If you are thinking of replacing your oven and cooktop, there are many options available to choose from today. Buying the right oven is important, especially for those who do more than just basic cooking with their oven and stove. To purchase a product that is not likely to need frequent oven repair, and for the best value, consumers should know the basics of oven and cooktop selection. Avoid the need for oven repair services by purchasing a unit best suited for its use, with the features to make life more convenient!
Gas or Electric?
This first question that must be answered when deciding on a new a cooktop and oven is whether you want a gas or electric appliance. Both offer great cooking performance, and the choice is often based more on preference than anything else, but a gas stove does require the home to have gas service. Most consumers generally chose their stove based on what their current appliance is fueled by, but switching is always possible if this is important.
Cooktop Burner Type
Gas stoves utilize only one type of burner, which is made of iron or cast iron grates that cover the gas feet and spread the flame out underneath. One of the main benefits of a gas cooktop is it is easier to manage visually, although it is sometimes more difficult to get even heating. Cleaning requires removal of the grates.
Electric cooktops are available with two different types of burners - coil burners, and smoothtop burners. Coil burners are coiled metal burners that heat up, and then heat the pots sitting on top of them. Smoothtop cooktops are a smooth glass surface with heating elements built into them, which heat the pots that are set on the glass, over the heating element. Electric burners are thought to be more precise, and offer more even cooking than gas burners.
Differences Between Smoothtop and Coil Cooktops
Although both coil and smooth cooktops are electric cooktops, they have a few distinct differences. Generally speaking, coil burners are the basic electric cooktop that heat when pots are set on top of the coiled heating elements. Cleaning requires removal of the elements, and can take longer, but they are very hardy, and much harder to damage and to require oven repair services. Smooth cooktops offer a variety of cooking control options, burner locks, and are very easy to keep clean; but they do require cleaning with a special solution. Also, a smooth cooktop can be easily damaged by a dropped pot, sugar on the cooktop, and in other ways, making it likely to need cooktop or oven repair.
Wall Oven Options
Since many homes have separate ovens and cooktops, there is a great variety of wall ovens. While a stove is limited in size and where it can be positioned, wall ovens can be mounted anywhere, since the cooktop is a separate unit. These appliances are available as single, side-by-side double oven, and stacked double oven units. Better, more fully featured models include features like various broil levels, self-cleaning options, convection fans, programmable timers, door locks and other useful features.
Deciding on the right oven and cooktop is a personal choice that should be made based on the consumer, the home, and how the appliance will be used. For those who enjoy cooking, there are many useful features available with both. It is important that homeowners understand the pros and cons of each of these appliances, and how to properly use and clean them in order to avoid the need for oven repair services. Used correctly, any type of wall oven or cooktop should provide years of reliable use without the need for cooktop or oven repair!
