10 Unexpected Oven And Hob Tips

How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen

We have a wide range of styles, sizes and features that can be adapted to any kitchen.

Solid plate hobs can be simple to use and durable. They are made of metal with a sealed surface that heats your cookware. They're great for flat-based dishes and are cost-effective to run.

Origins

Ovens are kitchen appliances used to roast and bake food for households across the world. Generally they are fueled by gas or electricity with bottle gas models available in some markets but ovens can additionally use other fuels like charcoal or wood. In many homes the oven is located with a hob which is where food can be cooked. Hobs are essentially a stove that can be turned on or off. An oven is a sealed enclosure that heats food in the middle.

The first ovens were massive brick and mud structures that contained fire to heat food. They were used to bake bread, cook meat, and other meals since they were quite adept at keeping the heat at an even temperature and could easily be shared among family members. Open pits and ovens had three major disadvantages: they were dangerous due to the open flames and smoke as well as the use of a lot of fuel (wood) and they were difficult to control heat and the cooking process.

The solution was to make ovens look like fireplaces. They included a chimney to block off the fire, reducing its intensity and the amount of smoke. This made it easier to manage. They were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, and were often found in households that were wealthy enough to have a separate kitchen with a chimney, and having more than one oven and fireplace.

In the late 19th century, European ovens had evolved to become a standard feature in kitchens at home. This was largely due to the fact that the oven was a necessity. It was more secure and efficient for people to cook on an open fire or in a cauldron. It is believed that the growth and use of the oven coincided in part with the evolution of cooking techniques and recipes, leading to a greater emphasis on casseroles and meat.

In some recipes, such as those by Nigella she might suggest placing a pan "on the hob". However it could be confusing since a hob in British English is a stovetop. The North American equivalent is a range or cooktop, and it can be confusing if unfamiliar with the British terminology.

Functions

The oven functions, also referred to as cooking modes, are preprogrammed options which control the oven's heating element and fan depending on your recipe. They are designed to help you cook food more efficiently and effectively while preserving the flavor and texture.

Ovens have a traditional mode that heats food from the top to the bottom. There is also a fan-assisted option which makes use of an integrated fan to circulate air around the oven, allowing a more even and quicker heating. There are many options available for oven and hob functions. It is essential to know the differences to determine which one is right for you.

The fan-assisted function of the oven is perfect for cooking a wide variety of foods. It warms up the oven more evenly than standard ovens and is perfect for grilling, baking and roasting. It's particularly helpful for dishes that require an immediate, crisp finish, such as pizza or pie. The Fan-Assisted setting is marked with a zigzag at the top and an straight line at the bottom of the square, and it can cut down up to 40% of cooking time.

Some ovens have a grilling feature that combines heat from the bottom and top of the oven, giving your food the perfect charcoal. This is the perfect mode for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and is marked with straight lines and zigzag lines, similar to Fan-Assisted. This mode is typically used on the bottom shelf of the oven. Be sure to check the temperature settings inside your oven to ensure that you don't overcook.

Other oven functions include slow cooking making bread and pastries, proofing them and much more. These are usually preprogrammed and create a controlled, warm environment to help rise dough and develop flavours.

Some ovens come with a steam function that is perfect for making healthy and nutritious food. It offers a moderate amount of moisture to your food, which helps preserve tenderness and adds a delicate, rich flavour to poultry, vegetables baked items and even custards. Utilizing this feature is as easy as pouring water into the reservoir of your oven, then turning it on, with some models even automatically adjusting the amount of steam based on the temperature you select.

Types

There are many types of ovens and hobs on the market, ranging from traditional gas to modern electric models. It is important to choose an oven and hob that suits your needs. It is worth considering features like self-cleaning or intelligent capabilities too.

Gas ovens are a great fit in many kitchens and are a popular option. They usually have burners that have rings and a grate on which pans rest on, which releases heat, so they are easy to use. Gas hobs can also be energy efficient and provide precise temperature control, meaning they could reduce your utility costs. However, they can take longer to heat than electric and can be difficult to clean if they are covered in a layer of residue.

Electric hobs come in a range of designs including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs oven can be a little more expensive, but they are energy efficient since the hob only is heated when you put the pot on it. They also remain cool to the point of contact, making them more child-safe, and are fairly quick to heat up. They can also be slow to cool off and do not heat up evenly.

Plate hobs, also a kitchen staple, feature an array of cooking zones that are all electrically powered on a flat surface. They are positioned beneath your kitchen cabinets. They are sleek and have a modern design that can be a perfect match for the majority of kitchens. They can be difficult to keep clean, as they have multiple cooking zones that have uneven heating. They can also leave burn marks on the surface if they are not properly cleaned.

The most common type is the built-in single-oven. They can be set up either beneath a hob, or at eye-level in cabinets with built-in ovens. They are typically large enough to hold a large dinner and are available in various sizes, so make certain to consider your family's size when choosing an oven. They are also available with additional options like the grill or steam function.

Installation

If you're installing a new oven or replacing an existing one it's worth hiring an electrician to manage the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is properly installed and your new appliance is safe to use. A licensed electrician can adhere to local regulations to ensure your installation is in line with all safety standards.

You'll require all the tools and equipment you need before you begin the installation of your new electric hob and oven. Wire nuts, a screwdriver and electrical tape are among the tools you'll require. It's also important to test the electrical supply in your home and make sure it can withstand the demands of a brand new electric oven and hob.

The first step in the process of putting in a new stove and oven is to take out any old appliances. To do this, find the bolts or screws that hold the old appliance and then remove them carefully. After the appliance is removed, the space where the new one will be installed must be clean and free of any obstructions. The junction box must be mounted, and the conduit connected to the electrical supply. It is crucial to follow the instructions of the manufacturer and any local regulations.

Once the electrical connections are made, the oven and hob can be lowered into place. The fitter will then use the clips that came with the hob to hold it in place and make sure that it's in line with the worktop. The fitter will then test the hob and ensure that it's operating correctly.

If you're installing a gas hob and oven, it's best ovens and hobs uk to engage a professional to do the task. Gas installation isn't as straightforward as plugging in a new electric oven, and requires the services of a CORGI certified engineer to connect the pipes. It's also an excellent idea to get an oven hood fitted in the event that you don't have one, as it will help to ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.