Not just stylish but also fully functional, French stove tops are the new trend for modern day kitchens. Say bonjour to your new favorite cooking appliance. They can match any interior, be it ultra contemporary or rustic. And they cook like a dream. So why not have a stove that doubles as a fashion statement?
“Il vaut mieux faire que dire.” - Alfred de Musset
Translation: “Doing is better than saying.” - Alfred de Musset
What is a French Stove?
The entire idea behind French stoves is to heat up the food without burning it. Which sounds obviously ideal in context. This is accomplished by having three rings enclosed inside each other that act as the burner. The center ring heats up first and the others follow suit, resulting in a sort of wave of heat.
Keep in mind:
This does mean that the stove takes slightly longer to heat up.
The rings heat up and keep the food warm without burning the pot or pan. One benefit to this method is keeping sauce on the stove and not worrying about starting a fire.
Other benefits of a French stove top include:
- Easier time melting cheese or chocolate for a fondue
- Less mess
- Lower chance of fire
- Allows for more complex cooking
- Easier to clean
- Fewer crevices
How to Use a French Stove
Because the heat isn’t quite “set” with a dial, the trick is to figure out where the sweet spot is for cooking. This may take a slight adjustment when switching over to French top stoves, but the payoff is worth it. It’s like operating a brick oven but without the open flame. This makes it perfect for large, elaborate meals and family gatherings. French stoves make sure nobody is getting cold seconds during the meal.Try out the following traditional recipes on your French stove.
- Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Coq au vin blanc
- Potato Dauphinoise
- Roulade
- Crêpes
- Crème Brûlée
- Soufflé
- Croque Madame
Colors
A French top range can come in any color you want for your kitchen: black, white, orange, green...It doesn’t matter what you want, you can find the right match for your color scheme. There are a large number of vintage color patterns that fit well with the French stove top aesthetic. Pick what works for your home.
Models
The two major companies that specialize in this type of appliance are the La Cornue stoves and the Wolf French top. Reviews are compatible for both company models. If you’re looking for more heating power, Wolf is the way to go. And when you’re looking for style and color, La Cornue is the best option. Whichever you prefer, both can be made to cook multiple complex food items.
Utilizing Your French Stovetop
The entire premise of a French stove top is to cook multiple foods at once to culminate in a culinary masterpiece. Boil the pasta, warm the tomato sauce, and melt chocolate for dessert all at the same time. Figuring out the placement for every pot and pan in relation to heat is part of the cooking experience. And the food won’t get cold on this type of stove top. French stoves are great for feeding large families or a romantic, exotic dinner for two.
Cleaning and Maintenance
One of the most important parts of maintaining a hot top range is to clean it after every use. Fortunately this is very easy. Simply wait for the top to be mostly cool (but still slightly warm) and do the following:
- Spray with mild detergent
- Wipe with cloth and water
- Rinse
- Allow to dry
- Apply vegetable or peanut oil for oxidation
Are you looking to get a new French stove top for your kitchen? What do you think that might cost? Get a better price range idea by calling in for a free quote.
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