TRADE SECRETS; Want a Stove Like a Pro's? Ask a Chef (Published 2001) (2024)

Home & Garden|TRADE SECRETS; Want a Stove Like a Pro's? Ask a Chef

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TRADE SECRETS

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November 15, 2001

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THE fantasy is to cook a holiday meal on the kind of appliance that inspires confidence, that gleams with purpose. In other words, a professional-style range, a rugged, boxy implement whose burners torch 15,000 B.T.U.'s under a sauté pan, or flutter with a tiny flame to make a perfect beurre blanc. A stove whose oven could handle a Norman Rockwell-size turkey.

But Viking, Thermador, Wolf, Dacor, Garland, DCS, GE Monogram, FiveStar, Jenn-Air and KitchenAid all offer professional-style ranges with hefty grates and insulated gas ovens (and burners capable of up to 15,000 B.T.U.'s compared with up to 11,000 for a regular range). How does a consumer know where to start?

The House & Home section invited Marcus Samuelsson, the 30-year-old executive chef and partner at Aquavit, to evaluate professional-style ranges. Mr. Samuelsson, who is renovating his apartment on the West Side near Central Park, recently researched cooking equipment with his kitchen designer, Mary Jo Peterson of Brookfield, Conn.

In the end, he bought for his small kitchen a GE Profile 36-inch-wide gas cooktop, a GE Profile 30-inch-wide electric convection wall oven and a GE Monogram speed cook oven, which will roast a chicken in 20 minutes. A professional-style stove needed too much space and expensive, high-power ventilation. He says that with a cooktop and two ovens, he won't miss a bigger range.

Mr. Samuelsson applied his expertise to ranges like Viking, at Gringer & Sons, a shop that has been selling appliances on the Lower East Side since 1918. The professional-style ranges represent 5 percent of the national market, said Michael DiLauro, a market analyst at Consumer Reports magazine. Of the 250,000 professional-style stoves sold a year, Viking sells half.

Mr. Samuelsson noted that flexibility was important in a range. The stainless-steel 30-inch all-gas Thermador ($2,656), with a convection oven (which circulates air for an even temperature) and burners that go as high as 15,000 B.T.U.'s for fast stir-frying, and as low as 300 B.T.U.'s for simmering, had the flexibility. But he noted that it also makes a ticking sound that some people find irritating when the gas goes on and off to maintain a low heat. Thermador defends its engineering, saying that if the flame stayed on, the heat would eventually rise too high.

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TRADE SECRETS; Want a Stove Like a Pro's? Ask a Chef (Published 2001) (2024)

FAQs

What stove do professional chefs use? ›

Why Do Professional Chefs Prefer Gas Stovetops? Professional chefs know what it takes to deliver so take some tips from the experts. To start cooking like a pro, start with their preferred tool - a gas cooktop. Gas stoves offer an incredible experience with every use.

Do chefs prefer gas or electric stove? ›

And it boils down to one question: Which cooks better, gas or electric? For most home chefs forced to choose between gas ranges that heat quickly or electric-coil stoves that are inefficient and ugly, the answer is simple: gas.

Do bakers prefer gas or electric ovens? ›

If you ask a trained chef, many say they prefer gas because it helps them achieve high heat faster. However, bakers tend to prefer electric models because they distribute heat more evenly and are easier to clean and maintain. Either way, for most home cooks, the practical difference tends to be negligible.

Why do chefs cook with gas stoves? ›

Gas provides evenly distributed heat, which can be adjusted precisely to the level you require. A chef can look at the flame in any commercial kitchen and get a sense of how much heat is being generated, whether they've used that range before or not.

What stove does Bobby Flay use? ›

When designing his own New York City kitchen, celebrity Chef Bobby Flay chose a platinum series stainless steel BlueStar oven gorgeously trimmed in antique brass. Did you know you can choose from 750 colors to configure your knobs, trim, and oven color? You can also customize your burner options.

What kind of stove does Martha Stewart use? ›

Key Elements. In addition to a new Viking stove and ovens, Martha added a Viking six-burner cooktop to the island, where she enjoys cooking omelets and crêpes. She kept her storage system in place: She prefers open shelving because items are easy to see and access.

Does Gordon Ramsay use a gas stove? ›

On pretty much every one of them, featured chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Rachel Ray, Giada de Laurentiis and Jose Andres can be seen cooking with gas.

Which is healthier gas or electric stove? ›

We do know that, overall, electric stoves directly generate lower levels of airborne contaminants. This reduces a potential exposure hazard and associated health risk. If you're replacing your stove/oven anyway, electric is likely a better choice both for better indoor air quality and the general environment.

Does food cooked on a gas stove taste better? ›

"It has such a well-dispersed energy in how it heats the pan that it is very efficient. Basically, 90% of the energy that is creating that heat is going into the food." As for the difference in what you cook, Rossi and Hennessey said your dish should taste the same on whatever type of stove you use.

What kind of stove is best? ›

Induction stove: Best for stovetop safety and for energy savings, though cookware choice is limited. Electric stove: Save on the cost of the stove by keeping it simple with an exposed coil electric stove. Radiant stove: Like the electric stove, but with a ceramic glass top protecting the electric coils.

What are the disadvantages of electric ovens? ›

Disadvantages of an Electric Oven

As noted earlier, electric ovens can take a long time to heat up, extending the cooking time by potentially up to 30 minutes. It also retains its heat for a long period of time, making adjusting temperature tricky at times.

Do electric ovens last longer than gas? ›

Gas stoves have fewer parts than electric ranges and are generally easier to maintain. They tend to last longer and be more durable.

Do any professional chefs use electric stoves? ›

Switching over to electric isn't just a boon to your health and the planet – it also makes for a better cooking experience, according to a growing number of professional chefs. Read on to hear from three who have embraced electric and are loving the results.

Should I change my gas stove to electric? ›

A: You have good reason to want to trade your gas stove for an electric one. A growing body of research shows that cooking with natural gas is not good for the environment or your health, including a December study that linked the fuel usage to an increase in asthma risk among children.

Why do chefs light food on fire? ›

It is mostly for show. When a food is flamed it is usually just the start of the cooking process. Sometimes it can be for caramelization such as when the top of a crime brûlée is flamed. Other times it is to consume the alcohol that is used in the dish, like with cherries jubilee.

What stoves are used on Masterchef? ›

Throughout the season, Viking 7 series ranges, Viking refrigeration, Viking cookware were used to complete the challenges. The crew, hosts and chefs of the show are vocal about their love for the power and performance of the Viking Ranges.

What stove does Ina Garten use? ›

Her Lacanche range

“I think if you can cook, you can cook on any stove,” Garten wrote. “The Lacanche keeps a very steady heat and it's a total pleasure to use. Functional and beautiful at the same time!”

What cooktop do chefs use at home? ›

Chefs love induction cooking because of the extremely fast heating and precise heat control provided through a high-performance glass-ceramic surface. Also, induction technology warms the pan and not the surface or surrounding area, so very little heat escapes into the room.

What kind of stoves do restaurants use? ›

Gas vs Electric Ranges

Commercial ranges are available in gas and electric models. Each energy source has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Consider factors such as cooking style, energy costs, safety considerations, and local regulations to determine which energy source is the best fit for your kitchen.

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