Range Cookers – Gas, Electric or Duel Fuel?
If you are from the UK, then no doubt the term “range cookers” is nothing new or special to you. You know this term from your youth and have recognized it as referring to a common everyday appliance found in your kitchen. However if you are from the US, this may be seem to be a strangely worded way of talking about ovens or ranges. There’s nothing wrong with either view, its just different. What exactly are range cookers? What are the different kinds of range cookers? Lets take a closer look.
As mentioned at the outset, range cookers are essential kitchen appliances found in almost every UK kitchen. They are the equivalent of an oven or range here in the US. Most range cookers either come equipped to cook using gas or electricity. New models of range cookers are on the market now that offer dual fuel options. Dual fual range cookers are equipped with both electric as well as gas meaning that you have the option of exactly how you want to cook.
Gas Range Cookers
Gas range cookers are the most popular, though not necessarily the best depending on your preferences for cooking. This type of range cooker uses natural gas to produce a flame which in turn produces heat. One common disadvantage of gas range cooker is the smell of gas that it sometimes can emit. Of course if you do smell gas, then its because there is most likely one of the knobs left turned on and its a good signal for you to investigate the cooker and verifying that everything is turned off. The good thing about cooking with gas range cooker is that gas is often times cheaper than using electricity, plus you can cook more quickly and evenly when using gas. Unlike electric range cookers, gas range cookers only need very little time to get hot. The pan will get hot only about a half a minute after putting it on the range cooker, unlike electric ones which could take up to three minutes. Also, turning the knob on a gas range cooker will control the fire and allow you to fine tune your cooking flame.
Electric Range Cookers
Electric range cookers on the other hand, are very easy to use. All you have to is turn it on then wait for it to get hot. Also an advantage of electric range cooker is it doesn’t use gas, so there’s no chance for gas leaks. Gas leaks are dangerous and can sometimes lead to fire. It is important to note that gas leaks are very rare…but do happen. Prepare and plan accordingly when installing your appliance. Although thought to be more safe by many, electric range cookers imposes some threats of their own as well. Since it doesn’t use fire, some people may underestimate its heat when on a lower setting. This can be a potential problem for homes with children. Unlike gas range cookers, which have evolved very little, a lot of electric range cookers in the market today have more features than the old models. We now have electric range cookers with programmable cooking timers. This is especially useful for busy people, as you can simply leave the food while cooking. You just have to set the required time for cooking, and the stove will sound an alarm when the time you’ve set has finished.
Although gas range cookers are more used in the United States, a fair share of people has already shifted to using electric cookers. What we all need to remember is that each type has its own benefits and disadvantages. We have the power to choose which of the types of range cookers our needs better, so be sure to do your research and make the best choice for you.