About a year ago, my sister and her boyfriend (now husband) moved into a
home with an electric range in their kitchen. So, last night (New Years
Eve), I was up until around 1:30am making food for my dad's birthday
party, which my sister and I made at her house tonight.

I cook with gas appliances; always have. So, the meatballs turned out
great. I tried a few for breakfast. Delicious! This afternoon, I loaded
the pot of meatballs into my car along with numerous other food items
and drove to Jan and Rob's house. I got there right on time.

I proceeded to put the pot of meatballs on my sister's range to warm
them up. I cranked up her electric range to about 75% of maximum. A few
minutes later, meatballs are bubbling away, so I turned off the heat. I
realized I was late picking up a friend from a nearby train station, so
I asked my sister to check on the meatballs, then I drove over to pick
up my friend. I also did the same thing with the pot of homemade mac &
cheese I made this morning.

My sister calls me on my cell phone just as I arrived at the train
station. Jan told me the meatballs are incinerated! I asked Jan to taste
one. She does. Disgusting. While I was looking for my friend at the
train station, Jan and Rob tried to wash off the meatballs, thinking it
was the sauce that was burnt. No go. Fortunately, the train station is
adjacent to a nice supermarket. My friend Jen and I went into the
supermarket and I picked up three of those roasted chickens, and a roll
of paper towels (that my sister requested).

I got back to Jan and Rob's a few minutes later and Jan showed me that I
must have not turned off the burner, as I thought I had. It was still
on, but not on the high setting. I had no idea because the red color of
the burner element went off, so I thought it was reasonably cool. If it
was gas, I could have easily seen that the burner was not off.
Fortunately, I did not make that mistake with the pot of mac & cheese,
so it came out fine and it was a big hit at the party.

My sister consoled me and she said it took her a while to get used to
her electric range. Rob, the philosophy teacher (literally), also tried
to console me, by explaining that the outcome was the same either way,
in that we all got to enjoy some great food and nice company and we all
had a nice time. But I would have much preferred not to have to spend an
extra $20 on dinner (which my sister thanked me for), and I would have
preferred those meatballs go into the guests' tummies rather than a
garbage disposal. I will deal with the burnt pot tomorrow!

Did I mention, I hate electric ranges? Whomever thought up the idea of
an electric range out to be slaughtered and forced to eat my burned
meatballs!

"Stan Horwitz" > wrote in message
...
>
> Did I mention, I hate electric ranges? Whomever thought up the idea of
> an electric range out to be slaughtered and forced to eat my burned
> meatballs!

The only thing I like about an electric range is this:
On my jenn-air I have one side of the black raised solid elements. In the
winter they are great because they heat the room for 1-2 hours after you
turn them off. God forbid if you ever set anything down on them before
then. After they are cool, I leave a baking pan on top of them just in case
one gets turned on, it gives one a chance to not get burnt as badly; say if
you place your hand down on it.
But I do like to use them for long-slow cooking in the winter.

Sorry about your meatballs. Glad you didn't lose your pan.
Dee Dee

On Sun 01 Jan 2006 08:57:52p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Stan
Horwitz?

> About a year ago, my sister and her boyfriend (now husband) moved into a
> home with an electric range in their kitchen. So, last night (New Years
> Eve), I was up until around 1:30am making food for my dad's birthday
> party, which my sister and I made at her house tonight.
>
> I cook with gas appliances; always have. So, the meatballs turned out
> great. I tried a few for breakfast. Delicious! This afternoon, I loaded
> the pot of meatballs into my car along with numerous other food items
> and drove to Jan and Rob's house. I got there right on time.
>
> I proceeded to put the pot of meatballs on my sister's range to warm
> them up. I cranked up her electric range to about 75% of maximum. A few
> minutes later, meatballs are bubbling away, so I turned off the heat. I
> realized I was late picking up a friend from a nearby train station, so
> I asked my sister to check on the meatballs, then I drove over to pick
> up my friend. I also did the same thing with the pot of homemade mac &
> cheese I made this morning.
>
> My sister calls me on my cell phone just as I arrived at the train
> station. Jan told me the meatballs are incinerated! I asked Jan to taste
> one. She does. Disgusting. While I was looking for my friend at the
> train station, Jan and Rob tried to wash off the meatballs, thinking it
> was the sauce that was burnt. No go. Fortunately, the train station is
> adjacent to a nice supermarket. My friend Jen and I went into the
> supermarket and I picked up three of those roasted chickens, and a roll
> of paper towels (that my sister requested).
>
> I got back to Jan and Rob's a few minutes later and Jan showed me that I
> must have not turned off the burner, as I thought I had. It was still
> on, but not on the high setting. I had no idea because the red color of
> the burner element went off, so I thought it was reasonably cool. If it
> was gas, I could have easily seen that the burner was not off.
> Fortunately, I did not make that mistake with the pot of mac & cheese,
> so it came out fine and it was a big hit at the party.
>
> My sister consoled me and she said it took her a while to get used to
> her electric range. Rob, the philosophy teacher (literally), also tried
> to console me, by explaining that the outcome was the same either way,
> in that we all got to enjoy some great food and nice company and we all
> had a nice time. But I would have much preferred not to have to spend an
> extra $20 on dinner (which my sister thanked me for), and I would have
> preferred those meatballs go into the guests' tummies rather than a
> garbage disposal. I will deal with the burnt pot tomorrow!
>
> Did I mention, I hate electric ranges? Whomever thought up the idea of
> an electric range out to be slaughtered and forced to eat my burned
> meatballs!

I'm sorry about your burned meatballs, and I understand your issues.

Did I ever mention, that I hate gas ranges and all other gas appliances?
If my home had a gas range, I would never ever cook until it had been
replaced with an electric range.

There are devotees to both fuels. Live and let live.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
__________________________________________________ ________________
And if we enter a room full of manure, may we believe in the pony.

In article >,
Wayne Boatwright > wrote:

> On Sun 01 Jan 2006 08:57:52p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Stan
> Horwitz?

> > minutes later, meatballs are bubbling away, so I turned off the heat. I
> > realized I was late picking up a friend from a nearby train station, so
> > I asked my sister to check on the meatballs


Sounds like your sister didn't do a very good job of checking on them.


:-(


> Did I ever mention, that I hate gas ranges and all other gas appliances?
> If my home had a gas range, I would never ever cook until it had been
> replaced with an electric range.
>
> There are devotees to both fuels. Live and let live.

I want one of each. That's my dream kitchen. My brother has a fancy
kitchen. It has a 5 burner gas rangetop and two wall electric ovens,
one a convection oven.

--
Dan Abel

Petaluma, California, USA

In article >,
Dan Abel > wrote:

> In article >,
> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>
> > On Sun 01 Jan 2006 08:57:52p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Stan
> > Horwitz?
>
> > > minutes later, meatballs are bubbling away, so I turned off the heat. I
> > > realized I was late picking up a friend from a nearby train station, so
> > > I asked my sister to check on the meatballs
>
>
> Sounds like your sister didn't do a very good job of checking on them.

Since I thought the heat elements were turned off and I told her so
before I drove over to pick up my friend, she had no reason to doubt me
.... until the burned smell started to waft through her kitchen!

>
> > Did I ever mention, that I hate gas ranges and all other gas appliances?
> > If my home had a gas range, I would never ever cook until it had been
> > replaced with an electric range.
> >
> > There are devotees to both fuels. Live and let live.
>
> I want one of each. That's my dream kitchen. My brother has a fancy
> kitchen. It has a 5 burner gas rangetop and two wall electric ovens,
> one a convection oven.

Does your brother actually use all that stuff?

"Stan Horwitz" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Dan Abel > wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
> >
> > > On Sun 01 Jan 2006 08:57:52p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Stan
> > > Horwitz?
> >
> > > > minutes later, meatballs are bubbling away, so I turned off the
heat. I
> > > > realized I was late picking up a friend from a nearby train station,
so
> > > > I asked my sister to check on the meatballs
> >
> >
> > Sounds like your sister didn't do a very good job of checking on them.
>
> Since I thought the heat elements were turned off and I told her so
> before I drove over to pick up my friend, she had no reason to doubt me
> ... until the burned smell started to waft through her kitchen!
>
[snip...]

How old is the electric range?

The reason I ask is because I have a Hotpoint electric range that has what I
consider two different safety features.

1. The dial has to be pushed in to move from the OFF position to any heat
position.

2. A red light on the dial console labelled Surface Unit lights up when any
of the burners is in any heat position.

As such, turning a burner off results in an audible click as the dial pops
out and locks in the OFF position, and the Surface Unit light turns off when
all burners are in the OFF position. By extension, if any dial doesn't click
out and lock, it's not fully in the OFF position, and the Surface Unit light
will remain lit.

In article >,
"Daniel W. Rouse Jr." > wrote:

> "Stan Horwitz" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article >,
> > Dan Abel > wrote:
> >
> > > In article >,
> > > Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
> > >
> > > > On Sun 01 Jan 2006 08:57:52p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Stan
> > > > Horwitz?
> > >
> > > > > minutes later, meatballs are bubbling away, so I turned off the
> heat. I
> > > > > realized I was late picking up a friend from a nearby train station,
> so
> > > > > I asked my sister to check on the meatballs
> > >
> > >
> > > Sounds like your sister didn't do a very good job of checking on them.
> >
> > Since I thought the heat elements were turned off and I told her so
> > before I drove over to pick up my friend, she had no reason to doubt me
> > ... until the burned smell started to waft through her kitchen!
> >
> [snip...]
>
> How old is the electric range?
>
> The reason I ask is because I have a Hotpoint electric range that has what I
> consider two different safety features.
>
> 1. The dial has to be pushed in to move from the OFF position to any heat
> position.
>
> 2. A red light on the dial console labelled Surface Unit lights up when any
> of the burners is in any heat position.
>
> As such, turning a burner off results in an audible click as the dial pops
> out and locks in the OFF position, and the Surface Unit light turns off when
> all burners are in the OFF position. By extension, if any dial doesn't click
> out and lock, it's not fully in the OFF position, and the Surface Unit light
> will remain lit.

That describes my sister's stove. The range was there when she moved it,
but it looks pretty modern; lots of buttons and things. The red
indicator light on her range is in a bad position; its easily blocked by
pots on the rare burner, so I did not notice it.

In article >,
Stan Horwitz > wrote:

> In article >,
> Dan Abel > wrote:


> > I want one of each. That's my dream kitchen. My brother has a fancy
> > kitchen. It has a 5 burner gas rangetop and two wall electric ovens,
> > one a convection oven.
>
> Does your brother actually use all that stuff?

Yes. He's retired (at 50!) and basically a househusband with two little
kids. He loves to cook.

He didn't have that kitchen installed, though, it just came with the
house.

--
Dan Abel

Petaluma, California, USA

Dan Abel wrote:

>
> I want one of each. That's my dream kitchen. My brother has a fancy
> kitchen. It has a 5 burner gas rangetop and two wall electric ovens,
> one a convection oven.
>

that's a setup I'd love. I hate having the oven below the cooktop, and I
too, hate electric ranges with the fire of a thousand nuns

--

saerah

http://anisaerah.blogspot.com/

"Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a
disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice."
-Baruch Spinoza

"There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly
what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear
and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There
is another theory which states that this has already happened."
-Douglas Adams

sarah bennett wrote:
>
> Dan Abel wrote:
>
> >
> > I want one of each. That's my dream kitchen. My brother has a fancy
> > kitchen. It has a 5 burner gas rangetop and two wall electric ovens,
> > one a convection oven.
> >
>
> that's a setup I'd love. I hate having the oven below the cooktop, and I
> too, hate electric ranges with the fire of a thousand nuns
>

I rather like the semi-fancy dual fuel Kenmore Elite that came with my
house. 5 gas (LP) burners up top and an electric convection oven below
with a smaller electric side oven. Gives you the best of both.

Pete C.

On 2 Jan 2006 05:17:49 +0100, Wayne Boatwright wrote:

> I'm sorry about your burned meatballs, and I understand your issues.
>
> Did I ever mention, that I hate gas ranges and all other gas appliances?
> If my home had a gas range, I would never ever cook until it had been
> replaced with an electric range.
>
> There are devotees to both fuels. Live and let live.

I love electric and distrust gas too. The only thing I think gas is
good for is great percolated coffee.
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

sf wrote:
> On 2 Jan 2006 05:17:49 +0100, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
>> I'm sorry about your burned meatballs, and I understand your issues.
>>
>> Did I ever mention, that I hate gas ranges and all other gas
>> appliances? If my home had a gas range, I would never ever cook
>> until it had been replaced with an electric range.
>>
>> There are devotees to both fuels. Live and let live.
>
> I love electric and distrust gas too. The only thing I think gas is
> good for is great percolated coffee.

Sorry bud, there is no such thing as great' percolated coffee.
And - my vote is for gas.

Ken.


--
http://www.rupert.net/~solar
Return address supplied by 'spammotel'
http://www.spammotel.com

On Sun 01 Jan 2006 11:31:46p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Ken Davey?

> sf wrote:
>> On 2 Jan 2006 05:17:49 +0100, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>
>>> I'm sorry about your burned meatballs, and I understand your issues.
>>>
>>> Did I ever mention, that I hate gas ranges and all other gas
>>> appliances? If my home had a gas range, I would never ever cook
>>> until it had been replaced with an electric range.
>>>
>>> There are devotees to both fuels. Live and let live.
>>
>> I love electric and distrust gas too. The only thing I think gas is
>> good for is great percolated coffee.
>
> Sorry bud, there is no such thing as great' percolated coffee.
> And - my vote is for gas.
>
> Ken.

I will gladly give you any gas I come across. <g>

As for percolated coffee, I used to like it back in the late 1960s, but
haven't even tasted it since then.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
__________________________________________________ ________________
And if we enter a room full of manure, may we believe in the pony.

On 2 Jan 2006 07:44:51 +0100, Wayne Boatwright wrote:

> As for percolated coffee, I used to like it back in the late 1960s, but
> haven't even tasted it since then.

Nor have I Wayne. I was taught how to brew it by a local Arabic
coffee vendor and it's still the best coffee I've ever tasted, by far,
additionally everyone I served that style of coffee absolutely loved
it.
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

"Ken Davey" wrote
>
> Sorry bud, there is no such thing as great' percolated coffee.
> And - my vote is for gas.
>
> Ken.

Hey, Happy New Year, Ken!! How are you feeling?

Dora

limey wrote:
> "Ken Davey" wrote
>>
>> Sorry bud, there is no such thing as great' percolated coffee.
>> And - my vote is for gas.
>>
>> Ken.
>
> Hey, Happy New Year, Ken!! How are you feeling?
>
> Dora


And a happy new year to you Dora!
Actually I am feeling better than I have for years - go figure.
Thanks for asking.

Ken.

--
http://www.rupert.net/~solar
Return address supplied by 'spammotel'
http://www.spammotel.com

On Mon, 2 Jan 2006 00:31:46 -0600, Ken Davey wrote:

> sf wrote:
> > On 2 Jan 2006 05:17:49 +0100, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> >
> >> I'm sorry about your burned meatballs, and I understand your issues.
> >>
> >> Did I ever mention, that I hate gas ranges and all other gas
> >> appliances? If my home had a gas range, I would never ever cook
> >> until it had been replaced with an electric range.
> >>
> >> There are devotees to both fuels. Live and let live.
> >
> > I love electric and distrust gas too. The only thing I think gas is
> > good for is great percolated coffee.
>
> Sorry bud, there is no such thing as great' percolated coffee.
> And - my vote is for gas.
>
Get your head out of your ass for once.
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

sf wrote:
> On Mon, 2 Jan 2006 00:31:46 -0600, Ken Davey wrote:
>
>> sf wrote:
>> > On 2 Jan 2006 05:17:49 +0100, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>> >
>> >> I'm sorry about your burned meatballs, and I understand your
>> issues. >>
>> >> Did I ever mention, that I hate gas ranges and all other gas
>> >> appliances? If my home had a gas range, I would never ever cook
>> >> until it had been replaced with an electric range.
>> >>
>> >> There are devotees to both fuels. Live and let live.
>> >
>> > I love electric and distrust gas too. The only thing I think gas
>> is > good for is great percolated coffee.
>>
>> Sorry bud, there is no such thing as great' percolated coffee.
>> And - my vote is for gas.
>>
> Get your head out of your ass for once.

Eh?

en.



--
http://www.rupert.net/~solar
Return address supplied by 'spammotel'
http://www.spammotel.com

Ken Davey wrote:

> sf wrote:
>
>>On 2 Jan 2006 05:17:49 +0100, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>
>>
>>> I'm sorry about your burned meatballs, and I understand your issues.
>>>
>>> Did I ever mention, that I hate gas ranges and all other gas
>>>appliances? If my home had a gas range, I would never ever cook
>>>until it had been replaced with an electric range.
>>>
>>> There are devotees to both fuels. Live and let live.
>>
>>I love electric and distrust gas too. The only thing I think gas is
>>good for is great percolated coffee.
>
>
> Sorry bud, there is no such thing as great' percolated coffee.
> And - my vote is for gas.
>
> Ken.
>
>
DH would like to beg to differ since he prefers percolated coffee made
with a circa 1950's percolator and fresh ground coffee beans. It truly
is great coffee to be savoured to the last drop

"~patches~" > wrote in message
...
> Ken Davey wrote:

>> Sorry bud, there is no such thing as great' percolated coffee.
>> And - my vote is for gas.
>>
>> Ken.
>>
>>
> DH would like to beg to differ since he prefers percolated coffee made
> with a circa 1950's percolator and fresh ground coffee beans. It truly is
> great coffee to be savoured to the last drop

I thought that too when the only other option was instant. Once I'd tasted
drip coffee there was no going back to percolated.

Gabby

"sf" wrote:
>
> I love electric and distrust gas too. The only thing I think gas is
> good for is great percolated coffee.
> --

I've used electric ranges most of my life except for a stay in an apartment
when we were first married.
For safety, gas smells (from additives)! Up until the last three years,
I've always used electric ranges with conventional burners but must admit
I'd like to ditch my smoothtop, even though it's easy to clean. I find it
harder to regulate the heat than with any other electric range I've had. (so
there - here starts a whole new thread on smoothtop ranges.)

Dora

"limey" > wrote in message >
> I've used electric ranges most of my life except for a stay in an
> apartment when we were first married.
> For safety, gas smells (from additives)! Up until the last three years,
> I've always used electric ranges with conventional burners but must admit
> I'd like to ditch my smoothtop, even though it's easy to clean. I find
> it harder to regulate the heat than with any other electric range I've
> had. (so there - here starts a whole new thread on smoothtop ranges.)
>
I forgot to mention - we live beyond city gas lines so people are condemned
to large LPG tanks in the yard.

Dora

limey wrote:

> "sf" wrote:
>
>>I love electric and distrust gas too. The only thing I think gas is
>>good for is great percolated coffee.
>>--
>
>
> I've used electric ranges most of my life except for a stay in an apartment
> when we were first married.
> For safety, gas smells (from additives)! Up until the last three years,
> I've always used electric ranges with conventional burners but must admit
> I'd like to ditch my smoothtop, even though it's easy to clean. I find it
> harder to regulate the heat than with any other electric range I've had. (so
> there - here starts a whole new thread on smoothtop ranges.)
>
> Dora
>
>
Dora, this is really good to know. We just bought a Jenn Air that takes
the element cartridges. This means I can have smooth top, radiant heat,
or conventional coil as well as the grill and other goodies. We debated
as to getting the smooth top since our model came with the grill but
elements optional. I do a lot of canning so thought perhaps the
smoothtop would not handle the weight of the heavier pots but I didn't
think of the heat regulation. We opted for the conventional coil
elements and I have the canning element on order. Along with the grill
cartridge, it does end up being a very nice stove We can always pop
in a smoothtop cartridge if we decide we want it but DD bought smooth
top and said you have to use a special cleaner. I'm not sure I want to
get into that either.

On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
wrote:


>Did I mention, I hate electric ranges? Whomever thought up the idea of
>an electric range out to be slaughtered and forced to eat my burned
>meatballs!


Sorry for your loss! I have always had electric ranges. In a perfect
world I would choose gas hobs but electric oven.

Kathy in NZ

On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 05:02:05 GMT, Kathy in NZ wrote:

> On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
> wrote:
>
>
> >Did I mention, I hate electric ranges? Whomever thought up the idea of
> >an electric range out to be slaughtered and forced to eat my burned
> >meatballs!
>
>
> Sorry for your loss! I have always had electric ranges. In a perfect
> world I would choose gas hobs but electric oven.
>
I know what you mean. If I ever remodel here or design a kitchen in a
new house, I'd have at least one gas burner. They are always good for
really fast or really hot... plus I hear their design is better now so
they don't have hot spots on low. My ideal would be four electric,
two gas and an indoor grill. The other plus is that gas is charged at
the same rate as my furnace. Electricity is more expensive.
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

On Mon 02 Jan 2006 01:12:50p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it sf?

> On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 05:02:05 GMT, Kathy in NZ wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> >Did I mention, I hate electric ranges? Whomever thought up the idea of
>> >an electric range out to be slaughtered and forced to eat my burned
>> >meatballs!
>>
>>
>> Sorry for your loss! I have always had electric ranges. In a perfect
>> world I would choose gas hobs but electric oven.
>>
> I know what you mean. If I ever remodel here or design a kitchen in a
> new house, I'd have at least one gas burner. They are always good for
> really fast or really hot... plus I hear their design is better now so
> they don't have hot spots on low. My ideal would be four electric,
> two gas and an indoor grill. The other plus is that gas is charged at
> the same rate as my furnace. Electricity is more expensive.

If you have an all-electric home and high-efficiency appliances (which we
do), you usually get a discount from the electric utility. Electricity is
a given in any home, while gas is definitely an option. If I had both, my
overall costs would be greater.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
__________________________________________________ ________________
And if we enter a room full of manure, may we believe in the pony.

On 2 Jan 2006 21:19:03 +0100, Wayne Boatwright wrote:

>
> If you have an all-electric home and high-efficiency appliances (which we
> do), you usually get a discount from the electric utility. Electricity is
> a given in any home, while gas is definitely an option. If I had both, my
> overall costs would be greater.

Unfortunately our house isn't new... built in 1927. The furnace is
gas - so that's our "cheap" fuel. We have gas central heat and built
in electric room heaters which we use sparingly. The temp is usually
set at 58° and inside temps are 65° and under (depending on outside
temp). On a cold, wet day like today... I turn up the furnace to 64°.
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Mon 02 Jan 2006 01:12:50p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it sf?
>
> > On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 05:02:05 GMT, Kathy in NZ wrote:
> >
> >> On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> >Did I mention, I hate electric ranges? Whomever thought up the idea of
> >> >an electric range out to be slaughtered and forced to eat my burned
> >> >meatballs!
> >>
> >>
> >> Sorry for your loss! I have always had electric ranges. In a perfect
> >> world I would choose gas hobs but electric oven.
> >>
> > I know what you mean. If I ever remodel here or design a kitchen in a
> > new house, I'd have at least one gas burner. They are always good for
> > really fast or really hot... plus I hear their design is better now so
> > they don't have hot spots on low. My ideal would be four electric,
> > two gas and an indoor grill. The other plus is that gas is charged at
> > the same rate as my furnace. Electricity is more expensive.
>
> If you have an all-electric home and high-efficiency appliances (which we
> do), you usually get a discount from the electric utility. Electricity is
> a given in any home, while gas is definitely an option. If I had both, my
> overall costs would be greater.

That's not necessarily true. The discount given for all-electric homes
is miniscule compared with the difference in cost between gas and
electric, which is significant... propane is like 1/3 the price of
electricity, natural gas is about 1/6 the cost of electric... so even
if you're given a 15% discount (which is extremely generous, usually
it's more like 5%) you're still not even close to equal. I already
looked into it... if I'd switch from my propane heat to electric heat I
couldn't afford to live here, well I could, just couldn't afford to eat
nearly as well... electric heat would run me about $6,000.00/yr more
than my propane. I would like electric heat, it's much cleaner, and
maintenence free then burning fossil fuel... but $500/mo buys a lot of
groceries. All electric is fine for a small cabin in the woods if you
only use it occasionally... or if you live in a hot climate where you
don't need heat... but if you use air conditioning gas A/C is far less
costly then electric, substantial if you live where A/C is used all
year. I really only use A/C about four months but if I used it all
year I'd switch over to a propane unit in a NY second.

The only real argument when comparing electric cooking to gas cooking
is about how important professional style cooking is to the
individual... it's just not possible to cook like a professional with
an electric cook top... cost is really not the issue.

In article >,
Wayne Boatwright > wrote:


> do), you usually get a discount from the electric utility. Electricity is
> a given in any home, while gas is definitely an option. If I had both, my
> overall costs would be greater.

Electricity isn't a given. I like gas, so I haven't checked, but we
aren't wired for an electric stove, and I don't believe we have the
capacity for it. We have 100 amp service, and the 100 amps are pretty
well all used. This house was built for gas.

--
Dan Abel

Petaluma, California, USA

On Mon 02 Jan 2006 11:21:55p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Dan Abel?

> In article >,
> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>
>
>> do), you usually get a discount from the electric utility. Electricity
>> is a given in any home, while gas is definitely an option. If I had
>> both, my overall costs would be greater.
>
> Electricity isn't a given. I like gas, so I haven't checked, but we
> aren't wired for an electric stove, and I don't believe we have the
> capacity for it. We have 100 amp service, and the 100 amps are pretty
> well all used. This house was built for gas.

What I meant was that almost all homes have electric power today, at least
for lighting, small appliances, etc. Many homes are not necessarily fitted
out for gas. A service panel upgrade to 200 amps is not usually that
costly, and it's a one time expense. I believe it's cheaper than having
gas piped to a house that doesn't already have it. In any event, in many
parts of the US it's cheaper to run an all electric house than to pay for
both electric and gas. This is mostly due to discounts from the electric
company, as well as load balancing devices. I'm not suggesting that you
convert from gas to electric...we all have our preferences. Since I prefer
electric, it makes since to avoid gas for all purposes because for me it's
also cheaper than paying for both. I have lived in houses that were
equipped with both electricity and gas, but I never had the gas turned on.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
__________________________________________________ ________________
And if we enter a room full of manure, may we believe in the pony.

"Stan Horwitz" > wrote in message
> Did I mention, I hate electric ranges? Whomever thought up the idea of
> an electric range out to be slaughtered and forced to eat my burned
> meatballs!

Agree. This house had one and I was happy to see it go after three years of
burnt offerings and dangerous overheating that my daughter did a few times.
Some people seem to have an un-natural fear of gas, but I've had no damage
from gas, but many problems, including a small fire, from electric.

On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 05:14:30 GMT, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>
> "Stan Horwitz" > wrote in message
> > Did I mention, I hate electric ranges? Whomever thought up the idea of
> > an electric range out to be slaughtered and forced to eat my burned
> > meatballs!
>
> Agree. This house had one and I was happy to see it go after three years of
> burnt offerings and dangerous overheating that my daughter did a few times.
> Some people seem to have an un-natural fear of gas, but I've had no damage
> from gas, but many problems, including a small fire, from electric.
>
That's because you're a putz, Ed. LOL Stan made the mistake and
blamed the stove. You're doing it too. Inanimate objects don't make
mistakes, their users do it all by themselves.
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
wrote:

You never see an electric cooktop in a restaurant kitchen. They are
always gas.

These chefs know what's best - so there's no argument.

On Sun 01 Jan 2006 10:34:18p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it ?

> On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
> wrote:
>
> You never see an electric cooktop in a restaurant kitchen. They are
> always gas.

I'm not cooking in a restaurant kitchen.

> These chefs know what's best - so there's no argument.

What is arguable is whether what is best in a restaurant kitchen is also best
for a home kitchen.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
__________________________________________________ ________________
And if we enter a room full of manure, may we believe in the pony.

On 2 Jan 2006 06:42:58 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

>On Sun 01 Jan 2006 10:34:18p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it ?
>
>> On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
>> wrote:
>>
>> You never see an electric cooktop in a restaurant kitchen. They are
>> always gas.
>
>I'm not cooking in a restaurant kitchen.

go Wayne...you tell em!
>
>> These chefs know what's best - so there's no argument.
>
>What is arguable is whether what is best in a restaurant kitchen is also best
>for a home kitchen.

ah...keep going Wayne...you know come to think of it....every
restaurant kitchen I have ever been in had a gas range...there's got
to be a logical reason for this?

Bill

On Mon 02 Jan 2006 10:02:17a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Bill?

> On 2 Jan 2006 06:42:58 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
>>On Sun 01 Jan 2006 10:34:18p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it ?
>>
>>> On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> You never see an electric cooktop in a restaurant kitchen. They are
>>> always gas.
>>
>>I'm not cooking in a restaurant kitchen.
>
> go Wayne...you tell em!
>>
>>> These chefs know what's best - so there's no argument.
>>
>>What is arguable is whether what is best in a restaurant kitchen is also
>>best for a home kitchen.
>
> ah...keep going Wayne...you know come to think of it....every
> restaurant kitchen I have ever been in had a gas range...there's got
> to be a logical reason for this?

One of the reasons is economy, as gas is much cheaper to use commercially.
If I'm not mistaken, ocean liners use electricity primarily for safety
reasons, and they easily turn out huge volumes of generally excellent food.

All the years I lived at home my parents had gas ranges. I never really
liked cooking on them, and especially didn't like baking in the gas oven.
I didn't fully realize how much I disliked it until I had my first
apartment and had an electric cooktop and wall oven. When my mom helped me
cook a holiday meal in my apartment, the following week she bought an
electric range. Neither of us ever went back to gas.

Choice of one over the other is a very personal thing. As I said in an
earlier post, each has its devotees and detractors, for whatever reason.

Ignorance is a big issue when folks have cooking failures when cooking on
something unfamiliar. What gets me is that they blame the equipment rather
than their ignorance of how to use it. I can effectively cook on either
gas or electric and occasionally cook on friends' gas ranges without a
problem. I simply don't like to cook with gas and would consistently
refuse to have it in my home.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
__________________________________________________ ________________
And if we enter a room full of manure, may we believe in the pony.

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Mon 02 Jan 2006 10:02:17a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Bill?
>
> > On 2 Jan 2006 06:42:58 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> > > wrote:
> >
> >>On Sun 01 Jan 2006 10:34:18p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it ?
> >>
> >>> On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> You never see an electric cooktop in a restaurant kitchen. They are
> >>> always gas.
> >>
> >>I'm not cooking in a restaurant kitchen.
> >
> > go Wayne...you tell em!
> >>
> >>> These chefs know what's best - so there's no argument.
> >>
> >>What is arguable is whether what is best in a restaurant kitchen is also
> >>best for a home kitchen.
> >
> > ah...keep going Wayne...you know come to think of it....every
> > restaurant kitchen I have ever been in had a gas range...there's got
> > to be a logical reason for this?
>
> One of the reasons is economy, as gas is much cheaper to use commercially.
> If I'm not mistaken, ocean liners use electricity primarily for safety
> reasons, and they easily turn out huge volumes of generally excellent food.

Large ships don't use ranges, don't even have any on board, no pots n'
pans either... quantities are way too large for pots n' pans.... they
do all that kind of cooking in steam jacketed kettles. They do have
ovens, banks and banks of commercial electric ovens, and banks and
banks of large commercial griddles, and banks and banks of large
commercial deep fat fryers... but no stove top cooking of any kind.
Large ships don't concern themselves with utility costs, steam and
electric generation is merely a by-product of running those massive
turbines, either use it or lose it.

> Ignorance is a big issue when folks have cooking failures when cooking on
> something unfamiliar. What gets me is that they blame the equipment
> rather
> than their ignorance of how to use it. I can effectively cook on either
> gas or electric and occasionally cook on friends' gas ranges without a
> problem. I simply don't like to cook with gas and would consistently
> refuse to have it in my home.
>
> --
> Wayne Boatwright *¿*


Based on your opinion, I'm going to re-think my issues with electric
cooking. I've not yet cooked with the flat tops, though I hope to get a new
stove this spring. I'm still in the dark about these stoves. But with some
research I hope to make a proper decision.
Dee Dee

On 2 Jan 2006 19:07:24 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

>On Mon 02 Jan 2006 10:02:17a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Bill?
>
>> On 2 Jan 2006 06:42:58 +0100, Wayne Boatwright
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun 01 Jan 2006 10:34:18p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it ?
>>>
>>>> On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> You never see an electric cooktop in a restaurant kitchen. They are
>>>> always gas.
>>>
>>>I'm not cooking in a restaurant kitchen.
>>
>> go Wayne...you tell em!
>>>
>>>> These chefs know what's best - so there's no argument.
>>>
>>>What is arguable is whether what is best in a restaurant kitchen is also
>>>best for a home kitchen.
>>
>> ah...keep going Wayne...you know come to think of it....every
>> restaurant kitchen I have ever been in had a gas range...there's got
>> to be a logical reason for this?
>
>One of the reasons is economy, as gas is much cheaper to use commercially.
>If I'm not mistaken, ocean liners use electricity primarily for safety
>reasons, and they easily turn out huge volumes of generally excellent food.
>
>All the years I lived at home my parents had gas ranges. I never really
>liked cooking on them, and especially didn't like baking in the gas oven.
>I didn't fully realize how much I disliked it until I had my first
>apartment and had an electric cooktop and wall oven. When my mom helped me
>cook a holiday meal in my apartment, the following week she bought an
>electric range. Neither of us ever went back to gas.

Why? I've cooked with both and can't imagine why someone would run
out and buy an electric range after cooking on one, especially the
cooktop.

In a previous message you said:
>"If my home had a gas range, I would never ever cook until it had been
>replaced with an electric range. "

The differences are not so great as to cause such hysteria.

Could you be specific on what your problem is with gas ranges? I
really don't understand.

Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!

On 2 Jan 2006 06:42:58 +0100, Wayne Boatwright wrote:

> On Sun 01 Jan 2006 10:34:18p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it ?
>
> > On Sun, 01 Jan 2006 22:57:52 -0500, Stan Horwitz >
> > wrote:
> >
> > You never see an electric cooktop in a restaurant kitchen. They are
> > always gas.
>
> I'm not cooking in a restaurant kitchen.
>
> > These chefs know what's best - so there's no argument.
>
> What is arguable is whether what is best in a restaurant kitchen is also best
> for a home kitchen.

They want it fast, hot and cheap.... wait! What was it we were
talking about?
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.