There is no one-size-fits-all approach when choosing a stove. Your unique needs, including the size of your kitchen, style preferences, frequency of use, and budget will help inform which type of stove is best.
Come into New Home Furniture and find a stove to fit your kitchen perfectly.
Size
When shopping for a stove, think about your lifestyle and how you intend to use it. If you cook often for family or friends, you should consider a larger range. Alternatively, if you tend to dine out or order takeout more frequently, a smaller stove or oven may be a better choice. The size you choose also depends heavily on the size of your kitchen. Smaller kitchens do best with a general range. Larger kitchens usually allow for the luxury of separating the stove from the oven.
Style
Style depends on your personal preference, budget, and kitchen design. If you prioritize visual appeal over price, you may want to consider a radiant or induction stove. If budget is the deciding factor, an electric stove is likely the best choice. If you like the versatility of heating food over an open flame, opt for a gas stove.
Cost
The prices of different stoves run the gamut from just a few thousand rands for the most basic electric or gas model to several thousand for a top-of-the-line induction or commercial model. The type of stove you choose will dramatically influence the cost, so establish your budget before setting your heart on a specific style. You don’t have to spend thousands of rands for a good quality stove, however, more often than not you get what you pay for.
Types of stoves:
Induction stoves
Induction stoves create a magnetic field that generates heat directly in a pan. The surrounding surface remains cool, resulting in even and efficient heat transfer. Induction stoves are also easy to clean due to their smooth surface—no grates or pieces to remove—and much safer because they only heat pots and pans and the food within them. They also allow for more flexibility in adjusting temperature. Not all cookware is compatible with induction stoves, so you’ll want to make sure that your existing set will work or invest in a new one.
Radiant stoves
Radiant stoves are entirely electric and feature a glass surface. They are compatible with any cookware, using electric heating elements beneath the glass to heat the cookware and, in turn, the food.
One of the main benefits of choosing a radiant stove is cost. They are a more affordable alternative to induction stoves, and they are flat and smooth, making them easy to keep clean. Radiant stoves are not energy efficient, and it can be difficult to manage the increments in temperature.
Electric stoves
Electric stoves are very similar to radiant stoves in that they use electricity to generate heat, however, they do not have the same sleek glass surface. Electric stoves have exposed coils and are among the most common types of stoves.
Electric stoves are popular largely due to the price point—they are one of the least expensive options. The downside to using an electric stove is that it can be tricky to keep clean and are not energy efficient.
Gas Stoves
Gas stoves use a form of combustible gas, usually natural gas or propane, to create an open flame that’s used to heat your food. Gas stoves are the oldest style, predated only by wood and coal stoves.
Gas stoves offer you a visual indicator of the level of heat you’re using and allow you to change the heat level instantly by turning the dial. You can also heat directly over the flame without using cookware to warm up foods like tortillas or roast peppers. Gas stoves can be more expensive than electric models, especially if you don’t already have a gas hookup installed. They can also be harder to clean than those with smooth glass tops.
