How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
If you're in the market for an oven or a new hob, we've got a range of dimensions and features to fit your kitchen.
Solid plate hobs are easy to use and are durable. They have metal plates with a sealed surface that heats your cookware. They are suitable for flat-based products and can be cost-effective to operate.
Origins
Ovens are kitchen appliances used to bake and roast food in households around the world. They are generally powered by gas or electricity. The models with gas bottles are available in certain markets. However ovens can also powered by other fuels such as wood or charcoal. In many homes the oven is located with a hob where food can be prepared. The distinction between a hob and an oven is that a hob comes with burners that can be turned on and off while an oven comes with an enclosure in which food is heated in the center.
The first ovens were huge brick and mud structures, which contained fire to heat food. They were used for baking bread, cooking meat, and cooking other meals since they were able to hold heat and maintained a consistent temperature. They could also be shared between family members. These open pits and ovens had three major drawbacks: they were dangerous due to the open flames and smoke, they used a lot fuel (wood) and were difficult to control heat and cooking.
A solution was found using ovens that resembled fireplaces, with a chimney which shut off the fire to lessen its intensity and smoke and make it easier to manage. They were very popular during the 16th and 17th centuries, and were commonly found in household that were wealthy enough to have a separate kitchen area with a chimney, and having more than one oven and fireplace.
In the late 19th century, European ovens had evolved to become a common feature in home kitchens. This was due to the fact that the oven was an essential feature, as it was much more secure and efficient to cook 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 evolution of cooking methods and recipes, which resulted in an increased concentration on meat and casseroles.
In certain recipes, like those of Nigella she might suggest cooking the pan "on the hob". However, this can be misleading since a hob in British English refers to a stovetop. Read A great deal more is a range or cooktop, and it can be confusing if you're not familiar with British terminology.
Functions
Oven functions, or cooking modes, are pre-programmed settings that control the way in which the oven's heating elements and the fan function based on the recipe you're making. They are designed to make cooking food simpler and more efficient while maintaining flavour and texture.
Most ovens come with a conventional mode that heats from the top and bottom to bake or roast food. They also have a fan-assisted option that utilizes a built-in fan in order to circulate air throughout the oven for more even heating and faster speed. There are a myriad of types of ovens and hobs to choose from, and it's important to understand the different features to find out which one is best suited to your requirements.
A fan-powered oven is ideal to cook a variety of food items. It heats up the oven more evenly than standard ovens and is perfect for grilling, baking, and roasting. It's particularly useful for dishes that need quick, crisp and fast-drying like pizza or pie. The Fan-Assisted setting has an angled top and a line on the bottom. It can cut down up to 40% of cooking time.
Some ovens have grilling features that combine heat from the top and bottom of the oven to give your food a delicious charcoal. This is the perfect mode for meat and vegetable kebabs and can be marked by straight lines and zigzag lines, like Fan-Assisted. This mode is typically placed on the lower shelf of the oven. Be sure to check the temperature settings of your oven to avoid overcooking.
Other oven functions include slow cooking making bread and pastries, proofing them and many other things. They are typically preprogrammed to create a controlled, warm environment that helps rise dough and develop flavors.
There are ovens that have Steam functions that are perfect for creating healthy, nutritious meals. It provides a low level of moisture to your food, which maintains the tenderness of the food and imparts a delicate, rich taste to vegetables, poultry baked goods, baked goods as well as custards. Using this function is as easy as pouring water into the reservoir inside your oven, then turning it on, with certain models even automatically altering the amount of steam to depend on the temperature that is selected.
Types
There are a variety of ovens and hobs available on the market, ranging from traditional gas to modern electric models. It is essential to choose an oven and hob that meets your requirements. It is important to consider features like self-cleaning and intelligent capabilities too.
Gas ovens are suitable for many kitchens and are a popular choice. They usually come with burners that have rings and a grate that pans rest on, which releases heat, which makes them easy to use. Gas hobs can also be energy efficient and offer precise temperature control, which means they can reduce your energy bills. They can take longer to warm up than electric hobs, and they can be more difficult to clean up with dirt.
Electric hobs come in a variety of different styles including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs can be slightly more expensive to purchase however they are considered energy efficient as the hob generates heat only when you place a pan over it. They are also safe for children and heat up relatively quickly. However, they do not always heat the pan uniformly and can take a long time to cool down.
Plate hobs are a classic of the kitchen, featuring an array of electric cooking zones that are placed on flat surfaces that are placed underneath your kitchen appliances. They provide a stylish modern look that looks sleek and complement most kitchens. They are difficult to clean since they have a variety of zones with uneven heating. If not properly cleaned, they can leave burn marks.
Single ovens that are built-in are the most popular kind of oven, and they can be installed either underneath a hob or above the eye level in an integrated unit. When choosing an oven, take into consideration the size of your family. They can be large enough to accommodate a huge dinner and come in a variety of sizes. They can also be found with additional options, such as an oven with a grill or a steam function.
Installation
If you're installing a new oven or replacing an old one, it might be worthwhile to hire an electrician to manage the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is properly 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 your installation is in accordance with all relevant safety codes.
You'll require all the tools and equipment you require prior to beginning the installation of your brand new electric oven and hob. Wire nuts, a screwdriver, and electrical tape are among the tools you'll need. Make sure you check the electrical supply at home to make sure it is able to handle a new electric hob and oven.
To install an oven and hob that are new first, you must remove the old ones. Find the bolts or screws that hold the old appliance and take them off them carefully. After the old appliance has been removed from the space, it should be cleared of any obstructions. Next, a junction box needs to be erected and connected to the electrical supply with conduit. It is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer as well as any local regulations.
After electrical connections have been made and the oven or hob is connected, it can be moved into the desired position. The fitter will then utilize the clips that came with the hob to secure it in place and make sure that it's flush with the worktop. The fitter will test the hob and make sure that it's functioning properly.
If you're planning to install an oven or hob that is gas-powered, it's best to hire a professional for the job. Gas installation isn't as straightforward as plugging in a new electric oven and requires the assistance of an CORGI certified engineer to connect the pipes. Installing a cooker hood is also an option for those who don't have one. hobs uk will allow air to circulate in your kitchen and is required by the Part F of Building Regulations.