Comparing the various cooktops suitable for professional cookers

Comparing the Various Cooktops Suitable For Professional Cookers

Cooktops for professional cookers

While most of the professional cookers in the market today use mostly gas or electricity, the types of cooktops are more varied. Many of them use the aforementioned energy sources in multiple ways to heat and cook food. For that reason, the types of cooktops for professional cookers are more than two.
So, what are your options as far as cooktops are concerned? How does each type work?

Electric Cooktops

Electric cooktops are varied, depending on the heating surface.
1. Electric Radiant Coil Cooktops
These kinds of cooktops heat the cookware in a direct manner using a radiant coil, which is exposed. Many of them usually have drip bowls that are located underneath to catch any food spills that occur.
The radiant coil cooktops are usually cheaper. They also heat up relatively quickly. In addition, they cook food quite evenly since the heat underneath the cookware is distributed in the same way. All these are benefits worth considering.
2. Electric Radiant Ceramic Cooktops
These cooktops use radiant heating elements like halogen bulbs or coils built underneath a ceramic glass, which is tempered. The actual cooktop is therefore quite smooth, which is why it may also be known as a smooth-top electric cooktop.
The ceramic cooktops heat up quickly and cool just as fast. The heat is therefore easy to control. The surface of such cooktops is smooth and aesthetically pleasing. It is also very easy and convenient to clean.
3. Solid Hotplate Cooktops
These cooktops heat cookware using a solid metal plate. The hot plate takes a long time to heat up and cool down, which makes it hard to control in terms of temperature.
The hot plate nature of the cooktop can be advantageous if you like to finish your cooking with residual heat. The hot plate cooktop is also a low-cost electric piece of equipment that will save you money.

How to choose the right stainless steel extractor fan for the kitchen

How to Choose the Right Stainless Steel Extractor Fan For the Kitchen

Stainless steel extractor fan

The Advantages of Extractors

The process of cooking is one that may produce grease, steam, and various smells. If you want to ensure that your kitchen continues to smell fresh, you need to install an extractor fan.
Not all extractor fans are the same. The product that you end up with will depend on a number of factors. You should therefore know how to choose the right stainless steel extractor fan for the kitchen.
So, how should you go about making the selection?

Consider the Size

The size of the extractor fan you choose is very important. It will determine how well the kitchen airflow is maintained. An excessively large fan will suck out excess hot air, which in turn will raise your energy costs. A small fan, on the other hand, will be inefficient when it comes to maintaining the proper airflow in the kitchen.
The volume of your kitchen should help determine the size of the extractor fan. Ideally, the kitchen air should be replaced about 10 times. If the volume of your kitchen is 40 metres cubed, then the volume of air needed per hour is 400 metres cubed. Your extractor fan should therefore have an airflow capacity of 400m/h.
Consider the Ventilation Option
The ventilation system used by an extractor fan is an important issue to consider. Some fans use the extraction method for ventilation. This method involves the sucking out of steam and kitchen smells through a vent connected to ductwork that directs everything outside.
The recirculation method is an alternative method of ventilation that uses filters to extract steam and grease from the kitchen. The cleaned air is then re-circulated in the space. The process is repeated as many times as possible.

Consider Features and Ease of Use

The kind of features an extractor fan has will determine its ease of use. You should therefore consider features like the controls, power settings, grease filters, and design. How easy is it to manipulate the controls? What is the range of the power settings? Are the filters made from charcoal or carbon? Is the fan designed to be positioned over the kitchen island, or as a chimney hood?
Price
How much does your extractor fan of choice cost? Does it fit within your kitchen project budget?
Price matters. You should ensure that the cost of the extractor fan gives you great value for money in the end.

The Use of a Lava Stone Grill: Advantages and Features

The Use of a Lava Stone Grill: Advantages and Features

Lava stone grill

What Kind Of Grill Is It?

A lava stone grill is usually a grilling piece of equipment that contains a lava stone. The lava stone is used to enhance heat distribution during the grilling process. If you want convenience every time you grill something, you should definitely consider buying a grill with lava stone. Products of this nature made by Frecciainox, are quite popular and of high quality.

What Features Does The Grill Have?

No two models of a grill with lava stone are exactly alike. However, many of them have similar features.
1. Stainless steel construction
One of the major features of a grill with lava stone is the stainless material used to make it. The metal is a wonderful heat conductor and can withstand high temperatures. It therefore works well with the lava stone because the latter also has a high capacity for heat. After all, lava stones are usually formed by volcanic action when temperatures are extremely high.
2. Gas power source
Another major feature of most grills that have lava stones is a gas source of energy. The gas type may be natural or LPG. Gas grills do not distribute heat evenly, which is why they benefit from the lava stone. In any case, grills that use charcoal or wood as the energy source do not require lava stone because they distribute heat well.

What Benefits Does The Grill Have?

Grilling with lava stones does have several benefits.
1. Even distribution of heat
Lava stone is porous. For that reason, it absorbs heat evenly when heated. When used for grilling, it helps to cook food extremely well.
2. Heat retention
Once a lava stone has been heated, it can retain heat for a long time. For that reason, you can continue grilling with residual heat even after you have cut off the gas supply. This helps to save energy even further since gas is already a cheaper source of energy if compared to electricity.
3. Flavour infusion
A gas powered grill is not great at imparting flavour when cooking. However, a lava stone turns the dripping food juices into vapour during the grilling process. This vapour infuses into the food and gives it a smoky flavour. A grill with a lava stone is therefore a good compromise if you want the smoky flavour usually given by charcoal grills, in addition to heating convenience and lower energy bills overall.