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BUYER'S GUIDE
Ranges:
In terms of today's cooking
products, there are two basic types of ovens. Electric ovens, which are
renowned for their great in-oven heating distribution, and Gas ovens, which
take the cake when it comes to range top and burner heat management.
- Electric ranges are commonly available in 4
different widths: 20"- 24"- 30 and 40" variations though 30" is the most common size..
- Gas ranges are also commonly 30" but are also available in 20", 24", 36", 48" and 60" widths.
- When a gas range is manufactured, it is set
up to handle natural gas as a fuel source.
Many gas ranges have conversion kits available to convert to meet the
needs of customers who utilize liquid propane as their gas type.
unit. This combination delvers the benefits of both
of the gas and electric configurations.
Cooktops:
Cooktops are a convenient
way to utilize all of the benefits of a range without sacrificing the space
below the unit. Cooktops, like ranges
are made to use gas and electricity as an energy source (Though all gas models
are built for natural gas, and require conversion for L.P situations.) Often paired with a wall oven to provide standard cooking capabilities,
cooktops can be built in to island or peninsula setting and provide a very versatile and functional cooking option.
- Each manufacturer has its' own set of
dimensions for cooktop cut-outs.
Therefore, it is important to consider the exact space available for a
particular unit.
- All electric cooktops are 220v direct wired
units. electric cooktops, like ranges,
come in coil-top and smooth top configurations.
- Typical sizes for cooktops are 30 and 36 inches,
although other sizes do exist.
- Range tops are cooktops with a taller profile
with controls on the front of the unit.
They are often high performance and of a heavy duty "pro"
design.
Wall Ovens:
Wall ovens are designed to
be built into a cabinet along a wall of a kitchen area. Some of the benefits of wall ovens include
freeing up space in the kitchen, and also providing an elevated position for
easy access to the cooking compartments.
- Today, about ninety percent of wall ovens run
on electricity.
- Wall ovens come in three
standard widths: 24"-27" and 30" varieties.
- Single, Double, and Microwave/wall oven
combinations each offer a different set of tools and advantages for cooking
situations.
Convection Cooking:
Convection cooking provides
an upgraded method of spreading heat throughout the inside of an oven
cavity. Along with providing a more
even cooking temperature, convection features work to reduce cooking times by
upwards of 25%. Another advantage of
convection is the ability to cook on multiple oven racks all at once without
sacrificing even heating and "hot/cold" spots in an oven.
- There are two types of convection: Fan convection which works to spread the
existing radiant heat throughout the oven;
true convection, which combines a heating element and fan for optimal
performance.
Microwaves:
Microwaves have 3 distinct
varieties, and can provide features beyond cooking that include lighting and ventilation.
- OTR (over the range) microwaves are mounted
over a range or cooktop surface, and typically come in a standard 30 inch
width. Though rare, 36 inch setups are
also available from some manufacturers.
- Built-in microwaves are mounted in cabinets
and are typically framed in with manufacturer-built trim kits to meet the needs
of custom configurations.
- Over the range microwaves can be recirculated
with a charcoal filter, or vented outside though the top or back of the
unit. These units MUST be mounted
underneath a cabinet.
- Dimensions for OTR microwaves are fairly
standard, however, it is very important to know the
exact dimensions going in to a project.
Dual Fuel Ranges
Dual fuel Ranges
utilize the benefits of a gas cook top surface and the even heating
aspects of an electric oven. These units are geared towards cooks
who want more versatility from both the oven and the cook top surface.
Dishwashers:
Dishwashers are available in
18" and 24" types.
- Nearly all built-in dishwashers sold today
are 24" units.
- Single and double dish drawers are available
through some MFG's. These are designed
for a built-in look, along with added convenience.
- Portable dishwashers are free standing, usually on wheels for mobility, and attach to a standard sink fitting for convenience.
Refrigerators:
Units have no
"standard" size when it comes to refrigeration. Generally, 36", 33", 30", 28", and
24" are common widths.
- Refrigerators have both standard and counter
depths, and are available in both free-standing and built in styles.
- The key to shopping for fridges, would be to
determine your height and width of the space available for the unit, along with
the desired features, i.e. ice and water, door configuration
- Compared to units built 15-20 years ago,
units today use about 50 percent less energy and have many more convenient
features.
Washers:
There are two basic types of
washers on the market today. Traditional
top loading washers use 2/3 more water and often include an agitator that works
the clothes during a wash cycle. These units often include basic features and
fit within a budget.
- Front load washers use 1/3 of the water when
compared to top load units. They spin
out at 900-1300 rpms, and extract more water in the process, which is easier on
the dryer. These units save between $100
and $200 annually.
- A third, new type of
washing system is high-efficiency top loaders which offer many of the same
features as front loaders, and use an impeller system to gently rotate the
clothes for a safer clean. These systems
use high spin speed, extra capacity, and low water usage to deliver the high
performance that they are known for.
Dryers:
When purchasing a dryer, it
is important to remember that dryers need to be vented, and that the supplies
for this process can vary for each laundry setting. These items are available at most homeware
stores, and need to be provided by the buyer.
-Electric dryers also have 2
types of cords. Older construction
requires a 3 prong cord, while new construction within the last 5 years takes a
4 prong cord. Prime appliance sells
these cords as optional accessories. It
is usually recommended to replace a cord to ensure proper connection.
- Gas dryers come set up to use natural gas,
and can be converted to Liquid Propane upon purchase. Prime appliance has technicians that can
convert these units, with a typical cost of $25.00-30.00 including labor.
Freezers:
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">There are two types of
freezers available on the market.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Chest
freezers, which come in a variety of sizes typically 5-24 cubic feet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Upright freezers usually start at around 12
cubic feet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN" lang="EN">-<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Manual defrost is the most common setting for
ice removal, and are less likely to "dry" out food.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They require draining and thawing a few times
a year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Frost-free style freezers have
temperature variances that work to reduce ice build-up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div>
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