Investing in a Dual Fuel Cooker Range
Investing in a dual fuel cooker range adds to the overall value of your kitchen and home. If you're thinking about one, ensure that your kitchen is capable of handling electric and gas power sources.
Clarke offers showroom appointments to see the wide variety of dual-fuel stoves in fully-scaled kitchens created locally. Features like smooth glide ball-bearing oven racks and StayPut Italian hinges ensure a safe and easy baking experience.
Cooking Options
When you're deciding on a range, it's important to choose one that is in line with the style of your kitchen and matches the rest of your appliances. However, a range's purpose isn't just about appearances. You need a professional-grade oven capable of handling your baking and cooking needs. This is the reason why many home chefs look to a dual fuel cooker to maximize their cooking abilities.
A dual fuel stove is made up of a gas burner and an electric oven, which offers the most efficient heat control and accuracy. Gas cooktops are able to provide a precise temperature control that allows cooks to play around with cooking techniques such as roasting or searing. On the other hand, bakers appreciate the consistent heating that comes with an electric oven. Some models have a sophisticated feature that releases steam at the beginning of the baking process to help the bread rise for a smoother texture.
The cooktop of a dual fuel range typically includes high-performance burners running on natural gas or liquid propane. These burners can generate rapid heat to accomplish a wide range of tasks, like boiling and searing. The convection oven of a professional dual-fuel range is typically powered by an electric fan. The fan circulates hot air to ensure uniform heating.
Dual fuel ranges are costly however they are a great choice for cooks looking to improve their culinary skills, or entertain guests in the home. This kind of range is also easy to maintain, and can add value to your house if you decide to sell it in the future.
Consult a home appliance installer If you are considering buying a dual-fuel professional range. This person can ensure that your appliance is connected to both the gas and electrical lines, and that all the necessary safety precautions are taken. An experienced installer will be able to resolve any issues that may arise during the process of installing your new range.
Convenience
A dual fuel range gives the flexibility of both gas stovetops and an oven all in one. The stoves provide a range of cooking options which makes them a great choice for homeowners who love to experiment with new recipes and methods. These stoves come in a variety of sizes with oven capacities ranging from 4.5 to 6.8 cubic feet. Some models even feature two ovens side by side for larger capacity.
The combination of a gas and electric cooktop in one unit gives you the best of both worlds, with responsive heat that's quick to adjust and a precise heat that lets you set temperatures accurately. This precision is essential when simmering soups, or reheating leftovers. The electric oven can also provide the ability to maintain a constant temperature that can be precisely adjusted to maintain a low temperature when cooking delicate dishes.
Some homeowners choose a dual fuel range due to its aesthetic appeal as well as practicality. A lot of these ranges come with premium finishes and hardware that can go with a wide selection of kitchen designs, from traditional to modern. For instance, certain dual fuel ranges come with bronze handles or trim, which can add an element of elegance to a kitchen that is French-style.
While a dual-fuel range is a great addition to any kitchen, it's not right for every home. It usually requires a dedicated gas line to the home to power it, which could require you to pay for the installation or upgrade your gas line. Furthermore, some homes may not have both a gas line and an electrical outlet in the same room making switching between different sources of power an issue.
If you're looking to enjoy the flexibility of dual fuel ranges, but do not want to put in a new gas line consider buying an electric and gas cooktop, as well as a wall oven. This is an affordable solution that allows you to cook with either power source. You can also put separate units within the same room should you require. You can even combine an electric and gas model by selecting an electric and gas slide-in range that has an additional gas cooktop as well as an electric wall oven.
Efficiency
A dual fuel range combines the gas cooktop and an electric oven. This model is highly praised by professional cooks for its flexibility and value. It offers precise temperature control in the oven and flexible temperature control on its cooktop for a variety cooking techniques.
The cooktop section of the professional range with dual fuel is powered by either liquid propane or natural gas. Gas cooktops let you adjust the temperature quickly and visually, and you can also use advanced cooking techniques, such as roasting or charring. On the other hand an electric oven is a trusted and reliable kitchen appliance that can provide constant heating. Many models have an air-borne downdraft system that collects particles as well as smoke and odors, without the need for overhead ventilation systems.
Cooks who are dedicated will usually opt for gas cooktops because of their speedy and precise temperature control, making it simpler to cook onions or boil pasta. Meanwhile bakers are more likely to prefer an electric oven, because it produces a dryer heat that encourages bread to rise and brown. Some cooks prefer a combination of both sources of heat. This option is available on select dual-fuel ranges.
Aside from the versatile, high-performance capabilities of dual fuel ranges These appliances also come with an array of convenient features. Some models have removable burner grates and sealed burners to make cleaning easier. Certain models come with self-cleaning ovens, which save you time and effort by taking off the food debris after each meal.
In addition, a dual fuel range is typically more energy-efficient than an all-electric or all-gas version. If Read More On this page has natural gas lines it could help you save money on your winter energy bills.
Think about your kitchen layout and how often you cook on the stove when looking for a dual-fuel range. For instance, if only cook for two nights per week, the extra cost of a dual fuel range may not be worthwhile for your needs. Additionally, these ranges require an installation and gas hookup cost, which is usually not included in the price of purchase.
Safety
If a dual fuel cooker range is used properly, it offers a safer cooking experience than other stove types. It accomplishes this by combining the precision and uniform distribution of heat that comes from an electric oven, which is ideal for roasting and baking and the immediate control of gas burners. This combination allows the cook to switch between different cooking styles quickly and effortlessly. Additionally, a dual fuel range may also offer the option of a slow simmer and low simmer or high-heat searing - giving cooks more options to make their favorite dishes.
Apart from their safety advantages Dual fuel ranges are also easy to clean thanks to their use of gas and electric components. The gas oven typically has sealed burners or enamel-coated cast iron grates which can be easily cleaned down after meals. Likewise, the electric oven often features a self-cleaning feature which uses high temperatures to eliminate any food remnants. Some models with electric ovens have removable oven racks or trays that can be submerged in water or scrubbed for an efficient clean.
A dual fuel range can be costly to purchase since you'll need a gas line and an electrical outlet in your home to run it. This can be expensive, especially in the event that your kitchen already has gas lines. You'll need the help of a plumber in order to install an additional electrical outlet. In older homes, the wiring may not be able to support both electricity as well as gas. An electrician would need to alter the voltage at the kitchen outlet to accommodate a dual-fuel range.
Eva Bleyer is the reviews analyst for the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab where she has thoroughly tested almost 100 ranges in the last few years -- including many dual-fuel options. She also speaks with experts from the industry, goes to kitchen appliance showrooms and regularly tests appliances. Visit Clarke to schedule an appointment to view the dual-fuel range in action and talk with our experts on whether this model is the right choice for your kitchen.