Any introductory cooking class should begin with a lesson on identifying parts of a standard kitchen stove. Explain to students that their goal should be to cook safely, which requires knowing regulate their stove's functions properly. You can add that, while it may look easy to operate a stove, even what appears to be a simple deviation from proper technique can create a dangerous situation. Explain the difference between gas and electric ranges, noting the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Instructions
1. Begin with the controls on the stove. Explain that some stoves have knobs and others have touch electronic controls.
2. Imagine the stove is divided into four main parts. Point to the oven compartment, the range top, the control panel and the storage drawer, broiler, warming drawer or secondary oven beneath the oven compartment.
3. Focus on the control panel that regulates every function the stove performs. Identify the burner knobs or touch pads and explain that each one controls a separate burner, whether left or right, front or back. Then explain how turning the knobs or touching the pads turns the heating elements on and off and also controls the heat level.
4. Show parts of the control panel that regulate the oven's functions, turning it on and off and setting its temperature. Then identify any timer elements, and explain the control, if present, that lets you set "cook time" for ovens that can turn on and off automatically.
5. Explain that gas ranges come with coated cast iron grates that sit on top of the burner and the circular elements on top of an electric stove. Show students the burner trays underneath the grates and circular elements.
6. Move on to the controls for the interior oven lights. Show them invoke the oven's self-cleaning feature, if one is present, and explain how self-cleaning works. Point out the dial or touch pad for a timer that keeps track of food being cooked in the oven.
7. Open the oven door. Locate and show students where the heat elements are within the oven. Then explain how the elements distribute heat throughout the oven's interior.
8. Point out the broiler elements, usually at the top of the oven. Show students the broiler pan and grid that come with standard stoves, whether gas or electric ranges. Show them the warming drawer if available.
9. Finish the demonstration by removing the oven racks and explaining that most stoves come with two racks, unless there are two separate oven compartments which would contain four racks. Show students the ridges lining the left and right walls of the oven's interior, which hold the racks.
Tags: come with, control panel, circular elements, control panel that, electric ranges, left right
