Investing in a Dual Fuel Cooker Range
A dual fuel range will boost the value of your home and kitchen. If you're thinking about it, make sure your kitchen is equipped to handle two sources of power (gas and electric).
Clarke offers the opportunity to visit their showrooms to see the variety of dual-fuel kitchens in fully-scaled kitchens created locally. Features such as smooth glide ball bearing oven racks and StayPut Italian Hinges ensure a safe, easy baking experience.
Cooking Options
It's important that you choose the right range that complements your kitchen's style and also complements the rest of your appliances. But the purpose of a range isn't just about appearances. You need a professional-grade oven capable of handling your baking and cooking habits. Many home cooks opt for dual-fuel cookers to increase the cooking capacity.
A dual fuel stove is a combination of a gas stove and an electric oven that provides the best of both heat control and precision. Gas cooktops provide a flexible temperature control that lets cooks play around with cooking techniques such as roasting or searing. On the other hand, bakers love the constant heating provided by an electric oven. Certain models also come with an option to release steam at the start of the baking process which makes the bread rise and has a smoother texture.
The cooktop of a dual fuel range typically features high-performance burners that run on natural gas or liquid propane. These burners are capable of producing rapid heat for many tasks, such as 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 can be expensive but they're an excellent option for cooks looking to improve their cooking abilities and entertain guests at home. This kind of range is also simple to maintain, and can add value to your home should you decide to sell it in the future.
If you're considering purchasing a professional range that has dual fuel, be sure to consult a home appliance installation specialist. The specialist will ensure that the range is properly connected to both electric and gas lines and that all safety precautions are taken. A qualified installer will also be able to address any issues that might arise during the process of installing your new range.
Convenience
A dual fuel range combines the flexibility of a gas cooktop with an electric oven in one unit. The stoves provide a range of cooking options which makes them a great choice for homeowners who like to experiment with new recipes and techniques. These stoves are available in a variety of sizes with oven capacities that range from 4.5 to 6.8 cubic feet. Some models even feature two ovens side by side for larger capacity.
Combining a gas cooktop and an electric cooktop in one unit offers the best of both. You'll get an incredibly responsive heat that's quick to adjust and a precise heating system that permits you to set the temperature precisely. This precision is essential when simmering soups or reheating leftovers. The electric oven also offers a constant heat that can be precisely controlled to maintain a low temperature when cooking delicate dishes.
Some homeowners opt for dual fuel ranges due to its aesthetic appeal, as well as its practicality. A lot of these ranges come with premium finishes and hardware that can be used to complement a broad selection of kitchen designs from traditional to contemporary. Some dual fuel ranges come with elegant brushed-bronze trim or handles that can add a touch of luxury to French-style kitchens.
While a dual fuel stove is a great addition to any kitchen, it's not suitable for every home. It usually requires a dedicated line of gas in the home, which might require you to upgrade your gas line or pay for the installation. In addition, some homes might not have both a gas line and an electrical outlet in the same space making switching between different power sources difficult.
If you're looking for the versatility of dual fuel ranges but aren't ready to install a new gas line, you can consider buying a separate electric and gas cooktop, as well as a wall oven. This is a cheaper solution that will still give you the option to cook with either power source and you can even install them separately in the same space should you require. You can also combine an electric and gas model by choosing an electric and gas slide-in range that has a separate gas cooktop and an electric wall oven.
Efficiency
A dual fuel range combines cooking with gas and an electric oven. Professional cooks admire the flexibility and value of this device. It provides a responsive control of the temperature on the cooktop and precise heating in the oven for a variety of cooking techniques.
The cooktop section of the professional range with dual fuel is powered by either propane or natural gas. A gas cooktop gives you rapid, visual temperature adjustments and allows you to utilize more advanced cooking techniques, such as roasting and charring. On the other side, an electric oven is a dependable and reliable kitchen appliance that provides consistent heating. Many models feature a downdraft that captures airborne particles, smoke and odors without the need for overhead ventilation systems.
Gas cooktops are preferred by many chefs due to their ability to quickly and accurately control the temperature, making it simpler to cook onions or boil pasta. Meanwhile graded dual fuel range cookers tend to prefer an electric oven, since it creates a drier heating that allows bread to rise and become brown. Some cooks, however prefer a mix of both heat sources. Fortunately, this option is available with the option of dual fuel ranges.
Apart from the multi-faceted, high-performance capabilities of a dual fuel range they are also equipped with a range of features that are convenient. Some models come with removable burner grates and sealed burners that make it easier to clean. Some models have self-cleaning automatic ovens, which can save you time and effort by taking off dirt after every meal.
A dual fuel range is more energy efficient than an all-electric model, or one that is all-gas. This appliance can help you save money on your winter energy bills if you're home has gas lines.
When shopping for a dual-fuel cooker range, think about the kitchen layout and how often you'll be using the stove. If you only cook twice each week, for instance, the cost of a dual-fuel stove may not be worth your money. In addition they require an installation and gas hookup cost, which is usually not included in the price of purchase.
Safety
A dual fuel cooker range offers a safer cooking environment than other stoves when properly used. It accomplishes this by combining the precision and uniform distribution of heat that comes from an electric oven, ideal for roasting and baking as well as the instant control of gas burners. This combination allows the cook to switch between various cooking styles quickly and effortlessly. Additionally, a dual fuel range can also provide the option of slow simmer and low simmer or high-heat searing. This gives cooks more flexibility to create their own favorite dishes.
Aside from their safety benefits, 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 that can be easily wiped down after meals, while the electric oven typically comes with a self-cleaning feature that uses high temperatures to burn away any food remnants. Some electric models also have removable oven racks and traytrays that can be washed or scrubbed to give them a thorough clean.
A dual fuel stove can be costly to purchase since you'll need both a gas line and an electrical outlet in your home in order to use it. This can be expensive particularly in the event that you already have a gas line installed in your kitchen. It will require a plumber to come out and install a new electrical outlet. Also, older homes may not be wired for both gas and electricity and would require an electrician to change the voltage of the kitchen outlet in order to accommodate a dual fuel range.
Eva Bleyer is a reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. She has tested more than 100 ranges, including many dual fuel options in recent years. She also interviews experts from the industry, goes to kitchen appliance showrooms and regularly tests products. Visit Clarke to schedule an appointment to view a dual-fuel range at work and talk with our experts on whether this model is the ideal option for your kitchen.