The color difference in the heating element of electric stoves is primarily due to the material used in their construction. The two most common materials used for electric stove heating elements are:
Coil-type Heating Elements (Black): These heating elements are made of a high-resistance alloy wire, often nichrome, which has a black appearance. The dark color is a result of the high temperatures these elements reach during operation. As the heating element heats up, it glows red-orange or even white-hot, and the black color of the nichrome wire helps to hide the discoloration caused by the extreme heat.
Ceramic-type Heating Elements (White): Ceramic heating elements are made from a ceramic material with embedded heating wires. The ceramic material is a good insulator and can withstand high temperatures. These elements don't reach the same extreme temperatures as the coil-type heating elements, and as a result, they maintain their white color even during use.
So, the color difference is not directly related to heat production or efficiency but rather to the materials used and the temperatures the heating elements can handle. Both types of heating elements are effective in cooking and heating food; they just have different characteristics and appearances.
When it comes to efficiency, the differences in energy consumption between the two types are not significant. The efficiency of an electric stove is primarily influenced by factors such as the quality of insulation, the type of cookware used, and the overall design of the stove. Using the appropriate cookware, maintaining a clean stove, and matching the burner size to the pot or pan being used are more relevant factors to consider for optimizing energy efficiency while cooking on an electric stove.