From Convection to Trivection: Unveiling Features, Sizing, and Efficiency
Starting out on the journey to find the perfect range for your kitchen involves unraveling a world of options beyond the familiar gas and electric choices. As the heart of culinary creativity, your range deserves thoughtful consideration, blending functionality with innovation. Join us as we delve into the realm of kitchen ranges, exploring a spectrum of features, sizes, and efficiency considerations to elevate your cooking experience.
Fuel options
Thor dual fuel range with a gas stovetop and an electric convection based oven.
Everyone knows about gas and electric ranges. A gas stove will work even if it is in the middle of a power failure, but an electric stove is much easier to get hold of. Gas ovens are more efficient in how they use energy, while electric ranges, since they are the most common on the market, tend to be the go-to for new houses. However, there are a few types that people don't commonly know about.
Convection ovens f
These are typically found in more high-end lines. They reduce cooking times by cycling hot air around your oven using one or more fans. Sometimes, an electric oven will have an additional convection element, but a strictly convection oven is not the same as an electric oven.
Steam ovens
Steam ovens are currently the fastest-growing trend in home cooking. They're touted as a new, healthier way to cook That is also easy to clean. (If you don't know why that's so important, think about the last time you said, “I love my grill, but I hate cleaning it.”) there are also combination ovens that have a convection and steam setup. This way, you get the health benefits without losing your ability to bake.
Dual fuel
If you already have access to a gas line in your home, you can choose between a traditional gas range or a dual-fuel setup. This uses gas to power the stovetop and electricity for the oven. This way, you get the faster cooking speeds on the stovetop from the gas, and you get the consistency of the electricity in the oven.
Trivection
An explanation of how trivection works, courtesy of GE
Trivection ovens are something brand new on the market and are extraordinarily versatile. They cook using convection, microwaves, and thermal heat. The idea is to provide you with fast consistent heat without losing flavor or nutrients in your food. (An interesting note is that Alton Brown of Good Eats had a hand in developing it!)
Sizing
You have a couple of options when it comes to sizing your range. You can go with a standard oven that's going to be 30 in wide and has four burners, maybe five, maybe. Or you can start looking at the ones that are labeled pro. These start adding in additional burners or specialized types of burners to your stovetop and thus end up being wider, anywhere from 32 to 48 in is the current industry standard. It is as much about how the stove is set up as it is about the oven's dimensions. You can get an additional oven or even integrated options like a griddle or a wok burner.
Features and Functions
Cleaning
Trying to clean your oven can be a nightmare as we've discussed before. Caked on burnt food and grease build up? No thank you. But, some manufacturers are beginning to add cleaning options that aren't burning the inside of the oven to ash. Things like steam functions are beginning to be added as a feature. Others are looking at how to build the oven from the ground up to make it easier to clean. For this you want to look out ranges with ceramic glass surfaces and being built from a single piece on the inside. Simple knob designs and handles mean fewer places for your food to collect and add to how difficult or easy cleaning ends up being.
Steam oven with multiple trays for cooking and baking, courtesy of Thermador.
Control Locations
This is one that takes a lot to account for. A good way to look at it is who needs to use your range and who doesn't? Do you have a wheelchair-bound family member? Then knobs that are located at the front of the range would be more useful. On the other hand, do you have a child who's learning to walk? Then, you might want controls located on the back splash instead. (Do you have cats that climb on your counters? Then, sadly, neither of these will keep them out of trouble; instead, we advise putting toddler locks on.)
Glass Doors
It sounds crazy, but having a glass door on your range can and does save you money, time, and food.
Money - if you can see your food bubbling away, you don't need to open the door to check whether it's done. Your oven also doesn't have to reheat the oven which saves you money on your utilities bill.
Time - If the oven stays at the same temperature the whole time, your results are more consistent. If the oven doesn't have to reheat itself after the door is opened, then there isn't a drop in temperature, which means your food finishes when you expect it to.
Food - You're less likely to burn your food if you can easily see it through the door.
Dual Oven
How many times have you had to stage a family meal as meticulously as a general? “ This and this cook at the same temperature, so they get to go in at the same time. And then this one can reheat at that temperature so it can go in in the second wave.” With the second oven, that becomes less of a concern. * You can cook a roast in the top oven and the sides in the bottom oven at completely different temperatures. This even has an additional benefit for your utility bill and kitchen during the summer. If you're cooking something small, you can just use this smaller oven and not have to heat the larger one. Doing that also keeps your kitchen cooler in summer. And living in Texas, that one is always useful.
Timer and Delayed Start Functions
Imagine this. You're baking cupcakes, and you walk away after you pop them in the oven. You've got 20 minutes, and you want to do something else. You're on the other side of the house and don't hear the timer go off. But because you have a timer feature, your oven shuts off instead of turning your cupcakes into carbon discs.
A delayed start feature is equally useful. You might have a sheet pan prepped and in the oven, but you don't need it to start yet. It's not a problem to set up a delayed start and go off to do something else, knowing your food will be ready when you are.
Budgeting: Now and Later
Are Those Features Really Needed?
Before you purchase, look at the features you want and need. Many ranges come with more settings than in the past that you may not even use. So it might be better to choose a different range that you will get full use from. The same thing goes with features that you have no interest in. It might be a great deal or look nice, but is it worth the price if you never use it to its full capability?
Reliability and Manufacturer Support
Before signing on the dotted line, consider who is in your area and what support will you get from the manufacturer. While appliance rescue service can and will service every brand of oven You also want to look at how difficult it is to get help from the manufacturer.
Think of a manufacturer warranty as an indicator from the company of how good that appliance is. The better and longer your warranty, the more comprehensive it is, the better the range. A manufacturer wouldn't offer to pay for repairs if they thought they would be doing it all the time.
Temperature Maintenance Equals Energy Efficiency
A final note to ensure you look at is how well the oven maintains temperature. Mainline brands can have as much as a 50° variation from the temperature you set. So that might mean that you set your oven to 350°, but really, it might be somewhere between 300 and 400 depending on whether it skews lower or higher. On the other hand, brands like Dacor and Wolf are known for staying within a five-degree range. And this variation is going to have an effect on both your food and your utility bills. It's not the end of the world, so to speak. After all, the oven still works, but what matters is knowing that it is happening.
Selecting the ideal kitchen range extends beyond mere functionality; it's about crafting a space where culinary dreams flourish. As you contemplate features, sizing, and energy efficiency, envision your kitchen as a canvas where flavors mingle and memories are born. With the right range as your culinary ally, embark on a gastronomic adventure where every meal tells a story of innovation and delight.
Whether you're pondering the perfect oven for your culinary haven or facing appliance woes, remember that Appliance Rescue Service is here to help. From oven installations to troubleshooting mysterious burning smells, our team is dedicated to keeping your kitchen running smoothly. Don't let a malfunctioning appliance dampen your culinary adventures—reach out to us today at (214) 599-0055 or visit our website to schedule your appointment. At Appliance Rescue Service, serving Allen and beyond, we're committed to bringing comfort and convenience back to your kitchen.
* We won't say completely as it depends on how large your meals are.