How to Choose the Right Oven and hob uk for Your Kitchen
If you're looking for an oven or a new hob, we've got the dimensions and styles, features and designs to suit your kitchen.
It is generally easy to use and hard-wearing solid plate hobs are sealed metal plates that cook your cookware. These are good for flat-based products and can be cost-effective to operate.
Origins
Ovens are kitchen appliances that are used to bake and roast food in households around the world. Generally they are fueled by gas or electricity with models that use bottle gas that are sold in certain stores but ovens can also use other fuels like charcoal or wood. In many homes, the oven is surrounded by a hob that food can be cooked. The difference between a stove and an oven is that a stove has burners that can be turned off and on, whereas an oven has an enclosure that allows food to be heated in the middle.
The first ovens were massive brick and mud structures, which contained fire to heat food. They were used to bake bread, cook meat, and other dishes as they were relatively good at keeping the heat at an even temperature and could easily be shared between family members. These open pits and ovens had three major disadvantages They were dangerous because of the open flames and smoke and they required a lot of fuel (wood), they were difficult to control the heat and cooking.
A solution was found using ovens that resembled fireplaces, with a chimney that shut off the fire to decrease its intensity and smoke and make 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, as well as having more than one oven and fireplace.
By the middle of the 19th century, European ovens had evolved to become a common element in kitchens of homes. This was due to the fact that the oven became essential, since it was much safer and more efficient to cook with an oven than over an open flame or in a cauldron. It is believed that the invention of the oven was correlated with the changes in cooking methods and recipes that led to an increased emphasis on meat and casseroles.
In certain recipes, like those by Nigella she might suggest leaving the pan "on the hob". However it could be confusing because a hob used in British English is a stovetop. The North American equivalent is a range or cooktop, and it can be confusing if you're not familiar with British terminology.
Functions
Oven functions, also known as cooking modes, are pre-programmed choices that control how the oven's heating elements and the fan operate depending on your recipe. They are designed to make cooking food simpler and more efficient, while preserving the flavor and texture.
Most ovens come with a conventional mode that heats from the top and bottom to bake or roast food items. They also offer a fan-assisted mode that utilizes a built-in fan in order to circulate air around the oven to ensure better even and faster heating. There are a myriad of types of ovens and hobs to choose from, and it's important to be aware of the different options to figure out which one is best ovens suited to your needs.
A fan-powered oven is ideal for cooking a variety foods. It heats up the oven more evenly than standard ovens and is ideal for grilling, baking, and roasting. It's particularly useful for dishes that require an immediate, crisp finish like pizzas or pies. The Fan-Assisted setting is marked by a zigzag at 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 a grilling feature that combines heat from the bottom and top of the oven to give your food the perfect charcoal. This is a great option for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and can be identified by straight lines and zigzag lines, such as Fan-Assisted. This mode is typically used on the lower shelf of the oven. Be sure to check the temperature settings of your oven to ensure that you don't overcook.
There are also other oven functions that include bread and pastry proofing slow cooking, baking and much other things. These ovens are usually programmed to create a warm, controlled atmosphere to aid in the rise of dough and allow your food to develop wonderful flavours.
Some ovens come with a steam function that is ideal for creating healthy and nutritious food. It offers a moderate amount of moisture to your food, which preserves tenderness and adds an exquisite, rich flavor to your poultry, vegetables, baked goods as well as custards. This feature can be activated by placing water into the oven's reservoir and then turning it on. Some models will even alter the amount of steam according to the temperature you select.
Types
There are a variety of ovens and hobs available that are available, ranging from traditional gas models to modern electric models. Picking the one that best suits your requirements and preferences can make a big difference to how it is easy to cook in your home. It is worth considering features like self-cleaning and intelligent capabilities too.
Gas ovens are suitable for many kitchens and are a very popular choice. They are simple to use because they come with rings on the burners as well as an grate on which pans rest that emits heat. Gas hobs are also known to be energy efficient and offer precise temperature control, which means 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 are available in a range of designs including induction and ceramic. Induction hobs are more expensive, however they are more energy efficient as the hob only gets hot when you put an item on it. They are also safe for children and can heat up quite quickly. However, they may not always heat evenly and can be slow to cool down.
Plate hobs are a classic of the kitchen, featuring an array of cooking zones that are placed on flat surfaces that are placed under your kitchen units. They are sleek and have a modern design that is perfect for the majority of kitchens. They aren't easy 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 cleaned in a timely manner.
The most common type is the built-in single-oven. They can be placed either beneath a hob, or at eye-level in an built-in cabinet. When selecting an oven, consider the size of your family. They are usually large enough to hold a big meal and come in different sizes. You can also find them with additional features, such as a steam or grill function.
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 that the electrical circuit is correctly set up and your new cooker is safe for use. A qualified electrician can follow local regulations and ensure that the installation is in line with all applicable safety regulations.
You'll need all the tools and equipment you require prior to beginning the installation of your brand new electric oven and hob. Wire nuts as well as a screwdriver and electrical tape are among the tools you'll require. It is also essential to examine the electrical supply at your home and ensure it can handle the load of a brand new electric oven and hob.
The first step of putting in a new stove and oven is to take out any old appliances. To do this, locate the screws or bolts that hold the old appliance in place and carefully remove them. Once the appliance has been removed, the area where the new one will be installed must be free of obstructions. Next, a junction box will need to be erected and connected to the electrical supply using conduit. This must be done in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and any relevant local regulations.
After electrical connections have been established and the oven or hob is connected, it can then be lowered in place. The fitter will then make use of the clips supplied with the hob to fix it to the wall and ensure that it's flush with the worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to ensure it is working correctly.
It's best hob uk to hire an expert to install a gas stove and oven. Gas installation isn't as straightforward as plugging in a brand new electric oven. It requires the services of a CORGI certified engineer to connect the pipes. It's also a good idea to get an oven hood fitted if you don't already have one, as this will help to ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.