Lofra Appliances

Cooking with Lofra: The Benefits of Induction

April 25, 2024 by EuroChef

In recent years, induction cooking has spiked in popularity throughout the United States. An increasing number of homeowners are making the switch from gas cooking to induction ranges and stovetops. Curious what’s making induction ranges so appealing? Read on to discover what induction technology is, how to distinguish its differences from electric and gas and uncover the various benefits to induction cooking!

What is induction cooking?

So, what exactly is induction cooking? Different from typical electric cooktops, induction cooktops utilize copper heating coils underneath the surface to produce electromagnetic energy. This energy is only ignited when the iron in designated induction cookware, typically made of cast iron or stainless steel, makes contact with the cooktop surface. This energy transfer turns the cookware into its own source of heat, as opposed to the stovetop producing the heat.

What is the difference between induction, electric and gas?

The most notable differences between induction, electric and gas ranges is their appearance and how they create energy. Induction and electric cooktops are similar in appearance as both feature smooth top surfaces. In contrast, gas ranges feature burner grates raised over the cooktop surface.

When it comes to generating heat, gas cooktops rely on a flame produced through natural gas or propane. On the other hand, traditional electric stovetops employ an electrical current that flows through a metal coil that is either visible on the cooktop or hidden under a glass or ceramic surface to heat up the burner.

Both electric and induction cooking require 220V electrical connections and a good amount of amperage to function properly. It is important to understand power and gas requirements before choosing a cooking appliance suitable for your home.

What are the benefits of induction cooking?

Although there are diverse advantages to cooking with both gas and electric, induction cooking marries the best of both worlds while also offering unique aspects not found in either. Continue reading to learn the top benefits of induction cooking:

Kitchen Safety Excellence

Induction stovetops automatically shut down after a pot or pan is removed from the cooking surface, reducing the risk of accidentally leaving a burner on. If a knob or button are accidentally activated, the element will not heat up until proper cookware is placed on top. These features are particularly important for households with children as they enhance kitchen safety and peace of mind!

Faster Cook Times

Since induction cooktops heat pots and pans directly, the extra step of heating up the burner and transferring that heat to the cookware is eliminated, therefore, cutting cooking times in half! All Lofra induction ranges feature a rapid boil setting on every burner, which delivers maximum power to boil liquids promptly.

Exact Precision

Cooking with induction offers excellent precision when it comes to temperature control. By leveraging electromagnetic energy to produce heat, induction stovetops react extremely fast to any temperature adjustments. For example, when you turn the burner off, the heat transfer stops immediately, and conversely, when you turn the burner up, more heat is prompted instantly. This is ideal for instances when you require a quick transition from boiling to simmering, as induction enables an immediate adjustment, guaranteeing perfectly cooked results every time. Check out the ‘Keep Warm’ setting on Lofra induction cooktops, which instantly lowers the heat to stop the cooking process while keeping the cookware warm to ensure the perfect temperature for serving.

Cleaner Cooking

Gas appliances emit harmful air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and methane, even when they’re not in use! Switching to an induction range can reduce your risk of asthma and other illnesses associated with these pollutants, while also lessening air quality issues and climate change. Though induction ranges don’t produce harmful air pollutants, a range hood is still essential to vent grease, oils, smoke and strong cooking odors. However, due to their lower emissions, induction ranges require hoods with less CFM (cubic feet of air moved per minute) than gas ranges, meaning less energy is used. Because of this, they also can easily meet make-up air requirements in certain municipalities while still having adequate cooking ventilation.

Energy Efficiency

Induction cooktops consume far less energy than electric or gas stovetops because they heat the pan directly rather than the cooking surface first. Moreover, because food is heated up much faster with induction cooking, the appliance isn’t required to be on for as long, conserving further energy.

We hope you are now supplied with ample knowledge on induction to utilize when you’re contemplating your next range! To learn more about Lofra’s induction offerings, visit https://lofra.us/products/?ed05e88-filter_plan-type=induction.

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Your Guide to Lofra’s 10 Oven Functions

February 23, 2024 by EuroChef

Versatility is at the heart of every Lofra range, designed to empower home cooks with pro-style performance and user-friendly cooking functions. With 10 easy-to-use cooking modes, every detail in a Lofra range is meticulously curated to make anyone feel like a professional chef in their home kitchen.

In the larger 48-inch and 60-inch models, Lofra ranges offer an independent second oven that provides identical multifunctionality and convection capabilities to the main oven cavity. Simply activate the second oven by turning on the oven timer, select one of the 10 oven functions and prepare your next culinary masterpiece!

Ready to explore each cooking mode, what it looks like, how they work and what foods they’re best used for? Let’s get cooking…

*Lofra Dolcevita Range 48” Stainless Steel with Brass Trim*

Defrost

All Lofra ranges come with a Defrost function, which speeds up thawing and safely defrosts frozen food. This feature uses unheated air circulation, guaranteeing foods will not partially cook or dry out. Defrosting your food in the oven cavity not only significantly reduces your prep time, it also ensures even thawing throughout!

European Convection

The European Convection mode utilizes a third heating element behind the convection fan, preventing unwanted flavor transfer and resulting in faster, more uniform cooking. This process allows food to cook more evenly than in traditional ovens, making it optimal for foods that need to be fully cooked, yet soft inside, like casseroles, seafood and beef roasts.

Convection Bake

The Convection Bake capability offers the quickest and most consistent cooking. This is done by evenly distributing heat throughout the oven cavity via the convection fan and both top and bottom elements. This feature is ideal for baking cakes, cookies, bread and other pastries, as the even circulation of hot air ensures they equally rise and develop a consistent texture and color.

Convection Broil

When the Convection Broil function is activated, both the convection fan and broiler will be turned on, creating a balanced distribution of intense heat. This mode is ideal for grilling and browning, as the outside of food becomes crispy while the inside remains juicy and moist. It’s best suited for preparing meats such as steaks, chops and chicken breasts.

Maxi Broil

Ideal for quickly melting and browning, the Maxi Broil setting delivers powerful and direct heat from the upper broil element. You can effortlessly achieve impeccable crust on your casserole, melt cheese on French Onion soup or make the perfect gooey s’mores when using this feature. However, you should always keep an eye on your range, food can burn quickly when the Maxi Broil is in use!

*Lofra Maestro Range 36” Blue with Chrome Trim*

Oven Light + Dough Rising

With the Oven Light + Dough Rising setting, the oven light will be turned on and remain on throughout the cooking cycle. Not only does this present you with a clear view of your baked goods as they cook, the simple heat from the oven light can be used to assist with the rising of dough, making it the perfect starting point for your favorite bread recipes.

Conventional Cooking

As the most traditional and widely utilized cooking method, the Conventional Cooking mode distributes heat from both the top and bottom to cook food evenly. This function is great for roasting meats and vegetables, assuring they’re heated thoroughly without overcooking or drying out.

Pizza Function (aka Bottom Heat)

When using the Pizza Function, only the lower heating element is activated while the upper heating element remains off. This capability is excellent for crispy pizza crust and perfectly melted cheese! This setting can also be used for moist, slow cooked dishes or to prepare delicate crusts on a pie or quiche.

Top Heat

With the Top Heat feature, the upper heating element is engaged for a slow and gentle heat. Top Heat is beneficial for cooking various foods that require direct heat from above, like toasting bread or nuts, or caramelizing vegetables.

Grilling

The Grilling capability provides a high and focused heat from the top heating element. Similar to outdoor grilling, this setting is ideal for quickly searing and browning foods such as meats, fish and vegetables.

*Lofra Dolcevita Range 36” Matte Black with Brass Trim*

We hope this guide has equipped you with ample knowledge about your Lofra range’s oven capabilities so that you can introduce something new on your next culinary endeavor! To learn more about your specific Lofra model, visit our online catalog or https://lofra.us/.

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Find a Lofra dealer near you: https://lofra.us/store-locator/.

Collection Closeup: The Captivating Curva

November 29, 2023 by EuroChef

Since Lofra began in 1956, the Italian brand has remained dedicated to the artistry of crafting top-tier, dependable products. Produced in the hills around the city of Padua, Italy, Lofra’s prestigious ranges are meticulously designed, featuring a diverse array of cooking functions to enhance the cooking experience for home chefs. Three of Lofra’s cutting-edge collections are exclusively imported to the United States by EuroChef USA. Today we’re taking a deeper dive into the alluring Curva Collection!

The Look

As the first product to be introduced by Lofra in the early 1960s, the Curva Collection pays tribute to Lofra’s humble beginnings. The iconic, patented curved door, side panels and handles of the Curva Collection embody the aesthetic of traditional pots and pottery that Lofra manufactured. This distinct detailing sets Curva apart, as it cannot be replicated by other brands. Seamlessly marrying a unique, modernist aesthetic with professional-grade performance, the award-winning Curva Collection exceeds expectations from its design to its functionality.

Sizing + Colors

Available in two sizes – 36-inch and 48-inch – and a palette of four timeless colors (Black, Blue, Stainless Steel and White), the Curva Collection is ideal for those seeking a high-performing appliance and an ultramodern aesthetic for their kitchen.

Curva’s 36-inch range boasts five all-brass burners, providing cooking power ranging from a minimum of 5,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) to a max dual power output of 18,000! The 48-inch Curva offers two additional burners and the highly-desired, independent second oven. This secondary oven, with multiple programmable options, utilizes convection with independent settings for enhanced versatility.

Functionality + Cleaning

Similar to the Dolcevita, the oven glass trim on all Curva ranges is easily removable. This provides access to the three panes of oven glass to make cleaning a simple process! Moreover, like all Lofra ranges, the Curva range offers nine programmable settings with true European convection.

Defrosting: Speed up defrosting and safely thaw frozen food with unheated air circulation without par-cooking and drying.
European Convection: European convection uses a third heating element behind the fan to prevent unwanted flavor transfer. This process allows food to cook more evenly than in traditional ovens!
Convection Bake: The convection bake feature has the quickest and most even cooking as it evenly distributes heat throughout the oven with the use of the convection fan and both top and bottom elements.
Pizza Function aka “Bottom Heat”: Every Lofra range includes a bottom heat mode, which is perfect for crispy pizza crust and perfectly melted cheese! The bottom heat setting can also be used for moist, slow cooked dishes or to prepare delicate crusts on a pie or quiche.
Convection Broil: When the convection broil feature is activated, the convection fan and broiler will both be turned on, allowing for an even distribution of intense heat.
Oven Light + Dough Rising: Every Lofra range comes with the oven light + dough rising feature, where the oven light will be turned on and remain illuminated throughout the cooking cycle. This light can also assist in the rising of dough, perfect for your favorite bread recipes!
Conventional Cooking: Providing heat from both the top and bottom, the conventional cooking feature helps food to cook evenly.
Grilling: Every Lofra range comes with an upper grill element, which provides a high and focused heat.
Maxi Broil: Ideal for melting and browning food quickly without overcooking, the Maxi Broil function uses powerful and direct heat from the broil element.

To learn more about Lofra’s Curva Collection, visit https://lofra.us/ and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube.

Love your Lofra range? Tag us on your social media post for a chance to be featured on the Lofra social channels!