Saving electricity

[Bird]

Bird - Convection does work well for baking. Frozen pies we used to buy would be done in something like 55 minutes, vs. 1hr 10 minutes.

Yeah, I know it does work. I said "we've" never used that feature, but at one of the big family gatherings, one of our daughters was using it here. I know it would be quicker, but just don't know how much quicker and we so seldom use the oven at all anymore that we just haven't figured out how long to bake stuff on that setting.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

When we built the house we bought a Maytag range. The range is unique in that it has TWO ovens. One is the large oven as one would expect but the second is a smaller oven. Instead of a pot storage drawer at the bottom of the range, the pushed the big oven down and put the little oven on top. We use that little oven 95% of the time. It heats up quickly. The big oven really takes awhile to heat heat. Course the small one cost less to run than the large oven and produces less heat. In the winter I don't really care about the extra heat since we can use it but in the summer that extra heat is expensive to generated AND then run the AC to remove.

Later,
Dan

We have a similar Kenmore range. Two ovens are really great for big meals like Thanksgiving. The casseroles can go in the upper oven, and the turkey goes in the lower oven.

Ours is also a convection oven, but I have never got the hang of convection cooking. The results are always better just using it as a conventional oven.

We also have a toaster oven, an electric wok, a vegetable steamer, a big deep electric frying pan, crock pot, microwave, cast aluminum electric griddle, bread machine, waffle iron, 2 quart hot pot, toaster and a coffee maker. When we remodeled the kitchen I wired in 6-20 amp 120v. circuits. Between the range and the appliances we can cook for a huge crowd.

The microwave and the toaster oven get the most use. Just because you can use that much power doesn't mean you have to.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I found out about the new fridges not working in cold temperatures the hard way, I lost a freezer full of stuff, because I had the fridge in the garage in the winter.

BTW, when you all "save" electricity, where do you keep it?

 

[3930dave]

Up here (Canada), when we "save it", we often then give it away, or even pay somebody to take it.

Wish I was joking......

I never mind helping out a good neighbour (mine next door, or the USA), but more the point is that on a large scale, 2 things need more R&D. Actually, more importantly, implementation:

1) Energy storage.

2) (Major improvements in) Long distance power transmission.

They address different problems; we need to get much better at both.

Rgds, D.

 

[dmccarty]

So far, I haven't seen that kind of range. We have a KitchenAid range and dishwasher that were here when we bought the place, and a built-in Kenmore microwave over the range, so I bought a KitchenAid toaster oven and a KitchenAid mixer. So far have not regretted any of it.

I don't know if they make them this way anymore. It is a danged good idea though and it really comes in handy for most of our meals but if one has a big holiday dinner having the two ovens really helps out.

When our range wears out I hope we can buy another with two ovens.

Later,
Dan

 

[dmccarty]

Last time I checked (when we bought ours 10 years ago) in a normal sized electric kitchen range (stove top elements and oven) you can save energy in the oven portion if it is a self-cleaning oven.

Because of the super high temperature the oven runs at for self-cleaning, the cabinet has to be that much better insulated (fire hazard). Noticed the difference when we got the self cleaning oven, it stayed hot a lot longer after you switched it off.

Might consider a gas range when this one needs to be retired. I'm no cook/baker, but have heard that the way to go is gas stove top burners, with electric elements for the oven - many residential gas ovens seem to struggle to regulate the temperature as tightly as electric.

Rgds, D.

Gas is supposed to be better for the range top with electric better in the ovens. We don't have gas available so it is not an option. Even if it was available I won't have it in the house. I don't like it.

Our is a self cleaning range but you can still feel the heat from the ovens. The smaller oven really does generate less heat and heats up quicker which is very nice. In the winter when we are done cooking we open the doors to let out the heat. In the summer I want to wrap it in a thick blanket. :laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[dmccarty]

Bird - Convection does work well for baking. Frozen pies we used to buy would be done in something like 55 minutes, vs. 1hr 10 minutes.

Most large items that need to be in the oven for a while seem to benefit time wise with a Convection setting. The trick is finding out/guesstimating the time reduction. The pies we buy now no longer have the Convection time listed, but it does work !

Rgds, D.

In our range the lower, larger oven is also a convection oven. It does cook faster if you use convection and the fan moving the air can really make a nice crispy skin on a Turkey. :thumbsup: On our range you dial in the heat setting like you normally would and the range dials down the heat when using convection. You don't know it though unless you read the manual.

Later,
Dan

 

[dmccarty]

We have a similar Kenmore range. Two ovens are really great for big meals like Thanksgiving. The casseroles can go in the upper oven, and the turkey goes in the lower oven.

Ours is also a convection oven, but I have never got the hang of convection cooking. The results are always better just using it as a conventional oven.

We also have a toaster oven, an electric wok, a vegetable steamer, a big deep electric frying pan, crock pot, microwave, cast aluminum electric griddle, bread machine, waffle iron, 2 quart hot pot, toaster and a coffee maker. When we remodeled the kitchen I wired in 6-20 amp 120v. circuits. Between the range and the appliances we can cook for a huge crowd.

The microwave and the toaster oven get the most use. Just because you can use that much power doesn't mean you have to.

Yeppers, Turkey and/or ham in the bottom oven, everything else in the top oven. REALLY helps.

Our convection we just have to set the temperature and the range dials down the temp to adjust for the convection. Seems like it beeps at us after a certain time to check on things as well. I HAD to read the manual on using the oven. Some of the control usage is a bit backwards.

That top oven and the microwave we use all of the time. The microwave is used more than the top oven though.

We too put quite a bit of power in the kitchen. Our old house could not handle the power needs and we could throw the circuit breakers. This does not happen now. I think everything in the kitchen has its own circuit including the built in microwave. We have a bunch of panels OUTSIDE the house because not all of the circuits would fit in the panel in the house. Looks like a danged power station out in back. :laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[3930dave]

Dan - You READ THE MANUAL ! What kind of crazy talk is that ? :laughing:

Makes sense though.... have the appliance handle the Convection offset - should work for the intended items.

Proper power panels ! Why aren't you and Larry fans of the Chevy Chase - Christmas Vacation style of wiring ? :confused2:

Rgds, D.

 

[jonyyuma]

Dan - You READ THE MANUAL ! What kind of crazy talk is that ? :laughing:

Makes sense though.... have the appliance handle the Convection offset - should work for the intended items.

Proper power panels ! Why aren't you and Larry fans of the Chevy Chase - Christmas Vacation style of wiring ? :confused2:

Rgds, D.

Gadds, Just reminded me of some homes I have visited.."MIND taking a look at my panel, I don't know whats wrong, but the lights have been Flickering?""Christmas vacation exactly?