Cookware and Today’s Appliances

Cooking Tips

When a homeowner is considering a kitchen renovation, they seldom consider the type of appliances and cookware to buy as a top priority. In all of the excitement, you are more likely to focus on the flooring, wall colors, countertops, and other cosmetic aspects of the remodel, but if a fully functioning kitchen is what you are after, take a moment to discuss your stove top options with your NJ Kitchen Cabinet Designer.

cppper pots and pans

Gas Versus Electric Stoves in Kitchen Remodels

If you will be replacing your existing stove as part of your NJ Kitchen Remodeling Design, you will need to look into the difference between a gas and an electric range. Both have advantages as well as disadvantages. There is no clear answer to the question of which one is best. That answer will depend on what you are familiar with, what style of hook up is available in your home, and what kind of cooking you plan to do.

Gas Stoves for your NJ Kitchen Design

gas stove

The biggest advantage to choosing a gas stove is the cooking. Once you turn a burner on, you have instant heat with a flame you can see. The flame it creates allows your food to cook quicker and more evenly. This is due to the way the flames spread across the bottom of the pans and wrap up around the sides. If you truly enjoy cooking, these small differences will be a huge plus.

On advantage to a gas stove that homeowners commonly overlook is that a gas range is less expensive to operate. If your kitchen is already set up for gas, you will also be saving money by not having to switch over to electric. Best of all, your energy costs will be lower.

The biggest drawback to a gas stove is the initial cost of the appliance itself. Gas stoves are usually more expensive than electric, and they cost more to hook up if the kitchen isn’t already set up for gas. The other problem is that it does use gas. While the burner is in use, it releases a steady flow of gas. A burner that is on but left unlit is dangerous.

Electric Stoves are feature rich

electric stove

Many of the electric stoves being sold today will have a glass top which looks sleek and stylish. These glass tops wipe clean easily. You don’t have to worry about removing burner rings for cleaning or wiping up spills that have hardened on to a gas nozzle.

Electric stoves are inexpensive to purchase or install and are simple to operate. This makes them an excellent choice for those that see cooking as a necessity rather than a hobby. Electric stoves also provide you with a very stable work surface. This is another advantage for beginning or amateur cooks. Plus, they have storage space underneath that is not found on gas ranges.

On the other hand, electric stoves cook food more slowly than gas. Bakers find them difficult for the simple fact that sugar spilled onto a hot electric stove surface is almost impossible to clean. Glass surfaces can become stained as well, which will distract from its beauty.

Keep in mind that if you live in an area with frequent power outages, you won’t be able to cook while the power is out. Electric stoves use a great amount of power. A generator may not provide enough energy to use it. Your monthly energy cost may be higher too.

Multi-tasking Cookware

Most home cooks find that you can use pretty much the same cookware on both types of stoves. Copper conducts heat beautifully which makes it a favorite for pots and pans. Cast iron is equally admired for its ability to retain heat. This is a big plus if you decide to go with an electric range, but what most homeowners are looking for these days is a modern set of cookware that is versatile enough to use for cooking, serving, and storing.

Companies such as Pyrex and Temptations offer sets that include mixing/serving bowls, lasagna pans, square nine by nine inch pans, and loaf pans that you can use in many ways. Food can be cooked in them, and they are designed to look elegant enough that you can place them on your table or buffet for serving. After you have finished the meal, coordinating covers can be snapped into place so that left overs can be placed in the freezer or refrigerator. You can re-heat these same foods in this cookware as well.

Another favorite among home cooks are the sets of pots and pans that can be placed in the oven. Manufacturers such as Lodge, Calphalon, and Cuisinart offer everything from sauce pans to Dutch ovens that you can use to cook with on top of the stove and then transfer into the oven for browning, baking, or keeping warm.

Finding the right type of stove and cookware will allow you to enjoy your newly remodeled kitchen to its fullest potential. Your new space will be both beautiful and functional so that you are getting the best of both worlds.