How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
We offer a variety of sizes, styles and features to suit any kitchen.
Solid plate hobs can be simple to use and durable. They feature metal plates with sealed surfaces that heat your cookware. They are suitable for flat-based cookware and can be cost-effective to operate.
Origins
Ovens are commonly used in kitchens across the globe to bake and roast foods. They are typically powered by electricity or gas with gas bottles available in some markets however ovens can also make use of other fuels, like charcoal or wood. In oven uk Ovens And Hobs , 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 sealed enclosure which heats food in the middle.
The first ovens were large brick and mud structures that had a fire for heating food. They were used to bake bread, cook meat, and other dishes since they were quite adept at containing the heat to maintain an even temperature and could easily be shared between family members. However, open pits and furnaces came with three major disadvantages - they were risky due to the open flame and smoke as well as the consumption of fuel (wood) and was difficult to regulate the cooking process and heat.
The solution was to use ovens that resembled like fireplaces. They included a chimney to block off the flame, reducing its intensity and smoke. This made it easier to control. They were popular in the 16th and early 17th century. They were common in homes of the wealthy that had a separate kitchen with a chimney as well as more than one oven and fireplace.
By the mid-19th Century, European ovens were a common feature in kitchens. This was largely due to the fact that the oven was essential. It was more secure and efficient to cook their food over an open flame or in the cauldron. It is also believed that the invention and use of the oven coincided in part with changes in cooking methods and recipes, leading to a greater focus on meat and casseroles.
In certain recipes, like those made by Nigella she might suggest placing a pan "on the hob". However it could be confusing because a hob used in British English is an oven. If you're unfamiliar with British terminology, the North American equivalent would be the term cooktop or range.
Functions
Oven functions, or cooking modes, are pre-programmed options that regulate how the oven's heating elements and fan work based on the recipe. They are designed to help you cook food more efficiently and effectively, while preserving flavour and texture.
Ovens come with a traditional mode that heats food from the top to the bottom. They also have a fan-assisted option that makes use of a built-in fan to circulate air around the oven to ensure more even and faster heating. There are a myriad of types of oven and hob functions to pick from, and it's essential to understand the different features to determine which ones are right for your needs.
A fan-powered oven is perfect to cook a variety of foods. It warms up the oven more evenly than traditional ovens and is ideal for baking, grilling and roasting. It's especially useful for dishes that require an immediate, crisp finish like pizza or pie. The Fan-Assisted setting comes with an angled top and a line at the bottom. It can help save up to 40 percent of cooking time.
Some ovens have grilling features that combine the heat from the bottom of the oven with that from the top to give your food an amazing char. It's great for meat or vegetable kebabs and can be identified by zigzags and straight lines, like Fan-Assisted. This is usually placed on the lower shelf of the oven. Be sure to verify the temperature settings of your oven to avoid overcooking.
Other oven functions include slow cooking baking, proofing bread and pastries, and more. They are typically preprogrammed to create a controlled, warm atmosphere to help rise dough and develop flavours.
There are ovens that have Steam functions that are ideal for creating healthy, nutritious meals. It offers a moderate amount of moisture to your food, which preserves tenderness and adds a delicate, rich flavour to vegetables, poultry, baked items, and even custards. It's 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 based on the selected temperature.
Types
There are many types of oven and hob that are available that range from traditional gas to modern electric models. Selecting one that is suitable for 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 like self-cleaning or smart functions too.
Gas ovens are a great fit in many kitchens and are a popular option. They are easy to use since they have rings around the burners as well as the grate that pans sit on that emits heat. Gas hobs can also be energy efficient and offer precise temperature control, meaning they can reduce your energy bills. However, they can take longer to heat than electric and can be difficult to clean if covered in a layer of residue.
Electric hobs come in a variety of styles including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are a bit more expensive but they are more energy efficient as the hob only heats up when you place a pot on it. They are also cool to the touch, which makes them more child-safe, and are fairly quick to warm up. However, they don't always cook evenly and can be slow to cool down.
Plate hobs, also an essential kitchen appliance, have an array of cooking zones that are all electric and on flat surfaces. They are positioned on top of your kitchen cabinets. They have a sleek, modern appearance that will look sleek and complement most kitchens. They are difficult to clean as they contain multiple zones of uneven heating. If not cleaned properly, they can leave burn marks.
The most commonly used model is the built-in single oven. These can be installed under a hob or on the floor in a built-in cabinet. When choosing an oven, take into consideration the size of your family. They are usually large enough to accommodate a huge meal and are available in various sizes. You can also find them with extra features such as grill or steam features.
Installation
If you're planning on installing a brand new oven or replacing one you have, it may be worth getting an electrician to take care of the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is properly set up and your new oven is safe to use. A qualified electrician can follow local regulations to make sure that your installation is in compliance with all safety codes.
Before beginning the installation process of your new electric oven and hob, you'll need to have all the required equipment and tools on hand. Wire nuts as well as a screwdriver and electrical tape are among the tools you'll need. It's also important to check the electrical supply in your home to ensure it is able to handle the load of a brand new electric oven and hob.
The first step in the process of installing a new cooktop and oven is to take out any old appliances. To do this, find the bolts or screws that hold the old appliance in place and carefully remove them. After the old appliance is removed from the space, it should be cleaned and free of obstructions. The junction box needs to be mounted, and the conduit connected to the electrical supply. This should be done in accordance with manufacturer's instructions as well as any relevant local regulations.
Once the electrical connections have been completed then the oven and the hob can be lifted into place. The fitter will use the clips that came along with the hob in order to secure it and ensure it's level with your work surface. The fitter will test the hob to ensure that it's working correctly.
If you're installing a gas hob and oven, it's a good idea engage a professional to do the job. Gas installation isn't as simple as connecting an electric oven. A CORGI certified 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 this will help to ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.
