We have two electrics, one direct fire and one bain marie both 500 liter. Heat up time is long. On the flip side, we were already wired for 208 3 phase and our electric rates are around 5 cents per kwh. If I had to do it all over I would still go with electric but I would have substituted our stripper which in the bain marie with a small continuous column. On the other hand, our spirits still makes great Whiskey and Vodka and we wouldn't want to part with it.