The Benefits of Electric Stoves
The range is at the heart of any kitchen. From frying pancakes on Saturday mornings to roasting Thanksgiving turkey it's one of the most essential appliances you have in your home.
Electric stoves are the best alternative if you live in an apartment rental or neighborhood that isn't connected to gas lines. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of this kind of stove.
Energy Efficiency
Some cooks are awestruck by the sound, click, and blue flames licking a pot's edges. The flames also release harmful toxins which are bad for your health and the environment. Natural gas stoves have been associated with asthma and other respiratory problems. A growing number of states, cities and countries are banning new natural gas connections for buildings and homes. Electricity reduces exposure to the toxins and helps protect the planet, and government programs offer discounts to help you pay for the cost.
Best electric stoves into an outlet of 240-volts standard power and make use of electricity to heat your cookware. Conventional electric stoves, whether coil ranges or flat tops utilize heating elements in the form of exposed metal coils or electromagnetic waves under an acrylic-glass surface. Once the coils are hot or magnetic fields are in motion and you are able to place your cookware directly on the top of them and heat it. Induction stoves function differently by using magnetic currents to directly heat your cookware, without the metal coil or the surface.
Regardless of how the stoves function it is possible to reduce your energy costs by using the lowest possible temperatures and by selecting the best cookware. Lighter cookware heats up quickly, and flat bottoms transfer heat more efficiently and certain metals (such as copper) are able to conduct heat more efficiently than others. The right size of pot on the stove can cut down on energy use by around 40 percent.
Electric stoves consume significantly less energy than your refrigerator or other appliances. You can also save by using a timer to shut off the oven, and making use of an induction-compatible stove for quick meals.
You should consider investing in wind or solar turbines for your home in order to lower your energy bills. This isn't an environmentally friendly option since the electricity is often generated from fossil fuels. However, it is an excellent move in the right direction. Furthermore, the less-than-green practices used in natural gas production and transportation could cause climate change, as well.
Convenience
Electric stoves don't require gas hookups, and are a good choice for homeowners who don't want to go through the hassle of maintaining or repairing gas lines. They also heat up faster than gas stoves and are easier to clean and maintain, making them an ideal option for homeowners who are concerned about energy costs. If you're looking for a high-quality electric stove, shop the range at Slager Appliances today!
The heating elements of an electric stove are placed in a grid, resulting in more precise and quick heating control than gas stoves. They also don't store heat for as long, thus reducing the risk of burning. Electric ranges feature a flat surface, which is easier to clean as compared to other types of cooktops. This makes it a great choice for families with pets or children who may accidentally spill food onto the stovetop.
A lot of electric stoves come with convection ovens, which makes use of hot air to circulate within the oven, and then warm up any cold spots. This ensures an even and consistent heat within the oven, which is great for dishes like braised meats or bread that has been proofed. Look into an electric range with American or European convection for the best cooking experience.
While gas stoves are popular but more and more homeowners are opting to replace them with electric models. Electric stoves are not only more convenient and cheaper, but they are also green. Electric stoves are more eco friendly than gas stoves because they consume less fossil fuel and produce less greenhouse gases, helping to protect the climate. They also produce less carbon monoxide, which is a hazardous by-product of combustion that can poison you.
Your choice of stove will depend on your cookware and how often you utilize your kitchen. Gas stoves, for instance are great for grilling or charring food, while electric cookware is perfect for soups and stir-fry. Consider your cooking style as well as the availability of natural gas hookups close to you when choosing between gas and electric stoves. You may also want to look into local energy rebates, as the government is offering billions of dollars in incentives to help you switch to electric.
Safety
Electric stoves can create fire if you do not remember or leave the burners on too long. This is a risk that can occur with any stove, including gas ranges. These incidents are usually caused by human error. For instance an unfocused cook or a careless owner leaving the stove on. Fortunately, most stoves have overheating and protection against flame failure that can prevent these fires from spreading.
The most common way that people are burned on electric stoves is by touching the surface or dropping something on it. Luckily it's less of a problem on modern glass-topped stoves that have a smooth surface that's in line with the rest of the counter. This makes them much easier to clean than gas stoves with grates over each burner.
Many newer models also have sensors that detect spills and stop the stove in the event that there are any. This is a vital feature for older homeowners who may have declining cognitive function and could not remember to check the stove prior to leaving the home.
Induction cooktops which generate heat through magnetic fields, are also popular. They're also extremely energy efficient and reduce the risk of burn injuries due to their precise heating. Induction stoves are more expensive than traditional glass-top or coil stoves, but are worth the cost of safety and convenience.
It requires 240 volts to travel between two circuits to allow electric stoves to operate, and if one leg of the circuit is interrupted due to a blowing fuse or other issue that the stove isn't working, it won't work (via Appliance Repair Specialists). This can be a big issue for homeowners living in areas that are susceptible to frequent storms or power outages. A new fuse can fix the issue and bring back your stove's working condition.
Maintenance
Electric stoves work by using electricity to heat the metal coils underneath the burners. These coils, in turn, heat the pot or pan which sits on top of them. These coils need to be kept free of food debris. Food debris or spills could hinder the heating elements on an electric stove from functioning properly, leading to ineffective cooking and higher costs for energy. Stains that stick to the electric stove may be difficult to remove but some can be cleaned with a scrubby sponge and a mild cleaner.
In addition to removing any debris that has burned on, it is recommended to wipe down an electric stove after each use to keep it looking and performing well. Cleaning the burners and stovetop free of grime will help to prolong the longevity of the appliance. A nonabrasive cleaning pad should be used on smooth electric stovetops to keep the surface from being scratched.
A regular cleaning routine will keep an electric stove in good order. Most manufacturers recommend a weekly cleaning with warm water and mild detergent or a non-abrasive, household cleaner. The frequency of cleaning will be based on your lifestyle and the quantity of food you cook on the stove, with certain areas needing more frequent cleaning than others.
Most electric stoves have coils that are easily removed and cleanable by hand. However, the electric coils shouldn't be submerged or soaked in water because of potential electrical problems.
It is recommended that a regular maintenance service be performed every year, typically in the spring or autumn before lighting the stove for winter. The technicians who carry out this service can perform an exhaustive inspection of the stove to ensure that all the components are in good working order and to ensure that there are no problems that will cause the heater to fail in the future. The technician will be able diagnose and fix any problems quickly in the event of a breakdown. This is usually less expensive than replacing the stove.