Wall Ovens
Sizes:
If you have a kitchen that can accommodate a separate cooking unit, wall ovens are the nice alternative to the standard all-in-one range. They can install into any wall at any height, making it easier for you to insert and remove food items. They also add flexibility and space in the kitchen if you have more than one cook.
First and foremost you need to know the size of your space. Wall ovens come in standard width of 27 and 30 inches in width. Some speciality ovens, such as steam cook ovens, are available in 24″, generally with an optional 27″ or 30″ trim kit. Their interior capacities can range from 3.1 to 5 cubic feet.
Fuel Types:
Wall ovens are predominantly electric, however there are gas versions available for some brands.
Gas –
Gas ovens require a natural gas or liquid propane connection which ventilates to the outside. You will be limited in choices and manufactures that provide this oven. They are commonly perceived as more energy efficient than electric.
Electric –
Traditionally bakers prefer electric ovens because they are faster to heat and maintain temperature more accurately. Full size ovens require a 230/240-volt connection. These ovens give you more flexibility in style.
Advanced Cooking Technology:
Convection System –
Convection technology may add to the price of your oven, but can help you cook faster and better. Convection uses an internal fan that circulates hot air throughout the oven, providing an even distribution of heat and reducing cook times by up to 25%. Even better results come from a true-convection oven, which has a third heating element along with the fan, so it blows heated air. With true convection, also referred to as European convection and third-element convection, oven temperature is more uniform than it is with regular convection.
Steam Cooking –
Steam ovens work by heating uith moisture either by a container you fill with water manually or by a direct plumbing connection depending on your model. Steam cookingis considered the healthiest way to cook because the moisutre is able to maintain the food nutrients instead of baking them out. These ovens provide flexibility; they work wonders for steaming leftovers, great at proofing or even baking bread, vegetables area given and steam is grea for cooking fish or poultry.
Speed Cooking –
Speed Cook Ovens like the Advantium from GE deliver oven-quality results 2 to 8 timesfaster than a conventional oven and there is no preheating required. A speed ovenalternates between microwave, convection and grill, so you have faster cooking timeswithout the rubbery quality of a microwave. Across brands, speed ovens have varyingdegrees of technology and radically different prices.
Even Heat –
Even-Heat True Convection ovens provide consistent heating and even cooking. They use a unique bow-tie shaped design and convection fans to help ensure the most evencooking.
Features:
Self-Cleaning –
This feature heats the oven to extreme temperatures, turning spills into ash and making them easy to wipe away. Keep in mind, extensive self-cleaning can degrade your oveninterior over time.
Touch Screen –
Many ovens have done away with dials and knobs and let you control the temperature and cooking through mode touch screen control panel. When you tap the screen,options become visable then disappear when left idle.
Delay-Bake Option –
This is ideal for those who want to pre-heat the oven prior to arriving home or to auto start cooking additional appetizers during a party.
Built-in Sensors –
These can measure your cooking times and make sure that your food is cooked to the ideal temperature.
Broil –
By applying high heat closely over food, you are able to cook your food faster. Broiled foods brown on the surface and have a caramelized taste. Broiling is often used for meat, poultry, and fish, but creative cooks know that broiling does wonders for many fruits and veggies, too. There are several advantages to broiling most foods take only about 15 minutes to cook and, unlike grilling, weather is not an issue, and prep and cleanup are simple.
WiFi Connected Apps –
WiFi-enabled smart appliances help you to stay connected to your home, no matterwhere you are. Through your mobile devices you are able to set timers, check cooking status, and preheat your oven from anywhere.
Cooktops
Cooktops consit of the burners or heating elements used to cook with pots and pans. They are inset into a countertop and allow for more cabinet space below to store cookware such as heavy pots and pans.
Sizes:
The size of your cooktop will depend on your kitchen layout and available counter space. Make sure you measure the space including height, width and depth of the area you want to place it. The most common cooktop siaces are 30” and 36”, but they can be made as big as 48 inches.
Fuel Types:
Gas –
Gas cooktops tend to be the popular choice for either professional chefs because of its quickly adjusted flames and fuel efficiency. They require a gas hookup to natural gas or a liquid propane tank. These are typically more expensive than electric models and are cheaper to operate than traditional electric cooktops.
• Regular: Require a separate ventilation unit either above or behind the cooktop.
• Downdraft: These can also be called self-ventilation systems. These do not require a hood for ventilation.
Standard Electric –
Electric cooktops are becoming more in demand thanks to easy clean surfaces and high-tech features.
• Electric Coil: The coils sit above the cooktop or in a recessed cavity. These are less expensive and are often found in apartments.
• Electric Ceramic: The heating element is installed beneath a glass surface. Thishas a sleek appearance, a smooth easy to clean surface and heats quickly and evenly.
Induction –
Induction cooktops work by using an electromagnetic field to heat the cookware. They allow for very fast, even heating only where in contact with cookware. Inductioncompatible cookware is required to cook on these. Freedon Induction cooktops allow you to cook without a designated heat source. You can put your pot or pan anywhereon the cooking surface and that area will heat.
Module –
Module cooktops are individual burners, grills, griddles, woks, steamers, and deep fryers. You can truly customize your kitchen and cooking experience with their flexibilitywith layout design and cooking. These cooktops are ideal for passionate cooks interested in specialty cooking systems.
Categories:
Standard Cooktops –
Standard cooktops are generally 30 to 36 inches wide with four to five heating elements or burners. Basic or entry level electric cooktops sport traditional coil elements. Step upand you’ll find smooth-top ceramic-glass surfaces with ribbon heating elements. Gas cooktops might have standard burners which are open or burners set within a continuous grate that allows for easy moving of pans from burner to burner. These grates can get spill stuck to them and require regular cleaning. Average Price = $350-$750
Midrange Cooktops –
Midrange cooktops include the features mentioned above but offer more advancedfeatures, including power-boil burners, electronic touch controls, low-simmer burners and warming zones for holding foods at a warm temperature until ready for serving. Electric cooktops are equipped with bridge elements and different-size heating elements that can be adjusted depending on your pan sizes. Gas cooktops can have sealed burners that don’t get spills stuck to them. Average price = $750-$1,500 Top-Of-
The-Line Cootops –
These are available in 30, 36, 42 and 48 inches with four to eight burners or heating elements. Modular and induction models fall within this category. High-tech overflow alarms, temperature-limiting controls and child locks are just a few of the advanced features you can get in the top-of-the-line cooktop. Average price = $1,500-$5,000
Advanced Features:
Full Surface Induction Element –
Full surface induction cooktops offer flexibility with a fully usable cooking surface. The cooktop heats the exact area of any induction compatable pot or pan versus heating through a burner. The pot or pan can be placed anywhere on the induction cooktopand can be moved in the middle of cooking without having to switch your cooking settings.
Brass (Gas) Burners –
Brass burners are usually found on high-end cooktops and last a lot longer then yourregular gas burner. The gold brass look of the burners provide an elegant look whileproviding robust heat. They do require special cleaning that can be tedious.
Customizable Element Configurations –
You are no longer restricked to 4, 6 or 8 burners. You can create your cooktops to work for you and your cooking habits. Some common configurations are:
• 4 burners + griddle • 6 burners + griddle
• 4 burners + grill • 6 burners + grill
• 4 burners + griddle & grill • Convertible burners to griddle or grill
Ranges
Range ovens combine the cooktop and the oven into a single unit appliance. There are a wealth of options when it comes to funcationality, finishes, sizes and oven capacity.
Size:
When shopping for your Range be sure to consider your cooking and baking needs, available space and style preferences. The standard width of a range is 30 inches but, higher end ranges can extend to 36”, 48” and even 60”. The oven compartment on the average range is 5.0 cubic feet. If you’re a casual cook preparing simple meals just a couple times a week, the standard 30” range will be sufficient for you. If you’re an avid chef and often prepare for large amounts of people, you should consider a larger range.
Gas vs. Electric:
What you have is often what you get. If you have gas lines in your kitchen you will likely -purchase a gas-powered range. Though, you can convert to electric provided you have sufficient wiring available. Those that only have an electric set-up are limited to purchasing an electric range.
Gas –
All gas ranges are available with a natural gas or a liquid propane connection and require venting to the outside.
• Cooktop: An open flame allow you to quickly reach high temperatures. They don’t require electricity to function, so you can work them in the event of a power outage.
• Oven: These are available in both traditional and convection varieties, as well as electric options. They have a reputation for inconsistent heat temperatures, which can cause food to cook unevenly.
Electric –
Electric ranges have more precise temperature managment systems, particularly withlow heat settings.
• Cooktop: There are two kinds of electric cooktops. (1) Electric Smoothtops are made out of glass-ceramic, which gives them a sleek and shiny look. The heating unit sits under the surface of the glass only with induction. (2) Electric Coils heat cookware by converting the electricity running into the coils into heat, there is no open flame. These however are slow to heat, slow to cook and are known for cooking unevenly.
• Oven: Cook food through the radiation of heat from a heating element in the oven. The heat waves bounce off the metal walls to cook the food. They are known to cook food at a more accurate temperature and are available in both traditional and convection systems.
Dual Fuel –
This provides the best of both worlds. This range can provide the precision and consistency of an electric oven and the speed of a gas cooktop.
Features:
Convection Cooking Technology –
This is the use of one or more fans to circulate the hot air in the oven. This will cook yourfood faster and more evenly. Convection is available in electric and gas ovens and can be found in mid-highend ranges.
Double Ovens –
Two individually operating ovens which allow you to roast and bake at different temperatures simultaneously.
Hot-Surface Light –
The range surface light warns when a cooktop element is still hot and should not betouched. This safety feature is particularly ideal for those with children.
Self-Cleaning Cycle –
This convenient feature wheats the oven to extreme temperatures, turning food particles or spills to ash, which can easily be whipped away. While cleaning the door islocked for your saftely from the high heat. The average self clean cycle lasts around3 hours.
Electronic Touchpad –
These do away with bulky dials or knobs. Temperatures and cooking settings are controlled through an electric touch screen. The touch screen also ads a sleek lookingto your range while providing you with an easy clean up.
Warming Drawer –
A range with a warming drawer is nice when cooking for large crowds, allowing you to keep finished dishes, rolls or serving plates warm.
Exchangable Griddle & Grill –
The griddle and grill accessory let you adjust depending on your cooking style by sitting the cast iron pieces ontop of your burners. The flat top of the griddle provides more versatility on your range allowing you to cook eggs or burgers. If you plan on grilling up some steaks but dont have an outside grill, use the exchangle grill on your range. They are easy to clean and in most instances are dishwasher safe.
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