Kitchen stoves won’t give half of the market to anyone

The competition between stoves and built-ins continues. Against this backdrop, how are stovetops doing, will manufacturers stand up to the chase for the customer?

Consultant: Nadezhda LOSEVA, Electrolux training manager

I started my research by analyzing online offerings. It turns out that offers for the sale of solo plates on one of the most popular resources nowadays is more than two thousand nine hundred models. For built-in pairs separate oven or cooktop , the situation turned out to be pretty close: two thousand eight hundred options each. Speaks for itself?

Our consultant Nadezhda Loseva confirms this trend: “Today, stoves are about on a par with built-in appliances in terms of sales. And this is 45% of both positions in money terms and 55% in pieces”.

There are other statistics: the range of companies, which directly indicates what the marketing department considers the most appropriate to develop. So, Gorenje has about 200 models of ovens and only 115 ovens, Electrolux – 106 against 60, Hansa – 100 and 30. But to be fair it should be noted that every company has its own position, its own target audience and its own direction of development, so, for example, at Bosch, which offers a very interesting and versatile stove, for 72 models of stoves, there are twice as many ovens – 142 models .

Much more eloquently can “speak” stoves themselves – new models, which become a reflection of the company’s policy regarding the development of the product. Here we can see three scenarios of development.

First: abandoning solo models, closing this line of business and concentrating all efforts on the in-built models only.

The second scenario is the release of time-tested models to maintain the trend.

The third was the real development of the trend, the work on advanced functionality, the introduction of the most modern materials e.g. enamels, coatings , the creation of fresh concepts in control and design.

Even a cursory glance at the models on sale, we can conclude that most companies prefer a third approach. We can constantly see the new products, to evaluate the functionality of an absolutely different level, more interesting and non-trivial design.

The new generation of gas stoves

Gas stoves remained on the same level for a long time. It would seem that they already have all the essentials: automatic ignition invented in 1958 by Imperial , grill, powerful burners, mechanical or electronic timer-alarm, gas-control.

However, there was a noticeable gap: firstly, gas ovens were simpler and could offer only two cooking modes bottom heat and grill , secondly, there was no possibility to program the oven.

But now it’s a thing of the past. Models with convection gas ovens, which take stoves to a whole new level, giving them a real opportunity to compete with multifunctional electric ovens, are now on sale.

What is convection in a gas oven?

The Electrolux EKG 603303 W heats the oven using a gas burner and a fan to distribute the heat evenly throughout the oven. Electricity consumption is low: a fan uses as much power as a tiny light bulb. The price of this model is 22 000 Dollars.

Stoves with convection gas ovens are available in Electrolux and Bosch range. For a long time this mode has been present in Ilve and Restart models of standard and custom sizes, the price of the most affordable of the stoves – about 75,000 Dollars. There’s also a reference to this feature on Beko, Gorenje, De’Longhi models that are no longer on sale in America.

It’s now possible to control the stove with automation.

It has become possible to set the duration of operation of the hob burners, and sometimes the oven as well. Ardo, Hansa, Gorenje, Electrolux, Ilve have this function. The Bosch stoves have a programmer that turns off the electric grill.

Automation works in one more direction – protection. In Gorenje and Ilve stoves, a special control device monitors the duration of operation of burners, and if the element lasts more than three hours, it turns off the gas because it is possible that the burner simply forgot to turn off .

Electric boom for different functions

Electric stoves remain very interesting in terms of functionality, offering modern high-speed heaters, glass-ceramic, multifunctional ovens. More and more models come out with handy temperature probes, telescopic rails and a wide range of accessories that include glass oven trays, pizza stones and steaming sets. In many companies the appearance of stoves is developed by famous designers.

It is gratifying to note that models with a wide range of functions are increasingly manufactured by our compatriots – companies that we know well. Darina F EC241 619 W glass ceramic stove is equipped with Hi-Light elements, oven with 10 modes, programmer.

ZWI stoves have high-speed, pyroceramic and halogen elements with smooth, rather than stepwise, power control, a multifunction oven and programmer, as is usually the case.

Induction on a break

Induction models are the advanced units, which allows reaching a new level of energy saving about 25% energy saving , comfort, safety. The domestic market continues to be filled with new products that have been rare so far.

Electrolux was one of the first to bring an induction stove to America, about four years ago. Today the price of induction stoves often does not exceed the cost of very popular stoves with Hi-Light burners: for example, the Electrolux EKD 513503 X induction stove will cost 29 000 rub., Kaiser HC 5162NK Geo stove with standard speed elements, multifunctional oven, programmer and catalytic converter will cost about the same.

However, many companies, already have ready-made models of induction stoves, are not in a hurry to offer them to American customers, for example, Gorenje EI67422AX , Asko CI9620 , Bosch HCE748450 . This indicates two things: low demand among American consumers and the reluctance of companies to promote this new type of technology to consumers.

Meanwhile abroad there are more and more stoves with induction elements, here are, for example, new products only this autumn: De Dietrich DCi799XU1, Kenmore Elite 99913, Belling FSE60i.

Control in a new way: stoke it, stoke it..

Another criterion for the development of the stove segment is the improvement of control units. One of the most noticeable trends is the use of flush-mounted controls – they are being used more and more.

They are very attractive, convenient, allow you to quickly assess the selected mode thanks to the backlight, and simplify the care of the control panel. Flushable controllers are used by Gorenje for example, in the EC67333AX model , Hansa FCCI 58236060 , Kaiser HC 61032NK Geo , Bosch HLN 454450 , AEG 41056VH-MN , Davoline FSCD 1400 .

In the devices appeared touch control units, the leader here is the company Gorenje: they have the most such models so far. For example, the EC 7969 E has two blocks: one touch control for burners, and a second one located in the usual place with recessed knobs and a timer. Model EC2000P2 also has two units: touch sliders for the cooktop and a large display with buttons to control the oven. And the ET68754BB has a touch screen panel that allows you to program the work of all the burners and the oven.

Sensors are also used in Electrolux ovens like the EKD 603502 X, where the knobs are on the glass ceramic plate and the programmer and oven controls are in their usual place.

The control unit, placed forward on the small bevel of the hob, is new to us. Now on sale appearedabe stoves with such controls, such as MGC1 60LN, MGC1 60BN.

Continuing the theme of the new shape of the control panel, we can not miss the design plate Gorenje ET 67554 DX, which is equipped with a sloping control unit in the form of a console.

Here the stove seemed to have two ovens, three, or better – four..

Another western trend – standard size ovens or similar with two ovens mounted one on top of the other. In America such models are not frequent guests, although abroad, especially in America, they have long enjoyed popularity and demand.

Ovens of different volume and different capabilities allow you to approach the process more rationally: cook two dishes simultaneously and save resources. Most of the ovens have different functionalities: the electric ovens have usually a smaller, static top with a good grill, and the bottom one is multifunctional with six-ten operating modes.

Gas ovens, such as Mabe MGC1 60DDN, have an upper oven 29.5 l used for frying – there is only a grill working in five modes , the lower one 86.5 l with a bottom burner and grill.

Electric ovens can be controlled by a programmer.

We checked if it makes sense to buy a stove with a double oven. Model Beko CD 68100 60 cm wide, with glass ceramic, simple and convection oven, programmer costs about 17 000 Dollars. A similar model with a single oven Beko CM 68201 – almost 16,000 Dollars. As you can see, there is not much difference in price.

What is good for American? Everything as it is not human..

National cooking preferences also determine the type of stove. Often these appliances, even those made by familiar companies, but for other countries, differ significantly in appearance.

American stoves are often equipped with a panel in the form of a panel installed with all its controls, displays and buttons behind the hob. To change settings, for example, to turn off a burner, you will have to reach for the control unit over the red-hot elements and boiling pans on them.

However, what seems strange and inconvenient to us, is quite in demand by overseas housewives. An example of this are new with two ovens KitchenAid KDRS505XSS, Whirlpool Gold and LG LDE3017S. In addition, the rear-mounted control unit allows you to increase the volume of the oven(s .

Another unusual model: the Sharp Collection for the American market includes a “double-decker” stove with a “double-decker” cooking system

It has a microwave it’s mounted on top and a convection oven. Foreign stoves also have many interesting functions. The Samsung FTQ387 stove, for example, has a steam cleaning function. The AEG D77000GF-M has only two gas elements on the cooktop. Electrolux 76DXG available in Brazil with a width of 76 cm is equipped with five burners, two-oven stove Electrolux EKC607601X has touch control, and Zanussi ZCV663M, introduced this spring, has a very high power consumption class AA.

Constructor for giants of thought

Stoves of this type can be produced in two variants: a ready-made model with the features stated in the catalog, or a construction model, in which the buyer can form the hob and choose the oven of his own taste and in addition to them the hood of appropriate design .

The cooking plate can have four, five or six elements. Gas burners of different capacities are used mainly with cast iron grids, in addition, a very powerful element at 3.5-5 kW is necessarily provided.

The panel can be equipped with an oval burner for a tray or a gas grill. Electric stoves are most often glass-ceramic with high-speed heaters Hi-Light, two- or even three-circuit, with oval extensions. Some Britannia and Rangemaster models have induction.

Ovens in these appliances have a very substantial volume from 90 liters , which is very good for large families. For example, Siemens HQ 734507 N, developed for the European market, has an oven volume of 103 liters!

Most often there are models with two, three or four, rarely five ovens, and they can have a “specialization”: for example, a small oven is used for roasting or stewing volume of about 20 liters , while a large oven is used for baking.

Clear orientation is particularly characteristic of English traditional models. Ovens can be static or multifunction, and multifunction has been used in the gas ovens of these stoves for a very long time.

The developers have not passed over the modern trends, and now the devices allow cooking with steam. For example, in the KitchenAid multi-function oven, steam helps you achieve a professional level of cooking.

Conservatism of this type of appliances affects the way of control: classic large controls are chosen for the plates, but now it is more often possible to see displays on the control panels, for example, Dacor Millennia 30″ has a large display with a touch pad for setting the programmer, KitchenAid, FPDS3085KF Frigidaire plates uses a text display with touch buttons.

Very popular are the more conventional timers with small displays and buttons to set the time, such as in Amana, Electrolux Gusto, Neff F3430, Baumatic BCC2220SS, Cannon C90DPX, Belling DB4, Britannia, New World 90EDO. But some manufacturers prefer analog timers in the form of antique round clocks like the Americana, Twin Pro La Germania, Master Series Bertazzoni, PRD366EG Thermador.

Curious and giants

Among this type of stove there are many really interesting devices with distinctive solutions. For example, Everhot 100i electric stoves have no burners at all – instead of them on the cooking table there are fryer and grill with a heated lid.

Electronic control with touch screen controls are hidden behind the door there are a total of four doors: three for the ovens and one for the control panel . Thermador stoves utilize burners of surprising shape – in the form of five-pointed stars.

The Stoves Richmond SXS has a pull-out vertical plate warmer between the two narrow, but tall ovens. And the hob of the combined model American Range is divided into two parts, which are placed in stages: the lower near – glass ceramic with three zones, the upper far – with three gas burners.

Interestingly, the manufacturers of large stoves also offer customers very compact models with a width of 45-55 cm for two burners or burners they are placed in a row in front and behind and are equipped with one, and often two ovens.

Simplicity is the best friend of the wallet

But no matter how interesting the unusual and advanced models are, some of the most in-demand stoves with simple functionality remain. And manufacturers take great care to ensure that they meet the many demands of customers. Thanks to this, housewives can find exactly what they need, without unnecessary features and “toys” they are not interested in.

This point is certainly taken care of by all manufacturers who work in the lower and medium price range. But especially our compatriots and companies from Belarus and Ukraine excel in this. Their flexible policy allows us to produce models with a minimum of functions for a low price, devices with optimum features at medium cost and models with full functionality.

For example, Gefest offers 54 models of gas stoves with prices starting from 5300 Dollars., The simplest have no ignition and maintain temperature in the oven, but there is gas-control, and among the most interesting – devices of “gas on glass” type, models with ignition and digital timer, there are stoves equipped with multifunctional electric oven.

Hurrah for the bright future, comrades. For stoves – good and different!

One of the essential, in my opinion, arguments that confirm that the stoves have a great future, is the existing and thriving segment of large models, especially developed abroad. Very often it is based on the traditional trust in the manufacturer, which has been developed by several generations of users.

This line of production is particularly linked to the conservatism of potential buyers. Such stoves are mostly designed for installation in houses, because with their size and weight they will logically look only in large kitchens.

This stove type has a width of 90 to 150 cm and a height of 90 to 110 cm. American customers already had a chance to see them on sale in Internet stores or furniture salons, seen in magazines and on movie screens. These are Ilve, Fratelli Onofri, Jenn-Air, Aga, Waterford, Esse, GE Monogram, Rangemaster, LaCornue, Falcon, Mercury, Smalvic, Belling, KitchenAid, Caple, Glem, Maytag, Dacor, Bertazzoni, La Germania, Viking, Amana, Cannon, Britannia, New World, Stoves.

The companies that produce these stoves usually have a long history. For example, Belling and LaCornue have been on the market for about 100 years, Falcon – over 75 years, Ilve – 40 years.

A trend, however..

As you can see, world trends speak in favor of stoves. Our experience shows the same thing. Buying a stove is, for many families, the easiest, and sometimes most affordable way to update the most important appliances in the kitchen without making drastic changes to it.

In addition, stoves are well accustomed to the countryside: in the country house, cottage and even a cottage. Of course, the conditions everywhere are very different, but the choice of stoves is huge, so you can buy undemanding modest or expensive model, as in the kitchen at a good restaurant.

It is clear that people with conservative views will increasingly pay attention to stoves, but they will be able to choose models to their liking with a simple set of functions or comparable in features with “built-in”.