How Hot Does An Electric Stove Get?
Electric stoves and gas stoves differ in terms of operation. But basically, they produce the same heat intensity that varies slightly depending on different contributing factors. The room temperature, including the type and model of your stove, are some factors that determine the level of temperature. Different dishes will require different heat levels. For both stoves, a heat regulator or adjustment knob helps to control the heat depending on your need.
In this article, we will focus only on electric stoves. These are more convenient and easy to use, so many homes prefer them. But how hot does an electric stove get? Before we get there, let us first understand how electric burners work.
How do Electric Burners Work?
Electric stoves are equipped with a bi-metallic strip, where electricity passes and then converts to heat. This strip has the capacity to warm itself and control the average current being used while cooking. It can interrupt the flow of electricity to provide the heat needed for a particular recipe. The gas stove knob allows you to manually choose the heat settings you require since it controls the flow of gas to your burner. The general rule is, the higher the flow, the higher the heat.
The electric burners don’t produce flame unlike the gas stoves. Electric currents flow through these coils, activating the heating system and producing the heat you need. The coils then allow the heat to transfer directly to your cookware for convenient cooking.
The metal coils allow electricity to pass through and be converted to heat. However, how hot does an electric stove get depends on the amount of electricity received from the power outlet. You can change the settings through the control panel which you can access at the back of the stove.
Heat Settings
How hot does an electric stove get depends on how much heat you are allowing to flow. Different cooking settings produce different levels of heat.
- Simmer
Simmer settings are used to heat up leftovers or to simmer sauces for them to cook completely. It does not utilize much heat and can only reach up to approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Simmer settings do not really cook raw food; instead, it heats up cooked food allowing all the flavors to soak in. - Low
Low settings are normally used for slow pan-cooking. Typically used for chicken, pork, lamb, or beef, this setting allows you to cook longer without the need to use too much energy. The heat generated for this setting is around 195 degrees Fahrenheit. - Medium
This setting is basically used for cooking vegetables. Using high heat can make them soggy, so the medium is the best option to keep them fresh and crisp. Medium setting generates 210 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the type of oven you have. - High
If you need to fry to cook different meat, high settings are your best choice. The heat can easily cook meat and crisp crusts making food ready to be served in no time. How hot does an electric stove get for high settings can reach up to 300 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Maximize Using Electric Stoves
Electric stoves can provide you the convenience you need for easy cooking. Aside from learning how hot does an electric stove gets, here are a few tips you can try to maximize its use.
Burners can get too hot—especially when using a high temperature. One thing you need to remember is unlike gas stoves; coils tend to cool off slowly. So it will take a few minutes before you can touch the coils to let’s say, clean them. So always be careful and mindful.
If unsure whether the coils are still hot, try to place your palm several inches away from the coils. If it still feels warm, then the coils are still cooling off.
Electric coils heat up slowly. To save time, heat up your coils while preparing your ingredients. In this way, once you’re done, you can right away proceed to cook without the need to wait for the right cooking temperature.
When adjusting from one temperature to another, do so gradually. The coils take time to heat up and cool down. Thus, cranking the knobs to get a higher temperature right away often leads to disaster. Be patient and adjust the knobs, giving the coils enough time to heat up. Find out more about how appliances work.
Conclusion
Using an electric stove is a convenient way to prepare your food. However, understanding how it works and how hot does an electric stove get can help you maximize its use and avoid any cooking accidents.
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