topic Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions... in Kitchen

Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

CamilleP — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 05:32:34 GMT

So, DH and I are retired now, and we have been discussing whether we ought to move to a lower-maintenance home inside city limits somewhere nearby, to get away from all the work of a well, mowing a large pasture now that all the livestock are gone, driving up a steep gravel driveway year round (or not, when it's icy or snowy), and all the other hassles of living out in the middle of a forest in the foothills of a mountain range. We've lived in our current home almost 30 years, though, and other than the outdoor maintenance, we are quite comfortable and used to it, and moving just because we might want to is bound to be difficult and horrifically inconvenient, not to mention expensive, since I'm somewhat disabled and we'd have to pay movers. So, as an alternative I've suggested to DH that we do a little renovation of our kitchen and bathroom, as it probably won't cost as much money as moving would.

In the kitchen, we currently have an older glass-topped stove that takes half a million years to boil a pot of water. I'd like a new stove, but in order to get a convection oven, I am stuck with an induction cooktop. Most of my cookware will not work and would have to be replaced. Or I can get a regular oven with a conventional "ring" burner cooktop. I'd really like a convection oven for baking, though I'm not sure I'd use it more than maybe once a month. One other option would be to replace the microwave with a convection/microwave above the stove.

So, I guess what I'm seeking is opinions from users of induction cooktops. Did you buy all new cookware? Do you love your induction cooktop, or is it just okay, and not really worth the extra cost? Thanks in advance for sharing your experience and opinions!

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

ThinkOutsidetheBox — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 08:05:05 GMT

My plans for my golden years are to definitely have an induction cooktop for one very important reason. I am likely to be alone, and my family has a history of mild dementia. Specifically, my aunt used to turn on the stove top all the time and set her papers and hot mitts she left up there on fire. Just in case I end up with that same tendency, and since my mom does the same thing from time to time, I think it will be safer for me even if I have to replace all my cookware.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

libbyannE — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 08:59:13 GMT

I would not want to go back to an electric cooktop or range when gas is so immediately responsive. Our home had two kitchens. In one I have a pro range but in the other we have a more common dual-fuel gas range with gas burners and electric convection oven.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

Lilysmom — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 10:40:19 GMT

I agree with @libbyannE. I have a dual fuel Bosch range and I really love it. Gas burners, electric oven, convection. Would never go back to a regular stove again. Love the gas. Love the convection. Good luck with your decision!. LM

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

gardenman — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 11:42:40 GMT

You don't have to replace all of your old cookware with an induction cooktop. There are "induction interface disks" that are induction ready disks that slip between your old cookware and the induction burner. The disk heats up and transfers that heat to your old pan in the same way your glass top stove does now. You lose some of the speed and efficiency you get with induction ready cookware, but for a relatively small price you get to keep and use your old cookware.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

CamilleP — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 16:51:46 GMT

That is one thing I did not consider, as my DH also has some family history to factor in. Of course, if I ever actually saw him try to cook something in the kitchen, *I* would have a heart attack and die of shock, but still, induction would be somewhat safer with him in the house. Thank you for raising that topic, it was brave of you!

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

CamilleP — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 16:57:07 GMT

LibbyAnnE and Lilysmom, I would love to have a gas stove, I grew up cooking with gas and love it, but we live out in the toolies, there is no natural gas out here, or cable tv, either, we have no choice but sattelite. If we were able to install a giant propane tank we could use it for a stove, but living in the middle of forest fire country, the thought of having a giant tank of flammable/explosive gas next to the house doesn't fill me with comfort, let's just say. So I'm stuck with electric cooking, one way or another. Thanks for reading and replying to my message!

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

CamilleP — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 17:02:01 GMT

My DH mentioned these plates as well, gardenman, but I would need to use them for my entire cabinet of cookware, not just a pan or two. I only have two cast iron skillets, all the rest of my cookware is aluminum or copper over stainless steel (Revere). I don't know if the plates on induction cooktops would be much faster than a regular glass top stove. Still, I'll look into them, thank you for your reply.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

gardenman — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 17:32:52 GMT

@CamilleP wrote:
My DH mentioned these plates as well, gardenman, but I would need to use them for my entire cabinet of cookware, not just a pan or two. I only have two cast iron skillets, all the rest of my cookware is aluminum or copper over stainless steel (Revere). I don't know if the plates on induction cooktops would be much faster than a regular glass top stove. Still, I'll look into them, thank you for your reply.

The most you need is one for every burner, not one for every pan, so it's not too bad.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

peachesncream — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 21:37:05 GMT

We had to replace our 20 year old stove last year as the electrical wiring in the back wall of the oven surged or somehow caught fire, then ignited the oven coil and melted it. It was beyond repair.

I did a lot of looking and a lot of reading about stoves, ovens and cooktops. Most of the upscale brands and models have convection ovens. I decided I didn't want a convection oven, and it's because I do a lot of baking.

I was surprised to find that convection ovens, the home models, are not considered ideal for some kinds of baking. Cakes and cupcakes can end up uneven or slanted on the surface. The delicate batters of cakes don't hold up well to the fan blowing air around. Breads may not rise as much as expected. Food cooks faster, but this can result in baked goods being done on the outside before being fully cooked on the inside.

The convection fans take up oven space. Fans are apt to need servicing, over time. And they are noisy. If you Google pros and cons of convection ovens you will find a lot of information. The King Arthur Flour website also has information.

As much as I love baking and do it almost daily, I felt I would be unhappy trying to adjust to convection.

We ended up buying a GE electric stove with a large 5.3 cubic ft traditional oven. It has a glass cooktop with two small burners, and two big Power Boil burners that are 3,100 watts each and bring water to a boil very quickly. Glass cooktops have improved.

I'm thrilled with my new stove. It bakes like a dream. I've tested it with an oven thermometer and it's spot on when it comes to temperatures. It bakes evenly and steadily. So far, I'm very pleased.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

CamilleP — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 21:39:33 GMT

Thank you very much, Peachesncream! This is information I had not previously heard, I really appreciate you sharing it!

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

CamilleP — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 21:45:39 GMT

Thank you, Gardenman, I actually only have a couple of pans I couldn't give up, one is a pot with a straining lid I love for pasta and one is my Mom's small Revere Ware saucepan, but other than that I could give the rest away to charity and start over, so I'd only need a couple of burner plates. Hmmm, maybe this is my excuse to spend megabuck$ for Le Creuset pots and pans and get hubby to go along with it, so he can have his uber-techie induction stove, LOL!

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

Marp — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 01:15:05 GMT

I will soon need to replace my stove and am considering induction but am put off by reports of the noises from them.

I've read conflicting information about clicking and fan noises and am wondering just how loud the fan is and how persistent the clicking noise is. Can someone answer?

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

Sooner — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 01:27:14 GMT

I'm going to share my experience and observations: If I were you, I would SERIOIUSLY consider moving. None of the things you mentioned are easier as you get older. Do you have children or other friends and relatives who have the time to step in and do or manage getting done the chores you mentioned? If you do have them, will it be a big burden on them or affect their lives?

Is medical help close? Grocery stores? Restaurants or fast food outlets?Pharmacies? What will you do when you can't get up the driveway?

My mom stayed far too long in her house and it because a terrible burden for her and we don't live close. In any case, we both worked and traveled. She was isolated enough to not have the ready help and medical facilities she needed. It became more and more difficult to get help for yard work or health care or housekeeping at the times when she needed help.

Just giving you some things to think about. Don't wait until you need these services to think about it. It is difficult to leave your home, but look ahead please and don't let yourself get backed into a corner like mom did. Had she made the move earlier she might have been at home longer.

Don't mean to be a downer of course, and I really don't know your situation, but maybe it might help someone reading this to think about that. It is a hard thing to face. I understand that all too well.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

CamilleP — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 03:20:23 GMT

You make some good points, Sooner, we have considered many of them, and will do more thinking before we make a final decision regarding moving now or waiting about five years. Right now homes in our area are selling for far too high a price because they are in short supply, and though we have looked a bit, we aren't seeing much that suits us. In five years or so, when we no longer have any pets, we can consider moving to a graduated living facility where we can start out relatively independent, and then get more assistance as it is required. Thanks again, Sooner.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

depglass — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 20:10:32 GMT

Let's see, dementia or arthritis? I've already got the second, so that rules out the cast iron. And I'm hoping someone will clue me in if I get dangerous. So I'm staying with my glass top regular oven stove and would replace it with the same thing if necessary. It heats up really fast, as fast as gas, I'm sure. No open flames for me, I'm fire phobic.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

CamilleP — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 01:59:53 GMT

The weight of cast iron cookware also concerns me, depglass. At this point I am leaning heavily towards a Kenmore stove that has traditional burners on top and a convection oven, it's the only brand made in that configuration. Some reviewers felt the oven fan was too loud, others didn't mention it. I'd like to see one in action, but so many Sears stores in my area have closed I don't know if I can. Still more research is in order, thank you all for your input, I really appreciate it!

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

ptagirl — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 00:26:18 GMT

@CamilleP wrote:
The weight of cast iron cookware also concerns me, depglass. At this point I am leaning heavily towards a Kenmore stove that has traditional burners on top and a convection oven, it's the only brand made in that configuration. Some reviewers felt the oven fan was too loud, others didn't mention it. I'd like to see one in action, but so many Sears stores in my area have closed I don't know if I can. Still more research is in order, thank you all for your input, I really appreciate it!

I had a Kenmore stove with convection oven in my previous home. It had the cast iron grates across the entire top with 5 burners. It also had a warmer drawer, which I liked. You could turn on the convection, or leave it a regular baking oven, which I also liked. I didn't have any noise at all from the convection fan. In fact, sometimes you couldn't even tell it was on unless you looked in the oven.

I really liked the convection oven for browning & crisping things like french fries, pizza, tator tots, etc.

The only thing I didn't use much was the middle 5th burner. I thought it burned a little too hot, but did work well with a griddle and boiling water in an oval pan to make my homemade bagels..

I think you would like it if you got it.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

jaxs mom — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 00:36:27 GMT

So, electric is the only option? If you want a convection oven and you don't need to fit anything larger than a 13x9 pan in it, then a convection toaster oven like the full sized Breville smart oven would give you that.

Almost all my cookware ( except my clay pots) are induction capable and I do have a portable induction burner but I only use it occasionally because I love my gas stove.

Re: Time for a new stove, questions/suggestions...

CamilleP — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 05:03:34 GMT

Thank you, ptagirl, I'd love a warming drawer, as I love baking bread but can't do it in this house, there is literally no place at all that gets warm enough to let it rise. I'm also glad to hear your convection fan was not noisy, our house has an open floor plan and a noise in the kitchen is a noise in the whole house.