How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
If you're in the market for an oven or hob that is new, we've got the sizes, features and styles to suit your kitchen.
It is generally easy to use and durable, solid plate hobs have sealed metal plates that cook your cookware. They are ideal for flat-based cookware and can be economical to run.
Origins
Ovens are kitchen appliances used to roast and bake food in households around the world. In general, they are powered by electricity or gas. 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 a lot of homes the oven is surrounded by a hob that food items can be cooked. The difference between a stove and an oven is that a stove has burners that can be turned on and off while an oven comes with an enclosure that allows food to be heated in the centre.
The first ovens were huge brick and mud structures, which contained fire to heat food. They were used for baking bread, cooking meat, and for cooking other foods since they were able to hold heat and maintained a constant temperature. They could also be shared among family members. However, open pits and furnaces had three major disadvantages - they were risky because of the open flame and smoke, they consumed a lot of fuel (wood), and it was difficult to regulate the cooking process and heat.
The solution was to make ovens look like fireplaces. They included a chimney to block off the flame, reducing its intensity and the amount of smoke. This made it easier to manage. They were very popular during the 16th and 17th centuries, and were typically used in homes that were wealthy enough to have a separate kitchen with a chimney, as well as having more than one fireplace and oven.
In the late 19th century, European ovens were a popular feature in kitchens. This was partly due to the fact that the oven became an essential feature, as it was much safer and more efficient to cook in an oven than over an open flame or in a cauldron. It is also believed that the invention and use of the oven was with changes in cooking methods and recipes, which led to a greater focus on meat and casseroles.
In certain recipes, like those made by Nigella she might suggest leaving a pan "on the hob". However this could be confusing, because a hob in British English is an oven. If you're not familiar with British terminology, the North American equivalent would be a range or cooktop.
Functions
The oven functions, also known as cooking modes, are preprogrammed options that control the oven's heating element and fan depending on your recipe. They are designed to make cooking food easier and more efficient, while preserving the flavor and texture.
Ovens come with a traditional mode that cooks food from the top to the bottom. They also come with a fan-assisted option which uses a built-in fan to circulate air around the oven to ensure better even and faster heating. There are a variety of options for oven and hob functions. It's important to know the distinctions to decide which one is best for you.
A fan-powered oven is ideal for cooking a variety of foods. It is able to heat the oven more evenly than a traditional oven, and is ideal for grilling, baking, and roasting. It is particularly useful for ovensandhobs pizzas and pies that require a quick crisp, smooth finish. The Fan-Assisted setting is marked with a zigzag at the top and a straight line at the bottom of a square, and it can save you up to 40% in cooking time.
Certain ovens come with grilling options that combine heat from the top and bottom of the oven to give your food the perfect char. It's ideal for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and can be marked with the zigzag and straight lines similar to Fan-Assisted. This mode is usually utilized on the bottom rack of the oven, so make certain to be aware of the temperature settings of your oven to prevent overcooking.
Other oven functions include slow cooking making bread and pastries, proofing them, and other things. These are often preprogrammed and create a controlled, warm atmosphere to help rise dough and develop flavours.
Some ovens come with a steam function that is ideal for creating healthy and nutritious food. It offers a moderate amount of moisture to your food, which maintains tenderness and adds a delicate, rich flavour to poultry, vegetables, baked items and even custards. Utilizing this feature is as easy as pouring water into the reservoir inside your oven, then turning it on, with certain models automatically altering the amount of steam depending on the temperature that is selected.
Types
There are a variety of ovens and hobs that are available on the market. They vary from traditional gas models to modern electric models. It is important to choose an oven and hob that meets your requirements. It is important to consider features such as self-cleaning and smart functions too.
Gas ovens are a popular option and are suitable for most kitchens. They are simple to use as they come with rings on the burners as well as the grate that pans sit on which emits heat. Gas hobs are also energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. This can help you cut your utility bills. They may take longer to heat up than electric hobs and can be more difficult to clean with dirt.
Electric hobs come in a variety of different designs that include ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are a bit more expensive but they are energy efficient since the hob only is heated when you put the pot on it. They also stay cool to the touch, which makes them safer for children, and are fairly fast to warm up. They are also slow to cool off and don't warm up evenly.
Plate hobs are a classic of the kitchen, featuring an array of cooking zones that are placed on a flat surface that sits underneath your kitchen appliances. They offer a stylish modern look that will look sleek and match the majority of kitchens. They are difficult to clean because they have multiple zones of uneven heating. If not cleaned properly they may leave burn marks.
The most popular model is the built-in single oven. They can be set up either beneath a hob, or at eye-level in an built-in cabinet. When selecting an oven, think about the size of your family. They are usually large enough to accommodate a large meal and are available in various sizes. There are also ovens with extra features such as grill or steam features.
Installation
It may be worth hiring an electrician to set up the new oven for you or replace an old one. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly set up and that the new oven is safe to use. A licensed electrician will be able to adhere to local regulations and ensure that your installation is in accordance with all applicable safety codes.
Before beginning the process of fitting 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 require. Examine the electrical supply in your home to make sure it can handle the new electric hob and oven.
In order to install a new oven and hob first, you must take them out of the old ones. To accomplish this, locate the bolts or screws that hold the old appliance in place and remove them with care. After the appliance has been removed, the area where the new one will be installed should be free of obstructions. Then, a junction box needs to be installed and connected to the electrical supply with conduit. This must be done according to the manufacturer's instructions as well as any relevant local regulations.
Once the electrical connections are established after which the oven and hob can be lowered into position. The fitter will use the clips that came with the hob to fix it and ensure that it's flush with the worktop. The fitter will test the hob and ensure that it's working correctly.
If you're planning to install an oven or hob that is gas-powered, it's best to engage a professional to do the job. Gas installation isn't like connecting an electric oven. A CORGI certified engineer must connect the pipes. It's also recommended to purchase an oven hood fitted in case you don't have one, as this will allow you to ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.