Comparison · Gas Cookers
Gas vs Electric Cooking in Sri Lanka: The Real Monthly Cost
Gas or electric cooking in Sri Lanka? The real monthly cost from the PUCSL tariff and Litro price, the 180-unit step and how to work it out for your home.
Is gas or electric cooking cheaper in Sri Lanka? The honest answer depends on how much electricity your home already uses, because the domestic tariff jumps in steps. This guide shows the real monthly cost using the official PUCSL tariff and the Litro cylinder price, with worked examples, so you can work out the gas vs electric cooking cost for your own home.
Quick answer
- Litro 12.5 kg cylinder: Rs 4,365 in Colombo (price list dated 6 Oct 2026).
- Electricity is charged in blocks; above 180 units a month every unit costs more.
- 30 extra units adds about Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,500 under 180 units, up to Rs 3,810 if it pushes you over.
- For main daily cooking, gas is usually cheaper; electric suits a second ring.
In this guide
- What does LPG cost right now?
- How does the electricity tariff work?
- How many units does electric cooking use?
- What does 30 extra units cost your bill?
- Gas or electric: which is cheaper for your home?
- When does an electric cooktop make sense?
- How do you cut cooking costs either way?
- Our recommendation
- Frequently Asked Questions
What does LPG cost right now?
On the Litro Gas price list dated 6 October 2026, a 12.5 kg cylinder costs Rs 4,365 in Colombo and Gampaha, and up to Rs 4,748.84 in other districts. Litro announced no change for October. Laugfs sets its own prices, so check its latest list if you use Laugfs.
At Rs 4,365, gas costs about Rs 349 per kg. Your monthly gas cost is simple: the cylinder price multiplied by how many cylinders you use a month.
| One 12.5 kg cylinder lasts | Gas cost per month (Colombo price) |
|---|---|
| 30 days | Rs 4,365 |
| 45 days | Rs 2,910 |
| 60 days | Rs 2,183 |
How does the electricity tariff work?
The PUCSL domestic tariff effective from 11 May 2026 charges by blocks of units (kWh) in a 30-day billing cycle, plus a fixed charge that depends on your total use:
| Monthly use | Energy charge per unit | Fixed charge |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 60 units | Rs 5 (first 30), Rs 9 (31 to 60) | Rs 80 or Rs 210 |
| 61 to 180 units | Rs 14 (first 60), Rs 20 (61 to 90), Rs 28 (91 to 120), Rs 44 (121 to 180) | Rs 400, Rs 1,000 or Rs 1,500 |
| Above 180 units | Rs 32.50 (first 180), Rs 100 (above 180) | Rs 2,500 |
The step to watch is 180 units. Above it, every unit is charged at the higher rates: a home using 180 units pays Rs 6,420, but at 181 units the bill becomes Rs 8,450. PUCSL is reviewing tariffs, so check the latest decision or use the PUCSL bill calculator with your own numbers.
How many units does electric cooking use?
Units = watts x hours / 1,000. So:
- A 2200W infrared cooker such as the GreenChef Jawa Pro on full power for 1 hour uses 2.2 units. On lower settings it uses less.
- A 1200W air fryer for 20 minutes uses 0.4 units.
- A 1500W kettle for about 4 minutes uses 0.1 units.
About 30 units a month is roughly 27 minutes a day on an infrared cooker at full power.
What does 30 extra units cost your bill?
Here is what adding about 30 units of electric cooking a month does to a bill at the tariff from 11 May 2026 (energy and fixed charges only):
| Your use now | Bill now | With 30 more units | Extra per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 units | Rs 540 | Rs 1,640 | Rs 1,100 |
| 100 units | Rs 2,720 | Rs 4,220 | Rs 1,500 |
| 150 units | Rs 5,100 | Rs 6,420 | Rs 1,320 |
| 160 units | Rs 5,540 | Rs 9,350 | Rs 3,810 |
| 200 units | Rs 10,350 | Rs 13,350 | Rs 3,000 |
For a home well under 180 units, 30 units of electric cooking costs about a third of a cylinder. For a home that crosses 180 units because of it, the same cooking can cost close to a full cylinder.
Gas or electric: which is cheaper for your home?
- Write down your units from the last two electricity bills.
- Note how many days a 12.5 kg cylinder lasts you.
- Work out the extra units your electric cooking would add, using watts x hours / 1,000.
- Check whether that pushes you over 180 units; if it does, gas usually wins.
When does an electric cooktop make sense?
As a second cooking point, for short jobs, where gas is not allowed, or as a backup when the cylinder runs out. An infrared cooker such as the Jawa Pro works with the pots you already own, including aluminium and clay. For the main daily cooking in most family homes, a gas cooker such as the Green Life 2 burner stainless steel cooker at Rs 5,499 stays the economical choice.
How do you cut cooking costs either way?
Use a pressure cooker for dhal, chickpeas and meat; match the flame or ring to the pot; put lids on; and boil only the water you need. Our guide to saving LPG has more habits that cost nothing.
Our recommendation
Keep gas for the main daily cooking, and add an electric cooktop for a second ring or a backup only if your home stays under 180 units a month. Check your own bills against the tables above before you decide, and recheck when PUCSL or Litro change their prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do these prices come from?
The PUCSL tariff decision effective from 11 May 2026 and the Litro Gas price list dated 6 October 2026. Both can change.
Is an infrared cooker cheaper than an induction cooker to run?
Running cost depends on the units used, so compare the wattage and how long you cook. An infrared cooker works with all cookware, while induction needs magnetic pans.
How long should a 12.5 kg cylinder last?
It depends on household size and cooking. Track yours; it is the key number for this comparison.
Does the electricity estimate include taxes?
The tables show energy and fixed charges from the PUCSL tariff. Check your own bill for anything else.
Need a hand choosing?
Want help choosing a cooker for your kitchen? WhatsApp us on 0776882898.
