How to use an electric stove: instruction manual

July 14, 2019
Nutrition
Liubov Berger

A variety of household appliances are used for cooking: microwave ovens, multicookers, steamers, grills, but ovens are considered the most popular. They can be found in every apartment or private house. They come in two types: gas and electric. They are used every day. But how to use an electric stove? To operate this household appliance easily and safely, you need to know the operating principles and safety rules.

Tips for choosing

When purchasing an electric stove, you need to check the package contents. The device itself must include an instruction manual and a warranty card.

Modern models of electric ovens do not come with a wire and socket for connection. They will have to be purchased separately. This can be done in radio stores or service centers that install and repair electric stoves.

Now let's figure out how to properly use an electric stove.

The difference between an electric kitchen and traditional heat sources

The main advantage of an electric stove over a gas stove is safety of use. There is no contact with open fire, no need to worry about gas leaks. It is easier to protect the device from accidental activation by small children.

When cooking food, soot and harmful combustion products are not released, as happens when using gas. Therefore, there is no need to turn on the hood at full power. The equipment gets dirty less and is easier to clean than gas equipment.

In the oven of an electric stove, it is possible to set the temperature exactly down to a degree, which is difficult to do in a gas stove. But you cannot quickly adjust the heat flow on the burners. The housewife will have to monitor the cooking time of the dish and 10-15 minutes before it is ready, reduce the heat or turn off the appliance so that the food simmers at a decreasing temperature. On gas appliances, the fire is reduced or turned off instantly.

Electric stoves are characterized by high prices and operating costs. Their work depends on electricity, which sometimes goes out.

There are a large number of different models of electric furnaces, which differ in the heating method (cast iron pancakes, belt, infrared or induction), the material used (glass, glass ceramics, steel, enamel, etc.), design (portable, floor-standing and built-in).

Recommendations on how to use an electric stove are different for each type, but there are general rules that should be followed:

When using the equipment, observe the necessary safety measures, as this is a powerful and potentially dangerous device.
The device is carefully unplugged from the outlet, holding the plug rather than the wire. The cord is not bent or pinched.
When purchasing a new device, be sure to study the operating instructions, which indicate the basic requirements for installation, connection, use and repair of the stove.
The equipment is installed with the help of a specialist. They choose the location wisely so that it complies with the standards and is equipped with a separate outlet and hood. They think about the organization of wiring and grounding in advance so that the operation of the electric stove is safe.
The stove is placed away from the sink, as water ingress can cause a short circuit.
It is not recommended to place the unit next to the refrigerator. High temperatures can damage its housing.

Attention. For additional safety, an RCD (residual current device) is installed.

How to turn it on?

Before turning on the device, it is necessary to inspect it for integrity and correct connection. If you are going to use an old electric stove, such as a spiral model, then you need to inspect the burners for damage and cracks.

If there are no problems with the device, the second step is to prepare it for use: wipe off dust with a dry cloth. If particles of debris remain on the hob or burners, an unpleasant acrid odor may appear after switching on.

The type of hob can affect how the stove works:

the oven and hob may have a common control unit (found on free-standing models);
the oven and hob can have independent control units (typical for built-in models).

For electric ovens with a built-in clock, you must set the current time before starting operation. Without this, the oven will not function.

What kind of cookware to use

Each housewife has her own preferences regarding the utensils used. Usually there are several varieties of such products in the house at the same time. Depending on the type of electric stove, there may be certain restrictions on such containers. It is not recommended to use old pans made of copper, aluminum and cast iron on new stoves. The material can damage the surface, which can not only damage the appearance, but also reduce the performance of the slab.

The following types of cookware can be used on the hob:

enameled;
stainless;
glass-ceramic;
cast iron with a flat bottom.

It is important that the selected cookware optimally matches the size of the burner. The capacity may be larger, but not significantly. Otherwise, the efficiency of the stove will be significantly reduced.

Temperature adjustment

How to use an electric stove? It all starts with turning on the device. Then, using buttons, a sensor or rotary levers, the desired mode is set. On most ovens, the power ranges from 1 to 9, 1 to 3, or 1 to 6. The higher the value, the higher the heating temperature.

When you turn it on for the first time, it is recommended to preheat the electric stove at its highest setting, but do not leave it on for long and, of course, do not leave it unattended.

Some modern devices have preset oven temperature settings or auto programs designed to cook certain dishes in a certain volume.

How to turn on smart burners?

An induction cooker is a rather complex electrical appliance equipped with various functions and capabilities. The unit is controlled via a touch panel located on the stove. The sensors are so sensitive that the electric stove instantly reacts to the slightest touch. The process of switching on and operating is carried out as follows:

pay attention to the panel itself, as a rule, there should be a touch start button - touching this button turns on the stove;
each individual cooking zone is activated in the same way, and the heating power can also be adjusted (from 0 to 9);
the optimal power modes for a particular operation are described in the operating instructions, which differ depending on the model of the electrical appliance;
The panel turns off in two ways - after cooking, you can press the “stop” button or wait a while without putting anything on the stove, the unit will turn off automatically.

Important! The device is also equipped with additional functions that allow you to set the panel lock, transfer power from burner to burner, retain heat or turn off the appliance in emergency mode.

Types of hob burners

The temperature of the burners is often determined by the type of burner itself. And how to properly use an electric stove may depend on this. The burners can be as follows:

Spiral, although a somewhat outdated option, is still popular. They are based on a spiral hidden under a plate. It heats up and cools down quite slowly.
Burners based on corrugated tape are a more modern type. This option is characterized by greater operating comfort, high performance and safety.
Halogen burners appeared relatively recently. They operate on the basis of halogen lamps. The surface of such burners quickly heats up and cools down. They are also characterized by economical energy consumption and greater safety.

How to choose a level

Currently, there are a huge number of recipes for preparing various dishes in ovens. Almost none of them provide information regarding the choice of level at which to cook. Although this parameter is quite important, especially for novice cooks and those people who are using the oven for the first time.

In reality, not everything is as complicated as it might seem at first glance. Most standard gas models have 3 main levels:

the top one is used when you need to cook food with a golden brown crust. It is used exclusively in the last stages of cooking.
the bottom one is needed for dishes where the presence of a golden brown crust on the bottom is important, for example, suitable for pizza;
medium is ideal for cooking a dish on both sides.

Touch electric stove: how to use?

Working with this type of device is practically no different from working with a classic oven. The only special feature is that the touch electric stove is controlled using a sensor. In other words, the furnace will be controlled by clicking on a special panel.

The disadvantage of such electric stoves is that they are usually more easily soiled and require more careful maintenance. In some models, the panel becomes slightly warm during operation. Because of this, using the touch plate is both less comfortable and a little dangerous.

Features of turning on the electric stove

During operation, it is important to strictly follow all manufacturer’s recommendations. Therefore, before the first start, it is advisable to carefully study the instructions. It contains comprehensive information about turning on and switching modes.

After purchasing a new electric stove, it is not recommended to immediately start cooking. The device must be prepared for use. To do this, the surface must be thoroughly washed with soapy water or a weak soda solution. This is necessary to clean the device from grease and dirt. Existing dirt can burn off during operation, creating an unpleasant odor.

The operating principle may vary slightly depending on the type of device. There are 2 main types of slabs:

Dependent. Has a built-in oven. Above the latter there are adjusting elements.
Independent. Buttons or handles are located directly on the panel; there is no oven.

The easiest way to work is with models equipped with conventional handles. In this case, to start, you just need to turn the handle. Depending on the angle of rotation, the power of the plate varies. More modern models may have touch controls, which are more difficult to understand.

Important! It is highly recommended not to touch sensor elements with wet hands. This can cause the device to malfunction. Also, due to moisture, the stove may simply not react to touch or activate the wrong mode.

There is usually a separate button to turn on the electric stove. It can be both mechanical and sensory. After starting, you can use the corresponding button to adjust the power. There is a separate button for each burner. Typically, stoves have up to 4 burners, which are controlled by separate handles or touch buttons.

How to use the oven?

Electric stove ovens come in two types: with and without a thermostat. The operating principles of each of them are almost the same. The basic operating rules include the following:

When stewing and baking, it is necessary to place a baking sheet either in the middle of the oven, or on the second level from the bottom for multi-level electric ovens. It is also better to place the baking dish in the center of the rack, so it will bake faster and more evenly. The lower levels of the oven are suitable for roasting and defrosting vegetables. This allows you to preserve the maximum amount of useful components in them.

When baking and stewing, you need to change the temperature twice. First you need to cook at maximum power, and halfway through the cooking time, reduce the temperature.
If there is a thermostat in the oven, it will not be difficult to determine the temperature inside the cabinet, but if it is not there, then you can use a sheet of plain paper to determine the approximate heating temperature. To do this, a white sheet of paper is placed on a baking sheet and it is placed in the oven. At maximum temperature, the leaf will turn yellow in 3-3.5 minutes, at low temperature - in 9-11.
During the cooking process, do not open the oven door in the first 10-15 minutes, as this may increase the cooking time. When half the period has passed, you can open the door as often as necessary.

Proper operation of the device will allow you to cook delicious food and not spend a lot of time on it. The service life of the hob and oven will depend entirely on correct actions, compliance with safety standards and following the manufacturer’s basic recommendations.

Basic selection options

In appearance, an electric oven is somewhat reminiscent of a microwave, only much more functional. With its help you can bake, stew, fry, grill and even cook various dishes. In principle, it is quite possible to replace an oven with an electric oven, but it will not take up so much space. Before you go to the store to buy equipment, it is important to pay attention to the following criteria.

Volume

If an electric baking oven replaces an oven, then its volume should be given enough attention, especially when the family is large. If the device will be used only for heating food and from time to time for baking pies, then it is enough to purchase a 10-liter model. With regular use, the volume should vary from 15 to 30 liters. For a family of five or six people, it is better to take a closer look at 40-liter stoves. But you should understand that such a technique will require a lot of free space in the kitchen.

Power

The larger the volume of the electric furnace, the higher its power accordingly. Typically it varies from 650 to 2200 W. High-power appliances consume significantly more electricity, but at the same time they cook faster. Ideally, preference should be given to medium-power devices.

Inner coating

The inside of the electric furnace body can have a smooth enameled surface or a porous structure. Models with enamel coating are much more economical, but after each use of the oven, the chamber must be cleaned. The porous structure contains oxidizing agents that break down fat particles. There are models with pyrolytic cleaning, that is, independent removal of contamination. In order to start the process, you need to press a button on the control panel.

Before purchasing, you should make sure that the coating is of high quality and reliable. It must be resistant to scratches and other mechanical damage.

Heating elements

Budget options include stoves with one heating element, which is located at the bottom. Such appliances are usually used for heating food or preparing baked goods. With two heating elements, which are located above and below, the range of prepared dishes increases significantly, but the price also increases.

Models with a grill function are considered no less popular. Thanks to the hot air, which is pumped by built-in fans inside the equipment, you can cook meat, fish, vegetables and other products. Any dishes will turn out tasty and aromatic.

Control

There are two types of electric furnace control - automatic and mechanical. The first allows you to set the desired mode on the touch or button panel, as well as start and disable the timer, adjust the operating time of the oven, etc. The second type involves manually setting the necessary parameters, including temperature, by turning the switch. The choice of control type does not in any way affect the quality of dishes prepared in an electric oven. Therefore, you only need to focus on your own convenience.

Models with a mechanical control type are more common among buyers, since their price is quite affordable, unlike electronic devices. It doesn’t matter which type you choose, you just need to set the desired temperature, mode and timer. The cooking process will occur automatically.

Modes

This parameter is of particular interest to buyers, since everyone wants to know how many dishes they can cook and how varied the cooking process will be. Standard functions include three modes: baking, roasting, delicate frying. They are present even in the most budget models. More expensive equipment will include seven or more modes. They include a function such as grilling, which is used for meat, fish, vegetables, etc.

Additional functions

In addition to the above options, an electric oven for the kitchen may have other features that will add certain advantages to it. Additional features include:

Thermostat. A device that allows you to determine the cooking temperature. Without a thermostat, any cooking process will occur at a temperature of 180 degrees. It is impossible to set the temperature in an electric furnace “by eye”. For most dishes, this temperature is optimal, but the housewife will not be able to pamper her household with a cake with thick layers or meringues.
Timer. This is a very convenient function that allows you to leave the electric furnace working even in the absence of the owners. You just need to set the required time, after which the device will turn off on its own. You don’t have to worry that the food will burn or, on the contrary, remain raw. The timer is equipped with a sound signal to let you know when the cooking process is complete.
Convection. Thanks to this option, hot air is pumped inside the chamber using fans. Thus, the dish is evenly baked or fried on all sides, becomes aromatic and incredibly tasty. This function is especially good for cooking meat.
Defrosting. It is not the main criterion in choosing an electric furnace, but it can become a very useful function during the operation of the equipment.

Safety precautions

In order for the electric stove to work for a long time and without complaints, it is important to use it correctly. Basic safety rules are as follows:

Check your cookware before starting cooking. Its bottom should be clean, level and preferably dry.
Before placing dishes on the burner, make sure that there are no traces of burnt food, dust or stove cleaner on the surface of the burner itself.
If the cookware needs to be covered with a lid during cooking, then you need to use one that fits the size of the cookware. This minimizes the risk of it falling onto the hob, which could cause cracks.
It is better not to leave the hob unattended, especially if there are no dishes on it or there are empty dishes. You can leave the hob in the on mode only for a short period of time.
After the cooking process, it is important to turn off the electric stove. Overheating of the device can lead to its breakdown or even fire.
Do not let small children play with the stove, even if you are nearby. Burns from burners can take a very long time to heal.

Safety requirements

Before starting work, be sure to read the operating instructions. If there is no translation into Russian, then such instructions can be easily found and downloaded on the Internet on the official website of the manufacturer or seller. There are a number of safety requirements when working with an electric stove. Firstly, it is advisable to turn on the hood or ventilate the room before starting cooking. For heating, do not use aluminum cookware or enamel cookware with chipped enamel. If you need to stir boiling soup or porridge, you need to use special spoons or ladles with long handles.

Important! Pots should be filled with liquid no more than three-quarters of the volume to prevent the electric stove from splashing out and flooding. The lids of hot dishes should be opened away from you and use oven mitts for this.

When finished, turn off the stove, wait until it cools down, and wash all contaminated surfaces. After this, you can deactivate the hood.

Final tips

To make the cooking process enjoyable and safe, you need to carefully study the instructions for the stove and strictly follow all safety rules. Neglecting them can result in serious problems both with the device itself and with those who used it.

Remember to turn off the electric stove after finishing cooking. If you forget about this, it will cost you a lot of money in light bills and can also lead to overheating and breakdown of the device. As the most extreme and dangerous option, the oven may catch fire or explode.

Now that you know how to use an electric stove, you can start using it. The main thing is to be careful!

Cookware for electric stove

To cook food on a modern electric stove, use specialized utensils that do not scratch the cooking surface. Old frying pans and pots are not suitable.

To ensure that the equipment serves for a long time, use:

new enamel dishes;
stainless steel utensils without a corrugated bottom;
glass ceramics for stoves;
cast iron products with a flat bottom.

For appliances with glass-ceramic surfaces, you cannot use dishes with a rough, uneven bottom, aluminum or copper containers. For induction cookers, cookware made of copper, ceramics, aluminum, brass and heat-resistant glass is suitable.

Choose dishes with thick walls. To speed up heating, preference is given to containers with a dark and matte bottom.

Basic rules for using an electric oven

As for the hob of an electric stove, there are operating rules for the oven. Today, appliances are found with two types of ovens: with and without a thermostat, but the principle of their operation is not too different.

Whatever the oven is, it is still worth knowing the basic rules for its operation.

Stew and bake on the middle shelf in the middle of the baking sheet; there is no need to use the top level for such purposes. The lowest level is ideal for boiling vegetables.
When baking or stewing, it is best to use two different temperature settings. The first half of cooking is best done at the highest temperature, and the second half at the lowest temperature.
If you have difficulty determining the temperature inside the oven, you can check it with plain paper. To do this, place a white sheet on the center of the baking sheet and place it in the turned on oven. At low temperatures, the paper will turn brown in about 10 minutes, and at high temperatures, after 3 minutes. If you have a thermostat, determining the temperature will not be difficult. There are also special thermometers for ovens.
For the oven, it is best to use dishes made of ceramics, cast iron, refractory clay or glass. When cooking, you can take foil; it is better to wrap the baked product in two layers so that it does not tear and the resulting juice does not leak out.
After half the cooking time, it is recommended to open the oven door slightly.