Simmerstats: The genius old tech that controls your stovetop

Technology Connections・2 minutes read

Simmerstats control the power output of electric stoves by cycling heating elements on and off, allowing for gentler cooking tasks. They have been used since the 1940s and are cost-effective, regulating power output efficiently.

Insights

  • Simmerstats, like those found in glass-top radiant electric stoves, regulate power output by cycling heating elements on and off at varying intervals to enable gentler cooking tasks like simmering.
  • The design and function of simmerstats, akin to a thermostat, allow for efficient and rapid adjustments in power output based on the temperature of the internal heater, ensuring precise control over cooking temperatures.

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Recent questions

  • How do glass-top electric stoves regulate power?

    Glass-top stoves use simmerstats to control power output by pulsing heating elements on and off at varying intervals. This pulsing behavior reduces power for gentler cooking tasks like simmering, providing cost-effective power regulation since the 1940s.

  • What material are glass-top stove heating elements made of?

    Glass-top stove heating elements are constructed from nichrome wire, which quickly heats up and glows brightly when voltage is applied. This material allows for efficient heat transfer to cookware on the stove.

  • What is the purpose of the sensing probe in glass-top stoves?

    The sensing probe in glass-top stoves triggers safety switches to prevent overheating of both the glass surface and the heating elements. This safety feature ensures the stove operates within safe temperature limits during use.

  • How does a simmerstat modulate power output?

    A simmerstat uses duty cycle control to adjust power output by cycling the heating elements on and off at varying intervals. This modulation technique allows for precise control over the heat output of the stove.

  • What is the main function of the control knob on a simmerstat?

    The control knob on a simmerstat is connected to a cam that presses on switch contacts, determining when the circuit opens or closes. By adjusting the knob, users can change the temperature at which the circuit opens, affecting the power output of the stove.

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Summary

00:00

Electric Stove Simmerstats: Efficient Power Regulation

  • Glass-top radiant electric stoves have heating elements that pulsate on and off due to an infinite switch, also known as a Simmerstat.
  • Simmerstats control the power output of the heating elements by repeatedly switching them on and off for varying periods of time.
  • The pulsing behavior of the heating elements is necessary to reduce their power output for gentler cooking tasks like simmering.
  • Simmerstats have been used in electric stoves since the 1940s and are a cost-effective way to regulate power output.
  • Coil-top stoves also use simmerstats to modulate power output, but the pulsing behavior is not as visible due to the design of the heating elements.
  • Glass-top stoves have heating elements made of nichrome wire that quickly heat up and glow brightly when voltage is applied.
  • The glass on glass-top stoves is a special ceramic material that allows infrared radiation to pass through, enabling the radiant heat to reach cookware.
  • A sensing probe in glass-top stoves triggers safety switches to prevent overheating of the glass and heating elements.
  • Simmerstats use duty cycle control to modulate power output by cycling the heating elements on and off at varying intervals.
  • Pulse width modulation (PWM) is a similar concept to duty cycle control, but they technically describe different methods of power modulation.

14:17

Efficient Power Control with Simmerstat Thermostat

  • The copper bar hosting the main switch contact has a bimetallic strip attached to it, deforming when heated.
  • When current flows through the copper bar to the cooktop heating element, the bimetallic strip bends, causing the switch to open.
  • The bimetallic strip's movement breaks the circuit, stopping current flow, but the bar cools down, allowing the cycle to repeat.
  • The simmerstat, similar to a turn signal flasher, controls power output by adjusting the duty cycle based on the control knob position.
  • The control knob is connected to a cam that presses on switch contacts, determining when the circuit opens or closes.
  • The cam's profile changes the resting position of the switch contacts, affecting the temperature at which the circuit opens.
  • The device functions as a thermostat, with the cam's position dictating the temperature at which the circuit switches off.
  • Adjusting the knob alters the duty cycle by changing the temperature at which the circuit opens, affecting power output.
  • The device's switching action based on the bimetallic strip's temperature allows for quick adjustments in power levels.
  • The simmerstat's design allows for efficient and rapid changes in power output based on the temperature of the internal heater.

28:46

Simmerstat: Control Heating Elements with Precision

  • Simmerstat is a switch that controls heating elements drawing 8.9 to 11 amps, with its effectiveness dependent on the current passing through it.
  • A 1,100 watt hot plate draws about 9 amps at 120V, aligning well with the simmerstat, while a smaller 900-watt hot plate disrupts the intended duty cycles.
  • The simmerstat's switch lacks snap-action, leading to occasional arcing due to the contacts barely moving despite switching 10 amps.
  • Simmerstats vary in functionality, with some potentially utilizing a dedicated resistor or relay to ensure consistent duty cycles regardless of the load.
  • Cheap hotplates often use plain thermostats instead of simmerstats, making precise control challenging due to the lack of a simmerstat's functionality.
  • Modern high-power solid-state components could offer more precise control over cooktop burners, akin to a dimmer switch, potentially improving cooking experiences.
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