Home on the Range...Gas or Electric??
Mar 01 '00
After writing my Epinion on how to purchase a refrigerator, I decided I should pen a companion piece on what to consider when purchasing a range/oven.
One of the main considerations in your decision will be the existing hookups and space already available in your kitchen. Also for consideration will be your budget and your cooking habits. Electric ranges require a 208-240 volt line. Gas ranges require a gas line as well as an electrical outlet that will run the clock and spark the igniter for the burners.
Electric Stoves
Electric stoves are available with several different types of burners and heating elements. I have a stove with electric coils and this is the most common and inexpensive type of stove. The coils are arranged in a spiral shape that turns red when hot. I've always been very happy with the performance of my stove (a Maytag), as the coils heat evenly and since they plug in and out, they are easy to remove if they need to be replaced. This removal also makes for easy cleaning, which is great, since I seem to have to clean them a lot!
Gas Stoves
Gas stoves have burners that can be instantly ignited and used, thus no waiting for a burner to heat up. This feature can help reduce the incident of accidental burns. Gas ranges are usually more expensive to buy because of the inside piping but are less expensive to operate.
Burners and Elements
Solid elements are disk shaped and are fixed directly to the top of the cook top. Pros....no openings into which spills can fall. Cons.You must use flat-bottomed pans and the elements take longer to heat up.
Smooth cook tops are very easy to clean, as they have a flat top that can be easily wiped off when cooled. They have heating elements under a ceramic glass top. These elements can be radiant, halogen, or magnetic. Radiant elements are the most common and work best when the pan being used is the same diameter as the element. The coils are under the glass and since they can't be seen there will be an indicator light that will signal a hot surface. Halogen elements are new and use lamps under the glass top as the heat source. Magnetic elements are the most expensive and the pans being used must be of made of a magnetic metal, such as steel or iron. These elements are very energy efficient and only use half as much energy as standard electric coils.
Gas cooktops have removable metal grates that hold the pans above the gas flame. Some stoves have sealed burners that stop spills from seeping below the cooktop.
Ranges
Don't assume that all ranges have the same inside capacity. Although they may all appear to be the same size on the outside, interior features and designs may affect the cavity size. Shelf design and fan features can affect the interior size, so it's a good idea to arrange and rearrange the shelves to see how many items you can cook simultaneously.
The most common and least expensive range is the freestanding model. These stand alone either between counters or at the end of a cupboard. Built in models are dropped into cupboard spaces and are more expensive to buy and install.
Convection ovens work by heating the air that circulates around the cooking food, making them more energy efficient than standard ovens. The heat distribution is more even and as a result, the cooking time and temperature can be reduced.
Self-cleaning ovens.....the answer to MY prayer! These ovens are more energy efficient because of the extra insulation. One word of warning.....if you use the self-cleaning feature more than once a month, you'll end up using more energy than you saved with the extra insulation.
Range Hoods
Don't forget to consider the proper ventilation needed if planning a new kitchen. A range hood needs to be ventilated to the outside and if you have a gas range, this is very important. Also be sure to use the right size of fan. When a fan is running it creates a slight vacuum in your house. To balance that pressure difference, air from the outside is sucked into your house through cracks in the walls and around windows, making your heating/cooling system work harder. Sometimes this negative pressure can prevent an oil or gas system from venting properly, which will cause back drafting of dangerous gases into the home.
Conclusion
The average stove will last you anywhere from 15 to 20 years. New ranges are not required to carry Energy Guide labels, so be sure to check the manufacturer literature for additional money saving features. Careful comparisons can save you money in the long run.
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willowbear
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Member: Julia
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To love what you do and feel it matters...how could anything be more fun?
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