How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
We offer a variety of styles, sizes and features that will fit in with any kitchen.
Solid plate hobs are simple to use and are durable. They have metal plates with sealed surfaces that heat your cookware. They are suitable for flat-based products and can be cost-effective to run.
Origins
Ovens are kitchen appliances that are used to bake and roast food in households around the world. They are typically powered by electricity or gas, with models that use bottle gas that are sold in certain stores, although ovens may additionally use other fuels such as wood or charcoal. In many homes the oven is enclosed by a hob on which food items can be cooked. The difference between a stove and an oven is that a stove has burners that are able to be switched off and on, whereas an oven has an enclosure where food is heated in the center.
The first ovens were huge brick and mud structures that had a fire for heating food. They were used for baking bread, cooking meat, and cooking other meals because they contained heat well and maintained a consistent temperature. They could also be shared among family members. However, these open pits and furnaces came with three major disadvantages: they were risky because of the smoke and flames that could be seen, they consumed a lot of fuel (wood), and it was difficult to regulate the heat and cooking process.
The solution was to use ovens that resembled like fireplaces. They had a chimney that blocked off the flame, reducing the intensity and amount of smoke. This made it easier to manage. These were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, and were typically found in households that were wealthy enough to have a separate kitchen area with a chimney, and having more than one oven and fireplace.
By the mid-19th century, European ovens had evolved to become a standard feature in kitchens at home. It was partly due the fact that the oven was a necessity. It was safer and more efficient to cook their food over an open fire or in a cauldron. It is also believed that the development and use of the oven uk coincided in part with changes in cooking methods and recipes, which led to a greater focus on casseroles and meat.
It is important to note that in some recipes, such as those from Nigella she may suggest cooking the pot "on the hob" however this could be misleading because a hob is actually an actual British word that refers to stove top. If you're unfamiliar with British terminology and terminology, the North American equivalent would be the term cooktop or range.
Functions
The oven functions, also referred to as cooking modes, are preprogrammed settings which control the oven's heating element as well as fan based on the recipe you are cooking. They are designed to help you cook food more efficiently and effectively while preserving the taste and texture.
Ovens come with a traditional mode that cooks food from the top to the bottom. They also offer a fan-assisted mode that uses a built-in fan to circulate air around the oven to ensure better even and faster heating. There are many options for oven and hob functions. It's important to know the differences to determine the best ovens uk one for you.
A fan-assisted oven feature is ideal to cook a variety of foods. It can heat the oven more evenly than a traditional oven, and is perfect for baking, grilling, and roasting. It is particularly useful for dishes like pizza and pie that require a quick crisp, clean finish. The setting for Fan-Assisted is marked with a zigzag at the top and straight lines at the bottom of a square and can help you save up to 40% 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 charcoal. It's perfect for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and can be marked with zigzags or straight lines similar to Fan-Assisted. This type of oven is typically used on the lower shelf of the oven. Be sure to be aware of the temperature settings of your oven to ensure that you don't overcook.
There are other oven functions for proofing pastry and bread, slow cooking, and more. They are typically preprogrammed to create a controlled, warm environment to help rise dough and develop flavours.
There are ovens that come with a Steam function which is ideal for making healthy, nutritious food. It provides a low level of moisture to your food, which helps preserve tenderness and adds a delicate, rich taste to poultry, vegetables, baked goods, and even custards. It's as simple as pouring water into the reservoir inside your oven and turning it on, with some models even automatically changing the amount of steam to depend on the temperature that is selected.
Types
There are a variety of ovens and hobs that are available with a range of styles, from traditional gas models to modern electric models. Picking the one that best suits your needs and style can make a big difference to how it is easy to cook in your home. It is important to consider features such as self-cleaning and intelligent capabilities too.
Gas ovens are a great fit in many kitchens and are a very popular choice. They are easy to use since they come with rings on the burners as well as an grate on which pans rest which emits heat. Gas hobs are also energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. This could help you lower your energy bills. However, they can take longer to heat than electric ones and are difficult to clean if they are left with residues.
Electric hobs are available in a variety of different designs including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are more expensive, however they are energy efficient since the hob only heats up when you place an item on it. They also remain cool to the point of contact, making them more child-safe, and are fairly quick to heat up. However, they may not always heat the pan evenly and may take a while to cool down.
Plate hobs are a classic of the kitchen, offering an array of cooking zones on a flat surface that sits under your kitchen units. They sport a sleek, modern design that is perfect for all kitchens. They can be difficult to clean since they have multiple cooking zones with uneven heating and can leave burn marks on the surface if they are not cleaned properly.
Built-in single ovens are the most popular type of oven and these can be fitted either under a stove or at eye level in an integrated unit. They are often big enough to accommodate a large meal and come in a variety of sizes, so be sure to take into consideration your family's size when selecting an oven. They are also available with additional options such as a grill or a steam function.
Installation
If you're installing a new oven or replacing an existing one it may be worth getting an electrician to take care of the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and that your new cooker is safe to use. A licensed electrician can adhere to local regulations to ensure your installation is compliant with all safety standards.
You'll need all the tools and materials you require prior to beginning the installation process of your new electric hob and oven. These include wire nuts a screwdriver, electrical tape, an electrical circuit tester and conduit. It's also important to test the electrical supply in your home and ensure it can handle the load of a new electric oven and hob.
The first step of installing a new hob and oven is to take out any old appliances. Locate the bolts or screws holding the old appliance and remove them carefully. After the appliance has been removed, the area where the new one will be installed should be clean and free of obstructions. Then, a junction box must be mounted and connected to the electrical supply using conduit. This must be done in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and any relevant local regulations.
Once electrical connections are completed after which the oven and hob can be moved into place. The fitter will then utilize the clips that came with the hob to secure it to the wall and ensure that it is flush with the worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to confirm that it is working correctly.
If you're installing a gas hob and oven, it's a good idea to employ a professional for the task. Gas installation isn't as simple as plugging in an electric oven. A CORGI registered engineer must connect the pipes. Installing an oven hood is a good option if you do not already have one. It will allow you to ventilate your kitchen and is required under Part F of Building Regulations.