The Benefits of Electric Stoves
The range is at the heart of every kitchen. It's an essential appliance in your kitchen whether you're frying pancakes on a Saturday morning, or roasting a Thanksgiving turkey.
Electric stoves are your only choice if you live an apartment for rent or a neighborhood without gas lines. Here are the advantages and drawbacks of this kind of stove.
Energy Efficiency
Some cooks love the click, hiss and bloom of blue fires licking a pot's edges. The flames can also release harmful toxins which are harmful to your health and the environment. Studies have found a link between natural gas stoves and asthma and other respiratory problems, and a growing number of cities and states are banning or restricting new natural gas hookups in homes and other buildings. Electricity decreases your exposure to pollutants and protects the environment. Government programs also provide discounts on the cost of heating.
Electric stoves make use of electricity to heat cookware. They plug into a standard outlet with 240 voltages. Electric stoves that are conventional, such as flat tops or coil ranges, use heating elements in the form of exposed metal coils or electromagnetic waves atop a glass-ceramic surface. Once the coils or magnetic fields are hot, you can place your cookware over them to heat it. Induction stoves use magnetic currents instead of surfaces or coils to heat your cookware directly.
You can reduce your energy consumption regardless of how your stoves function by using the lowest temperature setting and selecting the appropriate cookware. Cookware that is lighter in weight will heat up faster, while cookware with flat bottoms conducts heat better, and certain types of metals (such a copper) are better at transferring heat than others. The right size of pot can also cut down on energy usage by around 40%.
Electric stoves use significantly less energy than refrigerators or other appliances. You can save even more by using a timer for the oven to shut off and using an induction stove for quick meals.
Another method to reduce your energy bills is to purchase a new electric stove from an environmentally conscious manufacturer, and consider purchasing solar panels or wind turbines to power your home. This is not an environmentally sustainable option because the electricity is typically generated by fossil fuels. However, it is a good step in the right direction. Furthermore, the less-than-green methods used in natural gas production and transportation can contribute to climate change too.
Convenience
Electric stoves don't require gas hookups and are a good choice for homes that do not want the hassle of maintaining or repairing gas lines. They heat up faster than gas and are less difficult to clean, making them a popular choice for homeowners who are concerned about the cost of energy. If you are looking for a high-quality electric stove, shop the range at Slager Appliances today!
The heating elements of an electric stove are layered in a series that results in more precise and swift heating control than gas stoves. They also don't hold heat for as long, which reduces the chance of burning. Electric ranges have a flat surface which is easier to clean as compared to other types of cooktops. This makes it a good choice for families with pets or children who may accidentally drop and spill food onto the stovetop.
A lot of electric stoves come with convection ovens. This makes use of hot air to circulate within the oven and warm any hot spots. This ensures a more consistent heat in the oven, which is perfect for cooking dishes like braised meats or bread that has been proofed. If you're considering an electric range that you can buy think about one that has American or European convection to maximize your cooking experience.
Electric stoves are replacing gas stoves in a growing number. Electric stoves are not only more efficient and less expensive however, they are also green. They consume less fossil fuel than gas stoves and release fewer greenhouse gases, which helps to protect the climate. They also produce less carbon monoxide that is a dangerous combustion by-product that can poison you.
The stove you choose will depend on your cookware and how often you use your kitchen. For example, gas stoves are perfect for grilling and charring food while electric cookware is best for stir fry. Take into consideration your cooking style and the availability of natural gas hookups close to you when choosing between electric and gas stoves. You may also want to look into local energy rebates. The government offers millions of incentives to encourage you make the switch.
Safety
Electric stoves can create an explosion if you don't remember or keep the burners running for too long. However, this is a risk with any stove and can occur with gas ranges too. These incidents are usually caused by human error. For example, a sleepy cook or a forgetful owner leaving the stove on. Fortunately, many stoves come with overheating and flame failure protection to keep these fires from spreading.
One of the most common ways that people burn themselves on an electric stove is by touching the hot surface or dropping something on it. This is less of an issue with modern glass-topped ranges with a flat, smooth surface that is flush with the counter. This makes them much easier to clean than gas stoves that have grates over each burner.
Additionally, a lot of newer models have sensors to detect spills that turn off the stove and notify you of any leaks. This is an especially important feature for older homeowners who might be suffering from diminished cognitive abilities and may overlook checking the stove prior to leaving the house.
Induction cooktops that generate heat by using magnetic fields, are also very popular. They are also energy efficient and lower the chance of sustaining burn injuries since they are able to heat precisely. Induction stoves may be a little more expensive than coil or glass stoves, however they're a worthwhile investment because of their safety and convenience.
It takes 240 volts traveling between two current lines for electric stoves to work in a safe manner. If one of the circuits is interrupted due to a blowing fuse or any other problem the stove will not function (via Appliance Repair Specialists). This could be a major issue for homeowners living in areas that are subject to frequent storms or power outages. However it is possible to replace the fuse to resolve the issue and return your stove to its original condition.
Maintenance
Electric stoves operate by heating metal coils under the burners. electric log stove fires heat the pot or pan that sits on top of them. These coils are the ones that need to remain clean. Food debris or spills could prevent the heating elements of an electric stove from working properly, leading to ineffective cooking and higher cost of energy. Stains that are stubborn on the electric stove can be difficult to get rid of but some can be cleaned by using a scrubby sponge and a mild cleaner.
In addition to removing any burned-on debris, it's best to clean the electric stove after every use to ensure that it is clean and operating efficiently. Keep the burners and stovetop clean to extend the lifespan of your appliance. A nonabrasive cleaning pad should be used on smooth electric stovetops to prevent scratching the surface.
A regular cleaning routine will keep an electric stove in good condition. Most manufacturers recommend a weekly cleaning with warm water and mild detergent or a non-abrasive, household cleaner. The frequency of the cleaning will depend on your lifestyle and the amount of food cooked on the stove, with some areas requiring more frequent washing than others.
Unlike a gas stove, which requires the removal of the burners and grates to clean them thoroughly, many electric stoves have coils that are removable that can be washed by hand. However, the electric coils should never be submerged or soaked in water because of electrical issues that could arise.
A periodic maintenance service is recommended every year, usually in spring or fall before lighting the stove for winter. The technicians who perform this service will be able to conduct an extensive inspection of the stove to ensure all components are functioning correctly and to ensure that there are no problems that will cause the heater to fail in the future. In the event of a breakdown, the technician will be able to identify and fix the problem quickly. The cost of this service is often lower than the cost to replace the stove itself.