Carbon build up and what a new stove can do

I had a fourteen year old gas stove that liked to billow a nastily odiferous smoke every time I used the broiler.  A little toast in the morning?  Only if you liked that smoked.  Some roasted asparagus?  Not very appetizing when the house stinks like burning mouse hair.  In fact, for a while, that's what I thought it was.  That a small mouse had climbed up into my old stove and died.  But when the smoke would not stop even after I had scrubbed the oven and the little body should have been completely incinerated, I decided it was something else. 

After talking to my dad, I discovered the stove had been installed improperly so may years ago and he had just "dealt with it" because the company from which he had bought it went out of business shortly thereafter.  So, he made sure he didn't let the broiler become too hot.  It was finally decided that there was probably some carbon build up in the hoses connecting the stove to the gas tanks.  After letting them stew for a day because they didn't want to buy a new stove when they are supposedly coming home to reclaim their house in a few more years, I decided I couldn't deal with this stove until they did and I was going to buy another.  Fortuitously, they decided they didn't want their house to burn down before they came home and called me up to tell me to get a new stove.  So, I did.

New stove and microwave

I got a new microwave also as the old one had lost a handle and was falling out of it's cradle.  I was told to just take it out and buy a countertop as Mom planned on redoing the kitchen when she came home, but I need a vent above the stove.  I believe it will help preserve the cherry cabinets a bit longer also.

Well, it was installed this morning and the poor husband had to deal with the installer complaining about having to stay while somebody brought the conversion kit (for propane) that he had forgotten.  The guy had been here before for work on our shower and had not impressed much with his attitude then.  Then he had to deal with the incessant chatter of the microwave guy.  But, hopefully tonight's dinner will help assuage any ill will he may have toward my new appliances.  I love appliances.  I have little moments of climactic joy when I am in appliance stores, especially kitchen appliances.  The next dream purchase is a $2400 refrigerator. 

Anyway, the virgin stove and microwave have lost their maidenheads to stuffed peppers and roasted cabbage.  The peppers were awesome!  First time I have used this recipe with ground pork and sweet Italian sausage.  I think it made a difference to microwave the peppers for a few minutes before broiling them and stuffing and broiling again.  No smoke!  The roasted cabbage has been better.  I think my failure to mix the salt, pepper, and sugar before sprinkling led to an underage (as opposed to overage) of sugar.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best I've made.

Stuffed Peppers and Roasted Cabbage