Tips for buying cooking appliances
[edit] Selecting and using a cook-top
- Consider that electric hotplates are generally slower to respond than gas burners, and cost about twice as much to run.
- Look for a variety of hotplate sizes, so you can match your saucepan size to your hotplate size. This is more energy efficient.
- Gas burner efficiency varies according to the selected setting and flame control adjustments. For more efficient cooking, keep lids on pots and simmer gently rather than boiling rapidly
- Use the window in the oven door to check cooking progress. Each time the oven door is opened the oven temperature drops by 14-16°Celsius.
- Check oven door seals are tight-fitting. The seals should hold a piece of paper in place when the oven door is closed.
[edit] Selecting an oven
- Although gas is cheaper than electricity, gas ovens and electric ovens have comparable running costs. Gas ovens are less efficient due to venting
- Fan-forced ovens are more energy efficient than convection ovens, due to effective heat distribution and reduced cooking time.
[edit] Small electrical cooking appliances
- Smaller electric cooking appliances such as microwaves, electric kettles or electric frypans are generally energy efficient and inexpensive to run. Therefore, instead of using your electric oven, griller or hotplates for all cooking, consider the use of small portable electric appliances that use much less energy. See also Kettles and boilers.
[edit] Choosing and Buying the Best Cookware
Choosing and Buying the Best Cookware
There are dozens of different cookware shapes, from everyday workhorses like a skillet to specially shaped fish poachers. Familiarize yourself with the different cookware shapes and their names, and then decide which ones you'll actually need.
A few basics to start with:
- A medium- to large-sized skillet (10 to 12 inches) for sautéing and stir-frying
- A nonstick skillet for cooking eggs (8 to 10 inches)
- A 6- to 8-quart Dutch oven for cooking stews and soups, and for boiling water for pasta or potatoes
- A saucepan or saucier for cooking smaller batches of soup, as well as sauces, rice and grains, and vegetables.
Once you have the basics, build upon your collection with other pieces that make sense for your cooking style. Other useful cookware pieces include:
- A small saucepan (1 or 2 quarts) for melting butter, boiling an egg or heating a can of soup
- A wok if you do a lot of stir-frying
- Additional sizes of nonstick or uncoated stainless steel skillet, depending on how many people you cook for. A small nonstick skillet is great for cooking 2 scrambled eggs or an omelet, while a very large one can be used to cook a big batch of eggs, pancakes or bacon.
- A cast-iron skillet (10 to 12 inches) for searing meat, making cornbread and more.
- A grill pan for indoor grilling
- An inexpensive stock pot for boiling water for pasta or potatoes, or for making stock
- Additional sizes of saucepan
- If you don't have one already, a or saucier for cooking risotto and grains, or for making custards and delicate sauces
- A steamer insert
- A double boiler for melting chocolate or making delicate egg-based sauces
[edit] Cooking Ranges Buying Guide
A cooking range puts the two major cooking arenas, stovetop and oven, in one location. They are powered by gas, electricity, or both.
The most economical and popular choice is the freestanding range.
The standard model measures 30 inches wide and has the cooktop above the oven. More-deluxe models have a microwave or range hood above the cooktop at eye level. The panel at the back of the stovetop usually holds a clock and a timer and sometimes the controls.
Standard ranges are designed to slide in between cabinets or drop into a cabinet.
With the slide-in type, lips on either side close up the gap between range and countertop to prevent spills from seeping in-between. If the range has no backsplash, the wall behind should be protected with something impervious to heat and moisture.
A drop-in range rests on top of the cabinet base, so it does not have a storage drawer or warmer unit at the bottom. The top edges overlap the counter surface to prevent spills from seeping into the cabinet below.
Electric coil. Of all the types of electrical elements, coils heat up the fastest and therefore save on energy and energy costs. With dual-watt coils, the cook can match the setting to the size of the pan. To heat a small pot, only the interior coils heat up; both coils heat for larger pots and pans.
Gas. In general, as compared to electric, gas allows cooks to control the heat source more quickly and precisely, a must for any type of cuisine that involves quick saute methods. Some cooktops can be converted into a griddle and/or grill and have downdraft or backdraft ventilation.
Commercial-style gas. These pro-style ovens have all the benefits of a commercial range without the drawbacks. Calibrated controls adjust gas burners to hold steady, even flames; a grate in the center allows for shifting pans without having to lift them.
Smooth-top electric. Quickly heating radiant ribbors or coil elements sit beneath a ceramic-glass surface that provides for easy cleanup. Most new models come with safety features to prevent accidental burning because it was not obvious a burner was still on.
[edit] How to Choose the Perfect Stove
Whether you’re remodeling the kitchen or just looking to upgrade, check out this guide so you can turn up the heat.
Range vs. Cooktop
First, decide whether you want a traditional all-in-one range (aka, a stove) or a counter cooktop and a separate wall oven. Costs for either option can easily go to into the thousands, though there’s a greater selection of affordable ranges.
Usually, the most practical option is an oven-and-cooktop combo, especially if you’re simply replacing an old stove. Slide-in ranges are designed to slip into a space in between cabinets, while others, like this AGA, require major space.
A built-in cooktop and a professionally installed wall oven can give the room a modern look and make the best use of space. But, be careful, the update may require a major renovation if your kitchen is already set up for a traditional range.
Electric vs. Gas
You may not have a choice with this one: If you don’t have access to a gas line, an electric range is your only option; if you don’t have a 220-volt outlet, you’ll want to stick with gas. How to decide? Consider the type of cooking you do most.
Baking, low-maintenance cooking: Pros say electric ranges are best for baking because they allow for a more even oven temperature. The drawback: Electric coils stay hot after being turned off, so watch out!
Searing, boiling, frying: True foodies often prefer gas cooktops because they allow for more control of the heat. The flames add to the poetry of cooking, and, more important, the burner quickly cools once it’s turned off.
The Right Range, the Right Price
After deciding on a type of range, research online which brands and features fit your budget (Cooking.com has more than 300 models, including Viking, DeLonghi, and Jenn-Air). Once you’ve found a few different options, take a trip to a local store to see the range and check its aesthetics; then consider whether you’d prefer to purchase it on the spot or to search for a better deal online. If you decide to purchase over the Internet, make sure the site’s customer service representatives are available to discuss delivery, installation, and warranty information in detail.
[edit] Buying a Microwave
Not sure which microwave is right for you? We'll help you navigate the world of food-nukers.
The Wattage
You need the power of at least 700 watts to cook food evenly. Buying an oven with less wattage would be like trying to roast a marshmallow with a match. Luckily, a 700-watt microwave doesn’t cost more than a lower-wattage one and isn't necessarily bigger, either.
The Power
Look for a microwave with at least three power levels. All ovens cook at 100 percent power. But to defrost, you only need a 30 percent power level and to simmer foods, you’ll use about 50 percent.
The Placement
Countertop microwave models are the most popular because you can plug them in anywhere and start zapping. On the other hand, built-in microwaves are usually more powerful and save valuable counter space. While these models seem convenient; however, make sure they’re not installed so high up that adding ingredients or stirring involves standing on a chair.
The Spin Cycle
Sure, your food looks mesmerizing when it’s slowly spinning around. But a turntable actually limits the size of dishes you can use in your microwave.
The Rack
Some ovens come with a rack. But will you really use it? Nope. Depending on their moisture content, a microwave heats some foods faster than others. So cooking foods separately is actually easier.
The Controls
A touch panel is not only easier to operate and to read than a dial, it’s also more exact. Remember, the easier a microwave is to operate, the handier you'll find it.
The Bells and Whistles
You’ll be amazed at the fancy features today’s microwaves have. Sensor cooking measures the humidity in the oven from a food’s moisture. Preprogrammed cooking allows you to pop in a dish, tell the oven what you’re cooking, and walk away until it’s done. Combination microwave/convection ovens even let you brown and crisp food.
[edit] Which is More Efficient?
When looking for new cooking appliances, you have several choices to make:
1. Range, or Cooktop + Oven?
It makes no difference in terms of energy use whether you prefer to have your cooktop separate from your oven or combined in one range.
2. Gas or Electric?
As explained in the water heating chapter, gas is usually preferable to electricity as a heating fuel. But because cooking doesn't make a huge overall impact on your energy bill, this choice has more to do with your own preference. Many people find that gas offers better cooking control; however, it also introduces combustion products into the house that must be vented to the outside. Be sure to purchase an energy-efficient range hood that vents cooking products up from the cooktop and directly outside (avoid down-draft vents).
3. Which Gas Element?
There are three types of gas burners available: conventional burners with standing pilots, conventional burners with electric ignition (the most common), and sealed burners, where the burner is fused to the cooktop. Standing pilots can more than double the annual energy consumption of your cooktop or range and should be avoided. When comparing sealed to unsealed burners, there is no measurable difference in cooking efficiency, although sealed burners are simpler and easier to clean.
4. Which Electric Element?
With electric cooktops, a number of different burner types are available, in order of increasing efficiency (and cost): solid disk, exposed coil (the most common type), radiant, halogen, or induction elements. Unless you do a lot of cooking, it is probably hard to justify the fancier cooktop technologies on energy savings alone. It would probably be most cost-effective to stick with an electric coil or radiant element and put your money into better cookware.
5. Conventional or Convection Oven?
Convection ovens are usually more energy efficient than conventional ovens because the heated air is continuously circulated around the food being cooked, reducing required temperature and cooking times. On average, you’ll cut energy use by about 20%.
6. Self-Cleaning or Standard Oven?
With conventional gas or electric ovens, self-cleaning models are more energy-efficient because they have more insulation. But if you use the self-cleaning feature more than about once a month, you’ll end up using more energy with the feature than you save from the extra insulation.
7. What Kind of Microwave?
Microwaves use a lot of energy when operating, but because cooking times are so drastically reduced, using a microwave to prepare a meal will reduce energy use by about two-thirds compared to a conventional oven. Because less heat is generated in the kitchen, you may also save on air conditioning costs during the summer. Some microwave ovens include sophisticated features to further boost energy efficiency and cooking performance, such as temperature probes, controls to turn off the microwave when food is cooked, and variable power settings. New “rapid-cook” ovens combining microwaves with other cooking technologies— notably halogen lights or convection—are designed to cut cooking time and improve the quality of foods compared to standard microwave preparation.
[edit] When purchasing a cooking appliance, you will need to consider the following:
Brands – To view detailed descriptions of the cooking appliance brands sold at Martin Appliance, click the logos to the left.
Types – Cooking Appliances include a variety of ranges, cooktops, built-in wall ovens, and microwave ovens.
Ranges -
- Free Standing Range: This highly popular range is typically sold in a 30” width size, but is also available in other sizes from 20” to 60” widths. The mobility and finished appearance of this range allows for convenient and flexible placement in the kitchen.
- Slide-In Range: This configuration creates a smooth, custom look between kitchen cabinets. It is typically sold in a 30”width size with front-mounted controls.
- Drop-In Range: This range is a built-in design. It is framed on the side and at its base by cabinet work. These models do not have a drawer on the bottom. They have special installation requirements.
- Dual Fuel: This type of range combines the high powered gas cooktop with a consistent electric oven and broiler.
Ranges/Cooktops -
- Electric: Electric ranges or cooktoops are offered in two ways – glasstop or coil burner.
- Glasstop: Glasstops tend to be easier to clean, and offer a variety of features. There are two types of smooth glasstop designs - Induction or Radiant Ribbon. Induction glasstops are the latest in cooktop technology, efficiently and quickly heating while allowing precise control. Radiant Ribbon heating, however, is less costly to purchase. Glass tops also have the option of larger burners up to 12”
- Coil Burner: Coil burner units are generally more affordable and offer fast, even heating. However, coil burners are more difficult to clean and have limited features and sizes.
- Gas: Gas cooktops excel in quick and precise temperature control. Accordingly, many chefs and those who love cooking prefer gas cooktops.
- Dual Fuel: This type of range combines the high powered gas cooktop with a consistent electric oven and broiler
Built-in Wall Ovens-
This cooking appliance is generally used in combination with a built-in cooktop. A wall oven creates more open space in the kitchen. Ovens can be installed at a comfortable height to reduce the need to bend over the oven. Built-in wall ovens are available in single and double oven configurations depending on your cooking needs. Generally, wall ovens are available in electric; while there are a limited number of gas models. The most common wall oven sizes are 24”, 27”, 30”, and 36”.
Microwave Ovens-
Today’s advanced microwaves have both high performance, ease of use, and the capability to produce entire meals. Microwave ovens are available in a variety of sizes and configurations.
- Countertop: This type can be conveniently placed on a countertop, shelf, or table.
- Built-in or Under-Cabinet: This model frees up counter space.
- Over-the-Range: This model includes an exhaust fan and cooktop lighting.
- Special Features: Microwave ovens might have one or a variety of the following special features – Convection Cooking, Sensor Cooking, Pre-set Cooking, Speed Cooking, Oven Racks, or a Turn Table.
[edit] Seven Tips to Buying the Perfect Gas Grill
Before you start shopping, know these ABCs of grill construction:
A. On the top of every grill is the hood, which keeps heat from escaping
B. The cookbox is the body of the grill and houses the cooking system, which consists of three primary components: -- The cooking grates, where you place the food -- Below the cooking grates is a heat dispersal system -- The burner tubes at the bottom which provide heat
C. Underneath the cookbox is some type of system to channel and collect grease
Once in the store, follow these seven tips:
1. Give it the wiggle test. A well-built grill will feel solid and stable. Look for a grill that has solid steel welded construction. The casters and wheels should be up to appliance standards and designed to survive extreme hot and cold temps so they don't break.
2. Lift up the hood. Most grill shoppers stop at opening and closing the hood. If it feels heavy, they tend to think the grill is good. But that's like judging a car by the weight of its hood. Check what's inside to really judge how it will perform. You also want a sturdy, weather resistant handle that also provides a safe clearance for your arm and hand.
3. Check out the grates. Better grills have individually welded porcelain- enameled steel, stainless steel, or porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates. Avoid nickel- or chrome-plated steel because they can rust.
4. Lift out the grates and look inside. The cooking system should be designed to minimize flare-ups and allow for even, controlled grilling. On full-sized grills, there should be two or more separately controlled burners (not just control knobs) running the length of the cookbox. They should be spaced evenly and made out of high-grade stainless steel, which will stand up to the small amounts of water found in liquid propane and natural gas. Beware of grills with a dedicated infrared searing zone -- you may lose the ability to use that grilling space for anything but searing at high temperatures.
5. Where does the grease go? Look for a system that funnels drippings down and away from burners into an easy-to-reach, high-capacity, removable catch pan. Don't settle for a grill that expects you to rig up an empty soup can for drippings. Avoid shallow pans as they could overflow on to your deck, patio, or balcony.
6. Get the right BTUs. The BTU (British Thermal Units) rating measures how much gas the grill can burn, not heat output. A gas grill with 600 square inches of cooking space needs about 35,000 BTUs to reach a searing temperature of 550 to 600 degrees F. Generally, larger grills require higher BTUs.
7. Whom to Trust. Ask if the grill is actually made by the company whose name is on the product. If not, you may have a difficult time obtaining replacement parts in the future. Also, look for an uncomplicated and generous warranty, a web site with plentiful guidance, and a toll-free customer support line manned by real people who quickly answer your call when you need help. In fact, call the customer service department while you're shopping. It's a great test of how you'll be treated after the sale.
[edit] Kitchen Appliance Advice
To best utilize the cooking and kitchen appliance information, try to follow these steps:
1. Need
Determine what you need first. Did you buy a new house and want to stock up your kitchen or are you remodeling? Are you looking for a set of cookware and appliances or a single item? Sometimes you may not know what you want but know what you need. For example, you may realize that mixing cake batter with your hand and spatula is too cumbersome but don’t know what to buy that is both economical and useful.
2. Learn
Next, you need to learn about how the kitchen product or appliance works. You should find some useful information on here that describes how various cooking appliances and utensils operate.
3. Choose
After you learn about the cooking products and appliances, you need to choose the ones that you need. For example, after reading about mixers, blenders and food processors, you may realize that all you really need is a blender to make juices and not a food processor since you don’t need to use it to chop vegetables or other types of processing.
4. Research
After you decide on the cooking product or appliance you need, you need to do more extensive research both online and offline. This means actually going to various manufacture’s websites and understand the benefits of each brand that you are considering. You should also visit your local department store or kitchen appliances store to look at the items and talk to experts who may be able to answer more questions for you.
5. Purchase
Finally, you are ready to purchase your kitchen product or appliance. You can read some of the tips offered here but make sure that you always do additional research as you will get different advice from different people.
