Gas Stove
Gas Stoves
Whatever it may mean; saving ecological system or contributing to the cause of global warming, all of them weigh on one side when it comes to choosing gas stoves over others for the simple reason of economics of using them.
Economics of using gas stoves for cooking at homes couldn't have been discovered at a better time than when environmentalists are increasingly getting vigilant about high polluting as well as heat emitting cooking means and as a coincidence when global fuel prices are hitting through roofs.
What Are The Uses Of Gas Stoves?
Gas stoves are no more limited to just hard cooking in the generic means of the term as demand for them grows gradually and manufacturers are innovating to discover more and more ways of using gas stoves. A gas stove is basically used for cooking by direct heating of utensils or the pressure cooker which can be thought off as an improvisation of open fire heating of the olden times.
However, the improvisation with gas stoves makes it possible to utilize the gas in a pre-calculated efficient way which facilitates optimal consumption of the gas. As for extended uses of gas stoves, you need to look at different variants of them to get a clear picture of what they can really be. Although gas stoves are predominantly used for cooking by heating, the variants provide for baking with an oven thrown in at their base and grilling by using the stove as barbeque with help of little accessories.
Till a few years ago when gas stoves in their present form were not there, they were interchangeably used as central heating units for the entire home as well as cooking; it was only in later years when this was separated, the concept of dedicated kitchen stoves became popular and the generic term 'gas stoves' is now being referred more and more to room or central heating systems. Nevertheless, I would not hesitate to say that the best use of gas stoves comes to fore in their typical characteristic to save fuel rather considerably unlike all their predecessors which either guzzled diesel or burnt coal or firewood producing clouds of noxious smoke.
No doubt their compact construction helps improve aesthetics and they fit snug just about anywhere, but who would have preferred to replace the trusted heating systems if not for their ability to add to family savings?
Typology of Gas Stoves
If you are looking to study more about types of gas stoves, by the course, you will understand that gas stoves may be broadly classified into two types depending on their stated usages. The first type of gas stoves is used for room heating in fire places and the second type is the normal kitchen gas stove used for cooking.
Besides these two types there are odd classifications that group the gas stoves by the type of fuel gas used or b their sizes etc, but they may be simplified in these lines for better understanding and judgment if your purpose is to buy gas stoves. Having said this, there are other sundry types of gas stoves like the ones used in camping, however they again fall into one or the other category we mentioned earlier.
Whatever the type, gas stoves are further classified within their parent groups by their sizes, additional utilities they provide and the type of fuel used by them. Let us get into each one of them, one by one in detail here.Room heater gas stoves are available mainly in three types. But remember, all of these are available in both natural or propane gas types.
- Top vented stoves which are useful where exhaust vents or chimneys are available for use.
- Ventless gas stoves directly consume the room air but also throw out fumes into the room. This can be dangerous unless they are fitted with oxygen level sensors and flame cut off attachments.
- Direct vented gas stoves: These have double lined vent pipes attached directly behind them or sometimes over the top. The inner pipe acts as vent and the outer lining draws air from outside for the gas to burn.
Kitchen gas stoves have burners on their tops (one, two or four). You can also buy gas stoves fitted with ovens, fryers and barbeque which are independently operable.
Characteristics of Gas Stoves
Characteristically, gas stoves are made in stainless steel regardless of their typologies or sizes and wherever vents are required, they are also built in stainless steel for the obvious reasons such as durability and ease of cleaning. Nevertheless, gas stoves built in cast iron are also good options for built in fire places.
However, for cooking gas stoves, cast iron construction is by far a thing of past. So this brings us to the basic tenets of the characteristics of the appliance. Gas stoves shouldn't be bulky, be it for cooking or room heating, unless you are having it built in a wall. Secondly, since fuel is a type 3 inflammable, sufficient safety features such as emergency cut off provision, either for electricity or for fuel gas; insulated shell and/or chimneys and regulators.
Unlike the room heating gas stoves, the kitchen types have their burner tops loosely placed on their seatings to make them removable for cleaning under their seatings. Remember, cooking stoves run a higher chance of clogging than their room heating counterparts. One distinctive characteristic of gas stove burners is that seatings are made in cast iron while the burners are almost invariably cast in brass which has a higher temperature resistance as well as their far superior corrosion characteristics.
Characteristically, gas stoves have their control knobs invariably on the front side even though gas supply tubes are on the side back or one side which signifies the importance accorded to safety.
Accessories for Gas Stoves
Accessories for gas stoves do not just bring in value or utility but also looks and feels that are pleasing to eyes. What one must notice about accessories is that they come with a premium price attached to them. Here are some useful accessories to consider. Inserts are the most prominent gas stove accessories if you are considering only one.
Other accessories like fireplace doors, screens help control draft and regulate heat loss through chimney. While overlays enhance the aesthetic beauty of stoves, hand held remote controls with multiple features, such as switching on/off, controlling the thermostats and thereby temperature outputs etc; remote controls also come with digital screens.
Other accessories of worth consideration include decorative top inserts, blower kits, and battery operated timers. The blower kits come with variable speed motors and thermostatic controls. The timers are available in two different types to choose from – programmable (allows presetting of on/off times) and non programmable type.
How to Choose Gas Stoves
Let's make choosing gas stoves simple by sticking to the fundamental principles of going by following:
- Specifics of requirement
- Safety features and
- Price
If you already have a fireplace, an insert would be your best option as it doesn't entail new space allotment and existing ventilation can be made use of, perhaps with a small alteration. If this is not your case, think of a 'free standing stove' which may require a little masonry work to pass off the vet pipe. The size requirement should be done based on heat output of the appliance. As a rule of thumb, you would require about 30-35 BTU/Hr of heat output for every square foot of your home.
Other two important considerations are consumption of gas and how long the appliance can operate at a stretch. A thermostat fitted stove would help save some fuel for you. Looks and feels and sizes are of course the considerations. Check for safety features in gas stoves before deciding on one to buy. The construction must give the impression of its robustness (5/16" to 3/16" thickness of steel plate with well ground and welded joints); thermostats and easy access emergency switch off knobs etc.
Above all, check whether it has provisions to use steel braided or steel encased supply tubes. The glass doors must be made of porcelain material in order to sustain high temperatures for long hours.
Select the Best Brands and Cost
Selecting the best brand is critical for all the money you invest in your gas stove. Best brands are trusted ones don't forget to take your relatives' or friends' opinion on this. You can really pick up a couple of points and avoid mistakes by learning from other people's experiences.
Internet is another big resource where you can find user opinions at appropriate forums which sure give a better insight into particular brands and models. Secondly, don't forget that best brand is also the reasonably priced one. However, it is important on your part to factor in the cost of installation, masonry bill and the running cost. Thinking negatively, a cheap gas stove may rip your wallet apart in terms of running cost.
Where to Buy
Buy from a neighborhood store or a reputed one only, although manufacturer offers warranty, buying from a store in the vicinity entitles you to quick services, perhaps a little discount etc. But the first thing I would advise you is to buy from the store your friend or relative had and has a good experience.