Tuesday, July 10, 2012

KITCHEN/COOKING SPECIAL...STOVE; GAS VS. ELECTRICAL


1. E-COOKING.

Homemakers seem to have welcomed the trend of e-cooking. For them it spells comfort, healthy and hassle-free cooking. Here’s more on this new shift

    Ever since one has known, the world has been cooking with gas and electricity.That’s as far technology came about when it came to cooking. Both these fuels can be used in stoves for cooking. It is common knowledge that gas stoves use the heat from combustion of gas for this purpose. On the other hand in e-cooking, which is getting popular by the day, electricity is used in electric stoves to heat up a coil which in turn cooks food. Different people have different preferences when it comes to gas vs electric stove as each has its own pros and cons. You need to know the basic difference between gas and electric stove to delve deeper in this.
    For those who need to know it for reference, a gas stove is a conventional form of cooking where some compressed gas supply is used to feed the stove. The gas needs to be ignited on the stove outlet either with a matchstick, a lighter, or an auto-ignition system.
    The biggest advantage with a gas stove is the ability to adjust the intensity of flame by controlling the flow of gas through the outlet nozzle. While the electrical stove is just its reverse and has metal coils, flow of current through which cause them to heat up.This heat is transferred to the cooking pot through convection or radiation. This is the principle behind cooking in electric oven.
    With new cooking technologies like electrical cooking, the concept of cooking seems to be coming of age. The traditional gas burners are now fast being replaced by electric hot plates; pressure cookers are gaining popularity in their new e-forms. Even food experts today have started preferring and suggesting their patients to resort to electronic cooking systems as they feel that electronically cooked food is not only high in nutrition content, but also keeps one’s weight regulated.
    Dr Sushma Kumar, a health nutritionist, explains the importance and the growing craze of e-cooking and says, "The concept of e-cooking is definitely gaining popularity amongst the health conscious generation.The food cooked this way is high in nutrition as it is cooked on low flame. It is high in protein and helps one regulate his/her weight," she says. Explaining the advantages of e-cooking, another nutritionist Dr Kapil Paranjpe adds, "The e-cooking ranges are highly beneficial. They ensure properly cooked food. Since cooking is time based in this format, the food nutrition is also well heated and usually retains its goodness since the food doesn't get burnt on direct flame," he adds.
    Sharing the advantages of ecooked food, food experts explain that both conventional and electric cooking systems operate on heat cooking principles. But there are two key differences that set them apart. First, programmable electronic control capability in the electric cooking devices is completely missing in the conventional gas burners. It's the programmable capability that allows the electric devices to be more convenient and produce the best and consistent cooking results.
    Second, conventional cookers use a separate electric range. Electric cookers come with an integrated heating unit inside. The advantage of an integrated heating element is to create a full feedback system which controls the entire cooking cycle. This makes electric pressure cooker more convenient, noiseless and with no steam. It is safe as well. When it comes to energy efficiency, electrical cooking devices are undisputed winners. Their microprocessor controlled cooking cycles turn off heating automatically when the desired pressure is reached, and switches on heat when the pressure drops.
SBT120617

2. GAS VS E-STOVE


CONVENIENCE: Cooking on an estove is more convenient. A cook is able to control the amount of heat to be delivered to the cooking pot. This is probably where e-stove has the main advantage over gas stove. In other aspects, choosing a gas or an electric stove largely depends on the needs and preferences of a cook. While gas stoves are usually equipped with sealed burners which minimises the mess if something spills on the cooktop, electronic stoves with electric coil burner generally have detachable drip pans that are easier to clean. Besides, e-cooking is a very hassle-free way of cooking food!
EFFICIENCY: Both types of stoves have their pros and cons when it comes to efficiency. Electricity is cleaner and cheaper than fuel, food cooks faster and better on e-stoves. In the recent past, steep rise in oil and gas prices have given a great chance to the electric stove camp to stake claim of being more efficient. Besides, the homemakers do not have to sweat in heat while cooking food on an e-stove. Cooking on e-stove is possible anywhere and everywhere.
COST: Electric stoves are generally cheaper than the gas stoves. However, the price difference between the two can vary widely for different models. Though larger surfaces and new efficient technology can elevate the prices, the overall pricing of e-cooking is much cheaper.
SBT120617

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