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Electric Cooking Kitchen Appliances Types and Ranges
from: GaryTYPES OF COOKING APPLIANCES
There are a wide variety of cooking appliances available to the consumer. Many are very specific in their use; others can be used for a wide variety of cooking functions.
The two major categories of cooking appliances are gas and electric. Electric appliances can be broken down into three sub-categories: electric resistance, electric induction, and electric microwave cooking.
Resistance electric appliances
Resistance electric ranges are probably the most widely used cooking appliance. Usually there are four or five resistance top elements and an electric resistance oven. The most common configuration has the oven below the burners. There are usually four to ten heat settings for the top cooking elements, with the lowest setting having the least amount of current going through the element to produce the smallest amount of heat. As voltage increases, more current flows, the resistance produces heat, and the elements can get red-hot.
Most of the heat is transferred directly by conduction to the pot or pan being used. Depending on the heat selected, there is some amount of heat transferred to the pot or pan by radiation from shiny reflectors underneath the burners, although this is usually small.
Advantages of resistance electric appliances.
Electric ranges are clean and easy to maintain.
There is less risk of fire because of no exposed flame.
Some electric ranges have smooth ceramic tops making cleaning convenient.
Disadvantages of resistance electric appliances.
Electric ranges are not as efficient as gas.
There are lag times when turning the electric appliance on and off
The reflector elements are often difficult to clean.
The resistance elements themselves are usually selfcleaning with a high heat setting.
Selection of resistance electric appliances
Probably the optimum choice for a surface cooking top would be one with four elements--one large for accommodating large pots and frying pans, two intermediate to be used for smaller pots, and one small element for heating small quantities of water for coffee or tea, or where other small quantities of food are cooked.
In terms of energy-efficiency, the range with the oven underneath the burners generally offers a more compact unit and is more efficient because of the way insulation is applied. However, it presents the problem of being hit in the face with a blast of heat when the oven is opened. Care should be taken when opening the oven door. A range with the oven on the top offers eye level viewing convenience and less discomfort when opening the door. Although a window in the oven door does provide some convenience for viewing food be cooked, it is generally less efficient than an oven door without a window. An experienced cook knows when to open an oven door at the optimum time and does not need a viewing window.
Some electric resistance ranges come with a ceramic top with the burner underneath the ceramic portion. These ranges are generally less efficient and use more energy than ranges with the resistance elements exposed. They do offer convenience in terms of cleaning.
Although most people like to supervise their cooking directly, range timers do offer some convenience, particularly when a person is doing multiple tasks within the house. Some timers can provide selective control over each cooking element and the oven.
Ovens with self-cleaning features are generally more energy efficient than those without because they have more insulation.
Operation of Resistance Electric Appliances
Because of the thermal lag in electric resistance ranges, additional time should be allowed for preheating the oven and the surface cooking elements. When preheating an oven for baking usually five to eight minutes is sufficient. There is no need to preheat for broiling or roasting. Opening an oven to peek at the food will waste some energy, although this is not as significant as once thought. An experienced cook knows when to check the food and when the oven should be opened in order to baste or turn the cooking food. The air temperature does drop 25 to 50 degrees every time it is opened. Remember also that both the surface elements and the oven will continue to provide heat after they are turned off because of the heat stored in the elements themselves.
The self-cleaning cycle should be activated on an electric oven only for major cleaning jobs. Small spills and splatters should be cleaned with a damp cloth. When cleaning is necessary, start the cleaning cycle right after cooking, while the oven is still hot.
Cooking utensils should have flat bottoms, straight sides, and tight-fitting lids. The pan selected should be sized to match the burner element.
Maintenance of Resistance Electric Appliances.
The cooking elements, the surrounding area, and the reflectors should be kept clean to avoid fires and maximize cooking efficiency. Defective cooking elements should be replaced by an experienced electrician.
Exhaust vents over the oven and cooking surfaces should be cleaned when grease builds up. Non disposable filters should be cleaned as necessary, and disposable filters should be replaced.
Induction Ranges
Induction ranges employ a very energy-efficient technique for heating up the cooking utensil. A rapidly changing magnetic field is generated within the appliance, which causes the molecules in specially selected metal pots and pans to heat up. Most of the energy that is generated is transferred directly to the utensils, and little heat is expended in heating up the appliance itself. While not quite as efficient as microwave ovens, induction ranges do offer the special advantage of being able to cook conventionally while using a smooth surface appliance. Induction ranges usually have conventional electric or gas ovens.
Advantages of induction ranges.
Induction ranges are energy efficient.
Having flat surfaces, they are generally easy to clean.
Disadvantages of induction ranges.
Induction ranges are usually very expensive.
They require special cooking utensils.
Operation of induction ranges
Most induction ranges come with detailed instructions on operation and maintenance. Operation is relatively easy and is similar to a conventional electric or gas range. They are fairly easy to clean and maintain.
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