How do you choose a gas cooker? Not everyone is a fan of modern hobs or built in ovens. Free-standing stoves are preferred by some due to their budget. This article will help you choose the best gas stove for your needs.
How to choose a gas stove?
Gas stoves are still in demand despite the popularity of electric models. In practice, if a gas stove can be installed, the majority of homemakers will choose this option. https://4bad0ff57c5a1faf75d9ce9243128a04.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html
- You can cook quickly and easily with its help. It provides temperature control.
- The ease of use of gas stoves in the kitchen is legendary.
- The service is unpretentious.
- The energy savings are substantial.
- Food cooked on fire is said to have a distinct and pleasant taste.
We recommend that you read the following tips before buying a gas cooker.
Gas Stoves Types
Gas models are available in two different types of gas.
- Natural products
- Liquefied.
You need to understand the differences between these two options if you don’t know what gas stove you should choose. First, there is methane with a few components. The second is compressed and chilled propane-butane.
Keep in mind that natural gas is the primary gas pipeline when choosing a gas cooker. The equipment must be connected to the main gas pipeline. Gas cylinders are filled with liquefied gas and must be replaced or refilled periodically.
Burners
Two or more burners are possible on gas stoves. Standard models have four burners. Which model should I choose? The number of family members, and how often you cook depends on:
- Gas stoves with four burners are ideal for three to four people.
- If you have a family of five or more, then you will need a bigger stove.
The size of the burners should be chosen according to the size and shape of the dish. The larger the burner diameter, the wider the bottom of the dish. Most stoves come with burners that are 2-3 different sizes.
Take a look at the power of gas stoves. Average is between 1-3 kW. The burner will take a long time to heat up the surface of dishes if it is less than 1kW. A stove with a power indicator is one that has more than 3kW. The number of rings or the type of flame on gas burners can also vary. The more rings, the faster dishes will heat up.
Flames can be classified into the following types:
- Double Crown:In the case of this flame, it is divided into two circles.
- Triple Crown: 3 rows of fire evenly and quickly heats the bottom of the wide dish.
- WOK Burner: This burner is designed to fit conical WOK pans, and offers two or three flame rings at different levels. It also has a high grates with a large opening for dishes.
- Coup de feu is a professional burner. It’s used to heat up dishes and stew them before serving.
Remember that different types of burners use different types of gas. If you are using liquefied gas, it is important to choose a plate that has smaller nozzle holes.
Plate Surface Material
- Gas hobs can be made from enameled steel or stainless Steel. They can also be made out of tempered glass or Glass Ceramic.
- Enamelled Steel is the most common material used because it is cheap and resistant to high temperature. enamel can be damaged by heating and cleaning.
- The surface of stainless steel will not rust. This type of plate resists chemicals and can be cleaned easily from burned food. The material is not fond of abrasive materials and stiff brushes. It may have scratches.
- Tempered glass can withstand high temperatures. Although glass is easy to clean, you should remember that it’s not impact resistant.
- Glass ceramics do not adhere to food. Material is resistant to high temperatures, but not to abrasive substances. You won’t burn yourself using a glass ceramic stove as they cool quickly.
Grating Material
This is an important parameter, because the pans can be very heavy and they fall on the grates.
- Cast iron gratings have a service life of 15 years. The cast iron gratings are not prone to bending due to their resistance to weight and high temperatures. Choose gratings that are lighter and have a simpler design. They are easier to clean and more convenient.
- The smooth surface of enameled steel grills makes them easy to maintain. They are also lighter than cast-iron. Unlike cast iron they do not last as long because they are less resistant to high temperature and the enamel chips off over time.
- Consider that if the grate is made of two halves or one piece, it is harder to clean due to its size.
Gas stove dimensions
You should measure the space where the stove will be installed – the height, the width and the depth. You may accidentally purchase a model that is wider than the available space. A model that’s too small is not good because you will have to move your furniture or cover ugly gaps.
It will be more difficult to clean your kitchen, as dust can accumulate in the cracks and food pieces may fall into them.
An important point:
The plate surface must be higher that the furniture adjacent. This is a requirement for safety.
Standard gas stoves are 85 cm high. Using the legs, you can also adjust the level of the stove. The plate’s width can range from 50 to120 cm and its depth from 30 to90 cm.
The final parameter is determined by the number of functions and burners. The dimensions are important when choosing a stove for a small space, taking into account furniture and other appliances.
Even if your kitchen is large, you should still think twice before purchasing a larger model. If you do not cook very often or a lot, it might be unnecessary.
Ovens: Gas or electric
Gas is more cost-effective than electricity, so gas ovens are a better option. Electric models take longer to heat up.
Some models come with an additional feature called “Grill” which is an extra heating element on the top (electric or gas). Gas ovens are flammable, and they emit paraffin oily soot.
Moreover, combustion products can also get into the food being cooked. Electric ovens heat food evenly. The electric oven has two heating elements, one on top and the other at the bottom. Many models come with the “Conventional” function.
The oven also has a fan that distributes heat evenly inside the chamber. Electric ovens have multiple modes of operation, unlike gas ones. It is usually determined by the combination of elements (for instance, only top, only bottom, or both). There are also automated programs.
If you choose a gas range with an electric grill or oven, you must connect the gas and electrical lines.
Volume
It is important to consider the volume of your oven. The volume can range from 30 to 112 liters. Focus on the size of your family:
- A 40-60 l oven is sufficient for one or two persons.
- The 60-70 l model oven is ideal for 3-4 people.
- If you have a family of five or more, then an oven that allows you to cook multiple dishes at once is needed.
Oven functions
Pay attention when buying to the power of the oven (if it’s a model that includes an electric oven), as well as its door glazing, additional features, and equipment. Power determines the maximum temperature.
Usually, we don’t cook at temperatures above 200-250deg. Cleaning requires higher temperatures. Remember, the higher the temperature an electric oven is able to create, the more power you will need. The number of glass on the oven’s door can vary.
The more you have, the cooler the temperature of the door from the outside. The less chance of getting accidentally burned. If there are kids, this is a must. The most common glazing is double layer, but you can choose from a wide range of options.
Gas stoves usually come with a grates and oven trays. The number of oven trays and the materials used depend on each model.
Many ovens come with optional, but useful features.
- Close the door smoothly with a little push: The glass will not be accidentally broken.
- Telescopic guides which push out the baking sheets: The dish actually “leaves” your oven and you don’t have to worry about burning your hands.
- Internal illumination of the oven.: Illumination in the chamber. It allows you to see the preparation of the dish through the glass. You don’t have to open the oven door to check whether the meat or cake has browned.
- Rotisserie : A rotating rod for frying or roasting meat. The skewer can be used to roast large pieces of poultry or meat if there is no “Convection”.
- Child Lock:The lock for the child is at the top. It prevents the opening of the oven door so that a child cannot be injured.
- Blowing the door will cool it down and prevent you from getting burned.
- Thermostat : It is used to maintain the temperature of the oven during cooking.
Open the oven door only occasionally during cooking. This will cause heat to be lost and electricity or gas to be consumed more.
Cleaning your oven
- You can clean your oven in three different ways: natural, catalytic, and pyrolytic.
- The inner surface will be enameled in the first case. You’ll have to wash it by hand after each use. You can also fill a baking tray with water and bake it on medium heat. Steam will help to loosen burnt on food and grease from the walls.
- Catalytic cooking involves an inner wall that is made of a special material which absorbs fats during the cooking process. It is best to use a damp cloth and avoid using harsh cleaners when cleaning the oven.
- It is important to note that the pyrolytic method, which uses a separate oven function, heats the oven up to between 300 and 500 degrees, which is what causes food residues. The internal surfaces can be cleaned after the camera has cooled down. High-power ovens will be needed for this.
Control Panel
The type of control panel will depend on the model. Simpler models have several handles. There will be five handles if there are four burners. The four handles are for the burners and the fifth for the oven. There are two types of handles:
- Rotate: to turn on the gas to the burner you must turn the knob.
- Recessed : You need to hold the handle down and turn it. This is the preferred option, as it will make cleaning the control panel easier.
- On the front of some stoves, you will also find a display. It shows additional functions such as the time settings, timer and oven cooking mode.
The stove has additional functions and features
Attention to the additional features to make gas stoves more comfortable.
- Gas Control: The feature automatically shuts off the gas when the flame goes away.
- Timer You can set the cooking time for your dish. Two types of timers are available: one that beeps to let you know when the timer is over, and another which also shuts off the gas.
- Storage Box for Utensils: This box is located beneath the oven, and it conveniently holds baking pans and sheets.
- When switching from one gas type to another, you will need to replace the nozzles.
- Electric ignition This can be either mechanical (you have to turn the knob and then press the button), or automatic, which means it will work automatically when you turn the dial.
- Minimum Fire: It can be difficult to reduce the fire, as it will simply go out if you reduce it too much. This feature allows you to adjust the knob so that a small flame is produced.
- When the child protection function is activated, it blocks the control of the stove.
Final Verdict
Gas stoves are a familiar kitchen appliance that is easy to use. Even with this option there are some nuances you should consider before making a decision. The dimensions of the oven, the material of the hob, the number of burners, and the functionality of the oven are probably the most important parameters.