From: richard@sfu.ca (Richard Chycoski)
Subject: Re: Advice needed on ovens and ranges
Reply-To: richard@sfu.ca
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 16:40:29 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.151836.19820@starbase.trincoll.edu>  
nmiller@starbase.trincoll.edu (norman miller) writes:
> We're about to install a new kitchen and are faced with
> a number of decisions about wall ovens, to wit:
> 
> electric vs. gas
> ...

We recently moved into a 1-yr old house and replaced the electric range with a
KitchenTek (Danby's 'gourmet' brand) self-cleaning gas range. There's no *way*
that we would ever go back. The available control of heat on the elements, with
instant heating and cooling just doesn't compare to the old electric elements.
(Although, I have heard that the newer halogen electric elements approach the
'controllability' of gas.)

As to fluctuations of temperature in the oven - it certainly hasn't affected
the cooking or baking, in fact I would say that baking is much more even in 
our gas oven than it was in the old electric one. The broiler is a dream - 
much faster than in the electric, and the oven is virtually spotless after
using it (although with self-cleaning, that's not quite as important as
it used to be with a so-called 'easy clean' oven...).

A few tips:

- Buy a self-cleaning, electric start range with a top-of-the-oven broiler.
(Or a cook-top and wall oven with the same features, if you can put up with the
usual tiny ovens found in most in-the-wall units.)

  The low-end ranges have pilot lights, are not self cleaning, and if they
have a broiler it's a pitiful thing that uses the drawer under oven. A self-
cleaning range is not just an indulgence, it also has more insulation in the
walls, making it more energy efficient than a manual clean oven. Electric start
involves sparkers for the top elements and a 'hot wire' for the oven burners.
Definitely much more energy efficient, and keeps the kitchen cooler when the
range is not in use.

- Look for a top that is easy to clean. I like the KitchenTek because after the
grates are removed from above the elements, there are stainless steel rings  
that 
capture the worst of the mess, and the rest of the top is easy to clean, and
lifts easily off to make the burner area accessible.

- Electronic controls are nice for automatic timing, but make sure that the
burners *and oven* will still run if the electronics fail. (On and electric
start range, the oven will not if the *electricity* fails, but our oven will
continue to work manually if the electronic *controller* dies.)

- For installation, find a reliable gas fitter. It isn't legal here in BC to
do your own gas fitting, and even if it is where you live, I would recommend
that you get it professionally done. You don't want gas leaks! (Yes, I know how
to check for such things, my Dad worked for a sheet metal and heating company
for 40 years, and I learned how to check gas lines, but some things are *still*
worth paying for!)

- Check the requirements for clearances if you are replacing an electric range
or cooktop with gas. In most jurisdictions, the required clearances are greater
for gas. Don't get surprised by an installer who tells you that you can't
install the range until you renovate the kitchen! (We were fortunate that our
kitchen was configured with sufficient clearances already - another good reason
to have a professional do the installation.)

- For an electric start range, you will usually need to install a 120-volt
outlet behind the range. No, the 240-volt outlet will *not* do! (:-) (I still
have ours plugged into an extension cord, but a proper outlet is one of the
things in my job jar... :-)

Locally, it cost about $300 to have the gas line run in. In BC, flexible copper
tubing is now allowed for gas installations, which makes it a *much* easier job
than the old pipe-fitting nightmares that used to be required. Ours was a  
simple
installation, since the portion of the basement where the gas line was run in 
is still unfinished, and the supply line was already of sufficient size to take
on another appliance. You might want to price the installation of the gas line
before choosing your appliances - it can cost more than a range to get gas
installed in some circumstances, due to code requirements or physical hurdles.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house