Oven And Hob Tools To Ease Your Life Everyday
How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
If you're looking for an oven or hob that is new, we have a variety of sizes, features and styles to fit your kitchen.
Solid plate hobs can be simple to use and durable. They feature metal plates with a sealed surface that heats your cookware. They are ideal for flat-based products and can be cost-effective to run.
Origins
Ovens are kitchen appliances used to roast and bake food for households across the world. Generally they are fueled by electricity or gas with bottle gas models that are sold in certain stores but ovens can additionally use other fuels such as wood or charcoal. In many homes the oven is usually surrounded with a hob which is where food can be cooked. A hob is a burner that can be turned on or off. An oven is a closed enclosure that cooks food in the middle.
The first ovens were large brick and mud constructions that 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 easily shared between family members. However, open pits and furnaces came with three major drawbacks - they were dangerous due to the open flame and smoke, they consumed a lot of fuel (wood) and was difficult to control the heat and cooking process.
The solution was to make ovens look like fireplaces. They had a chimney that blocked off the flame, reducing its intensity and the amount of smoke. This made it easier to manage. These were common in the 16th and 17th centuries. They were common in wealthy households that had a separate kitchen with a chimney as well as more than one fireplace and oven.
In the late 19th century, European ovens had evolved to be a regular feature in home kitchens. It was partly due to the fact that the oven was an essential requirement. It was more secure and efficient for people to cook over an open flame or in a cauldron. It is also believed that the invention and use of the oven coincided with the evolution of cooking techniques and recipes, which led to a greater emphasis on meat and casseroles.
In some recipes, such as those made by Nigella she may suggest leaving the pan "on the hob". However, this can be misleading because a hob used in British English is a stovetop. If you're not familiar with British terminology and terminology, the North American equivalent would be a cooktop or range.
Functions
The oven's functions, or cooking modes, are pre-programmed options that control the way that oven's heating elements and fan operate depending on your recipe. They are designed to make cooking food more efficiently and effectively, while preserving the taste and texture.
Ovens typically have a conventional mode that heats from the top and bottom to bake or roast food items. There is also a fan-assisted option that makes use of an integrated fan to circulate air around the oven, allowing for an even and faster heating. There are a variety of oven and hob functions to pick from, and it's crucial to be aware of the different options to figure out the ones that are best hob for your needs.
The fan-powered feature of the oven is ideal to cook a variety of meals. It is able to heat the oven more evenly than a conventional oven, and is great for grilling, baking and roasting. It's especially useful for dishes that require quick, crisp and fast-drying like pizza or pies. The setting for Fan-Assisted is marked by a zigzag on the top and straight lines at the bottom of a square, and it can save you up to 40% of cooking time.
Some ovens have grilling features that combine heat from the bottom and top of the oven, giving your food the perfect charcoal. It's great for meat or vegetable kebabs and can be marked with the zigzag and straight lines like Fan-Assisted. This mode is usually utilized on the lower rack of the oven, so be careful to observe the oven's temperature settings to prevent overcooking.
There are also other oven functions like proofing of pastry and bread slow cooking, proofing and much more. These ovens are usually programmed to create a warm, controlled atmosphere to aid in the rising of dough. It also helps your food develop amazing flavours.
There are ovens that come with steam functions, which are perfect for creating healthy, nutritious foods. It provides a low level of moisture to your food, which maintains the tenderness of the food and imparts an exquisite, rich flavor to vegetables, poultry baked goods, baked products and even custards. Utilizing this feature is just as simple as pouring the water into the reservoir of your oven, then turning it on, with certain models automatically changing the amount of steam to depend on the temperature that is selected.
Types
There are many types of oven and hob on the market that range from traditional gas to modern electric models. It is crucial to select an oven and a hob that meets your requirements. 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 with rings as well as a grate that pans rest on which emits heat, which makes them easy to use. Gas hobs can also be energy efficient and offer precise temperature control, meaning they could reduce your utility bills. They may take longer to warm up than electric hobs, and they can be more difficult to clean with dirt.
Electric hobs come in many different styles that include ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are slightly more expensive to purchase, but they are considered energy efficient as the hob only generates heat when you place a pot over it. They are also safe for children and can heat up quite quickly. They are also slow to cool down and do not heat up evenly.
Plate hobs are another staple of the kitchen, featuring an array of cooking zones, all on a flat surface that sits beneath your kitchen units. They are sleek and have a modern design that is perfect for all kitchens. They are difficult to clean because they have a variety of zones with uneven heating. If they are not properly cleaned they could leave burn marks.
The most popular model is the built-in single oven. These can be installed under a hob or at eye-level in cabinets with built-in ovens. They are typically large enough to accommodate a big meal and come in different sizes, so make sure to take into consideration your family's size when choosing an oven. There are also ovens with extra features such as a steam or grill function.
Installation
If you're planning to install a new oven or replacing an old one, it's worth hiring an electrician to handle the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is properly installed and your new appliance is safe to use. A qualified electrician can follow local regulations to ensure that your installation is in compliance with all safety standards.
You'll require all the tools and supplies you need before you begin the installation process of your new electric hob and oven. Wire nuts as well as a screwdriver and electrical tape are among the tools you'll need. Make sure you check the electrical supply at your home to make sure it is able to handle a new electric hob and oven.
The first step in the process of installing a new hob and oven is to get rid of any old appliances. To accomplish this, locate the screws or bolts that hold the old appliance in place and then remove them carefully. After the old appliance has been removed from the area, it should be cleaned and free of obstructions. Next the junction box will need to be installed and connected to the electrical supply with conduit. This must be done in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer and any applicable local regulations.
Once the electrical connections are made, the oven or hob can then be lowered in place. The fitter will then utilize the clips that came with the hob to fix it in place and make sure that it's in line with the worktop. The fitter will test the hob and ensure that it's functioning properly.
If you're installing a gas hob and oven, it's best ovens to hire a professional for the job. Gas installation isn't quite as easy as plugging in a new electric oven, and requires the assistance of an CORGI certified engineer to connect the pipes. It's also recommended to purchase an oven hood fitted 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.