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Fall/Winter
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The Heat Is On!
INSIDE
FEATURES
Discover how the right gas-fired heating equipment can keep
temperatures higher and translate into big savings.
08 From the Hearth
By Amy E. Lemen
Find out how natural gas fireplaces,
stoves and logsets can add warmth and
comfort to your home.
ant to turn this winter into a cozy, lower-cost In mid-efficiency units, the gas is burned off via what’s called a
season for your family? Installing a high-effi- heat exchanger, which then moves it through ductwork and a
ciency or condensing natural gas furnace can blower to heat your house. In high-efficiency units, gas goes
12 Now You’re Cooking!
Discover the benefits of cooking with
natural gas — and see some of the latest
ranges from a variety of manufacturers.
W
help make it happen.
“Condensing units have been around more than 10 years, and exchanger can extract even more heat from the gas it’s burning.
each year they take a bigger share of the market,” says Glenn Pot- The reason these furnaces are called “condensing” units is be-
through not one but two heat exchangers, where the secondary
tberg, national sales manager at ThermoProducts, a manufacturer cause they’re so efficient that condensation forms inside the second
of high-efficiency furnaces. “Whether they’re replacing old units or heat exchanger. The solution is an inside drain that moves the mois-
installing new, more homeowners want higher-efficiency models.” ture safely away, usually outside the house. “The industry has been
The term furnace is used to describe a whole-house heating able to get to 95 efficient percent with these, where years ago it
system that heats a space. A heater, on the other hand, heats a was only 78 to 80 percent,” Pottberg says. “Higher efficiency units
room or specific area by burning natural gas or propane; a flame use less fuel and cost less to operate.”
heats the air, which then heats the room. Boilers, on the
other hand, heat water, not air, then circulate that hot water
through plastic tubing, baseboards or radiators (see “Boiler
Basics,” at right).
Boiler Basics
Need closet space? New energy-efficient boilers are hot —
and much smaller.
Most whole-house heating systems are gas-fired and
can be divided into two classes: mid-efficiency and high-
efficiency. Mid-efficiency models are about 82 percent
efficient; that is, of 100 BTUs (British Thermal Units, a meas-
ure of heat), 82 end up being usable heat. High-efficiency
or condensing units include those with more than 90 per-
cent efficiency, so for those same 100 BTUs, 90 are used
and only 10 are lost. Given those kinds of numbers, the
savings difference can be significant.
Just as energy-efficiency has translated to heaters, there are more
choices for homeowners when it comes to boilers. Perhaps the
biggest development is the materials used. Most boilers are made
from cast iron; the most energy-efficient ones, however, are
constructed from cast aluminum,
In Every Issue
03 a natural fit
Learn how high-efficiency heaters and boilers
can translate into big savings.
which means a boost in energy ef-
ficiency from 87 percent with cast
04 natural choices
iron to 90 percent with aluminum.
Want to reduce your utility bills? Find out how
radiant floor heaters, snow-melt systems and
blue-flame space heaters can help. Plus, what
you should know about water heaters and
backup generators.
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency — a nonprofit
organization that promotes the manufacture and purchase
of energy-efficient products — estimates that homeown-
ers can save up to 15 percent on energy bills with a qual-
ifying furnace and 10 percent with a high-efficiency boiler,
when compared to standard-efficiency units.
That might not seem like
much, but it will likely make a dif-
ference over years of energy bills
— and it looks cool too. Known as
“modulating/condensing,” or “mod/
con” products, these super boilers
07 naturally better
Learn how desiccants can improve air quality
and help your family breath easier.
“If a homeowner has a furnace that’s 15 or 20 years old,
it’s probably much less efficient than even a mid-efficiency
model,” says Pottberg. “If they’ve got a 60 percent efficient
model and they replace it with a 90 percent efficient unit,
it’ll pay for itself in four or five years.”
not only take care of energy-effi-
naturalLiving is a free publication brought to you by Energy
Solutions Center, published in cooperation with PRISM Media Group.
cient heat transfer, they’re also a lot
smaller, which means your boiler
naturalLiving is published twice annually by PRISM Media Group, 1321 Valwood
Pkwy., Ste. 600, Carrollton, TX 75006. Visit PRISM Media Group on the Web at
permission. Copyright 2007 Energy Solutions Center.
isn’t taking up that closet you
16 naturally good
Try these surprisingly simple recipes for
great-tasting food cooked over natural gas.
wanted to use as hobby storage.
“You can do a lot more in a
smaller space with these,” says
Ken Niemi of Burnham Hydronics,
a manufacturer of several new
mod/con boiler products. “Beyond
energy efficiency, customers
are looking for smaller size
and aesthetics.”
The latest high-efficiency boilers
are sleeker and smaller than in
the past, meaning homeowners
don’t necessarily need utility
rooms to hide unsightly equip-
ment. Photo courtesy of Burnham.
PRISM Media Group
President: Ray Larson
COO: Virginia Larson
CFO: Jim Heffel
Editorial Director: Mario Medina
Production Manager: Shannon Thornton
Graphic Design: Cindy Pater, Barbara Sutton
Determining Efficiency
The U.S. Department of Energy sets efficiency standards
— known as the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or
AFUE — for all boilers and furnaces. The current minimum
AFUE is 78 percent. The AFUE rating can be found on the
yellow Energy Guide label on each piece of equipment.
The most efficient heating units are called condensing.
02
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Heating and Power
natural choices
Options for Your Home
Want to reduce your utility bills? Find out how radiant
floor heaters, snow-melt systems, blue-flame space heaters,
The snow-melt system
underneath this driveway
uses natural gas to heat a
water/Glycol or antifreeze
mix, which is then pushed
through tubing under-
neath the driveway, easily
melting away snow and
ice. Photo courtesy
water heaters and backup generators can help.
By Amy E. Lemen
here’s an incredible variety of money-saving products to
choose from when it comes to home heating and power
options. Whether you’re looking for a whole-house
T
heating system, a convenient way to get rid of treacher-
of Watts Radiant.
ous ice and snow, an efficient water heater or a system to ensure
your family has power in the event of a weather emergency, there
are many popular and energy-efficient options.
Snow Melt
The same radiant technology used to heat floors is also ways, sidewalks, patios, carports and more —basically any-
used outside — in snow-melt systems that are essential to where there’s a concrete slab. Like radiant floors, they use
getting around on those mornings when overnight ice and hydronic (water) heating systems, melting ice and snow by
Radiant Floor Heating
snow make long driveways treacherous.
circulating a gas-heated solution (usually antifreeze and
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to feel warmth and comfort room to room, even upstairs.
“It takes about 30 BTUs per square foot, per hour, to water) through tubing underneath. It’s about safety, to be
heat the inside of a home,” says Chiles. “Outside, you need sure, but it’s also about aesthetics for homeowners whose
300 BTUs per square foot, per hour. In urban and remote driveways are decorative or stamped concrete.
throughout your home without air blowing into the room —
“As radiant flooring gets less expensive and there are more
or without looking at an unsightly radiator? Homeowners are options and styles, it’s really exploding in popularity, even
discovering how radiant floor-heating systems — which are in places like Texas and Florida,” says Dan Chiles from Watts
all but invisible — can maintain constant temperatures from Radiant in Springfield, Mo. “It’s a dash of color. We encourage
people to see it with a designer’s
areas, it’s about safety, and it has definitely become a
growth industry, especially with Baby Boomers.”
“You can’t get ice out from between those cracks, and
you can’t shovel it,” says Chiles. “A snow melt system gets
Snow-melt systems can be installed underneath drive- rid of ice safely, without the risk of cracking the surface.”
eye, because it’s getting so much
more sophisticated.”
It’s also a more efficient way to
Instead of using
heat an area, or even an entire home.
Gas-powered radiant systems consist
of tubes installed under a slab, or if
you’re replacing existing flooring,
under the floor. A small circulator,
acting as a pump, pushes heated
water through the tubes, essentially
heating objects in the area and mak-
ing them warm to the touch. The re-
sult is that when you sit down on that
normally cold-as-ice-in-winter leather
couch to watch a football game, it’s
actually warm.
forced air, radiant
floors heat objects
in the room, spread-
ing warmth through-
out and adding a
designer touch with
a splash of red color.
Snow melt systems
use the same technol-
ogy to melt ice off
driveways and other
slippery surfaces.
Photo courtesy
Blue-Flame Space Heaters
Blue-flame space heaters are just what the name
suggests: space heaters that give off a sapphire-blue flame,
which heats the air around people and objects for
atmospheric warmth.
Most new blue-flame
space heaters are
vent-free and feature
sensors that shut
Most have controls on the unit that are simple to oper-
ate: Just push a button to ignite the pilot light (no matches
needed), and the heater begins to instantly warm the room
or area. They’re a good option when it doesn’t make sense
to crank up a whole house heating system, or to add a lit-
tle extra heating oomph to a room that doesn’t get quite as
warm as the rest of the house.
off the unit if there
isn’t enough fresh
air, thus preventing
the risk of carbon
monoxide poisoning.
“It’s a whole different heating phi-
losophy,” says Chiles. “You’re not trying
to heat the room like in a typical forced
air system, but the things in it, so it’s a
much more efficient use of energy.”
Most of the new blue-flame space heaters are vent-free,
of Watts Radiant.
working much like a central heating system. Because ering that vent-free gas appliances are a smart and eco-
they’re ventless, each unit is required to include an oxygen- nomical answer for safe supplemental heating,” says Sue
depletion sensor (ODS) that shuts the unit off if there isn’t Walker, chairman of the Vent-Free Gas Products
enough fresh air to avoid the danger of carbon monoxide Alliance. “Manufacturers are investing more than ever in
poisoning. According to the Vent-Free Gas Products Al- cutting-edge designs and technological breakthroughs that
liance, all U.S. gas code groups and 49 states, as well as are exceeding consumer expectations.”
“Radiant floor heating is a different heating philosophy. You’re not trying to
heat the room like in a typical forced air system, but the things in it, so it’s
a much more efficient use of energy.”
British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan,
allow the sale and installation of vent-free appliances.
Finally, keep in mind that older gas-fired space heaters
may not have the ODS mechanism, so before you settle in
“Homeowners throughout the United States are discov- for a chilly winter, be sure you have a newer model.
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The Air Inside Your Home
naturally better
Water Heaters
combined measurement of how much
Today’s water heaters have more features water is stored in the water heater and how
and options than ever, which translates into quickly the water heater can heat cold
more choices for homeowners.
water to the desired temperature. Use this
Learn how desiccants can improve air quality and help your
family breathe easier.
There are two types of water heating rating to compare hot water delivery capa-
systems: the most common is a conven- bilities of similar models and determine the
tional tank system, which stores and heats best unit for your household. For example,
water in a tank until needed; and a contin- a Maytag 40-gallon electric water heater has
uous or tankless water heating system, an FHR of 50 gallons at 3800 watts, or 58
which has a a higher efficiency rating than gallons at 5500 watts. A comparable Maytag
any other conventional residential water gas water heater has an FHR of 73 gallons
heating system. “Tankless is about 25 to 28 for a power vent model and 81 gallons for
percent more efficient, and people love a standard model.
By Amy E. Lemen
ou’re home after a long day. Time to relax and end up feeling comfortable at higher temperatures, and that can
breathe a little easier. Or not. Truth be told, the air in- save money on energy bills,” says Janke.
side your home is probably worse than it is outside,
Contact your local natural gas company or a heating and air
smog and allergens included. The Environmental Pro- conditioning contractor to discuss the installation of a desiccant
tection Agency (EPA) has estimated that indoor air is unit in your home.
them because you never run out of hot
Look for the EnergyGuide Label, which
Y
water,” says Butch Aikens, resource man- lists the first hour rating in the top left cor-
ager for Rheem, which makes tank and ner as “Capacity.” Finally, think about how
tankless models. “They cost more, but for long it will take
up to 10 times worse than the air we breathe outside. Given those
kinds of statistics, homeowners nationwide are more interested
than ever in breathing easier. The good news is that more man-
ufacturers and building suppliers are designing products that can
help us all take a deep, healthy breath.
Top Ways
to Improve
Indoor
most people, it’s about the features and for the water
A water heater’s energy effi-
ciency (its Energy Factor, or
EF) depends on how quickly
the energy source (gas or
electric) heats the water,
how much energy is lost
when the water heater is
idle, and energy lost as
the unit cycles on and off.
Photo courtesy of
benefits they get with it.”
heater to re-
When selecting a water heater, con- cover and be
sider the first hour rating (FHR) to properly ready for the
size a storage water heater or select the next shower
model of a tankless unit. The FHR is the should it run
amount of hot water the water heater can out of hot
supply in the first hour of operation. It’s a water.
Take desiccants, for example. That’s what’s in those little pack-
ets found in everything from pill bottles to pillowcases — essen-
tially, minerals like silica gel, calcium sulfate and other substances
that act as natural dehumidifiers, removing moisture from the air,
pills or even pillowcases. Ever seen rice inside salt shakers at
restaurants? Rice is a “low-tech” desiccant, and it’s there to make
sure that moisture doesn’t make the salt clump when you’re try-
ing to shake it on French fries. When used as part of your home’s
heating and air conditioning system, desiccants help remove mois-
ture in the air, improving your home’s indoor air quality.
Air Quality
Whether you decide to invest in a desiccant system now or later
(prices range from $4,000 to $5,000, installed), take these steps
now for healthier air in your home.
1. Vent bathrooms, kitchens, toilets and laundry rooms directly
outdoors, and use energy-efficient and quiet fans.
Bradford White.
2. Avoid locating furnaces, air conditioners and ductwork in
garages or other spaces where they could draw contami-
nants into the house.
“A desiccant unit can take a house’s relative humidity down
to 45 to 50 percent, helping homeowners avoid a whole host of
pathogens,” says Scott Janke of Novelaire, the only manufacturer
of residential gas-fired desiccant systems. “Indoor air quality has
always been a big issue, and this alleviates a lot of the problems.”
ASHRE, a nationally recognized engineering association,
states that the optimum humidity level for controlling, bacteria,
viruses and dust mites is between 40 and 60 percent. Living in a
house with just 50 percent relative humidity means living in a
home where health and allergy issues related to mold and dust
mites are dramatically decreased. That’s because mold can’t grow
in homes with 50 percent humidity, and dust mites can’t repro-
duce (it’s their waste that triggers allergy problems). “People tend
to crank up the air conditioner when it’s hot and sticky in the
house,” Janke says. “You don’t have to do that with a desiccant
system because it controls the humidity.”
Backup Generators
3. Properly vent fireplaces, wood stoves and other hearth
products, and use tight doors and outdoor air intakes
wherever possible.
Given the volatile weather of the past five years, it’s not surprising power-loss scenario that many homeowners are eager to avoid.
that the sale of backup power generators to homeowners has in- “We’ve definitely seen an increase in demand, especially as the
creased. In fact, a 2006 study found that half of those who lived in cost has come down in recent years and generators have become
hurricane-prone states (essentially the entire Gulf Coast — about more affordable,” says Troy Blewett of Briggs & Stratton. “Pricing
nine million households) expected to lose power at least once dur- now is about $3,000 to $5,000 without installation. That’s worth
4. Vent clothes dryers and central vacuum cleaners
directly outdoors.
5. Store toxic or volatile compounds, such as paints, solvents,
ing each hurricane season.
it to many people.”
cleaners and pesticides, outside livable spaces.
Add to that the power loss from downed power lines during
Today’s backup generators are often called standby genera-
6. Minimize or avoid unvented combustion sources such
snowstorms, ice storms and tornados, and you’re looking at a tors, because they’re literally “standing by” when your main power
goes out, turning on automatically when you need it.
as indoor barbecues.
Smaller, portable units are also available, which run
7. Open windows when you’re using strong chemical
products, such as home cleaning products and paint.
on gas and are often used by campers, homeowners
and contractors who need an extra source of power
8. Use sealed-combustion, power-vented or condensing water
heaters and furnaces. If you’re using natural-draft applica-
tions, be sure they’ve been tested for proper venting and,
if possible, that they’re located outside living spaces.
for recreation or work, but it’s
the installed units that most
If you live in a high humidity area, then you understand and
probably detest that sticky, clammy feeling. High humidity causes
us to feel hotter, so we lower the temperature on our air condi-
tioner and then we get cold — so we start the up-down thermo-
stat war. Less relative humidity means the house stays drier, your
air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard, and everyone
breathes easier. A desiccant system operates independent of
your home’s AC system, so it operates only when the moisture
level in your home goes over the unit’s setting. “Homeowners
Suppliers report surging
sales of compact, efficient
backup (“standby”) genera-
tors, which help homeown-
ers stay powered during
outages. Photo courtesy of
Briggs & Stratton.
homeowners want.
9. Invest in a good particle filter or air cleaner in your air
handling system to keep dirt out of the air and off your
ductwork and heating and cooling components.
“The demand for standby
units has really started to kick
in over the past five years,” says
Blewett. “Even in new con-
struction, they’re starting to
become a regular part of the
home, just like an air condi-
tioning unit.”
10. Use whole-house mechanical ventilation to let a minimum
level of outdoor air circulate throughout the home.
Source: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
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Traditional areas such
as living rooms and
bedrooms remain
popular, but more
homeowners are
installing hearth
from the hearth
appliances in places
where they were
unheard of just
a few years ago.
All photos courtesy
of Hearth, Patio &
Barbecue Association.
he harnessing of fire has long been heralded as the dawn of humanity for
both cooking and heating. Fortunately, modern humans can stay warm
with an enticing variety of gas hearth appliances designed to fit their
lifestyles. “Gas appliances continue to evolve in terms of versatility and
style,” says Leslie Wheeler, director of communications at the Hearth,
T
Patio & Barbecue Association, a trade group for manufacturers, distributors and re-
tailers. “What’s better than turning on a gas log or fireplace with the flip of the
switch to have great ambience?”
According to the National Association of Realtors, each fireplace in a home adds
12 percent to the home’s value. Current technology allows the addition of a gas
fireplace without a flue, making a fireplace a perfect addition at any time. Gas hearth
appliances offer the utility of warming just a room or an area of the home with a
wide range of styles to fit into any décor.
“New fireplaces and stoves have a contemporary, modern look that certainly ap-
peals to Gen Xers and Gen Yers — something trendy and more contemporary,”
Wheeler says. With the push of a button, the instant dancing flame and heat of gas
hearth appliances enchant these consumers.
Options Abound
Gas hearth appliances include fireplaces, fireplace inserts, gas logs and freestand-
ing gas stoves.
Modern fireplaces are engineered as a firebox enclosed within a steel cabinet.
Air circulates between the inner and outer boxes, transferring the heat to your room
while keeping the outer wall relatively cool. This construction allows installation
close to the wood framing in new construction or remodeling. Compared to a site-
built fireplace, factory-built systems are inexpensive to purchase and install. They use
a safe, lightweight chimney (or no chimney at all) and do not need the additional
structural support required for a masonry chimney. They can be easily and safely in-
stalled in almost any room.
Today’s wide range of gas hearth appliances will fit your
Fireplace inserts are, as the name implies, inserted into an existing masonry
or factory-built fireplace to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
A fireplace insert is essentially the same as a freestanding stove except it uses an
heating needs and decorating tastes.
By Matt Bolch
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“What’s better than turning on a gas log or fireplace with
the flip of the switch to have great ambience?”
Freestanding Stoves
For increased energy efficiency in your home and the am- inches, depending on the type of stove.
The amount of heat
output and level
of ornateness of
appliances can vary
widely, so matching
a hearth appliance
to its intended use
is important. Do you
want to watch a
pretty fire, heat
bience of a cozy fire, a freestanding gas stove is a perfect fit.
If you haven’t visited a hearth retailer recently, you
A versatile freestanding gas stove can be installed in owe it to yourself to check out the wide variety of sizes
nearly any room for added warmth on a cold winter’s day, and styles of freestanding gas stoves. The appliances can
which would allow you to lower the thermostat in the rest be constructed of steel, stone or cast iron, with porcelain
of the house. Living rooms, kitchens and other gathering enamel finishes and high-temperature paint in an array
places are especially conducive to the warmth of a free- of colors to match your décor. Available styles include
standing gas stove.
contemporary, colonial, traditional, mission, art deco,
Advanced burner technology has helped manufacturers early American, French country and many others.
develop gas stoves that feature large, dancing yellow flames Brushed metals and high gloss porcelain enamel in
and glowing red embers that closely resemble a wood fire. In- dozens of colors are frequent design elements on gas
tricately molded and hand-painted logs that look like fresh-cut stoves, while granite, marble or soapstone panels add
part of your house
or both?
wood also improve this authentic “wood-like” appearance.
In areas that experience power outages dur-
ing the winter, a freestanding gas stove can give
you piece of mind by being able to heat at least
part of the house should an outage occur.
textural interest.
existing chimney, though a flue liner or other modification
may be necessary. Vent-free natural gas and propane fireplace
inserts require no chimney or flue modification.
Stoves are classified by the way they are
vented — top vent, direct vent or vent-free. Within
these classifications you can find a wide range of
available sizes and heating capabilities. Gas stoves
can range from small to extremely large, but
choosing a size is based more on the amount of
heat the stove needs to generate. One key to se-
lecting the right stove is determining the desired
heat level in the rooms that will require heat. A
gas stove must be installed a specific distance
away from combustible materials such as drapes
and doors, but that distance can be as little as four
Manufactured gas log sets can be installed into existing
fireplaces with few modifications except the addition of a gas
line. Log sets are a popular way to upgrade wood-burning fire-
places so homeowners don’t have to purchase wood, store it,
scoop out ash and try to coax a fire out of reluctant logs on a
cold day. Gas logs — which realistically mimic a wood flame
and glowing embers — are designed to mimic actual wood
and are available in many varieties, including oak, birch, man-
zanita, pine, and walnut.
Gas stoves, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and log sets offer
a wide range of control options, including manual controls,
remotes, wall thermostats and remote thermostats. Most offer
blowers to help circulate the heat more efficiently. Gas inserts
and log sets can provide an alternative to existing wood-burn-
ing fireplaces without the hassle of logs. Gas stoves, fireplaces,
inserts and log sets can burn either natural gas or propane.
“Owning a gas hearth appliance isn’t as expensive as
homeowners think it is — especially if they have gas on site,”
Wheeler says.
Freestanding stoves
are the most versa-
tile hearth product
and are available in
a wide variety of
sizes, colors and
home construction or remodeling, your architect or builder nance costs also should be factored into your hearth appli-
can help you determine the best location in each room for an ance purchasing decision. Ultimately, though, adding to the
appliance. A specialty hearth retailer is your best resource to beauty, comfort, style and value of your home begins with the
show you the variety of products available, discuss your selection of a new gas hearth appliance.
heating needs and help you make the best choice
styles for diverse
decorating tastes.
Stoves heat quickly,
and many feature
ceramic glass view-
ing areas to offer a
glimpse of flames.
based on your appliance preferences, decorating
goals and budget.
For Additional Information
Anytime Installation
Before actually purchasing a hearth appliance,
you should assess your needs and do a little
homework to narrow your choices. In addition to
a building professional or specialty retailer, you
can find a wealth of ideas on the Internet or in the
fall/winter issues of home and lifestyle magazines.
The first consideration should be where an ap-
pliance will be located. Another factor should be
how the unit will be used. Operating and mainte-
Although many gas hearth products are installed in new con-
struction or as part of a remodeling project, that doesn’t have
to be the case. Depending on the model you choose, the heat
generated and local building codes, gas hearth appliances are
appropriate for every room in the house — even bathrooms
and kitchens. Be sure to have an experienced hearth installer
put in your gas log set or fireplace.
If you’re thinking of adding hearth appliances as part of new
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Gas ovens preheat
faster than electric
ovens and reach
baking temperature
faster without
Now You’re Cooking!
using the broiler.
Photo courtesy
of Maytag.
ince nine out of 10 chefs cook on a gas range, shouldn’t you? From
professional chefs to Wolfgang Puck and Rachael Ray wanna-be’s, culinary
craftsmen prefer the precise, incremental control that natural gas provides.
In fact, upwards of 80 percent of food preparation involves range burners.
Gas burners heat quickly and easily maintain their temperature, whereas
S
the eye of an electric range cycles on and off to maintain temperature. Cooks can
raise and lower the heat settings on both types of burners, but only gas burners
allow the cook to see the flame move in response to his actions.
“Even when using the oven for cooking, much of preparation starts on the
stovetop,” says Sue Bailey, manager of product development for major appliances
at Viking Range Corp. “We all like to see that pretty blue flame and know that it’s
working. Especially when simmering, it’s great to tweak the burner and see exactly
how high the flame is.”
In addition to that ubiquitous flame that provides precise temperature control,
cooking with gas offers superior energy efficiency and reliability over an electric
range. A typical gas burner can bring water to boiling about three percent faster than
a comparable electric burner. Plus if the electricity goes out, you can still cook with
a natural gas range. Further, gas ranges offer many great features, including auto-
matic ignition, self cleaning or continuous cleaning and smokeless broiling.
Gas ovens are naturally convective, meaning warm air flows around food dur-
ing cooking, but some manufacturers have introduced convection gas ovens that
bake and broil faster than a conventional gas range. Baking in a gas oven adds
moisture to the food; a moist baked chicken dinner or a succulent rib roast entrée
is always better when it’s prepared in a gas oven. Another advantage of a gas oven
Gas ranges offer unmatched convenience, precise control
and a host of advanced features.
By Matt Bolch
12
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Rangetop options
include low-heat
burners for precise
control, and high-
speed burners, which
make boiling faster.
Photo courtesy
“Rangetop options include sealed burners to keep spilled foods from
leaking below the cooktop, and a down-draft ventilating fan built into
the cooking surface that vents through a sidewall.”
of Viking.
ified time, cook for a preset number of minutes and then either heat cycle that can reach 1,000 degrees, reducing oven debris to
shut off or lower the temperature to a warming setting. An in-use a white ash that can be removed with a damp cloth.
oven can be programmed to shut off after a set period of time.
Innovative Options for the Cooktop
Keeping clean is as important within the oven box as it is
in the rest of the kitchen. Ovens are available as either con- Innovations to gas ranges haven’t been limited to the oven. Cook-
tinuous cleaning or self-cleaning. As the name implies, con- top options can expand a cook’s repertoire, give him more
tinuous cleaning works at normal baking and broiling control over the cooking process and speed clean-ups. Burners
temperatures to remove baked-on materials through the addi- are available with heat output ratings considerably above or below
tion of catalytic materials into the porcelain enamel coating of standard. Low-heat burners allow precise control to simmer foods
the oven walls or liner panels.
and prepare delicate dishes. On the other end of the scale, high-
Operating the oven at higher temperatures will remove food speed burners make boiling faster and the preparation of foods in
debris faster. Self-cleaning ovens work during a separate high- extra-large pots and skillets easier.
Other rangetop options include sealed burners to keep
spilled foods from leaking below the cooktop and a down-draft
ventilating fan built into the cooking surface that vents through
a sidewall. This type of rangetop construction is used in mod-
els that feature such options as a rotisserie, griddle or extra set
of burners.
is that it preheats faster, which means less time hovering over the
oven and wondering if the desired temperature has been reached.
And if you often put food in the oven while it’s preheating, gas
ovens reach baking temperature faster than electric ovens with-
out using the broiler, which could ruin food placed too close to
the broiling area.
A typical gas burner
can bring water to
boiling faster than
a comparable elec-
tric burner. Photo
courtesy of Maytag.
A gas range is a serious investment, so you should take the
time necessary to assess how you cook both on the rangetop
and in the oven, then choose a model that matches your cook-
ing style closely. A standard model may be perfect, but a pre-
mium oven could save you time and money in the long run by
offering a wider range of options. Talk to friends and neigh-
bors about their cooking experiences and how they chose the
oven for their kitchen.
Wide Range of Models and Styles
The most common type of gas range features four burners on top
of an oven in a single unit, but many other combinations are
available to fit the cabinetry of your kitchen, your cooking and
baking habits, and your taste. Other possibilities include a dou-
ble oven, a gas range with overhead microwave oven, slide-in
models with unfinished sides that slide between cabinets, drop-
in models installed inside base cabinets, separate oven and cook-
top that are built into the kitchen, and commercial models with
an even wider range of options.
Finally, judge purchase costs against operating costs. A
higher-priced gas oven may be more efficient than a lower-
priced one, which will save you money on operating costs in
the long run. Spending a little more upfront actually could pay
for itself during the long lifetime of a gas oven.
Many homeowners are upgrading to ovens with stainless
steel or chrome-plated exteriors, which are durable, stain resist-
ant and easy to clean. However, the finishes of such units can
And remember, the blue flame on the rangetop burner
means that you’re in control.
discolor if overheated. Porcelain enamel is the tried-and-true fin- peratures 25 to 50 degrees below a conventional oven. Cooking
ish, durable and resistant to heat, stains, acids, scratches, fading times and temperatures on favorite recipes will need to be
and yellowing. Baked enamel or electrostatically applied poly- tweaked to handle convection-oven cooking, but who doesn’t
ester resists chipping better than porcelain enamel, but is less want to have dinner or enjoy a treat a little sooner? Because heat
For More Information
durable, so it can stain and scratch more easily.
from convection ovens enters the cooking box from the top, racks
Of course, the style and finish of your range is important to within the oven may need to be lowered.
the overall look of the kitchen, but advances in cooktop and oven
Low-temperature ovens feature heat ranges as low as 140 de-
technology have brought advanced products to the market that grees to thaw foods and keep prepared dishes hot without drying
can speed cooking times, warm at low temperatures and add con- them out prior to serving.
venience to the cooking process.
Programmable ovens allow timed or delayed cooking for chefs
Convection ovens use forced air to cook foods faster at tem- on the go. A cold oven can be programmed to heat up at a spec-
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naturally good Awesome Eats
Try these simple, delicious recipes.
Vegetable Frittata
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
Peas, thinly sliced carrots, and
asparagus sliced on the bias
Salt
Pepper, freshly ground
Bacon, diced
1/2 cup each
To taste
To taste
4 strips
Vegetable oil
Onion, yellow, diced
Eggs, large
As needed
1 ea.
8 ea.
more. Meanwhile, beat the eggs until blended and season with
1/2 teaspoon salt and /4 teaspoon pepper. Pour them over the
ingredients in the skillet, and add the crisp bacon bits to the
mixture, stirring gently.
Preheat the broiler. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and
cook until the eggs are nearly set, 6-8 minutes. Remove the cover
and place the skillet under the broiler to brown the eggs lightly,
about 3 minutes, while watching carefully. Cut into wedges and
serve at once.
1
Boil or steam the vegetables until they are tender. Drain well, set aside.
Cook the bacon in an ovenproof nonstick or cast-iron skillet over
low heat until crisp, 2-3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the
bacon bits to paper towels to drain, then reserve. Add vegetable oil
to the bacon fat in the pan if needed to make 2 tablespoons.
Raise the heat to medium-low and add the onion. Cook
slowly, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 8-10 minutes. Add
the vegetables and sauté until lightly browned, 8-10 minutes Recipes courtesy of The Viking Life (www.thevikinglife.com).
Pear Galettes with Flaky Almond Crust
Yield: 6-8 servings
length of plastic wrap and press firmly into a 6-inch disk. Wrap and
refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour before rolling.
While the dough is chilling, peel the pears and cut them in
half. Use a melon baller or teaspoon measure to scoop out the
seeds and the stem. Slice the pears into half moons, about 1/8-
inch thick. Heat the butter in a large heavy skillet over a medium
burner. When the butter has melted, add the sliced pears and
sugar. Cook over medium heat for five to seven minutes, stirring
occasionally or until the pears have released their liquid and most
of the liquid has cooked away. Turn the sliced pears out onto a
baking sheet to cool to room temperature.
Preheat an oven to 350°F. Remove the dough from the
refrigerator. Roll the dough out into a circle about 14 inches in
diameter, flouring as necessary. Next, use a large plate or pan lid
and a paring knife to trim the circle to about 13 inches. Place the
dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Starting about one inch from the edge of the dough,
arrange the largest slices of pear in a shingled circle, with the
curved edge facing outward. Continue to overlap the slices, grad-
ually working your way into the center of the circle with the small-
est slices of pear. To finish the galette, fold the outer edge over to
double its width, and finish by pinching at regular intervals, or by
Ingredients:
Slivered almond
All-purpose flour
Sugar
Kosher salt
Bartlette pears, ripe but firm
Butter
1/2 cup
1 cup, plus more for rolling
1 tbsp.
1/2 tsp.
4 each
3 tbsp.
4 tbsp.
1/4 tsp.
Brown sugar, lightly packed
Nutmeg, grated
To make the crust, place the slivered almonds, flour, sugar and salt crimping lightly with a fork to make a decorative pattern.
in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal chopping
Bake the galette in the center of the oven for 40 minutes
blade. Pulse the processor 10 times to mix well. Add the cubed or until the dough is golden around the edges. Remove the
butter and pulse repeatedly until the butter is pea-sized or smaller. galette from the oven and allow it to cool completely before
Add the water while pulsing the processor 10 to 12 more times slicing and serving. Serve with sweetened whipped cream or
(the dough will resemble coarse meal). Turn out the dough onto a crème fraîche.
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