Electrolux EI30EF55GS Freestanding Electric Range Review

Features

The Electrolux EI30EF55GS features a few slight changes to the typical four burner setup. Included here are a keep-warm element in the center and three dual ring elements. The dual ring elements accommodate a variety of different stoveware, as the pot should generally match the element.

The 5.7 cubic foot oven's main and best feature is the convection fan, which salvages a mediocre oven, turning it into one of the finest we've seen. The fan circulates the air well around the oven, providing more efficient heat transfer and shorter cook times. Additionally, the Electrolux EI30EF55GS has a sliding rack and a oversize rack in addition to the regular rack.

Besides the typical bake, broil, and the array of convection combinations with the various oven elements, there are also some additional odd features that some may enjoy. For instance, the dehydrate setting blows the convection fan at around 120°F—drying out whatever is inside the oven—and the slow cook setting cooks meat slowly like a crock-pot. The less-rare bread-proofing feature is also available, providing a warm ecosystem for the yeast to work.

Below the oven, a keep-warm drawer keeps things warm if the food gets done before dinner. Of course, it can also be used for storage as well.

Like most ovens these days, the timer can do cook time, delay bake, and automatic off, which greatly enhance the timer's usefulness beyond a simple meter.

Controls

Unfortunately, the Electrolux EI30EF55GS has abandoned the classic staple of range convenience, the knob. Instead, Electrolux graced us with the peculiar control panel with touch buttons. Furthermore, the touch buttons aren't immediately responsive, making the user hover over them for a moment and spend more time over a potentially scalding stove. To us, this is an example of technology failing to be useful. This odd system is certainly inferior to the simple knobs that tuned in the proper temperature without a thought.

You can find the oven and broiler controls on the backsplash, on the large control panel. To one side, the array of oven and broiling options are available, and to the right a keypad is ready for temperature input.

Cleaning

For general cleaning, soapy water and non-abrasive cloth should do the trick, but for the delicate ceramic cooktop, a special cleaner is recommended. For residue that is burned on really well, it can be pushed off with a razor blade. However, consult the manual well before doing so as scratching happens easily.

The oven cavity has three cleaning settings "lite," "med," and "heavy" cleans, which offer two, three, and four hour cycles of a very hot temperature, burning off stains in the typical pyrolitic method. Do consult the manual before undertaking this procedure.