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Choose a self-cleaning convection oven
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Although cooking appliances in general aren't energy-efficient, buying a stove (either gas or electric) with both a self-cleaning and convection oven is an improvement. Convection ovens feature a fan that continuously circulates heated air around the food, so that temperature and cooking times are reduced. Self-cleaning models have more insulation, which boosts energy efficiency by helping to maintain oven temperatures. Even if you buy a stove with just one of these features, which are widely available on both gas and electric stoves, you'll use less energy. (Besides, who wouldn’t want a self-cleaning anything!)
Find it! Stoves with self-cleaning and convection ovens
To provide greater choice, the products listed below include stoves with both self-cleaning and convection ovens, as well as stoves with just the self-cleaning option.
Amana Electric Stove AER5845RA
This economically priced stove has both a self-cleaning oven and convection oven. The auto-conversion feature automatically adjusts standard cooking times and temperatures. A cook and hold setting cooks food for time selected, then automatically reduces oven temperature to keep food warm for one hour.Bosch Evolution Gas Range 700 Series HGS7052UC
This gas range features a convection oven with a convection-assisted self-cleaning mode. The oven has two racks, including a space-saving half-rack. The warming drawer on the bottom keeps food warm until you’re ready to set the table.Frigidaire Electric Range GLEFZ384GC
This Frigidaire model has a self-cleaning oven with two oven racks. The convection feature has a manual setting so you can use it when you want. The company claims it cuts cooking time by 30 percent. The ceramic smoothtop cooking surface features two 6-inch radiant elements and two expandable radiant elements.KitchenAid Self-cleaning Electric Oven KERI201P
This stove has a self-cleaning oven with soil level and time selection so you can use less energy for smaller clean-up jobs. The automatic door lock secures the door during the self-clean cycle. Five heating elements are housed under the smoothtop.Whirlpool Slide-In Gas Stove GW395LEP
This self-cleaning gas stove with a standard oven has an automatic latch to prevent it from being opened while in self-cleaning mode. The oven has bake and broil features that are set with electronic controls. With the Delay-Bake feature you can set the oven to begin cooking while you're away.
Before you buy
Buying a stove with a self-cleaning oven costs only slightly more (about $50 extra). Convection ovens will add about $300 to the price, but typically also include a self-cleaning feature. When weighing your options, consider how much oven cooking you do. If you’re an occasional cook, then just opt for a stove with a self-cleaning oven. But, if your meals include a lot of baking and roasting, the convection oven could be worth the higher purchase price.
Choosing a stove with a self-cleaning convection oven helps you go green because…
- Self-cleaning ovens are equipped with additional insulation to hold heat in the oven, so it doesn't leak out into your kitchen and make your home cooling system work harder.
- Convection ovens include a fan to circulate the hot air and cook food faster at reduced temperatures.
- Both features conserve energy—either electricity or natural gas—which not only lowers your energy bill but also your carbon footprint.
Cooking appliances are not energy-efficient. Consider that ovens do not apply heat directly to the food. Instead the energy source (electricity, gas, or propane) has to first heat 35 pounds of steel and the air in the oven before it even begins to cook the food. Only about 6 percent of the energy output of a typical oven is actually absorbed by food.[1] What's more, the burning of fossil fuels—either natural gas from your gas stove, or coal at the power plant to produce electricity—emits greenhouse gases.
Although stove manufacturers aren't required to meet any government efficiency standards, preferring to focus instead on styling, ease of use, and other convenience features, two common features—convection ovens and self-cleaning ovens—can provide some energy savings and limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Self-cleaning
Cleaning an oven manually either requires plenty of muscle work or chemical cleaners containing poisonous corrosive alkalis. Avoid both and save on energy use with a self-cleaning oven that will turn all your gooey messes to ash. Self-cleaning ovens heat up to approximately 900°F for three hours to burn off spills. Then you just wipe away the ash with a wet sponge. Because of the high heat, these ovens are equipped with extra insulation. The added insulation helps to maintain oven temperature during regular cooking duties so the oven doesn’t turn on as frequently. Just don't use the self-cleaning feature (which is particularly energy-intensive) more than once a month, or the energy savings from the insulation is lost.
Convection cooking
Convection ovens are equipped with a fan that continuously circulates the heated air around the food, so the cooking temperature can be reduced by 25°F and cooking time reduced by 25 percent.[1] On average, convection ovens use 20 percent less energy than standard thermal ovens.[2]
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