Stove/Oven replacement questions

[Pete C.]

Dunno, probably just short for "forced convection".

[Randall Nortman]

There are convection ovens which rely entirely on a fan and heating element around the fan for heat. That is the design of many commercial ovens, which work very well, and also of a number of residential countertop ovens, which might not work so well due to lack of power. Then there are built-in convection ovens which are like normal ovens, with heating elements top and bottom, but then also a fan to circulate air, with or without a heating element for the fan. I think the latter works quite well, and you can choose to switch the fan on or not according to your needs.

I think Viking has some very expensive combination cooktops. You can also get an induction-only cooktop, and have a freestanding plug-in hotplate for when you need to use non-induction cookware. Freestanding induction hobs are also available (and cheap), and probably worth trying before you take the induction plunge.

There are stainless steel pressure cookers. Kuhn Rikon makes quite a few models, and I am pretty sure they are all induction-compatible. (But don't take my word for it, because I'm not entirely sure.) You can also get magnetic steel or iron plates that allow you to use non-magnetic cookware on induction hobs -- the induction hob heats the plate, which heats the cookware, more or less the same as a ceramic or electric hob. This is obviously a bit less efficient than using induction-compatible cookware directly.

[David Hansen]

On Sun, 09 Sep 2007 18:51:44 GMT someone who may be "James Silverton" wrote this:-

Given that one of the groups posted to was a UK one I presume the original poster wanted a UK reply. In which case there are fan ovens and conventional ones. An example would be

has both.

Had I been asked what a convection oven was then I would have assumed it was a conventional oven.

[sf]

To the OP: Forget about convection. It's over rated.

I saw some awesome stoves when I visited London last year, so get out and shop! I didn't write down any brand names because I didn't think I could find them here in the US - and if I did, service would be a problem here out here on the West Coast.

[Owain]

And they probably wouldn't work on your electricity...

Owain

[Andy Hall]

220v is used for cookers....

[S Viemeister]

US cookers run on 220v, as do clothes dryers, water heaters, and some air-conditioners.

[Mark]

I have found that combined oveb/grills are a pain. The grill element gets dirty and produces a lot of smoke.

I've no experience of induction hobs. I chose a gas hob because I like the ability to control the heat and it still works when there's a power cut.

M

[Peter Brooks]

I've had a look at some combinations and, indeed, they are very expensive. So I've decided to go with a conventional whirlpool ceramic hob.

However, I'd like to get a free standing induction hob as well. Do you have any makes that you can suggest? I haven't been able to find any in South Africa at all. I'd like to know so I can buy one if I'm abroad some day.