 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Click on each question to find answers:
- Will food cooked on a Lacanche taste better?
- Why should I buy a Lacanche?
- What is the function of the Traditional Plate (French top)?
- Can I wok cook on the Traditional Plate?
- How do I maintain the Traditional Plate?
- What is UL Certification and why do I need it?
- Why is one oven gas and the other electric?
- Why is a red indicator light always on?
- Are the ovens self-cleaning?
- How do I clean my appliance?
- How do I clean the cook top and porcelain enamel?
- How do I clean the burners?
- How low of a simmer do the gas burners achieve?
- Are the ovens convection?
- Does Art Culinaire sell ventilation systems?
- Do the ranges and cook tops have a pilot light?
- What size gas connections is needed?
- What can I place in the Storage / Warming drawers?
- I have more questions. How can I obtain more information?
Will my food taste better on a Lacanche?
(From Ara Pridjian, Cluny owner since 2006)
"We love the oven. We think that food actually tastes better when cooked on the Lacanche. Meat, especially, is very moist and tasty. My outdoor grill is collecting rust. Any reason the food tastes better?"
For exceptional cooktop results, most cooks agree: high intensity and low flame control are essential. Searing introduces flavor-enhancing elements, such as caramelized sugars and carbon. Conversely, that same carbon/carmel infusion may ruin a delicate cream sauce without proper simmering. By providing four different-sized top burners, Lacanche accommodates the wide array of pots typically found in a home kitchen. The french simmer plate also enhances low-flame control by diffusing the flame over a wide area.
Regarding ovens, few perhaps remember what the French traditionally called en croûte, literally "crust". In cooking, this term describes meat wrapped in pastry, salt or clay. Historically, the net effect was to tenderize and concentrate flavors in an otherwise tough meat portion. This cultural mindset today inspires the smaller, more-fitted Cluny ovens. With less hot, dry convection-heated air blowing through the oven cavity, more moisture and flavor are retained.
Your Lacanche purchase is an intensely personal decision. Presuming to know your needs in this area would be foolish! The joy of discovery typically begins with the first sighting, develops through the decision-making process and culminates over years of personal use.
For this reason, we urge you to speak with a trained Art Culinaire professional who can guide your understanding of this simple and multi-faceted appliance. Our staff includes Lacanche owners who can speak from personal experience. Many waited several years for the resources and time to install their range and can appreciate the stress of remodeling or new construction.
Lacanche frequently appeals to the adventurous and perhaps slightly-discontented home cook. We often hear familiar comments, such as "I love to cook, but the onions aren't blackening and the tofu is not browning." And, "I thought wok searing would be exhilarating; it turned into a saute slog!"
You want more, but other stoves seem uninspired, contrived, stale. Nothing else out there warrants the time and financial commitment required to redo counters and cabinets. You want a serious stove with power and personality. You put your remodel off, willing to wait if necessary, save for a couple years and try again. Finally..... you see your first Lacanche and it's as if the clouds have parted. Ahhhh, so this is one of the secrets the French have been closely guarding for centuries! Inspired again, you start calling friends for contractor references....
What is the function of the Traditional Plate (French top)?
The Traditional Plate is perhaps one of the least understood Lacanche features. Upon experimentation, this once-overlooked "traditional" plate frequently becomes one of the most treasured range components, usually requiring an epiphany or "aha!" moment. If the essence of french cooking may be attributed to the sauce, the essence of the French sauce may be attributed to the Traditional Plate, arguably the heart and soul of the range.
The function of the Traditional Plate is to simmer and hold sensitive ingredients - sauces, crèmes, bernaises, chocolates, butter, etc. The plate is cast iron with a 18,700 BTU (5.5kW) burner underneath. Heat is strongest in the center, diffusing and softening out to the sides. The French affectionately call this le piano as one moves pots around the plate, often with the dexterity of a keyboard virtuoso, never altering the burner setting.
Can I wok cook on the Traditional Plate?
Searing meats and sliced vegetables can be accomplished by removing the 8-1/2" center disc of the Traditional Plate (tool provided) and inserting the cast-iron wok ring. This ring is supplied with all Lacanche ranges. The flame will effectively wrap the wok in a blanket of heat, providing a quick and efficient stir fry experience.
What is the maintenance of the Traditional Plate?
The Traditional Plate is pure cast-iron, ideal for heat conductivity. Like that favorite cast-iron cookware, your Traditional Plate must also be seasoned. To season, brush mineral or vegetable oil to cover the entire area of the Traditional Plate, turn on the plate, and let it bake in for 30 minutes. Make sure adequate ventilation is provided. Quick, periodic seasoning is required to prevent oxidation (rust).
Also, remember that iron darkens with heat. Your Traditional Plate will not remain silver in tone, but rather develop a burnished bronze patina over time with use. Careful! Patinas often develop over years of tender loving care and may incite tears upon careless removal in the act of cleaning. An elegant stainless cover (included) may adorn your Traditional plate when not in use.
What is a UL-Listing and why does Lacanche need it?
Lacanche ranges are made exclusively for North America and carry a UL listing for the USA and a ULC listing for Canada. European Lacanche ranges are not approved for US installations. Failure to comply with local code requirements may result in failed Occupancy Permit, fines, removal or other restrictions.
The Uniform Mechanical Code mandates appliances be tested and approved by an "officially recognized US Testing Laboratory". Underwriters Laboratories complies with this directive and has been accepted by building inspectors nationwide.
For specific links to certification sites, visit Technical Support.
Why is one oven gas and the other electric?
The Lacanche range excels at providing a wide array of cooking features, suitable for many different types of cooking. The gas oven provides a vigorous moist heat, more concentrated initially at the oven base. Hot, naturally convected air converges at the oven top and circulates back down through the cavity, providing even browning characteristics. As moist heat tends to blend flavors and lock in natural juices, the gas ovens are notable for exceptional results in roasting meats. As the gas oven boasts only a 6% loss of humidity within the oven walls, breads and baked potatoes will also tend to be more flavorful and moist.
The electric oven is a versatile oven offering lower temperatures and a variety of cooking modes controlled by adjusting the top and bottom elements. The electric oven provides a dry heat and is most suitable for baking & broiling. Crusts tend to be crispier when pizza is baked in the electric oven, for example. Lacanche broilers are only found in either the electric or electric convection ovens. Both electric elements use infra-red heat as a quick and efficient means to transfer energy, retaining efficient, low-profile characteristics not found in gas ovens.
Why is one indicator light always on?
This silent sentinel lets you know that your range has electric power connected to it.
Professional ranges never offer self-cleaning due to safety concerns from excessive grease and controversial health issues associated with toxic teflon gas (PTFE) emissions at high temperatures. Lacanche oven interiors are simply safe, durable and non-porous porcelain-on-steel, which makes cleaning extremely easy. Simply warm the ovens slightly and scrub the interior with a sponge, mild soap and water.
Using the roasting pans and racks provided by Lacanche will diminish splattering.
Exterior finishes and cooking surface
- Knobs, porcelain and stainless surfaces may be cleaned with mild soap and water applied with a damp cloth. Rinse the surface with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. To avoid damaging the finish, do not use abrasive cleaners or strong liquid cleaners on the brass, chrome, porcelain, and stainless surfaces.
Oven Interior
- Oven racks and rack guides should be removed and cleaned with a mild abrasive cleaner and sponge that includes a scrubbing pad. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. The porcelain enamel walls in the ovens should wash easily with soap and water. Heavy spattering or spillovers may require cleaning with a mild oven cleaner. DO NOT allow food spills with a high sugar or acid content (milk, tomatoes, glaze, sauerkraut, fruit juices or pie filling) to remain on the surface. This may cause a dull spot even after cleaning.
Refer to the Use & Care guide for additional cleaning information.
How do I clean the cook top and the porcelain enamel on the range?
The tip with Lacanche is to avoid harsh abrasives. The porcelain enamel requires just mild soap and water. Remember that porcelain enamel is essentially glass fused to metal and the Lacanche is coated in three layers of porcelain enamel.
We recommend Bon Ami (found in many drug or hardware stores) for cleaning the Traditional Plate and Barkeeper's Friend for cleaning the stainless steel.
The burners are made of solid brass. Brass burners can be soaked in a solution of water/vinegar or water/lemon juice and polished with brass cleaner.
How low of a simmer do the gas burners achieve?
A direct open-flame burner is not ideal for simmering your delicate sauces, although very low temperatures may be reached. For ideal simmering, begin your cooking over the direct flame and move your pots over to the Traditional Plate (or portable simmering plate if you choose a Classique model Lacanche) to simmer or hold your food. Food may simmer safely on the Traditional Plate for several hours without the scorching experienced with an open flame under similar circumstances. (Note: The factory presets each low-flame somewhat high for safety, so an initial adjustment may be necessary upon installation. To perfectly calibrate your low-flame, please refer to the Burner Flame Adjustment video in our Technical Support section).
Lacanche offers both plain electric ovens (with broiler) and convection ovens (with broiler). Convection ovens are only available in models with the larger Lacanche ovens, such as the Sullys, Volnay/Vougeots or Cormatins.
Does Art Culinaire sell ventilation systems?
We do not sell Lacanche hoods. Contact our sales personnel to get a hood recommendation, or navigate over to the technical support page on this web site!
Do the ranges and cook tops have a pilot light?
Yes and no. Lacanche gas ovens and cooktops are equipped with electronic ignition. The gas ovens have electronic ignition of the pilot flame. When lit, the pilot flame heats a safety thermocouple, which opens a valve to the main burner. This system has proven safe, effective and easy to repair over the years. Having a thermocouple with pilot allows the oven to be manually ignited safely, and allows safe oven usage even in a power outage. The thermocouple shuts off the oven burner valve if the flame is extinguished.
What size gas connection is needed?
Lacanche recommends ½" commercial type flex hose. A conveniently located gas shut-off valve, external to the appliance, is required for complete shutdown.
What can I place in the Storage/Warming drawers?
The drawers under the ovens are convenient for storing utensils, racks, cookie sheets and flatware. When using the upper ovens, the drawers make an ideal warming area for plates, rolls, wet hand towels, side dishes (cover with foil), etc. DO NOT place items in drawers that may melt or burn.
I still have questions. How can I obtain more information?
Please visit our Lacanche owners forum to see what our owners are saying. Visit the Gardenweb Community to read thoughts and experiences from owners and people considering a Lacanche purchase. Search our web site. Visit the Lacanche factory web site.
