In my experience, electric burners are also plenty hot, just slower. I think when he uses the word "crummy", he means, regular, consumer equipment. I learned to

In my experience, electric burners are also plenty hot, just slower. I think when he uses the word "crummy", he means, regular, consumer equipment. I learned to cook on an electric range and have used them off and on for years. It's not as nice as a gas or induction cooktop, but it's fine. I've made plenty of good meals on them, steak included. Incidentally, if I can't grill a steak my favorite method is to heat a cast iron pan under the broiler until it's quite hot, then place the steak in the pan. It sears on the bottom and begins to cook on the top from the broiler. Then you can remove it and finish it on the stove if need be, flipping it to sear the other side.