hybrid Gas + Electric Stove Worth It in Pakistan? A 2026 Cost Breakdown
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Gas load shedding has turned a simple question into a real household budget decision: should you keep relying on gas, add an electric cooker, or buy one stove that runs on both? Hybrid gas + electric stoves are now common in Pakistani showrooms, but they cost more than a basic gas hob. This guide puts simple numbers on the decision so you can judge whether one is worth it for your home.
What Is a Hybrid Stove?
A hybrid stove has gas burners and at least one electric cooking zone (usually an infrared or ceramic hot plate) on the same cooktop. You cook on gas when pressure is good and switch to the electric zone when it drops or the cylinder runs out. During a power cut, the gas burners still work. Most models run on natural gas or LPG, and the electric side plugs into a normal household power point.
What Does It Cost to Cook on Electricity?
An electric cooking zone of around 2,000 watts uses roughly 1.5 to 2 units an hour, because the thermostat switches the element on and off once the pot is hot. With electricity at Rs. 50 to 60 per unit for many households, that works out to:
| Electric cooking per day | Units per month (approx.) | Monthly cost at Rs. 50 β 60/unit |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 23 | Rs. 1,150 β 1,380 |
| 1 hour | 45 | Rs. 2,250 β 2,700 |
| 2 hours | 90 | Rs. 4,500 β 5,400 |
Your real figure depends on your tariff slab, so check the per-unit rate on your own bill. The key point: most hybrid stove owners do not cook on electricity all day. They use gas when it is available and switch only during load shedding, so the extra bill is usually a fraction of the table above.
Hybrid Stove vs Gas Hob + Separate Electric Cooker
The main alternative to a hybrid is keeping your gas hob and buying a plug-in electric cooker as backup. The upfront cost is often similar. For example, a good 3-burner built-in gas hob plus a single infrared cooker costs roughly Rs. 35,000 together, while entry-level hybrid hobs start at around Rs. 38,000. So the decision is less about price and more about convenience:
- Hybrid stove: one built-in unit, no extra appliance on the counter, and you move the same pot from a gas burner to the electric zone in seconds.
- Gas hob + plug-in cooker: the cooker can be carried to another room or used on its own, but it takes counter space and needs a nearby socket.
Three Household Scenarios
A family of five in Lahore with daily winter load shedding
Gas drops at breakfast and dinner almost every day from December to February. A hybrid stove makes sense here: cooking never stops, and the electric side is only used for an hour or so a day in the worst months.
A couple in a Karachi apartment with no gas line
There is no gas to back up, so a hybrid adds little. An electric cooker or a fully electric setup is the simpler, cheaper choice.
A home in Islamabad with steady gas but frequent power cuts
Gas already works through power cuts, so a standard gas hob is enough. A hybrid becomes worth it only if gas pressure also starts dropping in winter.
Buyer's Checklist Before You Choose a Hybrid Stove
- Gas type: confirm the stove is supplied for natural gas or LPG, whichever your home uses.
- Electric zone power: around 2,000 β 2,200 watts heats a family-sized pot properly; much lower struggles with roti and frying.
- Flame failure device: cuts the gas automatically if the flame goes out, which matters during load shedding when pressure comes and goes.
- Cut-out size: measure your counter before ordering a built-in model.
- Power point: plan a dedicated socket near the stove for the electric zone.
- After-sales service: choose a brand that offers a warranty and home service in your city.
- Usage habit: use one fuel at a time; do not run the gas burners and electric zone together.
The Verdict
If your home faces gas load shedding every winter and you cook for a family, a hybrid stove is one of the most practical kitchen upgrades you can make: it costs about the same as a gas hob plus a backup cooker, takes less space and keeps every meal on schedule. If you have no gas line, or your gas is steady all year, a simpler setup will serve you just as well. Before you buy, compare models, burner layouts and prices for a hybrid gas + electric stove against your own kitchen space and cooking routine.