Against the backdrop of continuing debate about the harmful effects of microwaves on human health, an increasing number of housewives tend to purchase electric furnaces.
Indeed, an electric oven, also called a roaster or mini oven, in which the heating of products occurs due to the usual convection and infrared radiation, does not cause any concern, besides, in terms of functionality, these devices can compete with microwave ovens. This material will help those who do not know how to choose the right electric oven, but have already decided to purchase such an assistant.
What is an electric oven?
In appearance, the electric oven is not at all difficult to confuse with the same microwave. The same box with a door and control panel, in which you can cook food. The only difference is that there are no sources of microwave radiation in the electric furnace, and heat treatment of the products is due to electric heating elements - TENs.
Despite the fact that the electric oven is called a mini oven, it has more possibilities than an oven. At least because the cooking dish it warms from all sides, and not just from below, as it happens in the oven of a conventional gas cooker.
Choosing an electric oven
Behind the apparent simplicity of the electric furnace lies a lot of important details, which should be paid close attention. If you have already set up a trip to the store, be prepared to clarify the following questions:
The volume of the camera
The home appliance market offers customers electric furnaces with a working chamber volume of 8 to 30 liters. How to navigate in this parameter?
- If your family's favorite dish is baked turkey, a 20-liter stove will suit you.
- A family consisting of two or three people will be enough twelve-twenty-liter stove: such devices are relatively small, places will take a little bit.
- For one or two people it is better to buy an electric oven with a capacity of up to ten liters.
Power
The minimum power of the electric oven is 650 W, the maximum power is 2.2 kW.The larger the volume of the working chamber and the wider range of functions, the more powerful the unit is. To prepare simple dishes and reheat food, there will be enough models with a capacity from 650 to 900 W.
It should be noted that low-power stoves for the most part do not have such popular now additions as convector and grill. More powerful models are suitable for preparing full lunches for a family of 4-5 people.
Buying a powerful stove, the user wins at the speed of cooking. But this advantage has a downside - increased energy intensity, which negatively affects the cost price of the prepared dish, and a higher cost of equipment.
Number of heating elements
The number of heating elements and their location determine the cooking modes. The most convenient are stoves with two heaters located in the lower and upper zones of the working chamber.
Top heat is used to make biscuits, pizzas and other dishes with toasted top. The lower heater serves to ensure a gentle mode. When baking large pieces of meat or fish, both heaters are turned on.
Thermostat
Thermostats are equipped with almost all models of electric furnaces - from expensive Elite class to the cheapest. When choosing a stove, the user should pay attention to the maximum value of the thermostat: in some models it is equal to 220 degrees. Many dishes require a higher temperature.
Control method
There are two ways to control the electric oven:
- mechanical;
- electronic.
The mechanical type is the most common. The electronics are supplied with expensive electric oven models. Regardless of the control method, the user himself sets the cooking mode. And he turns the switch handle or presses the buttons on the display - in principle, it's not so important.
Surface coating of the working chamber
This is an important parameter of the household appliance. It depends on the service life of the equipment and ease of maintenance. If the coating is indicated in the instruction with the word Durastone - do not hesitate: before you the oven is coated with high quality.
This coating painlessly tolerates cleaning with household chemicals, it is resistant to mechanical and temperature influences. If there is no such word in the chosen model, then the coverage of the camera leaves much to be desired.
Manufacturers of household electric stoves offer customers a variety of designs - from classic to modern style. When choosing, be guided by the interior of your kitchen. And remember: the usual "parallelepiped" and "interplanetary ship" pies bake equally, but their prices may differ by several times.
