Oven And Hob Tools To Ease Your Day-To-Day Life

How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen

We offer a variety of sizes, styles and features that can be adapted to any kitchen.

Solid plate hobs are easy to use and durable. They feature metal plates with a sealed surface that heats your cookware. These are good for flat-based cookware and can be economical to run.

Origins

Ovens are kitchen appliances used to bake and roast food for households across the world. They are typically powered by electricity or gas, with gas bottles available in some markets, although ovens may also use other fuels like charcoal or wood. In a lot of homes, the oven is enclosed by a hob on which food can be cooked. Hobs are essentially a stove that can be turned on and off. An oven is a closed enclosure that heats food in the middle.

The first ovens were huge brick and mud structures that contained fire to heat food. They were used to bake bread, cook meat and other dishes since they were quite adept at controlling the heat to keep an even temperature and could easily be shared among family members. However, these open pits and furnaces came with three major disadvantages - they were risky because of the open flame and smoke as well as the consumption of fuel (wood), and it was difficult to control the heat and cooking process.

The solution was found in ovens that resembled fireplaces with a chimney that closed off the fire to lessen the intensity and amount of smoke and make it easier to control. These were common during the 16th and 17th centuries. They were used in wealthy households that had a separate kitchen with a chimney as well as more than one fireplace and oven.

By the middle of the 19th century, European ovens had evolved to be a regular feature in home kitchens. This was due to the fact that the oven was essential, since it was more secure and efficient to cook in an oven than over an open flame or with a cauldron. However, it is believed that the invention of the oven was correlated with the changes in cooking techniques and recipes, which resulted in more emphasis on casseroles and meat.

It is important to note that in certain recipes, like those of Nigella, she will recommend cooking a pot "on the hob", but this can be misleading because hob is actually an actual British word for a stove top. The North American equivalent is a range or cooktop, so it can be confusing if not familiar with the British terminology.

Functions

The oven functions, also referred to as cooking modes, are preprogrammed settings which control the oven's heating element as well as fan depending on your recipe. They are designed to make cooking food simpler and more efficient while maintaining the taste and texture.

Ovens have a traditional mode that heats food from the top to the bottom. They also offer a fan-assisted mode that utilizes a built-in fan in order to circulate air around the oven for more even and faster heating. There are many options for oven and hob functions. It is important to understand the distinctions to decide the best one for you.

The fan-powered function of the oven is perfect for cooking a range of food items. It heats the oven more evenly than a traditional oven, and is great for grilling, baking and roasting. It's particularly useful for meals that require a fast, crisp finish like pizza or pie. The Fan-Assisted setting has an angled top and a line at the bottom. It can save up to 40 percent of cooking time.

Certain ovens come with grilling features that combine heat from the bottom and top of the oven to give your food the perfect char. This is the perfect mode for meat and vegetable kebabs and can be marked by straight lines or zigzag lines, similar to Fan-Assisted. This mode is typically placed on the lower shelf of the oven. Be sure to verify the temperature settings of your oven to ensure that you don't overcook.

There are other oven functions that include bread and pastry proofing slow cooking, baking, and more. These are usually preprogrammed and create a controlled, warm atmosphere to help rise dough and develop flavours.

There are ovens that have Steam functions that are ideal for making healthy, nutritious foods. It adds a delicate and rich flavor to baked items such as poultry, vegetables, and custards. This function can be activated by pouring water in the oven's reservoir and then turning it on. Some models even adjust the amount of steam according to the temperature you select.

Types

There are many kinds of oven and hob on the market with a range of styles, from traditional gas models to modern electric models. It is crucial to select an oven hob and a hob that meets your requirements. It is worth considering features like self-cleaning and smart functions too.

Gas ovens are a popular option and work well in most kitchens. They typically come with burners with rings and a grate that pans rest on. They emit heat, so they are easy to use. Gas hobs are also known to be energy efficient and have precise temperature control, meaning they can reduce your energy costs. They can take longer to warm up than electric hobs and may be more difficult to clean with residue.

Electric hobs oven come in many different styles including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs may be somewhat more expensive to purchase, but they are considered to be energy efficient since the hob only generates heat when you place a pan on it. They are also safe for children and heat up quite quickly. They are also slow to cool down and don't get hot enough evenly.

Plate hobs are a classic of the kitchen, offering an array of electric cooking zones on a flat surface that sits under your kitchen units. They have a sleek, modern design that can be a perfect match for most kitchens. They can be difficult to keep clean as they have multiple cooking zones that have uneven heating and can leave burn marks on the surface if they are not cleaned in a timely manner.

Built-in single ovens are the most commonly used type of oven, and can be placed under a hob or above the eye level in an integrated unit. When choosing an oven, take into consideration the size of your family. They can be large enough to accommodate a large meal and come in different sizes. You can also find them with additional features like grill or steam features.

Installation

It might be worthwhile hiring an electrician to set up an oven that is new for you, or replace an old one. This will ensure the electrical circuit is correctly installed and the new cooker is safe for use. A qualified electrician will be able to follow local regulations and ensure that the installation is in accordance with all applicable safety codes.

You'll require all the tools and supplies you require prior to beginning the installation of your brand new electric hob and oven. Wire nuts, a screwdriver, and electrical tape are among the tools you'll require. Examine the electrical supply in your home to make sure it can handle an electric hob or oven.

The first step in the process of putting in a new stove and oven is to remove any old appliances. To do this, find the bolts or screws that hold the old appliance and then remove them carefully. After the appliance has been removed, the area where the new one is installed should be clean and free of any obstructions. Next a junction box needs to be erected and connected to the electrical supply via conduit. It is essential to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer as well as any local regulations.

After electrical connections are made after which the oven and hob can be lowered into place. The fitter will use the clips that came with the hob in order to fix it and ensure that it's flush with your work surface. The fitter will then test the hob to make sure it is functioning properly.

If you're installing a gas hob and oven, it's a good idea employ a professional for the task. Gas installation isn't as straightforward as plugging in a brand new electric oven and requires the services of a CORGI registered engineer to connect the pipework. Installing a cooker hood is also an option for those who don't have one. This will help ventilate your kitchen, and is required by Part F of Building Regulations.