How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
If you're looking for a new oven or hob we have a variety of dimensions, features and styles to fit your kitchen.
Solid plate hobs are simple to use and are durable. They feature metal plates with sealed surfaces that heat your cookware. They are suitable for flat-based products and can be economical to run.
Origins
Ovens are commonly used in kitchens across the globe to roast and bake foods. In general, they are powered by electricity or gas. The models with gas bottles are available in specific markets. However ovens can also powered by other fuels such as wood or charcoal. In a lot of homes the oven is surrounded by a stove where food items can be cooked. A hob is a burner that can be turned on or 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 capable of containing the heat to maintain an even temperature and could be easily shared among family members. However, these open pits and furnaces came with three major disadvantages: they were dangerous because of the smoke and flames that could be seen, they consumed a lot of fuel (wood) and was difficult to control the heat and cooking process.
A solution was found with ovens that resembled fireplaces, with a chimney which shut off the fire to reduce the amount of smoke and intensity, and make it easier to manage. These were common during the 16th and 17th century. They were common in wealthy homes with a separate kitchen with a chimney, and more than one fireplace and oven.
By the mid-19th Century, European ovens were a common feature in kitchens. This was partly because the oven became a necessity, as it was more secure and efficient to cook food in an oven rather than on an open flame or in a cauldron. However, it is believed that the invention of the oven was correlated with the changes in cooking methods and recipes, which led to a greater emphasis on casseroles and meat.
In some recipes, like those of Nigella she may recommend placing the pan "on the hob". However it could be confusing since a hob in British English is a stovetop. The North American equivalent is a cooktop or range, so it could be confusing if not familiar with British terminology.
Functions
The oven's functions, or cooking modes, are pre-programmed settings that regulate how the oven's heating elements and fan work based on the recipe. They are designed to make cooking food simpler and more efficient while also maintaining the flavor and texture.
Ovens typically have a conventional mode that heats from the top and bottom to bake or roast food items. There is also a fan-assisted option that makes use of an integrated fan to circulate air around the oven, which allows for more uniform and faster heating. There are many different types of oven and hob functions to pick from, and it's important to know the various features to determine the ones that are best for your needs.
The fan-assisted function of the oven is perfect to cook a range of food items. It can heat the oven more evenly than a conventional oven, and is great for baking, grilling, and roasting. It's particularly useful for meals that require quick, crisp and fast-drying, such as pizza or pie. The setting for Fan-Assisted 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% in cooking time.
Certain ovens have a grilling function that combines the heat from the bottom of the oven with that from the top, giving your food an amazing charcoal. This is the perfect mode for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and can be identified by straight lines or zigzag lines, like Fan-Assisted. This is typically utilized on the lower rack of the oven, so be certain to be aware of your oven's temperature settings to avoid overcooking.
Other oven functions include slow cooking baking, proofing bread and pastries and many other things. These are usually preprogrammed and provide a controlled warm environment to help rise dough and develop flavours.
Some ovens come with steam functions that are ideal for making healthy and nutritious food. Steam adds a delicate and rich flavour to baked items, poultry, vegetables and custards. It's just as simple as pouring the water into the reservoir inside your oven and turning it on, with some models automatically adjusting the amount of steam based on the temperature you select.
Types
There are a variety of oven and hob on the market, ranging from traditional gas models to modern electric models. It is essential to choose an oven and hob that suits your needs. It is worthwhile to think about features like self-cleaning or smart functions too.
Gas ovens are a very popular option and work well in the majority of kitchens. They are simple to use as they have rings on the burners as well as an grate on which pans rest that emits heat. Gas hobs are also energy efficient and have precise temperature control. This could help you lower your energy bills. However, they may take longer to heat up than electric ones and are difficult to clean if left with residues.
Electric hobs come in a range of designs including induction and ceramic. Induction hobs can be a little more expensive to purchase but are considered energy efficient as the hob generates heat only when you place a pan over it. They also remain cool to the touch, making them more child-safe, and are fairly fast to heat up. However, they don't always heat the pan evenly and can be slow to cool down.
Plate hobs, which are also a kitchen staple, feature a variety of cooking zones that are all electric on flat surfaces. They are positioned under the cabinets in your kitchen. They offer a stylish, modern appearance that look sleek and match the majority of kitchens. They are difficult to clean since they have a variety of zones with uneven heating. If they are not properly cleaned, they can leave burn marks.
The most commonly used type is the built-in single-oven. These can be installed under a hob or at eye-level in an built-in cabinet. When selecting an oven, think about the size of your family. They are usually large enough to accommodate a huge dinner and come in a variety of sizes. There are also ovens with additional features, such as grill or steam functions.
Installation
If you're planning to install a new oven or replacing an old one, it's worth hiring an electrician to take care of the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and that your new appliance is safe for use. A licensed electrician can follow local regulations and ensure that your installation is in compliance with all relevant safety regulations.
Before beginning the process of installing your new electric oven and hob you'll need all the required equipment and tools on hand. These include wire nuts, an electric tape, screwdriver, an electrical circuit tester and conduit. It's also important to test the electrical supply in your home and ensure it can withstand the demands of a brand new electric oven and hob.
To put in a new oven and hob, you must first remove the old ones. Find the screws or bolts holding the old appliance and take them off them carefully. After the appliance has been removed, the area where the new one will be installed must be free of any obstructions. Next the junction box will need to be installed and connected to the electrical supply with conduit. It is important to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer as well as any local regulations.
Once electrical connections have been made then the oven and the hob can be lowered into position. The fitter will then use the clips that came with the hob uk to hold it in place 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 oven and hob it's best to employ a professional for the task. Gas installation isn't quite as easy as plugging in a brand new electric oven, and requires the services of an CORGI registered engineer to connect the pipework. Installing cooker hoods is a good option if you do not already have one. This will allow air to circulate in your kitchen, and is required by the Part F of the Building Regulations.