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DISCLAIMER:
Whilst all care is taken to provide accurate information with respect to the item described, the Independent Living Centre (ILC) is not involved in product design or manufacture, and therefore not in a position to guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Selection of equipment, which is both suitable and appropriate for individual needs remains the responsibility of the person(s) considering requisition, and no responsibility is taken by the ILC for any loss or injury caused through use of the equipment or alleged to have arisen through reliance upon information provided. As information is subject to change any enquiries should be directed to the manufacturer.
Item Details
A Guide To Selecting Stoves
ILC Reference NO 81:20:991
Item sourced from ILC WA database
Short Description
Upright stoves (or sometimes known as electric ranges), are an all in one unit which has the cooktop, grill and oven together in the one unit. These can be a space saving option in a small kitchen area.
Price Guide
Refer to supplier details for pricing
More Details
Electric stoves tend to have controls at the back of the cooktop, while gas stoves have the controls at the front. Most models have a griller drawer between the cooktop and oven, though some have eye level grillers or the grill is located inside the oven.
Selecting A System
Suggestions for people who sit to work
For example: people who use wheelchairs, those with chronic pain, fatigue or poor endurance, poor standing balance etc.
A small mirror on a handle allows checking of the cooking progress;
A benchtop grill, cooktop or microwave can be installed at an appropriate height;
The rear elements / burners of a conventional stove may be difficult to reach;
Side opening oven door will allow greater access inside the oven;
Controls located on the front of the stove are preferable, to avoid reaching over the cooktop.
Suggestions for those who experience pain, weakness or stiffness
For example: back pain, upper limb joint stiffness such as arthritis etc.
Large dials with central cross bars or soft touch / sensor controls;
Controls to operate gas stoves which require a push and turn action may be difficult to operate;
Easily operated press button ignition or automatic ignition (gas);
A ceramic glass cooktop (electric) or continuous trivet cooktop (gas) for ease of sliding pots;
Solid electric elements or ceramic cooktop, for ease of cleaning.
Suggestions for people who have a vision impairment
Gas may be preferable to electric as it produces instant heat that gives an immediate indicator that a burner is operational. The burner can be heard and located as soon as the supply switch is turned on. There is little residual heat when a burner is switched off and pots can be left without the same risk of boiling over as there is on an electric cooktop;
With touch sensor pads, a slightly raised surface may be more suitable than a completely flat surface;
Consider ease of visibility of symbols / lettering on the controls (eg colour contrast - black on white) and indicator lights;
A positive 'click' when the controls are turned to the 'off' position;
Tactile markings may be added to controls.
Suggestions for people who have memory impairment, difficulty understanding or confusion
Controls and corresponding symbols should be clear to read and understand, simple to operate (eg avoid push in and turn styles). Some light up or have indicator lights when they are on;
Controls located to the front of the cooktop are easy to reach, avoiding reaching over a heated element;
Elements which glow when operational, (eg radiant coil elements) may be more suitable, indicating when an element is hot;
Flame failure device and automatic ignition (gas);
If controls are arranged in the same pattern as the elements, it may assist the person in matching the appropriate control to each element.
Additional Information
There are many factors to consider when purchasing a stove.
A range of different cooking methods are available for the oven and cooktop. Consider the features of each, keeping in mind the individual's needs.
Cooktops are available in a range of surfaces including enamel, stainless steel, ceramic and toughened glass.
Electric cooktop:
Radiant coil: heats quickly, may be difficult to clean, may be easier to determine if the element is on, note if provided with removable spill bowls and elements).
Solid sealed: easier to clean than radiant coil, may retain heat once element is turned off.
Ceramic glass: easier to clean and allows pots to slide across the surface, consider durability when sliding pots, hinged glass lid may be included with the cooktop to provide extra bench space.
High speed element (halogen).
Gas cooktop:
With continuous (may be easier to slide pots across the cooktop surface) or individual trivets.
Electric oven:
Conventional: a standard convection oven with no fan and an exposed element on the bottom. Some may have a top element for browning or grilling. May be difficult to clean if the bottom element is not hinged.
Fan forced: heating element is at the back of the oven around the fan which circulates heat quickly and evenly, saving time and energy.
Multifunction: allows you to use the oven with or without the fan and using a combination of fan and elements.
Grill:
Separate or in the oven. If separate, it may be above or below the oven. Note if a handle is supplier on the grill tray. Ensure the back of the grill tray is accessible once it is pulled forward, to prevent burns to the top of the hands. When the grill is located inside the oven, the grill tray handle may become hot when the oven is in use.
Other factors to consider:
Location in the kitchen area - consider placing the stove in close proximity to a bench. If the cooktop and bench are flush, it may be easier to slide pots from the stove to the bench top and vice versa. Space is required for the door to open fully (generally the doors open downward) and to allow room around the stove for maneuvering and carrying dishes.
A staggered, line or half moon layout of cooktop elements avoids the need for reaching over other elements to get to the rear elements.
Controls:
A range of styles are available, choice of style will be dependant on the individual's needs: soft touch buttons and push button (should be of a suitable size, spaced well apart and easy to push), large rotary dial with cross bar, push in and turn action (may be difficult for some to operate), automatic or press button ignition (gas). Consider the following -
- Position: controls located at the front or side, rather than the rear, may be easier and safer to operate. Alternatively, with some models, touch pads can be mounted on a wall, in a drawer, inside a cupboard or beside the hotplates. With gas cooktops determine if push button, manual lighting or automatic ignition are suitable;
-Visibility: illumination, flourescence, size / clarity (colour contrast) of any lettering or symbols;
- Provision of hot surface indicator lights (ceramic);
-Ease of use;
-Ease of cleaning;
-Also, consider the ease of recognising which control relates to which element.
-Note that controls can have tactile markings added to them.
Consider suitability of the clock and timer - ease of setting (some digital type timers skip through the numbers quickly), audibility of timer, 12 or 24 hour clock, digital or analogue, visibility of numbers.
Cooktop indicator lights (which tell you if the elements are on) - should clearly refer to individual hotplates. Note if they can be seen from a distance. This may be particularly important with a ceramic cooktop as it may be difficult to determine whether the elements in this type of cooktop are on.
Oven Interior - self cleaning or ease of cleaning, ease of removing racks for cleaning, shelf adjustability, end stops (to prevent the shelf or grill tray being pulled out fully), location of heating element (concealed / exposed), light.
Ease of opening and closing the oven door (most open downward), also available are downward opening and slide under and left or right hinged. Can the downward opened door support the weight of dishes if required.
Ensure there is sufficient space between the handle and door surface for placing the hand around the handle without risk of burning.
Ensure there is sufficient visibility through the oven door to allow a clear view of all shelves. A large, clear windowed door and bright internal lighting may be required.
The need for a range hood or other exhaust system. Cost of installation and ducting (if applicable).
The individuals desire for automatic programming and other extra features.
Overall cost, including installation.
Length and condition of warranty.
Commonly found features
Self cleaning oven (catalytic vitreous coating);
Rotisserie;
Automatic cooking functions;
Roast meat temperature probe;
Automatic sensors which maintain a selected temperature (electric).
Safety Features
Automatic reignition when the gas is left on or the flame goes out.
Automatic overheating shutdown (electric).
Hot surface indicator (e.g. ceramic).
Cool touch surfaces.
Stove guards (barriers to enclose hotplates and controls) are available. Contact the Independent Living Centre for more information.
Alternative cooking options available:
Elevated stoves (where the stove is split and the oven and cooktop / grill are mounted next to each other at bench height);
Small benchtop cooking units (toast and grill), mini ovens etc;
Wall / under bench oven and cooktop installed to suit the individual user;
Standard or convection microwave.
Further Sources Of Information
FURTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Test Report Electric Ranges. Choice Magazine, March 1997. Page 41 - 46.
Test Report Multi function wall ovens. Choice Magazine, February 1996. Page 36 - 39.
Local retailer.
Choice Magazine.
Visit the Independent Living Centre.
Display Item On Loan From
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Supplier Information - click to supplier for contacts details
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