How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
If you're in the market for a new oven or hob we've got a range of sizes and styles, features and designs to match your kitchen.
It is generally easy to use and hard-wearing solid plate hobs feature sealed metal plates that heat your cookware. These are good for flat-based products and may be cost-effective to operate.
Origins
Ovens are kitchen appliances that are used to roast and bake food in households around the world. In general, they are powered by gas or electricity. The models with gas bottles are available in certain markets. However, ovens can also be powered by other fuels such as charcoal or wood. In many homes the oven is usually surrounded by a kitchen hob, which is where food can be cooked. The distinction between a hob and an oven is that a hob has burners that can be switched off and on, whereas an oven has an enclosure where food is heated in the centre.
The first ovens were huge brick and mud structures that contained fire to heat food. These ovens were used for baking bread, cooking meat, and for cooking other foods since they were able to hold heat and maintained a consistent temperature. They could also be shared by family members. The open pits and ovens had three major drawbacks: they were dangerous because of the open flames and smoke and they required a lot of fuel (wood), they were difficult to control heat and the cooking process.
A solution was found using 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 manage. They were popular in the 16th and early 17th centuries. They were used in homes of the wealthy that had a separate kitchen with a chimney as well as more than one fireplace and oven uk.
In the late 19th century, European ovens had evolved to become a standard element in kitchens of homes. It was partly due to the fact that the oven was an essential requirement. It was safer and more efficient to cook over an open flame or in the cauldron. However, it is also thought that the development of the oven coincided with the changes in cooking methods and recipes, which led to more emphasis on meat and casseroles.
In some recipes, like those of Nigella she may recommend placing the pan "on the hob". However it could be confusing because a hob used in British English refers to an oven. If you're not familiar with British terminology, the North American equivalent would be a cooktop or range.
Functions
Oven functions, or cooking modes, are pre-programmed choices that regulate how the oven's heating elements and fan work based on the recipe. They are designed to allow you to cook food more efficiently and effectively while preserving flavour and texture.
Ovens have 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 for more even heating and faster speed. There are a variety of oven and hob functions to choose from, and it's important to know the various features to find out which ones are right for your requirements.
The fan-assisted function of the oven is ideal for cooking a wide variety of foods. It heats the oven more evenly than traditional ovens and is ideal for grilling, baking, and roasting. It's particularly useful for dishes that require quick, crisp and fast-drying, such as pizza or pie. The Fan-Assisted setting features an angled top and a line on the bottom. It can help save up to 40 percent of cooking time.
Some ovens and hobs have a grilling feature that combines heat from the top and bottom of the oven to give your food an amazing charcoal. This is the perfect mode for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and can be marked by zigzag lines and straight lines, similar to Fan-Assisted. This is usually used on the bottom shelf of the oven. Be sure to verify the temperature settings inside your oven to prevent overcooking.
Other oven functions include slow cooking, proofing bread and pastries, and other things. They are typically programmed to create a warm, controlled environment that will facilitate the rise of dough and help your food to develop great flavor.
Some ovens come with a steam function that is perfect for making healthy and nutritious meals. It provides a low level of moisture to your food, which maintains the tenderness of the food and imparts a delicate, rich flavour to poultry, vegetables baked goods, baked items as well as custards. This feature can be activated by placing water in the oven's reservoir, and turning it on. Certain models can alter the amount of steam depending on the temperature selected.
Types
There are many types of oven and hob on the market that range from traditional gas to modern electric models. It is essential to choose an oven and hob that suits your needs. Look into features such as self-cleaning or smart features.
Gas ovens work well in many kitchens and are a very popular choice. They typically come with burners that have rings and a grate on which pans rest on, which releases heat, which makes them simple to use. Gas hobs are also known to be energy efficient and have precise temperature control, meaning they can cut down on your utility costs. However, they may take longer to heat up than electric ones and are difficult to clean if they are coated with a residue.
Electric hobs come in a variety of different styles including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs may be a little more expensive to purchase, but they are considered to be energy efficient because the hob only generates heat when you place a pot over it. They also remain cool to the touch, making them safer for children, and are quick to heat up. They are also slow to cool off and do not warm up evenly.
Plate hobs are another stalwart of the kitchen, offering an array of electric cooking zones, all on a flat surface that sits under your kitchen units. They have a sleek, modern look that will complement the majority of kitchens. They are difficult to clean because they have multiple zones of uneven heating. If not cleaned properly, they can leave burn marks.
Single ovens with built-in ovens are the most commonly used type of oven, and can be placed either under a stove or at eye level in a built-in unit. When selecting an oven, consider the size of your family. They can be large enough to hold a big meal and come in different sizes. You can also find them with additional features like grill or steam features.
Installation
It could be worthwhile to hire an electrician to set up the new oven for you, or replace an old one. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is properly installed and 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.
Before beginning the process of installing your new electric oven and hob you'll need all the required supplies and tools in your kitchen. Wire nuts, a screwdriver, and electrical tape are among the tools you'll need. It is also essential to examine the electrical supply in your home and make sure it can handle the load of a brand new electric oven and hob.
In order to install a new oven and hob, you must first take them out of the old ones. To do this, find the screws or bolts that hold the old appliance and remove them with care. After the old appliance has been removed from the area it must be cleared of any obstructions. Then, 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 and any local regulations.
Once electrical connections are completed, the oven and hob can be moved into place. The fitter will utilize the clips that came with the hob to fix it and ensure that it's level with your worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to confirm that it is operating properly.
If you're planning to install a gas oven and hob it's a good idea hire a professional for the job. Gas installation isn't quite as easy as plugging in a brand new electric oven, and requires the assistance of a CORGI certified engineer to connect the pipework. Installing cooker hoods is an 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 Building Regulations.