If you turn off the electric switch for the kitchen stove while cooking, it will depend on the type of stove you have and the stage of the cooking process. Let's consider two common scenarios:
Electric Stove with Coil Burners: If you have an electric stove with coil burners (the traditional exposed heating elements), turning off the electric switch will immediately stop the flow of electricity to the coils. As a result, the heating elements will start to cool down, and the cooking process will gradually slow down or stop. However, the coils will retain some residual heat, so the burners may continue to provide low heat for a short period after the electricity is turned off.
Electric Stove with Smooth Top (Glass-Ceramic) Burners: In the case of electric stoves with smooth glass-ceramic burners, turning off the electric switch will also stop the flow of electricity to the burners. Similar to coil burners, the smooth top burners will gradually cool down, and the cooking process will slow down or stop. However, glass-ceramic burners can take longer to cool down compared to coil burners due to their heat-retaining properties.
Regardless of the type of electric stove, once the electricity is turned off, the heating elements will eventually lose their heat, and the cooking process will stop. It is important to note that some electric stoves might have a residual heat indicator, which signals when the surface is still hot even after turning off the stove. This indicator serves as a safety feature to prevent accidental burns.
However, if you were using an electric stove for baking, it's worth mentioning that turning off the electricity during baking is not recommended. Baking requires consistent heat for proper cooking, and interrupting the power could result in unevenly cooked food.
In any case, when dealing with hot cooking surfaces, exercise caution and use appropriate heat-resistant gloves or pot holders to avoid burns. Always read the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines specific to your stove model for proper operation and maintenance.