An electric stove and a fire (e.g., a flame from burning wood or gas) are two different methods of generating heat for cooking, and they work based on distinct principles.
Electric Stove: An electric stove uses electricity to heat up a coil or element, which then transfers the heat to the cookware placed on top of it. When you turn off an electric stove, you are essentially cutting off the electrical current to the heating element. As a result, the heat generation stops immediately, and the stove cools down rapidly. There is no physical flame or combustion involved in the process, so the heat source is instantly gone when you switch off the stove.
Fire and Combustion: A traditional fire or gas flame requires a continuous supply of fuel (e.g., wood, gas) and oxygen (from the air) to sustain combustion. When a fire is ignited, the heat generated from the burning fuel maintains the temperature needed to sustain the chemical reaction, and the flame continues to burn as long as there is a sufficient supply of fuel and oxygen. If you were to remove the fuel or oxygen, the combustion process would stop, and the flame would extinguish.
In summary, the fundamental difference lies in the energy source and the process of heat generation. Electric stoves use electricity to generate heat through resistance in a coil, and the heat stops immediately when the electricity is turned off. On the other hand, fires (e.g., gas flames) rely on continuous combustion, requiring a constant supply of fuel and oxygen to keep burning. When the fuel or oxygen supply is cut off, the fire extinguishes.