The stove is a tool used to generate fire with the aim of utilizing the heat energy generated by the fire. The traditional stove became the beginning of the emergence of today’s stove innovations.
Traditional stoves have a closed structure from the outside with a cavity inside as a place for processing fuel to generate heat for the objects placed on it.
The fuel used by traditional stoves is wood, which is pieces of tree branches or large tree branches that are cut into small pieces.
Along with the development of science, stoves have undergone many changes and modifications. Thus, there are various types of stoves that are distinguished based on the source of the fire produced, such as oil stoves, gas stoves and electric stoves.
Each type of stove has advantages and disadvantages. Here are some types of stoves on the market:
1. Oil Stove
The oil stove is the older version of the stove used. This stove uses kerosene as fuel. Kerosene will be stored in the storage tank of the stove, and will seep into the wick which is made of spun yarn using the principle of capillarity.
This stove was popular in its time until it reached its golden age in 1980, then began to dim since the implementation of government regulations to replace the use of oil as fuel into gas.
Oil stoves have advantages compared to other types of stoves because they are considered more practical, easy to move, affordable prices and have less risks, such as the impact of an explosion. On the other hand, this stove also has disadvantages such as:
- Smells bad.
- Hard to find fuel.
- The red flame causes the heating process to be slower than gas stoves.
- The burnt wick will eventually be consumed by the stove fire, so it is necessary to replace the stove wick about every six months.
2. Gas Stove
Unlike kerosene stoves, gas stoves use gas as fuel. The gas used is in the form of LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) or petroleum gas such as propane and butane which is liquefied and put into a special tube.
There are several types of gas stoves, such as freestanding gas stoves, portable gas stoves, and built-in gas stoves. But in general, gas stoves that are known to the public only have 1 or 2 burners.
Using a gas stove in the kitchen can provide a number of advantages such as:
- Blue flame. This blue flame indicates the heat generated is greater than the kerosene stove, so it heats up faster.
- More economical. The use of LPG is considered more economical than kerosene.
- Easy to adjust heat. The heat setting process is easier because it is equipped with a precise heat control button, so that in raising and lowering the heat, the stove will immediately respond to it, users are no longer worried about burning food due to creating a fire that is too big or not right.
- Ease of maintenance. The use of gas as a fuel also has a positive impact on the maintenance of gas stoves, because it does not leave dirt due to the combustion process as in oil stoves. So, users don’t have to bother with routine cleaning of dirt due to the burning process on the stove.
- Practical. Unlike oil stoves, which require regular replacement of wicks, gas stoves do not require wicks and the gas cylinders used can be refilled, so they can be used over and over again.
Besides the many benefits that gas stove users will receive, also look at the various gas stove problems, such as:
- Explosion risk. The careless use of a gas stove can result in an explosion in the gas cylinder. This is usually caused by a leak in the gas line or gas escaping from the tube mouth gap and regulator due to improper installation. The gas that comes out then grabs the fire in the stove, causing an explosion. Before using gas stove, you need to know how to prevent gas cylinder from exploding.
- Provision of air ventilation. The presence of combustion smoke during the cooking process has a negative impact on users, so air ventilation must be provided to circulate the smoke.
- Unpredictable gas cylinder prices. Uncertainty in gas prices is a problem for the community. If the price goes up, then the exchange or refill of the canister becomes more difficult.
3. Electric Stove
Unlike the two types of stoves above (kerosene and gas stoves), electric stoves use electric power to generate heat. This stove was created as the issue of the scarcity of fossil fuels (such as oil and gas) spreads.
There are two types of electric stoves, namely electric stoves and induction stoves. Both have the same energy source used, which is sourced from electrical energy. To find out more clearly the differences between electric stove and induction stove, here is a brief explanation.
Electric Stove
The heating process on an electric stove utilizes a large resistor made of ni-chrome wire in a spiral like an insect repellent. Ni-chrome wire is a wire made of an alloy of nickel and chromium.
Ni-chrome wire has high resistive properties. Thus, the electric current will be restrained as it passes through the wire. An object that has resistive properties is more likely to consume electrical energy and inhibit the flow of electron charge passing through it, causing the conversion of electrical energy to heat energy. That is why, ni-chrome wire will turn red when an electric current is passed and it becomes hot.
Induction Stove
Induction stoves are the same as electric stoves that use electric power as their energy input. In contrast to electric stoves in terms of working principles, induction cookers utilize electromagnetic induction as a way to generate heat.
AC electric current flowing in the copper coil under the heating surface will cause a magnetic field, then magnetic induction occurs on the resistance heating surface of the cooking utensil (pan) and eddy currents arise.
The eddy current flowing in the resistor in the heating surface of the stove produces heat, that heat is used to heat the object above it.
As with the previous types of stoves, there are also advantages and disadvantages of electric stove. Advantages of induction cooker:
- The design is more modern and simple.
- It’s more practical without a regulator, stove hose and gas cylinder, it’s enough to just connect the power cable to the power jack.
- Secure. No more worrying about an explosion or fire if a mall function occurs.
- Easy to clean. As a result, the combustion process does not occur and the simple shape of the heating surface of the stove makes it cleaner and easier to clean.
- Efficient. Can convert 70-90% of electrical energy into heat.
- Environmentally friendly. Does not produce combustion fumes that can interfere with user health.
- Economical. With oil and gas stove, the price of fuel can reach a rare and expensive condition, it is different with an electric stove whose input power will not experience a scarcity and tend to be cheaper.
- On an induction hob, the surface of the stove remains cool even when it is being used for cooking. It is safe if you accidentally touched it by hands.
- Saving time. Cooking is faster because more electricity is used to become heat.
Disadvantages of induction stove:
- Most of them require a large amount of electrical power.
- The prices offered tend to be more expensive than gas and oil stoves.
- Less supportive if placed outdoors.
- Less responsive to hot up – down settings.
- Not all cooking utensils can be used. Due to the flat shape of the heater’s cross section and lack of grip, only cooking utensils with a flat bottom surface can be used, such as pans. For cooking utensils with a concave surface such as a frying pan, it will be more difficult to use.
- Dependence on electricity. This means that the electric stove will only work if electricity is available (no power failure).
There are various types of stoves that exist, each has their own advantages and disadvantages, just adjust it according to your needs on which stove to use.