How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
We offer a variety of sizes, styles and features that can be adapted to any kitchen.
The majority of them are simple to use and durable, solid plate hobs have sealed metal plates that cook your cookware. They're great for flat-based dishes and are economical to run.
Origins
Ovens are kitchen appliances that are used to bake and roast food for households across the world. They are generally powered by electricity or gas. The models with gas bottles are available in some markets. However ovens can also powered by other fuels such as wood or charcoal. In a lot of homes, the oven is enclosed by a hob where food can be cooked. A hob is a burner that can be turned on and off. An oven is a closed enclosure which heats food in the middle.
The first ovens were large 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 amongst family members. Open pits and ovens had three major drawbacks they were risky due to the smoke and flames that could be seen from them as well as the use of a lot of fuel (wood) and they were difficult to control the heat and the cooking process.
The solution was to make ovens look like fireplaces. They had a chimney that secluded off the flame, reducing its intensity and smoke. This made it easier to manage. These were common during the 16th and 17th century. They were found in wealthy households that had a separate kitchen with a chimney and more than one fireplace and oven.
By the middle of the 19th century, European ovens had evolved to be a regular feature in kitchens at home. This was partly because the oven was an essential feature, as it was more secure and efficient to cook food in an oven than over an open flame or using a cauldron. It is believed that the advent of the oven was correlated with the changes in cooking style and recipes, which resulted in an increased emphasis on meat and casseroles.
It is important to note that in some recipes, like those of Nigella, she will recommend leaving a pot "on the hob" but this can be misleading because a hob is actually an actual British word for a stove top. If you're unfamiliar with British terminology, the North American equivalent would be the term cooktop or range.
Functions
The oven functions, also known 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 make cooking food easier and more efficient while maintaining flavour and texture.
Ovens have a traditional mode that cooks food from the top to the bottom. They also have a fan-assisted option that utilizes a built-in fan in order to circulate air around the oven for more even and faster heating. There are many options for oven and hob functions. It is essential to know the differences to determine which one is right for you.
A fan-assisted oven function is perfect for cooking a variety food items. It heats the oven more evenly than a traditional oven, and is great for grilling, baking and roasting. It is particularly useful for pizzas and pie that require a fast crisp, smooth finish. The setting for Fan-Assisted is marked by a zigzag on the top and straight lines at the bottom of the square, and can help you save up to 40% in cooking time.
Certain ovens have grilling features that combine the heat from the bottom of the oven with that from the top, giving your meals a delicious charcoal. This is the perfect mode for meat and vegetable kebabs and can be identified by straight lines or zigzag lines, such as Fan-Assisted. This is usually placed on the bottom shelf of the oven. Be sure to check the temperature settings inside your oven to ensure that you don't overcook.
There are also other oven functions that include proofing of pastry and bread slow cooking, proofing, and other things. They are typically programmed to create a warm and controlled environment that will facilitate the rising of dough and help your food to develop wonderful flavor.
There are ovens with steam functions, which are perfect for creating healthy, nutritious meals. It imparts a delicate, rich flavour to baked items such as poultry, vegetables, and custards. Using this function is as easy as pouring water into the reservoir in your oven and turning it on, with some models even automatically adjusting the amount of steam to depend on the selected temperature.
Types
There are many ovens and hobs available on the market. These are available in a variety of styles, from traditional gas models to contemporary electric ones. Selecting one that is suitable for your needs and style can make a huge difference to how it is easy to cook at home. It is important to consider features like self-cleaning or intelligent capabilities too.
Gas ovens are a great fit in many kitchens and are a common option. They are easy to use because they have rings around the burners as well as a grate where pans rest that emits heat. Gas hobs are also energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. This can help cut your utility bills. They can take longer to warm up than electric hobs, and they can be more difficult to clean up with residue.
Electric hobs come in a range of designs including induction and ceramic. Induction hobs may be slightly more expensive to purchase, but they are considered to be energy efficient since the hob only produces heat when you place a pot over it. They are also safe for children and heat up fairly quickly. They are also slow to cool off and don't get hot enough evenly.
Plate hobs, which are an essential in the kitchen, come with an array of cooking zones that are all electrically powered on a flat surface. They are positioned on top of the cabinets in your kitchen. They are sleek and have a modern design that can be a perfect match for all kitchens. They are difficult to clean as they have a variety of zones with uneven heating. If not properly cleaned they could leave burn marks.
The most commonly used type is the built-in single-oven. These can be installed on top of a stove, or at eye-level in a built-in cabinet. When selecting an oven, take into consideration the size of your family. They are usually large enough to accommodate a huge meal and come in different sizes. You can also find them with additional features like grill or steam features.
Installation
If you're installing a new oven or replacing an old one, it's worth hiring an electrician to manage the installation for you. This will ensure the electrical circuit is set up and your new appliance is safe for use. An electrician who is certified will be able to follow local regulations and ensure that the installation is in line with all applicable safety codes.
You'll need all the tools and supplies you need before you begin the installation of your brand new electric oven and hob. Wire nuts, a screwdriver and electrical tape are among the tools you'll require. It's also important to test the electrical power supply in your home to ensure it can handle the load of a brand new electric oven and hob.
To install a new oven and hob first, you must take them out of the old ones. Locate the screws or bolts holding the old appliance and remove them with care. After the old appliance is removed from the area, it must be cleaned and free of obstructions. The junction box needs to be mounted, and the conduit connected to the electrical supply. It is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer as well as any local regulations.
Once the electrical connections are made, the oven and hob can be moved into position. The fitter will utilize the clips that came along with the hob in order to fix it and ensure that it is flush with your work surface. Finally, the fitter will test the hob and make sure that it's working correctly.
It's best to hire a professional to install a gas hob and oven. Gas installation is not as easy as connecting an electric oven. A CORGI registered engineer must connect the pipework. It's also an excellent idea to get a cooker hood installed in case you don't have one, as it will help to ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.