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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.
Solid plate hobs are easy to use and are durable. They feature metal plates with sealed surfaces that heat your cookware. They are ideal for flat-based products and can be cost-effective to run.
Origins
Ovens are kitchen appliances used to bake and roast food in homes across the world. They typically are powered by electricity or gas with bottle gas models that are sold in certain stores but ovens can also make use of other fuels, such as wood or charcoal. In many homes, an oven is surrounded with a hob and oven which is where food can be cooked. Hobs are essentially a stove 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 for baking bread, cooking meat, and cooking other meals since they were able to hold heat and maintained a constant temperature. They were also able to be shared between family members. However, these open pits and furnaces came with three major disadvantages - they were risky because of the smoke and flames that could be seen, they consumed a lot of fuel (wood) and was difficult to regulate the cooking process and heat.
A solution was found using ovens that resembled fireplaces, with a chimney that closed off the fire to lessen the amount of smoke and intensity, and make it easier to manage. They were popular in the 16th and early 17th century. They were used in wealthy households with separate kitchens with a chimney, and more than one fireplace and oven.
By the mid-19th Century, European ovens were a common fixture in kitchens. This was partly because the oven became essential, since it was much more secure and efficient to cook with an oven than over an open flame or in a cauldron. It is thought that the development of the oven was correlated with the evolution of cooking methods and recipes, which resulted in a greater concentration on meat and casseroles.
It is worth noting that in certain recipes like those from Nigella she may suggest placing the pot "on the hob" but this can be misleading as a hob is actually an actual British word for stove top. The North American equivalent is a range or cooktop, so it can be confusing if not familiar with British terminology.
Functions
The oven functions, also referred to as cooking modes, are preprogrammed settings which control the oven's heating element and fan according to your recipe. They are designed to help you cook food more efficiently and effectively while preserving the taste and texture.
Ovens come with a traditional mode that heats food from the top to the bottom. There is also a fan-assisted mode that uses an integrated fan to circulate the air around the oven, which allows for an even and faster heating. There are a myriad of types of oven and hob functions to pick from, and it's crucial to understand the different options to figure out the ones that are best for your requirements.
The fan-assisted function of the oven is ideal to cook a variety of meals. It warms up the oven more evenly than standard ovens uk, and is perfect for grilling, baking and roasting. It is especially useful for pizzas and pie that require a fast crisp and smooth finish. The Fan-Assisted setting is identified by a zigzag on the top and straight lines at the bottom of the square, and it can cut down up to 40% of cooking time.
Some ovens have a grilling feature that combines heat from the top and bottom of the oven to give your food an amazing charcoal. It's ideal for meat or vegetable kebabs and can be marked with zigzags or straight lines similar to Fan-Assisted. This type of oven is typically used on the lower shelf of the oven uk. Be sure to be aware of the temperature settings inside your oven to ensure that you don't overcook.
Other oven functions include slow cooking, proofing bread and pastries and many more. These are usually preprogrammed and create a controlled, warm environment that helps rise dough and create flavours.
Certain ovens have steam functions that are ideal for creating healthy and nutritious food. It adds a small amount of moisture to your food, which maintains tenderness and adds an exquisite, rich flavor to vegetables, poultry, baked items as well as custards. This feature can be activated by simply placing water into the oven's reservoir and then turning it on. Certain models can alter the amount of steam depending on the temperature selected.
Types
There are a variety of oven and hob on the market, ranging from traditional gas to modern electric models. It is important to choose an oven and hob that suits your needs. Think about features like self-cleaning or smart capabilities.
Gas ovens are a very popular option and work well in the majority of kitchens. They are easy to use as they have rings around the burners and a grate where pans rest that emits heat. Gas hobs also tend to be energy efficient and have precise temperature control, meaning they can reduce your energy costs. They can take longer to heat up than electric hobs, and they can be more difficult to clean, due to the residue.
Electric hobs are available in a variety of styles including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs may be somewhat more expensive to purchase but are considered energy efficient as the hob only generates heat when you place a pan over it. They also stay cool to the touch, which makes them more child-safe, and are fast to heat up. However, they don't always cook evenly and can be slow to cool down.
Plate hobs uk, which are also an essential kitchen appliance, have an array of cooking zones that are all electrically powered on flat surfaces. They are placed under the cabinets in your kitchen. They offer a stylish modern look that will look sleek and complement most kitchens. They are difficult to clean as they have a variety of zones with uneven heating. If not cleaned properly, they can leave burn marks.
The most popular type is the built-in single-oven. They can be placed 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 can be large enough to accommodate a huge 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 properly installed and the new oven is safe to use. An electrician who is certified will be able to adhere to local regulations and ensure that your installation is in line with all applicable safety regulations.
Before you begin 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, a screwdriver, and electrical tape are among the tools you'll need. It is also essential to examine the electrical power supply in your home and make sure it can handle the load of a new electric oven and hob.
In order to install a new oven and hob, you must first take them out of the old ones. Find the bolts or screws holding the old appliance, and then remove them with care. After the old appliance has been removed from the area, it must be cleaned and free of obstructions. Next the junction box must be erected and connected to the electrical supply using conduit. It is essential to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer and any local regulations.
After electrical connections have been completed, the oven and hob can be lifted into place. The fitter will then utilize the clips that came with the hob to fix 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 working correctly.
If you're installing a gas oven and hob it's best to hire a professional for the task. Gas installation is not like plugging in an electric oven. A CORGI certified engineer must connect the pipes. It's also an excellent idea to get a cooker hood installed in the event that you don't have one, as this will help to ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.