| Appliance Glossary: Cooktops
|
 |
Look up the definition of terms and phrases related to
cooktops.
|
|
|
| A - C
| D - G
| H - P
| R - Z
|
| |
Appliance Glossaries
Appliance Guides
|
|
|
A - C
BTU
British Thermal Unit--a means of measuring the power of a gas burner. The higher
the BTU number, the quicker food heats.
Bridge element
An extra element positioned between two main elements on a smoothtop that can
be turned on to create a large surface area for long pans such as a griddle
or fish poacher.
Burner
The devices on a gas cooktop that produce flame or heat. A burner has a grate
over it to keep pots and pans elevated above the flame.
Cast-iron element
A solid electric heating element made of cast iron. This element is also known
as a hob, which is popular in Europe.
Coil
A type of heating element found on electric cooktops that delivers heat through
a piece of metal wound in a spiral and set in a recessed area.
Controls
The knobs, buttons or electronic touchpads that regulate cooking functions.
The most common types of controls are: rotary, which offer control by turning
a dial; pushbutton, which are controls that invert at the press of a finger;
electronic, which are low-profile press pads; or a combination of the three
options.
Cooktop
A cooking surface with burners (gas) or elements (electric) that is built into
a cabinet or kitchen island. Cooktops are designed to be installed separately
from an oven.
Back to Top
D - G
Downdraft venting
An option on cooktops and some ranges that allows smoke and food odors to vent
down through the unit as opposed to being pulled out by a range hood fan. The
location of the intake for the vent varies.
Drip pan
On a gas burner or electric element, this pan is designed to catch cooking spills.
Dual radiant element
A small element on a smoothtop surrounded by a larger ring element. The user
can turn on just the center portion when using a small pot or turn on both portions
to create a larger element for larger pots.
Elements
The way in which electric cooktops deliver heat. The two most common varieties
are coil elements and radiant ribbon elements featured in smoothtop cooking
units.
Grill
A heating element with a rack on top of it for grilling foods.
Back to Top
H - P
High burner
A burner that provides more cooking power than a standard burner so foods will
quickly heat up. Typically, a high burner will have 10,000 BTUs or more.
High/low
A range with a second oven above the cooktop.
Pilot light
A small flame in gas units that burns constantly and is used to automatically
light the burners and oven. Pilot lights are rarely found in today's cooking
appliances.
Pilotless ignition
system
Employs an electric spark to light the burners or oven, dispensing with a pilot
light or constantly burning flame. Gas units with this feature must be fueled
by both electricity and gas. This kind of system is an energy saver.
Back to Top
R - Z
Removable elements
Electric coil elements that can be unplugged or tilted up for easier cleaning
underneath.
Safety
Safety features are designed for children and adults. On a smoothtop, look for
control lockout options, so touchpads can't be activated when pressed; surface-on
indicator lights that tell you which burners are on, and knobs placed on the
back of the cooktop. On any cooking appliance, shop for knobs designed to be
pushed in and then turned, making it difficult to start accidentally.
Sealed burner
On gas ranges or cooktops, a burner that is sealed to the cooktop preventing
spills from flowing underneath.
Simmer burner
A burner that provides less cooking power than a standard burner to prevent
foods from overheating. Typically, simmer burners have 5,000 BTUs or less.
Smoothtop
A cooktop or cooktop unit of a range in which the elements are placed under
a glass-ceramic surface. Also called a ceramic cooktop. Smoothtops may feature
one of three cooking elements: ribbon radiant (similar to a coil but set under
the glass or ceramic top); halogen (halogen elements produce instant heat from
a halogen bulb located under the cooktop); or induction (an element that uses
a magnetic field for cooking and requires cookware made of magnetic materials).
Storage drawer
A drawer, usually placed below the oven of a range, designed for cookware storage.
Surface on indicator
A light often found on smoothtops that indicates a cooking element is on or
is still hot, sometimes called a hot surface indicator.
Touchpads
A smooth electronic control panel that replaces knobs and dials and is frequently
featured on ovens or smoothtop cooktops.
Copyright © brandwise LLC 1999/2000. Reprinted by permission.
|
