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Builders may be familiar with the many benefits of propane ovens, ranges, and stoves, as they’re highly sought after by professional chefs and home cooks alike. Propane ranges and stoves offer superior cooking performance due to precise temperature control, more-even cooking, and better-quality heat. Propane ovens provide a moist cooking environment that prevents foods from drying out. Unlike electric options, propane burners don’t have to warm up, so the heat is immediately available for cooking at the desired level. Instant turnoff capabilities mean propane ranges cool much faster than electric stovetops, which offers homeowners enhanced safety features and more precise cooking.
Propane cooking appliances can also reduce environmental impact with lower emissions and lower carbon intensity. Propane ranges generate up to 15 percent fewer emissions compared to electric ranges. Propane also has a lower carbon intensity than the U.S. electric grid, 65 percent of which is still powered by coal and natural gas.
Resilience and reliability play a role, as well. Propane appliances offer more independence from the electric grid, so homeowners can continue to cook, even during power interruptions. And with propane, residential builders can give their customers the benefits of cooking with gas, regardless of access to natural gas lines. Propane is stored on-site in above-ground tanks, underground tanks, or individual propane cylinders.
Boost Homeowner Convenience with Outdoor Cooking Appliances
Indoor propane cooking equipment comes in a variety of products, sizes, and designs, providing convenience, efficiency, and top performance in any kitchen – from starter homes to high-end custom projects. Beyond the kitchen, new specialty outdoor cooking appliances seem to hit the market every year. For builders, it is worth exploring propane-powered outdoor cooking appliances such as pizza ovens, griddles, and smokers, in addition to the tried-and-true gas grills. These appliances can be easily incorporated into outdoor living projects, making cooking even more fun and boosting homeowner convenience.
Pizza ovens
Propane-powered pizza ovens put out flame-cooked restaurant quality pizzas in just minutes –typically between 60 to 90 seconds. They take approximately 15 minutes to heat up to temperatures ranging from 210 to 950oF. Pizzerias pull pies from a piping-hot pizza oven, but the type of pizza will actually determine the ideal temperature. For example, Detroit- and New York-style pizzas benefit from a cooler oven.
Pizza ovens can use wood, charcoal or propane, but propane provides the most convenience. Energy consumption (lb/hr for 10 pizzas) and kW (Btu) depends on the pizza oven size. A popular outdoor pizza oven manufacturer notes the importance using quality fuel, as it’s more efficient and produces more delicious pizza. And just as you would use quality ingredients and have ample pizza dough on hand, it’s very important have more fuel than you need as well.
Portable pizza ovens have many other uses beyond pizzas. They can roast meat or vegetables, cook dessert, and bake bread when used in conjunction with cast iron accessories that can stand up to the heat. Pizza ovens can even be transported to a tailgate or campsite.
Outdoor griddles and smokers
Think beyond the traditional grill to propane-powered outdoor flat-top griddles and smokers. Griddles allow homeowners to cook many of the same dishes they would make on the stove, but on a larger surface – and outdoors. Think pancakes, eggs, fajitas, quesadillas, grilled cheese, even hibachi! There are free-standing, built-in, and portable options available with either a carbon steel or stainless-steel surface. All are connected to a propane tank via a hose.
Propane smokers are a great option for shorter smoking sessions, performing very well with more delicate foods such as fish and vegetables. While traditional smokers use wood to cook and flavor food, the wood chips are only used to impart the smoked flavor in propane smokers.
Propane Powers Delicious
While there are numerous energy options for outdoor cooking these days, from charcoal and wood to electricity and gas, 65 percent of American grill owners use gas grills . In addition to the traditional gas oven and range, builders can broaden their clients’ cooking repertoire with expansive outdoor kitchens and propane cooking appliances such as pizza ovens, grills, griddles, and smokers.
If permanently installing any of these appliances into an outdoor kitchen, it’s imperative to work with a propane supplier and a qualified professional to ensure the appliances are installed safely and to code.
