Premium Levella PRE2025GW: Compact 20-Inch Electric Range Explained

The heart of any home is often the kitchen, but what happens when that heart needs to fit into a smaller space? Whether you live in a cozy apartment, a compact condo, or a charming cabin, maximizing every inch of your kitchen is crucial. That’s where appliances like the Premium Levella PRE2025GW 20-inch electric range come into play. It’s a testament to the idea that you don’t need a sprawling kitchen to create delicious meals.

The electric range itself has a rich history. From its humble beginnings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when electricity was first making its way into homes, the electric range has evolved from a novelty to a kitchen staple. Early models were often bulky and inefficient, but they paved the way for the sleek, versatile appliances we have today. The PRE2025GW represents a modern iteration, designed for efficiency and convenience in smaller living spaces.

Compact Kitchen Champion: The 20-Inch Advantage

The defining feature of the Premium Levella PRE2025GW is, undoubtedly, its size. At just 20 inches wide, it’s significantly smaller than standard 30-inch ranges, making it an ideal choice for kitchens where space is at a premium. This compact design doesn’t sacrifice functionality, however. It still offers a complete cooking solution, combining a four-burner cooktop with a 2.2 cubic foot oven.

This range is particularly well-suited for:

• Apartment Dwellers: City living often means smaller kitchens. A 20-inch range can be the difference between a cramped cooking experience and a comfortable one.
• Small Families or Individuals: If you’re not regularly cooking large meals for a crowd, a smaller oven can be more energy-efficient and easier to manage.
• Secondary Kitchens: This range could be perfect for a basement kitchenette, a guest house, or a vacation home.
• Efficiency Seekers: Those concious of space and effciency.

Coil Burner Basics: Understanding the Fundamentals

The PRE2025GW features four coil burners: three 6-inch burners rated at 1250 watts and one 8-inch burner at 2100 watts. Coil burners are a classic and time-tested technology. They work on a simple principle: electrical resistance.

When you turn the knob, electricity flows through the metal coil. The metal has a certain amount of resistance to the flow of electricity, and this resistance generates heat. Think of it like rubbing your hands together quickly – the friction creates warmth. The higher the wattage, the more electrical energy is converted to heat, resulting in a hotter burner.

Coil Burner Pros:

• Affordability: Coil burners are typically less expensive to manufacture than other types of electric heating elements, making them a budget-friendly option.
• Durability: They are quite robust and can withstand heavy pots and pans.
• Easy Replacement: If a coil burner does fail, it’s relatively easy and inexpensive to replace.

Coil Burner Cons:

• Slower Heating: Compared to smooth-top or induction burners, coil burners can take longer to heat up and cool down.
• Uneven Heat Distribution: The heat is concentrated where the coil makes direct contact with the cookware, which can sometimes lead to hot spots.
• Cleaning Challenges: Spills and food particles can easily fall between the coils and onto the drip pans below, making cleaning more involved.

It’s worth briefly comparing coil burners to other common electric cooktop options:

• Smooth-Top (Radiant) Burners: These have a ceramic glass surface with heating elements underneath. They offer a sleeker look, are easier to clean, and provide more even heat distribution than coil burners. However, they can be more expensive and prone to scratching.
• Induction Burners: These use electromagnetic fields to heat the cookware directly, rather than heating the burner itself. Induction is the most energy-efficient and fastest heating method, offering precise temperature control. However, induction cooktops are typically the most expensive and require cookware with a magnetic base (like cast iron or some stainless steel).
  

Inside the Oven: Heat, Light, and Capacity

The Premium Levella PRE2025GW boasts a 2.2 cubic foot oven. While smaller than a standard oven, it’s still ample space for everyday cooking needs, such as roasting a chicken, baking a casserole, or cooking a pizza.

The oven operates using two heating elements: one at the bottom for baking and one at the top for broiling. When you set the oven temperature, a thermostat monitors the internal temperature and cycles the heating elements on and off to maintain the desired heat level.

The incandescent oven light is a simple but essential feature. It allows you to monitor your food’s progress without opening the oven door, which would release heat and potentially disrupt the cooking process.

Regarding the fan mentioned in some user reviews, it’s important to clarify its function. Based on available information and common range designs, this fan is most likely a cooling fan. Its primary purpose is to cool down the oven’s internal components after cooking is complete. This helps to prevent overheating and prolong the life of the appliance. It’s less likely to be a convection fan, as convection ovens typically have a dedicated fan and heating element specifically designed to circulate hot air for more even baking. The PRE2025GW’s specifications do not list convection as a feature. However, without direct confirmation from the manufacturer, this remains a slightly educated assumption.

Beyond Baking: The Storage and Broiler Drawer

Below the oven, the PRE2025GW features two drawers: a storage drawer and a broiler drawer.

The storage drawer provides a convenient space to store pots, pans, baking sheets, and other cookware. This is particularly valuable in smaller kitchens where storage space is limited. However, it’s crucial to remember that this drawer will get hot when the oven is in use. Do not store plastic items, flammable materials, or anything that could be damaged by heat in this drawer.

The broiler drawer is designed for broiling, a cooking method that uses intense, direct heat from above. Broiling is ideal for quickly cooking thin cuts of meat, searing vegetables, or melting cheese on top of dishes. The broiler element in the PRE2025GW is located at the top of the oven cavity, and the broiler drawer provides the correct positioning for optimal broiling results.

Safety First: Features and Precautions

Safety is paramount in any kitchen appliance. The PRE2025GW incorporates several safety features:

• Overheat Protection: While the exact mechanism isn’t specified, most electric ranges have built-in thermostats that will shut off the heating elements if they reach dangerously high temperatures. This helps to prevent fires and damage to the appliance.
• Hot Surface Indicator: One user review mentioned a hot surface indicator light that remains on even after the burners are turned off and cooled down. This requires clarification. Ideally, a hot surface indicator should only illuminate when a burner is hot enough to cause a burn and should turn off once the surface has cooled to a safe temperature. If the light remains on constantly, even at a dimmer setting, it could be a design quirk or a potential malfunction. It’s advisable to consult the user manual or contact customer service for clarification on this specific feature. It doesn’t seem safe or logical for a warning light to be lit at all times.
• General Safety tips:
  • Never leave the range unattended while cooking.
  • Keep flammable materials (e.g., oven mitts, towels) away from the burners.
  • Use cookware that is appropriate for the size of the burner.
  • Be careful when opening the oven door, as hot air and steam can escape.
  • If you have young children, consider using knob covers to prevent them from accidentally turning on the burners.
  • Ensure proper ventilation in your kitchen to remove cooking fumes and heat.

Energy Efficiency: Cooking Smart

Electric ranges, in general, are less energy-efficient than gas ranges or induction cooktops. However, there are ways to maximize efficiency and minimize energy consumption when using the PRE2025GW:

• Match Pot Size to Burner Size: Using a small pot on a large burner wastes energy. Choose a burner that is close in size to the bottom of your pan.
• Use Lids: Covering pots and pans helps to trap heat and reduce cooking time.
• Preheat Only When Necessary: For many recipes, preheating the oven isn’t essential.
• Use the Residual Heat: Turn off the oven or burner a few minutes before the cooking time is complete, and let the residual heat finish the job.
• Keep the Oven Door Closed: Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily, as this releases heat and forces the oven to work harder.
  

Keeping it Clean: Maintenance Made Easy

Regular cleaning is essential for maintaining the performance and longevity of your electric range.

• Coil Burners:

  1. Allow the burners to cool completely.
  2. Remove the drip pans underneath the burners.
  3. Wipe the coils with a damp cloth or sponge. For stubborn stains, you can use a mild abrasive cleaner, but be careful not to scratch the surface.
  4. Wash the drip pans with warm, soapy water.
  5. Dry all parts thoroughly before reassembling.

• Oven Interior:

  1. Allow the oven to cool completely.
  2. Remove the oven racks.
  3. For light spills, wipe the interior with a damp cloth or sponge.
  4. For heavier spills, you can use a commercial oven cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, as these can damage the oven’s finish. Note: The PRE2025GW does not have a self-cleaning feature.
  5. Wash the oven racks with warm, soapy water.
  6. Dry all parts thoroughly before reassembling.

• Exterior Surfaces: Wipe the exterior surfaces (including the control panel and door) with a damp cloth or sponge and a mild detergent. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads.

Troubleshooting Tips: Addressing Common Concerns

Here are some solutions to common problems you might encounter with an electric range:

• Burner Not Heating:

  1. Check if the burner is properly plugged into the receptacle.
  2. Inspect the burner coil for any visible damage (e.g., breaks, blisters).
  3. If the burner is damaged, it will need to be replaced.
  4. Check the circuit breaker or fuse box to see if the circuit has tripped or the fuse has blown.

• Oven Not Reaching Temperature:

  1. Make sure the oven temperature is set correctly.
  2. Check if the oven door is closing properly.
  3. Inspect the heating elements for any visible damage.
  4. If the heating elements are not glowing red when the oven is on, they may need to be replaced.
  5. The thermostat may be faulty and require professional repair or replacement.

• Oven Light Not Working:

  1. Check if the light bulb is burned out.
  2. If the bulb is burned out, replace it with a new appliance bulb of the correct wattage.

Installation Essentials: Power and Placement

Installing an electric range typically requires some electrical knowledge and skills. It is strongly recommended to have a qualified electrician handle the installation, especially if you are not comfortable working with electricity.

• Voltage, Amperage and Plug:
  The PRE2025GW, like most electric ranges in North America, likely requires a 240-volt electrical supply. The specific amperage requirement (typically 40 or 50 amps) should be confirmed in the product manual or on the appliance’s rating plate. This information is crucial for safe and proper installation. The range will require a specific type of plug, either a NEMA 14-50 (four-prong) or a NEMA 10-50 (three-prong), depending on the existing wiring in your home. The correct plug type must be determined before installation. Because wiring configurations can vary, electric ranges typically do not come with a power cord included. The appropriate cord must be purchased separately and installed by a qualified electrician.

Conclusion: A Practical Choice for Compact Living

The Premium Levella PRE2025GW 20-inch electric range is a practical and affordable appliance designed for smaller living spaces. While it may lack some of the advanced features found on larger or more expensive models, it provides a reliable and functional cooking solution for apartment dwellers, small families, or anyone who needs a compact range. Its coil burners, though basic, are durable and easy to replace. The 2.2 cubic foot oven offers sufficient capacity for everyday cooking needs, and the storage and broiler drawers add convenience. By understanding its features, limitations, and proper usage, you can make the most of this compact kitchen companion. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovation in the realm of compact appliances, bringing greater efficiency and convenience to kitchens of all sizes. But for now, the PRE2025GW stands as a solid choice for those seeking a space-saving and budget-friendly electric range.